Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Brian Waddington Hut

TBD -- It's a long drive to the trailhead (6 hours + border crossing time) we will carpool from the Seattle area to Pemberton the day before and stay in motel in order to have a full day for the approach to the hut.

The area around the Brian Waddington Hut offers impressive ski terrain.   In addition to the big terrain were good visiblity and stable snow are needed,  there is some lower angle tree skiing suitable for stormy days.     Day skiing may happen all as one big group -- or we make organize sub-groups on some days  so that people of simlar fitness and interests can more freely pursue the lines they wish to ski.  

It is a six mile 3500vft ski into the hut.   The 1st 4 miles follow an old logging road and towed sleds may be used to carry gear up that section it may be possible to use a skier towed sled to haul your pack.   The next 1.5 miles follow a well marked route through old forest that is unsuitable for sled usage and where ski crampons are useful for a less stressful ascent weaving around trees and tree wells.  The last half mile is across frozen Long Lake. 

The skiing is the area is amazing -- for the most part people with "Advanced" (M2) ability will enjoy the day skiing from the hut.   I've given the trip a M3 rating because skiing out from the hut through the forest is steep and tight and typically has crusty unpleasant snow and you will be carrying your overnight pack.

The hut has comfortable room for 24 people -- but up to 40 will fit.   The policy of the UBC VOC is "always room for one more" The trip schedule using mid-week days is intented to avoid weekend crowds.   Last years trip there were two other groups in the hut for the 1st night and then we had it to ourselves. 

The hut was built and is operated by the University  of British Columbia Varsity Outdoor Club (UBC-VOC)   The hut usage fee is $10 CDN per person per night.  

More information about the hut:
https://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Brian_Waddington_Hut
https://huts.ubc-voc.com/Phelix/

The hut now has a wood burning stove for warmth and drying.    When we were there late March there was a small supply of wood remaining that did keep the hut comfortable for us.   All firewood is flown or packed in by volunteers and no wood gathering in the hut area is permitted.   

For food arrangements -- everyone will need to bring their own breakfasts and lunches.   

Omnivores will share dinners -- a "Cook team" will be organized for each night with that team planning, purchasing, packing in, cooking that night's meal.   In addition there will a "clean up" team that will  clean up that nights meal.  Cooking and cleaning work loads be distributed equitably.    Food and fuel costs will be shared equitably.     The menu plan choosen by each "Cook Team" will be shared with the rest of the group well in advance in order to avoid eating mac&cheese every night.       

 Persons with dietary restrictions may opt out of the shared dinner arrangments -- coordinate with me -- perhaps there will be a comptible group than can share dinners. 

Leader Permission required.    I will initially set the roster count to 0 and have everyone on the waitlist and then move selected people to the roster based on what I believe will create the most favorable group dynamics.   

I'm open to having experienced people participate as Co-Leaders -- this will allow a larger total group size and being able to day ski from the hut to different locations and at different paces.   

FWIW:  My TAY trip report from my 1st trip to this hut.
https://turns-all-year.com/trip-reports/march-23-27-brian-waddington-hut-bc

Some photos from last year's trip