stanley mitchell hut

[keksie]

Anyone that can share some beta, especially about the approach? Looking to go there for a few days in the beginning of April but not looking forward to the 23km slog in. I've heard that its "pretty much a two day approach" during wintertime but also that dawn to dusk approach shouldn't be a problem for a strong party, even at a pretty slow pace. So who's right, the route isn't too bad is it? Any idea how much traffic the hut gets (i.e. what chance that the track is already set if it's a while since last snowfall)?

also feel free to rave about how good the skiing around the hut is, or correct what I've heard by telling that it sucks. danke.

[freak]

you should come back to the alps and have a 2.3km slog in.

freak~[&]

[jamesp]

lots of written stuff says ppl take 2 days, but I do know for a fact lots of ppl do it in 1 day also. Friends of mine have gone in & out in 1 day (porter-ing work). Its mostly fairly flat, just the switchbacks on the Yoho road. Mt Field is popular for day trips so there's likely to be a track to just past the Yoho Road switchbacks at least. Then the section from Takakkaw Falls to the hut is pretty flat also aside from the part just pass Laughing Falls. My guess is if you've got skinning fitness & get an early start it shouldn't be a problem getting there in daylight. The disclaimer is I've only been there in summer.

I've always wanted to there via the Wapta from Bow hut, I figure if you're doing a long approach may as well make a better trip out of it.

[L7]

Days are very long by then so that is in your favour. Given this winter's snow pack and early spring April could be late for lower sections as well as any creek/river/water crossings.

Alpine club of canada for info is probably most up to date.

[Canada Guy]

I've only done it in summer, but it is quite a long trek. Not too bad as far as elevation goes as the hut is in the bottom of the valley.

Despite that I would probably budget 2 days to get there on skis.

Where are you starting? Right at Takkakaw or at the bottom of the switchback road that leads to the falls? I can't remember if that road gets plowed in the winter.

[jbski]

From what I can remember, the approach in the summer is really simple and straight forward. There are two routes to get there from the summer parking lot too. Both are beautiful but I preferred the western route.

If you've got skis and skins, and are at least moderately fit I think you'll be just fine. The hut itself is pretty darn big with plenty of room for people and gear. I'll see if I can find my old map and give you some info on the approach. No promises that I can find it though.

Disclaimer: I stayed at Stanley Mitchell and summited The President and Vice President over a decade ago when I was 14/15. So the info I have may be a little old, but I'd think most of it should still be relevant.

[GeezerSteve]

We did it in one long day in the mid-1990's, and exited in one long day. I think it was April. Tracks were set by a party preceding us.

[TOLOCOMan]

It is totally doable in a day, unless you are trail breaking in lots of fresh snow. Even then, I would suggest trying to get there in a day. The enclosed cooking area at Takakkaw isn't really very comfortable. Usually pretty damp feeling, just sleeping on picnic tables, and usually sharing it with critters. I know people that have used it and said they wished they'd just ploughed on in a day since they got so little sleep they ended up exhausted anyways.

The hut itself is very cool, one of my favourites in the area. There is lots of good skiing around, regardless of conditions. You can find decent terrain on all aspects, and ranging from glaciated to below treeline. Something to ski no matter what.

For those that keep talking about their summer approaches, it is a very different ball game. The road isn't ploughed much past the highway, and you have to ski all the way up the road. We're talking over twice the distance and elevation gain as the summer approach.

[go_up]

sounds like parks was up in that area recently:

from: http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/psb/index_e...qava_park_id=2

Synopsis:
The natural avalanche cycle has tapered off with no new slides reported or observed today. However there are many indications of the continued instability in the snowpack. Skiers at Bow Summit observed shooting cracks and whumphing up to 10m in front of them as they traveled along at treeline. Presently surface slabs are very susceptible to skier triggering. These slabs are most prominent on north through east aspects at and above treeline. These slabs sit over two prominent surface hoar layers; the March 8th and February 25th surface hoar layers. Field tests at Takakkaw Falls today gave very easy results on the March 8th layer and moderate results on the February 25th layer (down 30-60 cm). Backcountry travelers need to stick to lower angled terrain and avoid exposure to overhead hazards, terrain traps and steeper lee slope features.



Skier triggered avalanches are a real concern, particularly at and above treeline where the winds have created soft slabs over top of the buried surface hoar.

Avalanche Activity:
No new avalanche activity reported or observed today. However there is widespread evidence of the avalanche cycle of the last few days. One size 3 soft slab off of the NE asp of Mt. Wapta came down close to the edge of the road bed on the Little Yoho road. This slide appears to have run in the last 48hrs as the fracture line is still very sharp.

Outlook:
The sun is forecast to shine on Saturday with freezing levels edging up to 2200m on solar aspects. This should lead to an increasing avalanche danger on solar aspects Saturday afternoon.

Travel Conditions:
Good uptracking today near Takkakaw Falls with 10cm ski penetration. The run down was not inspiring with a breakable crust under 5cm on storm snow. Overall you will need to look to lower angle north facing terrain at higher elevations to find good quality skiing. Lower elevation ski conditions took a hit from the warm temperatures mid-week and now surface crusts can be expected. PW

[jamesp]

yeah the Yoho road is closed in winter just past the Cathedral Mtn lodge (ie barely off Hwy #1). When Parks go to Takkakaw (ala the avi bulletin) I'm *guessing* they sled up the road. The ACC maintenance guys were there recently also (well they said they were going at least) & they had a permit to sled to Takkakaw & ski from there. Try calling the ACC & ask for the maintenance guys & ask them what it was like.

There are no creek crossings to worry about, & I don't think the "high" summer trail (Iceline Trail) would be a good idea in winter, it crosses lots of big avi paths.

[goral]

I've been there twice in the winter. Both times skied there in one day. First time we skied in after dark but that was because of gear breakage issues. It is a full day ski but very doable unless you have so-so fitness, a ridiculously heavy pack (unneccessary as the hut is well outfitted), or a big new snowfall (and even then it is doable).

They used to trackset/snowmobile pack the road up to the switchbacks - not sure if they still do. There really isn't that much elevation gain over the 23 km (750m?) so less daunting then it seems.

Leave early and you should be fine. It is a great old cabin in a beautiful setting.

[Huck_Schmuck]

No chance, you'd have to get up too early.

[keksie]

you should come back to the alps and have a 2.3km slog in.

freak~[&]

Yea, but I have to get the full Canadian experience while I'm here, right? 23km sounds like fun. To top it off there will not be ANY hot showers and 3 course dinners for me when I get there.

Thanks for the replies, seems like one day approach won't be much of a problem. Had to make sure since "approach" is not a word that I normally use in my skiing vocabulary and the pains and obstacles encountered on a long flat slog are largely unbeknownst to me. I will have to veer off my lazy euro habits for at least one day.

[Huck_Schmuck]

It better be worth it, otherwise 23km would be booRRRing - that's what V said anyway.

[keksie]

Came back from the hut yesterday. Info for anyone thinking of going: I'd recommend doing the approach in one long slog. Two is just a waste. L was on a splitboard and it took us 8.5hours total and we could've gone faster too. For the other groups that we met (except one) the slog took from 8.5 to 9 hours. For us there was an old track with 5cm of new snow it and we broke new trail for the Laughing Falls hill, where most of the vert is gained. We were carrying 5days worth of food but no glacier gear and packed light.

You might have to prepare for 2 days if the days are short and/or you're breaking trail in deep snow and/or if you're out of shape. 2 guys at the hut had overnighted at Takakkaw falls, they were carrying heavy packs, were inexperienced and probably out of shape. The shelter there sucks and if you overnight there you'd better have a good sleeping bag.