TR: Kokanee Hut 3/16-23

[bumski]

Kokanee Hut - 3/16/13 - 3/23/13

PART I

More of a bunch of photos than a TR. Mostly scenery, a few words, and a little action.

A last minute cancellation, some quick decisions, and a little luck put 12 of us (4 seperate groups) in a fortunate enough position to bypass the lottery securing our spot in this amazing place.

Our lift up in the Lama. Looks a little scary but it's an incredible machine.




I struggle even calling this place a "hut". More of a lodge with hydroelectric generation, flush toilets, hot water, phone service, and even wifi. Upstairs is dedicated sleeping quarters with bunks for 24. Main floor is a double kitchen and living area. Basement is a large drying room. Ample space for everyone to stretch out.








As with all these trips.. it all starts with the up. The photos will tell the rest.








In awe of the terrain surrounding. Sawtooth Ridge divides the park east and west.

[bumski]

Kokanee Hut - 3/16/13 - 3/23/13

PART II




















With over 120cm of new snow throughout the week I was hoping they would bring this up.

[bumski]

Kokanee Hut - 3/16/13 - 3/23/13

PART III

[Rip'nStick]

HOLEEE SHIT that LoOKS AWESOME!

Noticed you stayed away from the steep stuff; with meadow skipping like that, I don't think you had many complaints.

And what is the Droid's name? What does he do?

[bumski]

Check that one out.




Admiring the jump lines on the Heli out.














Long lining out the trash.

[MakersTeleMark]

My lord. That is wonderful.

[bumski]

HOLEEE SHIT that LoOKS AWESOME!

Noticed you stayed away from the steep stuff; with meadow skipping like that, I don't think you had many complaints.

And what is the Droid's name? What does he do?

I couldn't even try to complain about the trip.

The droid (Daisybell) is floated above the snowpack via helicopter. When activated it fires off a blast of hydrogen/oxygen to trigger avalanches. Pretty cool. I would love to see it in action.

[LightRanger]

Epic shots. What kind of camera?

And, when I was scrolling down I was thinking of saying, "No video of the daisy bell in action? FAIL." But then I say your post above. The park service uses it to control around the hut, or what?

[Mike Pow]

Some fabulous shots and lines in there.

[neck beard]

jesus christ.

Some of the photos really captured what I reckon it must be like to be there.

Some of that touring terrain makes me giddy to look at.

[crashidy]

It is you who stole those last minute openings from me! I was all set called and he said they were gone! Blast you! Nice shots though

Sent from my GT-I9100M using TGR Forums

[bumski]

Epic shots. What kind of camera?

And, when I was scrolling down I was thinking of saying, "No video of the daisy bell in action? FAIL." But then I say your post above. The park service uses it to control around the hut, or what?

I'm using a Canon 60D. I picked up my first SLR 3 months ago so it's awesome to get some positive feedback. Thanks!

2 guys at the hut watched it the Daisybell being used at Kootenay Pass a couple days earlier. Kootenay Valley Heli has it stored in their hanger in Nelson but I'm not sure what all the locations it is used at.

[bumski]

It is you who stole those last minute openings from me! I was all set called and he said they were gone! Blast you! Nice shots though

Sent from my GT-I9100M using TGR Forums

Sorry Crashidy. Not to rub it in but it was SICK! Haha

[mtnjam]

Nice TR....a few summers ago we hiked up to the Kokanee Hut, but didn't go in. Nice to see what it the interior looks like. I did stop at the small hydropower plant to check that out, pretty cool.

We hiked a little further up to the old Kokanee Hut and the new one is a marvel in memory of a prime minister's son that was swept down to the lower lake in an avy years ago if my memory serves me correctly.

The DaisyBell avy control unit is kind of like a portable GasX system like they have up on Teton Pass

[bumski]

Nice TR....a few summers ago we hiked up to the Kokanee Hut, but didn't go in. Nice to see what it the interior looks like. I did stop at the small hydropower plant to check that out, pretty cool.

We hiked a little further up to the old Kokanee Hut and the new one is a marvel in memory of a prime minister's son that was swept down to the lower lake in an avy years ago if my memory serves me correctly.

The DaisyBell avy control unit is kind of like a portable GasX system like they have up on Teton Pass

In short that's the history I got. Tragic event but getting that kind of attention/funding makes the Kokanee hut a pretty rare gem. Below are some pictures of the old Slocan Chief hut practically buried in snow. The Slocan is still open to public and there has been a nice interpretive center set up inside. Pretty cool to check it out and see all the carvings and initials in the wood inside.

The hydro generator and waste treatment in the new hut is a really awesome set up. They can generate 25kw off 3" of water in the middle of winter. Impressive! Plus a 12kw propane back-up.


I would love to get up there in the summer for some hiking. For what it's worth and if you wanted to use it the hut facilities (including the kitchen) are open for day use with a $5 fee.

[mtnjam]

if you do go up there in the summer, at the trailhead, it's advised to put chickenwire around your wheel wells so the porcupines don't start chewing on your tires or engine hoses...

Don't know if that's still true

[AKbruin]

Love the TR and the Gucci hut. Any idea of the probability of winning the lottery to get a space?

[jamesp]

if you do go up there in the summer, at the trailhead, it's advised to put chickenwire around your wheel wells so the porcupines don't start chewing on your tires or engine hoses...

Don't know if that's still true

most likely still the case. Lots of trail heads in BC have a chicken wire stash for this.

[bumski]

Love the TR and the Gucci hut. Any idea of the probability of winning the lottery to get a space?

I'm not sure of the lottery logistics/odds. I do know that 2 people in my group put in for it unsuccessfully 6 years straight before they gave up. I think it's something like $15 to put in for the dates you want but I would have to do some more research to be sure.

[Neuro]

Excellent stoke in here. To the top!

[LeeLau]

Lottery is hard to win. Been trying for past few years. Went there last in 2008

[gointhedistance]

Holy shit! Looks super fun - two thumbs up!!

[shirk]

Kevin has a pretty sweet gig being the custodian up there all winter.

You mention is has phone service, while correct yes I wouldn't expect to use it for a conference call or something. I was talking to Kevin in the hut last week and there is an annoying delay to deal with.

Great pictures. Wicked looking terrain.

[bumski]

Lottery is hard to win. Been trying for past few years. Went there last in 2008

Yeah I spent some time looking through your previous trip reports. You do some fantastic work putting those together. Always quality beta and photos. Thanks.

[bumski]

Kevin has a pretty sweet gig being the custodian up there all winter.

You mention is has phone service, while correct yes I wouldn't expect to use it for a conference call or something. I was talking to Kevin in the hut last week and there is an annoying delay to deal with.

Great pictures. Wicked looking terrain.

Major FAIL on my part not to mention Kevin. He has a great gig but it also takes a special person to do the job he does (particularly with the passion and knowledge he has). Kevin is an outstanding dude and was not only valuable for his knowledge but good company to sit around and share stories with. Sounds like there might be a job opening in the future. Better get up to speed on the generator and waste treatment systems.

When I mentioned wifi and phone service I should've noted it is more for daily weather/Avy forecasts and emergency type stuff (not super strict here but that's all it should be used for). Kevin also does a great job of providing weather info from several sources printed out at least once a day.