Hut Trippin' - Markley with Big Agnes
I’ve lived in Colorado for 18 years, been quite adventurous
to most standards that live here and yet hadn’t been on a hut trip until March
2015. It’s like one of those rights of
passage if you are a Coloradoan. (Another being hiking a 14er, which I haven’t
done either. What?! Don’t worry – it’s on the bucket list.) Thank goodness for the people in my life
being veteran hut trippers, ski patrollers, and such. This trip was booked
months in advance and a group of friends easily came
together that was insured to be a blast. Being my first hut trip - Markley Hut - was one that was a good for a virgin
run.
Markley Hut is located at 10,400’, outside Ashcroft at the
foot of Green Mountain. It is 2 ½ miles from the parking lot with an 1000’ elevation gain. I had used the recommended packing list from the 10th
Mountain Division Hut Trip site to help me with my preparedness of the trip and
some coaching from fellow hut tripper friends. I looked at what gear I
had and what gear I didn’t have and figure out I would need to either borrow or get. I did
borrow a good backpack and beacon. I also was in need of a sleeping bag, which
I got my hands on a Big Ages Boot Jack 24. This sleeping bag is lightweight, super easy to pack, high quality
down, and constructed with Insoltect Flow patented technology. I was ready and
super stoked! Loved that the sleeping back is from Steamboat Springs, CO! Not only do they have sleeping bags. They also have outdoor award winning products such as tents, sleeping pads, apparel, camp chairs, and accessories.
Everything was great. The group got to the parking lot on time, didn’t forget anything, and the laughing had already started while we
were putting on packs and clicking into equipment for the skin up around noon.
With the spring sun shining down on us we started the accent. I’ve skinned many
times before with daypacks that just held a couple snacks, water and an extra
layer – never had I had a 40+ pounder on my back for this kind of adventure.
Within 15 minutes of the slight climb I was already heating up – feeling great,
took a minute breather and a drink of water. “OK – I got this – it’s not that
much gain” I kept telling myself. Another 5 minutes and I was stopping again
looking for shade. I needed to take off layers and the pack was now making an
impact that I didn’t realize. “You got this!” was my next mantra.
The group had stopped past the half waypoint to shed some
layers, repack, rehydrate and make the final trudge. (A blessing in disguise.) It
ended up taking just over an hour to reach the hut, although it was a very
different skinning experience than I had had ever before – because of the heat and weight
of the pack. As the hut was in site the reward was all I could think of which
would include sitting on the deck, looking at the gorgeous view, hanging with
friends and soaking in the Colorado sun.
Sleeping at 10,400 – I was told would be difficult. I didn’t
even think twice about it before we left or while I was getting ready for my
first night sleep. We had been burning a fire in the wood-burning stove so we
were quite content and the temperature was perfect. I had my hut slippers on (one of the "must have" for hutting.) I was ready to slip into the Big Agnes Boot Jack 24, which is a mummy style sleeping bag. I couldn't spread out but I was certainly snuggled up in the form-fitting bag and was quite cozy with the uniform heat
distribution. Ahhh…sleep. Well, the sleeping didn’t go as planned regardless of
how comfortable I was. (The Boot Jack gets a big thumbs up! Perfect for packing and hutting. Can't wait to use it again camping this summer!) Your body acclimatizes at an average of 1,000 feet per
24 hours. So in other words, I wasn’t acclimated coming from my normal 5,600’
elevation, which did create some sleeping challenges. Who knew? Well – I do now.
The stars were breathtaking, the hut amazing,
the friendship priceless and having the right gear – always a huge advantage to
any adventure.
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