adventure
Top Tips for Winter Hut Trips by Kaitlin Emig
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c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m
PHOTOS BY SARA HENLEY
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considered myself a seasoned expeditionary participant before gathering a group of women to join me on a winter hut trip two years ago. However, on this trip, I learned many lessons about planning and preparing for a winter backcountry expedition. As I look forward to another winter of earning your turns through backcountry ski touring, I thought I should sit down with an expert to dig a little deeper. No one better than Don Shefchik of Paragon Guides, who estimates he’s been on around 500 hut trips in his lifetime. Shefchik’s advice goes beyond the “five Ps” — prior planning leads to proper performance — as he shares with us years of experience guiding and participating in winter hut trips. Shefchik started his 35-year guiding career as a shadow guide and, over time, moved up the ranks to field director for Paragon Guides. Now, he is semi-retired. He’s seen the evolution of ski touring gear and the expansion of huts built within the Colorado hut system. He enjoys winter hut trips because of the physical and mental challenge associated with preparing for backcountry travel. He commented on his favorite hut being Peter Estin Hut, because he grew into his guiding career going there and enjoys skiing at that location. There are 12 huts in the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association and another 22 available through the Summit Huts, Braun and Friends Huts and privately-owned huts. The popularity of visiting the huts has grown immensely over the years, and making reservations in advance is necessary. Reservations have returned to being able to book individual spots instead of booking out a whole cabin during the post-COVID years. Although, the hut association does recommend booking a whole cabin if parties are using the huts to celebrate a special occasion. Shefchik doesn’t believe in calling huts beginner-friendly, because in
