Digital detox
In the decades since, ourworld has changed. Mobile computers nowtake up space in our pockets; emails and texts and social media demand our attention and time. Regardless of your relationship with your devices, a night (or four) at a hut delivers unplugged time. While some may receive a signal, there’s nowi-fi, and the only power source is solar (no plugs, so bring your own solar-powered charger if you need it). Spend some time on the front deck and youmight be surprised to realize that the scene unfolding before you is actually reminiscent of the naturescape many of us have choosen for our computer screen savers.
How to hut
If this sounds good to you, chances are you have questions. How to reserve a hut? Head to the 10thmountain Division Hut Association website at huts.org. How to figure out the best hut for you? Call them (at 970-9255775). Two summers ago, I spent two hours on the phone with one employee, who helped me coordinate a hut trip for a group of 13 with five children. More than half the group was coming from sea level, and I wanted to minimize the chances of altitude sickness. The kids ranged from ages three to 10, and we wanted easy hiking, harder scrambling and possibly a mountain bike trail or two. Expertise doesn’t begin to describe what the woman on the other end of the phone offered. She was patient, knowledgeable and good-humored. Thanks to her, we found an ideal hut.
Planningmakes perfect
But howto make the most of your trip once you’re there? In aword: Plan.
You’ll want to bring plenty of sunscreen and sun hats, layers (weather changes rapidly at 11,000 feet), a good book and, if you’re like me, a journal and pens.
All huts have wonderful dining tables that accommodate big groups, and group meals at elevation are really fun. Prior to the trip, designate a trip leader to coordinate cooking groups. My approach is to do group dinners and breakfasts and have folks be on their own for lunch and snacks.
To encourage kids to drink (staying hydrated at this elevation is essential), we always bring juice boxes, cans of sparkling water and even sugary drink mix.
When you’re not cooking, chances are you’re on cleaning duty (note: you are the dishwasher in the hut, and there’s an elaborate system of rinsing, soaping, rinsing and bleaching utensils and plates to keep everything clean and all hut users healthy).
The payoff
So why go to the effort? Because there are few things in life that compare to an ink-black sky pierced with millions of stars unobstructed by light pollution. And because the huts are gateways to Colorado’s natural world.
More-intrepid travelers can link a series of huts for a multi-day, hut-tohut trip. Whether you go to one hut or three, or for a single night or more, you’re sure to discover a peaceful calm and the connection that transpires when life gets reduced to its most simple elements of shelter, food and water.
The 10th Mountain Division Hut, which shares its namewith the entire system of huts, is open for the summer starting July 1. Craig Hoffman, Special to The Denver Post