I am about to take three girls (Jess Kline and Shelby Mahon from Ontario, Canada, and Stephanie Santeford from Washington State) on a backcountry cabin adventure. There is a lot of planning and organizing that goes into a trip like this – especially because I'm bringing people with me who have never done a cabin trip in British Columbia before. So here is how I prepare as a guide to bring these girls on the adventure of a lifetime:
The unwritten rules
We are very fortunate in the BC to have MANY backcountry cabins to pick from for overnight adventures in the mountains. Some are maintained by different associations, and they need to be paid and booked for in advance, such as Backcountry Lodges of BC, the Alpine Club of Canada, the Columbia Valley Hut Society, etc. Some are considered “emergency huts” in case people are stranded in the backcountry and need someplace sheltered to make a warm fire (most of these are maintained by snowmobile clubs and are not suggested to “spend the night casually or party at”). Some cabins are built by trappers on a trap line, and some are built by squatters in the bush. Whatever cabin you discover and decide to stay at, there are a couple of unwritten rules to remember:
- Of course, make sure you have permission to be there (either book it through the association or ask permission to the right person that maintains or owns the cabin)
- Pack out what you pack in; don’t leave ANY garbage!
- Always cut more wood than you burned during your stay for the next person who stays there. If you’re too lazy to find your own wood, by all means DO NOT burn the cedar shanks they used on the roof!
- The cabin is not “yours,” so if there is another group at the cabin while you are there, then respect them! They are there for the same reason you are – the love for adventure and the outdoors.
- Leave surprises for the owner/builder as a token of thanks – most men like a shot of scotch or whiskey at the end of their day.
- Treat the cabin like your own – with love.
- Always advise someone who is not coming on the trip about what cabin you are at, where you will be riding and your anticipated time of departure and return.
Picking the right cabin
Now, when it comes to actually picking a cabin, make sure you consider the following things:
- Weather. If its going to be a snowy, cloudy, low-visibility weekend, then don’t pick the cabin that requires you to go up and over two mountain ranges and drop down the steepest pitches to get to it. You wont be able to get there! Do your research on avalanche forecasts and weather for the days you will be in the mountains, since you probably won't have the Internet to check while you are there. Once you have an idea, pay close attention to weather and snow conditions while you are there. Conditions change quickly in the mountains!
- If you have beginners in the group, don’t pick a cabin that requires technical riding to get to. You’ll never make it, especially with all of your gear!
- If you have a lot of gear, don’t pick a cabin that has foot-deep whoops for 25+ miles (40+ km). Everyone’s stuff will explode in their tunnel packs and things will be a little tense when you arrive to the cabin.
- Pick a cabin that can comfortably fit your group, and take into consideration that there may be another group there at the same time as you.
- Find out what the cabin is stocked with, which will help you pack lighter for the trip.
What to pack for a backcountry cabin trip
- Emergency communication device – inReach or satellite phone to stay in contact with the outside world in case anything were to happen. Make sure all devices are fully charged before leaving.
- Outlet on sled to plug any device that may need charging.
- Pack everything in waterproof or dry bags!
- Pack light! There is not much room to bring stuff! Depending how many days you are going, you can probably get by with one underlayer, one change of clothes, a toothbrush, a sleeping bag, and a therma rest. No pillows! Use sweaters instead.)
- Extra gas and oil
- Candles and a headlamp
- Chain saw or wood saw
- Food: It's always a good idea to prep food before the trip. It's way easier to wake up at the cabin and slap a breakfast wrap on the woodstove instead of making eggs (which you broke on the way in anyway) and having to cut up all your veggies on site. Pre-make your sandwiches for lunches. Dinner options include canned chili, stews – anything that's easy to open and heat up in the can on the stove! Think low maintenance: no washing dishes!
- Basic kitchen gear: one cup, one fork and one spoon per person, plus one sharp knife and a can opener
- Avoid glass bottles! Bring boxed wine or cans of beer.
- Toilet paper
- First aid gear – full kit with splints and all.
- Avalanche gear
- Emergency cold weather survival gear
- Radios and GPS gear
- Rescue gear (ropes, tow strap, hose clamps, zap straps, tools for sleds)
- Extra tie downs (there is always one or two that get sucked into the track and ripped apart)
- Cabin slippers/booties
- Card games
- If your crew has too much gear, then you may want to consider a toboggan – but make sure you get a heavy duty bumper and hitch installed beforehand. And make sure the cabin has an access that allows you to get a toboggan in without getting too technical.
Stay tuned for an update on how our trip went! Follow along using the #EPICsheshreds or #BRAAP2016 hashtags!
– Julie-Ann Chapman, She Shreds Adventures