VOC trips are organized by members like yourself, not professional guides. The trips go into wilderness areas where assistance is unavailable and unexpected events can occur. You could be seriously injured or die. You are responsible for your own actions. Please use caution.
[WORKHIKE] Harrison Hut · Sat. Nov. 9th, 2024 - Wed. Nov. 13th, 2024
Warning: This is an old trip - it already happened
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Start: Saturday, Nov. 9th, 5:00 am
End: Wednesday, Nov. 13th, 10:00 pm
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Nov. 6th, 8:30 pm
Pre-trip meeting location: VOC Clubroom (in the Nest) or on Zoom by request
Description:
It's time to visit the Julian Harrison Hut! Of our four beloved huts, Harrison is my favourite, but it is also the most complicated to access. Logging, a landslide, falling boulders, and an abundance of grizzly bears have resulted in the closure of the access road to cars and recreational activity. However, we have a permit to unlock the gates and visit our hut twice a year for maintenance, and that's what we plan to do this reading break.
We will leave very early on Saturday, aiming to be across the Lionsgate Bridge by 6:30 am. Getting to the hut involves a 6 hour drive and then 19 km of hiking/snowshoeing/skiing with 1820 m elevation gain. Some sections of the trail will involve heinous bushwacking. Other sections will be steep, snowy, and difficult. There will be lots of Type 2 Fun. On Saturday, we'll probably only get half way up to the hut—we'll just keep going till it's dark then set up camp. On Sunday, we'll finish hiking up to the hut, then get to work. We'll stay at the hut for three nights. Finally, on Wednesday, we'll get up early in the morning, hike down all 19 km, then drive back to Vancouver. We should get home late Wednesday night.
The route that we're using to get to the hut is the trail off Perkins FSR. This trail was built by VOCers between 2007 and 2012 through much sweat and ingenuity. We'll be the first VOC group on this trail in several years, which is kind of cool. This trail has been affected by logging activity and some parts might be in poor repair, but in the future we hope the trail will be restored and become the main Harrison Hut access. We're the first scouting party to see what needs to be done!
The permit allows for four cars so 16-20 people can come on the trip. It is logistically challenging to get permits and keys to the gate, so it's important that anyone signed up as committed is actually very committed to pushing through the Type 2 Fun and getting work done.
Because this is a five day trip with a difficult hike, it's not great as a first backpacking experience, so I'm requiring that everyone has done some kind of backpacking before, for example, visiting another VOC hut. Knowing how to use a chainsaw, construction experience, and avalanche safety training (AST) are assets but not strictly required.
We will have a pre-trip meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 8:30 pm in the VOC Clubroom (in the Nest). At the meeting, we'll discuss who's going, trip logistics, and the work to be done. I prefer to have people come in-person if possible because that makes communication easier, but if that doesn't work for you, contact me and I can send you a Zoom link.
There is a risk of landslides along the road that increases after heavy rain. We'll keep an eye on the forecast and cancel the trip if lots of precipitation is expected. There is also a significant population of grizzlies living in the area, so we'll practice bear awareness and safety.
If you have any questions about anything, feel free email or text me! You can find my contact info by clicking my name at the top of this page.
Map: [CalTopo] Weather: [MeteoBlue]
Building the Harrison Hut in 1983.
The Harrison Hut in May 2024.
Requirements for drivers
Every car will require 4WD and tire chains for snow. If you don't have these, please don't indicate that you can drive when you sign up.
The VOC will pay for gas provided you follow this system:
- Fill up with gas the night before the trip. Keep the receipt.
- Fill up with gas as soon as you get back from the trip. Keep the receipt.
- Email scans of both receipts to the VOC Treasurer and tell them what email/phone you use for e-transfer.
The VOC does not pay for flat tires, accidental damage, car washes, etc.
Work to be done
On the trail:
- Scout out the trail to see what condition it's in and what work we should do on it next year
- Flagging
At the hut:
- Fix the leaky roof by installing tab closures under the roof cap
- Replace any roofing screws that have broken seals with new screws and sealant
- Install a new latch on the outhouse
- Determine if the interior hut ladder is stable, or if it should be repaired, and what supplies would be required to fix it
- Chop firewood
- Empty the cashbox
- Leave behind an updated first aid kit
- Leave behind the latest VOC Journal
- Survey the hut to see if there is any other damage that needs to be fixed
Gear
Some items, marked with a *, can be borrowed from the VOC during gear hours in exchange for a cash deposit
Everyone should bring:
backcountry travel gear...
- snowshoes*
- ski or hiking poles with large plates*
- sun screen
- proper backpack*
- headlamp + extra batteries (we will use our headlamps a lot, so maybe bring extra extra batteries)
- sun glasses or goggles
- whistle (many backpacks have one built in to the chest clip)
clothing... don't wear cotton!
- waterproof hiking boots*
- long underwear (top and bottom)
- midlayer
- warm jacket (fleece or down)
- waterproof jacket
- waterproof pants
- toque (hat)
- gloves
- non-cotton ski/hiking socks
- something to keep your neck warm: balaclava / buff / neck tube
avy kit...
- avalanche beacon* + fresh batteries (non-rechargeable)
- avalanche shovel*
- avalanche probe*
for eating and drinking...
- food (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, snacks—see [food suggestions](https://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Food_Weights) on the Wiki)
- 2L (at least) water
- eating utensils and bowl
- pot, if you're doing anything more complicated than boiling water
sleeping...
- sleeping bag (≈-10°C)
- sleeping pad*
hygiene...
- toilet paper
- toothbrush and toothpaste
Optional gear that might make you happy:
- microspikes (probably not necessary, but lightweight and easy to bring)
- water treatment tablets or filter
- gaiters*
- hut booties
- pocket knife
- lip balm
- hand warmers
- electrolyte powder
- fleece pants
- additional warm clothing
We will need some people to bring this stuff—bring it if you have it:
- backpacking tent
- stove with fuel
- lighter or waterproof matches
- satellite communication device (InReach)
- first aid kit
- pocket knife
- emergency shelter (emergency bivy, large heavy duty plastic bag + alu blanket, or similar)
- backup flashlight (in case your headlamp goes AWOL)
Final reminder
I am not a guide, certified or otherwise, and neither is anyone else on the trip. Everyone is ultimately responsible for themself and their own safety.
Thanks to Anya Boardman for letting me re-use parts of her trip descriptions from past years!
Posted: 2024-10-22 14:33:03
Last modified: 2024-11-08 11:37:56