Port-a-potty leads the way to promised hut

Dispatch from Dan Solmon — July 22, 1997

Judd warms up the fire for the unusually late-rising campers

Our wake-up call came unusually late this morning. We did not wake up until 7:45 a.m., a good hour and 15 minutes of extra sleep. However, we had to work with great speed to stow our gear and make our last push to the Great Cairin Hut.

We had hardly taken down the tents and packed our packs before we were gone from the camp. We had hastily erected this camp last night upon the arrival of an unexpected thunderstorm. Unfortunately, we had no food and had to hike on empty stomachs. There were few among the group who still had water.

Shortly outside the camp we had to cross the many braids of the Silver Tip Creek. The current was swift, and the water cold as the glacier was a mere kilometer upstream.

During the crossing, we all received a thorough soaking of our socks and boots. We then continued uphill toward the hut, which was invisible at the top of the hill on which it rests.

All during the hike there was a light rain. This and the residual water made for a slippery last leg up smooth stone slabs. The first sign of the hut was seen while climbing the left side of the ridge: a port-a-potty, split down the seams by the weight of winter snow. A new outhouse with a conical roof was under construction but was not yet open for use. The next stop was the threshold of the Great Cairin Hut, now known as the Ben Ferris Hut. Inside, the hut was most welcoming.

It has six or seven bunks, a wood stove, and cooking gear. We made the hut our meeting place and staging area where we would debrief and divide rations. We set up our tents and changed into dry clothing — which we hadn't been able to do the night before — then rations were divided, and a meeting was set for 5:30 p.m. At the meeting we plan to celebrate Del's birthday directly. Amy has brought a cake and candles. This will be a most fitting way to end a hard hike followed by a dreary day.