TR: Kokanee Hut 3/16-23

Kokanee Hut - 3/16/13 - 3/23/13

PART I

More of a bunch of photos than a TR. Mostly scenery, a few words, and a little action.

A last minute cancellation, some quick decisions, and a little luck put 12 of us (4 seperate groups) in a fortunate enough position to bypass the lottery securing our spot in this amazing place.

Our lift up in the Lama. Looks a little scary but it's an incredible machine.

Attachment 135515


I struggle even calling this place a "hut". More of a lodge with hydroelectric generation, flush toilets, hot water, phone service, and even wifi. Upstairs is dedicated sleeping quarters with bunks for 24. Main floor is a double kitchen and living area. Basement is a large drying room. Ample space for everyone to stretch out.

Attachment 135516

Attachment 135517

Attachment 135518


As with all these trips.. it all starts with the up. The photos will tell the rest.

Attachment 135519

Attachment 135520

Attachment 135521


In awe of the terrain surrounding. Sawtooth Ridge divides the park east and west.

Attachment 135522


Attachment 135523

Attachment 135524

Kokanee Hut - 3/16/13 - 3/23/13

PART II




Attachment 135535
Attachment 135536


Attachment 135537


Attachment 135538


Attachment 135539


Attachment 135540


With over 120cm of new snow throughout the week I was hoping they would bring this up.

Attachment 135544


Attachment 135541


Attachment 135542


Attachment 135543

Kokanee Hut - 3/16/13 - 3/23/13

PART III

Attachment 135545

Attachment 135546

Attachment 135547

Attachment 135548

Attachment 135549

Attachment 135550

Attachment 135551

Attachment 135552

Attachment 135553

Attachment 135554

HOLEEE SHIT that LoOKS AWESOME!

Noticed you stayed away from the steep stuff; with meadow skipping like that, I don't think you had many complaints.

And what is the Droid's name? What does he do?

Attachment 135555

Attachment 135556


Check that one out.

Attachment 135558


Admiring the jump lines on the Heli out.

Attachment 135560

Attachment 135557


Attachment 135559

Attachment 135561

Attachment 135562

Attachment 135563

Long lining out the trash.


Attachment 135564

My lord. That is wonderful.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rip'nStick

HOLEEE SHIT that LoOKS AWESOME!

Noticed you stayed away from the steep stuff; with meadow skipping like that, I don't think you had many complaints.

And what is the Droid's name? What does he do?

---

I couldn't even try to complain about the trip.

The droid (Daisybell) is floated above the snowpack via helicopter. When activated it fires off a blast of hydrogen/oxygen to trigger avalanches. Pretty cool. I would love to see it in action.

Epic shots. What kind of camera?

And, when I was scrolling down I was thinking of saying, "No video of the daisy bell in action? FAIL." But then I say your post above. The park service uses it to control around the hut, or what?

Some fabulous shots and lines in there.

jesus christ.

Some of the photos really captured what I reckon it must be like to be there.

Some of that touring terrain makes me giddy to look at.

It is you who stole those last minute openings from me! I was all set called and he said they were gone! Blast you! Nice shots though

Sent from my GT-I9100M using TGR Forums

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LightRanger

Epic shots. What kind of camera?

And, when I was scrolling down I was thinking of saying, "No video of the daisy bell in action? FAIL." But then I say your post above. The park service uses it to control around the hut, or what?

---

I'm using a Canon 60D. I picked up my first SLR 3 months ago so it's awesome to get some positive feedback. Thanks!

2 guys at the hut watched it the Daisybell being used at Kootenay Pass a couple days earlier. Kootenay Valley Heli has it stored in their hanger in Nelson but I'm not sure what all the locations it is used at.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crashidy

It is you who stole those last minute openings from me! I was all set called and he said they were gone! Blast you! Nice shots though

Sent from my GT-I9100M using TGR Forums

---

Sorry Crashidy. Not to rub it in but it was SICK! Haha

Nice TR....a few summers ago we hiked up to the Kokanee Hut, but didn't go in. Nice to see what it the interior looks like. I did stop at the small hydropower plant to check that out, pretty cool.

We hiked a little further up to the old Kokanee Hut and the new one is a marvel in memory of a prime minister's son that was swept down to the lower lake in an avy years ago if my memory serves me correctly.

The DaisyBell avy control unit is kind of like a portable GasX system like they have up on Teton Pass

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mtnjam

Nice TR....a few summers ago we hiked up to the Kokanee Hut, but didn't go in. Nice to see what it the interior looks like. I did stop at the small hydropower plant to check that out, pretty cool.

We hiked a little further up to the old Kokanee Hut and the new one is a marvel in memory of a prime minister's son that was swept down to the lower lake in an avy years ago if my memory serves me correctly.

The DaisyBell avy control unit is kind of like a portable GasX system like they have up on Teton Pass

---

In short that's the history I got. Tragic event but getting that kind of attention/funding makes the Kokanee hut a pretty rare gem. Below are some pictures of the old Slocan Chief hut practically buried in snow. The Slocan is still open to public and there has been a nice interpretive center set up inside. Pretty cool to check it out and see all the carvings and initials in the wood inside.

The hydro generator and waste treatment in the new hut is a really awesome set up. They can generate 25kw off 3" of water in the middle of winter. Impressive! Plus a 12kw propane back-up.


I would love to get up there in the summer for some hiking. For what it's worth and if you wanted to use it the hut facilities (including the kitchen) are open for day use with a $5 fee.


Attachment 135584

Attachment 135585

if you do go up there in the summer, at the trailhead, it's advised to put chickenwire around your wheel wells so the porcupines don't start chewing on your tires or engine hoses...

Don't know if that's still true

Love the TR and the Gucci hut. Any idea of the probability of winning the lottery to get a space?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mtnjam

if you do go up there in the summer, at the trailhead, it's advised to put chickenwire around your wheel wells so the porcupines don't start chewing on your tires or engine hoses...

Don't know if that's still true

---

most likely still the case. Lots of trail heads in BC have a chicken wire stash for this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AKbruin

Love the TR and the Gucci hut. Any idea of the probability of winning the lottery to get a space?

---

I'm not sure of the lottery logistics/odds. I do know that 2 people in my group put in for it unsuccessfully 6 years straight before they gave up. I think it's something like $15 to put in for the dates you want but I would have to do some more research to be sure.

Excellent stoke in here. To the top!

Lottery is hard to win. Been trying for past few years. Went there last in 2008

Holy shit! Looks super fun - two thumbs up!!

Kevin has a pretty sweet gig being the custodian up there all winter.

You mention is has phone service, while correct yes I wouldn't expect to use it for a conference call or something. I was talking to Kevin in the hut last week and there is an annoying delay to deal with.

Great pictures. Wicked looking terrain.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LeeLau

Lottery is hard to win. Been trying for past few years. Went there last in 2008

---

Yeah I spent some time looking through your previous trip reports. You do some fantastic work putting those together. Always quality beta and photos. Thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shirk

Kevin has a pretty sweet gig being the custodian up there all winter.

You mention is has phone service, while correct yes I wouldn't expect to use it for a conference call or something. I was talking to Kevin in the hut last week and there is an annoying delay to deal with.

Great pictures. Wicked looking terrain.

---

Major FAIL on my part not to mention Kevin. He has a great gig but it also takes a special person to do the job he does (particularly with the passion and knowledge he has). Kevin is an outstanding dude and was not only valuable for his knowledge but good company to sit around and share stories with. Sounds like there might be a job opening in the future. Better get up to speed on the generator and waste treatment systems.

When I mentioned wifi and phone service I should've noted it is more for daily weather/Avy forecasts and emergency type stuff (not super strict here but that's all it should be used for). Kevin also does a great job of providing weather info from several sources printed out at least once a day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bumski

The hydro generator and waste treatment in the new hut is a really awesome set up. They can generate 25kw off 3" of water in the middle of winter. Impressive! Plus a 12kw propane back-up.

---

I would like to know more about this ^^^

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey

I would like to know more about this ^^^

---

This is about the extent of my knowledge and it is subject to inaccuracies.

2 each 4" pipes w/ strainers are submerged in a creek (in the winter at low water it is only a 3" pool). The pipes drop 300'? downhill to the generator shack where a nozzle is adjusted daily to create the ideal jet stream (I believe the vertical drop creates about 150psi?). The water jet is aimed at a cupped water wheel in turn spinning the 240 volt generator. Power cables are routed underground back up to the hut. Obviously a lot more to it then this.

Water for the hut is pumped up from Kaslo lake. I think it is potable just as is? The treatment plant uses human waste as part of the purification process. This system is undersized and they have to fly out 50 gallon drums of sludge every couple years. The process is something like 90-95% efficient at purifying waste water.

As you can imagine Kevin, the custodian, has a fair amount of daily chores.

Wow - great trip!