Fowler/Hilliard Hut Reconstruction

-The new Fowler/Hilliard Hut starting to come together-

The Fowler/Hilliard Hut, owned and operated by 10th Mountain, was originally constructed in the summer of 1988. It was generously funded by the Fowler and Hilliard families and named for Anne Fowler and Ed Hilliard, avid mountaineers tragically killed in a climbing accident. The hut site was first scouted in April 1984, and the hut was formally approved in a June 1988 Decision by the US Forest Service and was available to the public the following winter. It has proven to be one of the most popular huts in the 10th Mountain Division Hut System, and has averaged over 2,300 user nights (one person/one night) per year. The Fowler/Hilliard Hut site is located on US Forest Service land about 6 miles west of Vail Pass at an elevation of 11,500 feet. We are currently building a new Fowler/Hilliard Hut because of a structure fire last fall that burned down the original.

Real-Time Updates on Hut Construction Activity

10th Mountain selected Structural Associates, a premier custom builder, as the General Contractor. Structural Associates has extensive experience building in the high country of Colorado and has created a photo gallery to document the reconstruction process. They will continue to update it as the summer goes on. Click here to follow the progress.

Please follow the links below to find out more about The Fowler/Hilliard Hut reconstruction:

The Goal
The Crisis
10th Mountain's Short Term Response
Reconstruction of the Fowler/Hilliard Hut
Hut Design and Architecture
Fundraising Campaign

The Goal

In February 2010, the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association Board of Directors initiated a fundraising campaign to raise $125,000 to meet the projected shortfall of funds necessary to reconstruct the Fowler/Hilliard Hut. If you would like to donate online you can follow this link, Online Donations. For additional donation options following the "Fundraising Campaign" link above.

The Crisis

The Fowler/Hilliard Hut burned to the ground in late September 2009. The fire was virtually out by the time it was reported. The few remaining hot spots were quickly extinguished by the agencies that responded quickly including the Interagency Fire Response Team (US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management) and the Eagle County Fire Protection District. The hut was a total loss. Investigators were unable to determine with certainty the precise cause of the fire, although final reports indicate that significant lightning activity occurred in the area during that time and is one of the most likely causes. Thankfully, no one was injured, the fire did not spread to the surrounding forest, and 10th Mountain had the resources and desire to develop a good response, beginning with how to best take care of the 1,500 advance reservations for the approaching winter. Below are some photo's of the damage to the hut.

Short Term Response

10th Mountain could have done nothing other than refund advance reservations and begin reconstructing the Fowler/Hilliard Hut the following summer. Instead, 10th Mountain acted to take care of the people with advance reservations by constructing a large, well-designed, comfortable yurt. Yurt Page. This was clearly the right thing to do from a long term, “big picture” perspective. The yurt accommodates 16 people and has all the amenities of 10th Mountain huts, including a woodburning heat stove, comfortable mattresses, propane burners for cooking, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Yurt construction was paid with operating reserves. People with advance reservations at the Fowler/Hilliard Hut were provided several alternatives, including maintaining their reservation at the yurt; maintaining their reservation at the yurt but with reduced numbers; transferring to another hut; or receiving a full refund. Public response to the yurt has been very supportive and reservations are strong. However, while the response to the yurt was very favorable, visitors made it clear that they would have preferred the outstanding experience provided by the Fowler/Hilliard Hut.

Reconstruction of the Fowler/Hilliard Hut

10th Mountain began the process to reconstruct the permanent new Fowler/Hilliard Hut immediately after the fire was reported. Applications for necessary federal and local approvals were quickly submitted. Eliot Goss, the architect of the original Fowler/Hilliard Hut, offered to design the new hut (at no charge, as before) and his offer was immediately accepted. 10th Mountain selected Structural Associates, a premier custom builder, as the General Contractor. Structural Associates has extensive experience building in the high country of Colorado, including capital improvements at most of the 10th Mountain huts and full construction of the Benedict Huts in 1998. Construction is expected to begin as soon as conditions at 11,500 feet in elevation allow – perhaps as early as early June. Substantial completion is expected by Thanksgiving 2010.

Hut Architecture

The original Fowler/Hilliard Hut was one of the most popular huts in the system and consistently met and, in fact, greatly exceeded the expectations of most visitors. When it came time to design the replacement new hut, it was obvious that the overall size, floor plan, front decking, glazing, and layout of the hut were really good design components and there was no need to change them.

The Design Committee (comprised of 10th Mountain Board members, the architect, and consultants on energy efficiency and building materials) recommended only three significant design changes: 1. Add an airlock/vestibule to the southeast entrance to enhance energy efficiency and overall experience. 2. Improve the north deck and wood storage area to open up views of the Gore Range and improve accessibility. 3. Construct walls using standard framing materials, spray foam insulation, and a stone/metal exterior. This type of construction was recommended because it would make the hut warmer for arriving visitors, require less firewood, minimize expensive long term exterior maintenance, and decrease “ignitability” in the event of wildland fire.

Logs had been used for the walls of the original hut and careful consideration was given to this option. However, it seemed most wise to select the stone/metal exterior because it most closely met the criteria of visitor expectations, consistency with environment, energy efficiency, and durability. 10th Mountain is able to draw on over 25 years of experience in constructing and operating huts in challenging environments, and the stone/metal exteriors that have been used at other huts have worked very well.

Most important, we think the new Fowler/Hilliard Hut will be equally as marvelous as the original hut, and would make Anne Fowler and Ed Hilliard proud.

The Fundraising Campaign

It costs a lot of money to build a hut in the high country these days. Thankfully, 10th Mountain has good commercial property insurance and this coverage allows replacement of the original structure, as intended. However, reconstruction plans include several design improvements (such as triple-glaze windows, mudroom/airlock, stone/metal exterior, and improved woodroom/north deck area) intended to make the hut more energy efficient and functional, and mitigate fire danger. Of note, these improvements were enthusiastically supported by Eliot Goss, architect of the original hut, four other 10th Mountain huts and, now, the replacement hut. The cost of these improvements is expected to create a funding shortfall of $125,000.

Fortunately, the Hilliard/Freemyer Families, who have been very involved and most supportive of 10th Mountain since funding the original hut, have generously pledged a lead gift of $50,000 toward reconstruction of the new hut. This pledge was given on the condition that the remaining $75,000 had to be raised first. Their offer is good through the end of October 2010. 10th Mountain is hopeful that this lead gift will inspire participation, and invites you to join the effort.

All donors to this project will be properly recognized in a tastefully designed and framed parchment Honor Roll on an interior wall of the hut.

Should you wish to make a gift toward the reconstruction of the Fowler/Hilliard Hut, please click Online Donations or send a check or money order to:

Fowler/Hilliard Hut Reconstruction
c/o Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association
1280 Ute Avenue, Suite 21
Aspen, CO 81611

Please contact us for alternate payment methods, pledge arrangements, or if you have any other questions.

TMDHA is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible.