Introduction... This information sheet is designed to help make your hut trip more enjoyable. It is strongly suggested that each hut user read this information thoroughly and contact us if you have any questions.

Skiing to the Braun Huts is a challenge. Trails to the Huts are NOT MARKED. Most trails travel through known avalanche prone terrain. Even though distances and elevation gain to the huts may be minimal, do not underestimate the challenge. Each group must be prepared to travel in the backcountry with proper leadership, first aid, self-rescue, avalanche awareness, and route finding abilities.

Leadership... Each group should have a leader who is familiar with the Braun Hut System. This person must have a thorough knowledge of backcountry travel in avalanche prone terrain, including route-finding with map, compass, and altimeter. If your group does not have these skills, you should consider hiring a professional guide. The following guide services operate under special use permit through the United States Forest Service and offer a variety of services:

Rescue/First Aid... Self-rescue is the responsibility of Your group. You cannot depend upon outside help for rescue due to the time involved in forming an organized rescue. In the event that outside help is required, you must contact the local county sheriff. Please, before your trip, leave the following information with a responsible relative or neighbor:

1. Your automobile make and license plate, and the trailhead you will be parking at.
2. Your Exact travel plans including huts to be used, ski routes and any emergency plans.

Avalanche Awareness... Each hut user must be equipped and prepared for travel in avalanche-prone terrain, route selection, and snow stability evaluation. Each person should have and know how to use avalanche beacons, shovels, and probe poles. Before departing, your group should obtain current avalanche and weather forecast information from the local Forest Service (Aspen 970-920-1664) and or the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (303-275-5360).

Route-finding... TRAILS TO THE HUTS ARE NOT MARKED. You must be prepared to travel with only map, compass, GPS, and altimeter as navigational tools. Customized maps which show Suggested routes and hut locations are available through the 10th Mountain Hut Office (970) 925-5775. It is imperative that your group have a map and compass and know how to use them. For exact trail descriptions refer to Colorado High Routes by Louis Dawson, or Colorado Hut to Hut by Brain Litz.

The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card... The CORSAR card supports the Colorado Search and Rescue Fund, a program that reimburses county sheriffs for costs incurred during search and rescue operations. The CORSAR card costs $3/year and can be purchased 10th Mountain and where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. 10th Mountain strongly encourages all hut users to support this program. If you hold a current Colorado hunting, fishing or ATV license, you are included in the CORSAR program and do not need a CORSAR card.

Hut Provisions... All huts have wood burning heat stoves and firewood is pre-stocked. Firewood is expensive and, so please conserve! All huts also have propane stoves, foam mattresses, eating and cooking utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, matches and cleaning supplies. All huts have Photovoltaic (solar powered) lights. Coleman propane lanterns are provided for use in the event that the solar lights are not working. All huts have wood burning cook stoves except Barnard and Green Wilson huts. Water is obtained from gathering snow to melt, or from local creeks. Please use the large snowmelt pot only for melting snow, not to cook in.

Clean up, check out and departing... It is the responsibility of each hut user to clean up before they depart. Please leave the hut as clean or cleaner than when you arrived. Help us take care of the great spots. Check out time is unofficially 12 noon. Also before departing, please turn off all solar lights, turn off the main solar panel, and make sure all propane burners are off.

Hut Combinations... The group organizer will be given the hut combination for the door lock. Please take this sheet with you. To operate the lock, dial in the 4 digit number, push on the lock, then pull it open.

Dogs... Because you will be melting snow for water, dogs are not allowed at any of the Braun Huts.

Personal Cook stoves... The use of personal camp stoves inside the hut is strictly prohibited, due to the fire danger.

Parking... Parking is available in the “overnight parking lot” directly across from the Toklat Gallery in Ashcroft. Please park head in, in the designated areas. At times the parking area may be roped off for plowing. Please check with the Toklat Gallery if you have any questions with parking. Note: There are NO public toilet facilities at the Toklat Gallery, however, there is a public forest service toilet in the parking lot for the ghost town of Ashcroft, just south of the overnight parking area.

Cancellations due to avalanche danger... If YOU determine that the avalanche danger poses an unacceptable risk to your group, you may cancel on the day of your hut trip. We do not give refunds, however, you will be given a hut credit, this credit is good for one year from the date of your original trip. If you cancel 30 days before your scheduled trip for some reason, we can give you an 80% refund.

Equipment... In addition to your personal clothing and ski equipment, it is suggested that each group member have the following Personal equipment, and your Group have the following in the party:

One final note: The Alfred A. Braun Hut System is a non-profit organization. It only works if YOU, the hut users, make it work. All people using the huts Must pay for space and sign waiver forms, otherwise they are trespassing. Hut personnel will be checking the Huts for maintenance and hut crashers.

10th MOUNTAIN DIVISION HUT ASSOCIATION
1280 UTE AVENUE, SUITE 21
ASPEN, COLORADO 81611
RESERVATIONS: 970/925-5775 — OFFICE: 970/925-4554 — FAX: 970/925-5317 — E-MAIL: huts@huts.org — WEBSITE: www.huts.org

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