Best High End Trips: Sheldon Mountain Hut
This private cabin located on an outcrop in the middle of Denali National Park is reachable only by ski plane (that lands on a glacier at the bottom of the hill) followed by a 10 minute walk up a short but steep hill. It’s rustic – wood fired stove, no running water – but also well, pretty damn cool. Not sure I trust the source necessarily, but for what its worth, Reader’s Digest called the Sheldon Mountain Hut one of the most ten spectacular places on earth. Certainly the most spectacular I’ve seen in Alaska.
Logistical Note: Reservations must be made at least a year in advance (through AMS which manages the hut) and some knowledge of avalanche/snow conditions very helpful. The logbook is fantastic – and distressing – as you read entry after entry of people who got weathered in – some for up to a week, though most for just a day or two. In any case, bring extra food.
For what it’s worth, here is our gear list:
Group Gear
-all-season tents (the cabin sleeps five, we had a group of 8, you can rent -all season tents at REI)
-tarps
-sleds
-stove fuel, plus extra for getting stuck
-wood for fireplace – cut before heading out so won’t have to do the sawing up there. Also, the long-burning fake wood is more efficient and therefore a lighter heat source.
-Prussic cord
-other ropes
-helmets
-ice axes
-map
-medium-sized pots
-tinfoil
-ziplocks
-paper towels
-toilet paper
-candles
-tealights
-games
-cooler (once there you can stick your food in the snow but need a way to transport it.)
-camp suds/sponge
-first aid kit
-satellite phone (rentable in Anchorage)
-snow saw
Individual Gear, mandatory
-skis/boots/poles/trekkers -
-skins for skiis
-harness
-locking carabineer (at least one)
-headlamp (depending on time of year)
-sleeping bag
-camp kit (plate, mug, utensils, whatever)
-clothes
-backpack
-slippers
-matches/lighter
Individual Gear, optional (bring it if you have it, don’t go out and buy it)
-belay device
-avalanche gear
-rock climbing gear
-camera
-insulated water bottle
-camping chair
Also, check with the plane charter company to see what kind of fuel you’re allowed to bring and how much. We used Talkeetna Air Taxi and had a good experience. The other big company in town, K2, ir probably fine. They both seemed a bit negotiable on rates.
See Also:
Sheldon Mountain Hut
