Hilda Hut Valkyr Range March 3-10th 2024
Part 2 – Day 1 and 2 || Part 3 – Day 3 and 4 || Part 4 Day 5 and 6
Hilda Hut is one of the three huts in Valkyr Adventures. The last time we came to Hilda was on a Guided Trip. This time we were unguided. 150cm of snow fell the previous week on a suspect layer so the previous guided group stuck close to the hut. We also stayed mostly to trees, but did venture out on higher terrain, we stayed away from thin ridges which have been reactive this season. We did see one big slide off the top of McBride heading to Gateway col, this seems to be a known producer. We’re getting used to the comforts of these nice lodges with showers, Sauna, comfy couches, wifi and great food! We stayed in Nakusp at the Selkirk Inn before driving to Staging the next morning in Burton.
Our group consisted of Lee, Sharon, Aaron and Andy from Colorado, Saar and Dave, Georg, Jim, Lance, Rory, Justin and Irena. Our cook and custodian, Jordon and Meagen, were supplied by Valkyr Lodge.
For weather check out Snow-Forcast.com for Valkyr and spotwx.
Day 0 Fly in Day. We got in really early with the nice weather and were able to do a couple of hut runs.
Day 1
980m Espress and Burton
– Ski down to the lower lake on the West facing side, and a ski down to the Burton FSR on the East facing side.
Day 2
1200m Gateway to Norns
– Checked out Gateway col, skied down backside, too heavy, Finished on two laps of Norns – Secret Lover and Wishbone.
Day 3
950m Nasty Norn and Lower Ramparts West
– Headed to Norns again, got too warm for a second run so went over to Ramparts/Hilda bowl area.
Day 4
1100m Honey Stick, Lower Shield, Ramparts East
– Stuck to lower treed slopes
Day 5
700m Burton Direct, Poco Zone (North Burton Ridge)
– More trees as this was the best snow, another run down to Burton FSR. Saw cool old growth Cedar. I did one lap, others did N facing off Burton Ridge.
Day 6
720m Poco Zone, Ramparts
– went back to Burton Ridge N facing and then did another Ramparts run.
Our Awesome Custodian and Cook!
The group
Obligatory stop at Tiger Ramen in Kamloops on the way
Burton Staging
Hilda Lodge
Part of our Run Map
Outside the hut
Skinning up Home Run
Pow
Back to the hut
Ski Storage ( Photo By Lance)
Gear Room
Apres Shelf
Japanese Scotch from Aaron