P. Productions: Fay

One of many log creek crossings on the out and back route to Fay Hut.

The adventures are piling on so fast I can't keep up. The most epic journey of the fall happened this past weekend with an attempt at a 33 km Northover Ridge assault, but I will have to fill you in on that after a summary of Fay Hut.
In the spirit of steady progression the next step was naturally a multi day adventure. After some research on the Alpine Club of Canada it was determined that Fay Hut would be a suitable destination considering the time of year and our lack of avalanche and glacier experience. With a solid crew of 6 we once again turned our sights towards the towering Rockies for the weekend. After much confusing trying to find the trail head according to AC directions we eventually found the Marble Canyon parking lot on the 93 some 30 km from where we had been told it was. With the prospect of significant snow depths, Pipp and I had opted to lend snow shoes for the occasion. The 14 km hike in to the remote alpine log cabin known as Fay didn't require their use as the snow levels were fully manageable in my new Salomon trail runners which now have the added capacity to navigate all seasons thanks to a set of MEC budget gators. The hike in is unique in that the entire forest sandwiched between high ranges is an endless expanse of burnt out pines. A forest fire a few years ago has left only blackened trunks, creating a unique ambiance. After several hours of trekking along the valley along the creek the trail points upward in a final push to the shelf that hold the hut. Initially the ascent it is a simple series of steep switchbacks up through the pines, but eventually the highlight of the inbound journey comes to view in the form of a steep rock and ice route requiring rope assistance. Fortunately a rope is already in place and after three ropes and much hand over hand death gripping of the icy fibers you are at the top and on the home stretch.

Fay Hut is truly marvelous perched on a small plateau looking out over the valley towards a towering and dominating string of peaks opposite. The hut is a log construction that offers a spacious interior on two stories, capable of sleeping 12. With the hut to ourselves we settled in to firing up the wood burning stove, got the propane flowing for snow boiling and stocked up the ceiling suspended drying rack with wet gear. The evening meal spear headed by trusty adventure companion Pip was a delicious compilation of top grade steak, asparagus, baby potatoes, vegetable medley and rutabagas carrot miss mash mush.

We retired early in anticipation of a big day ahead with light snowfall and deafly silence tantalizing the senses on the last trip in from the outhouse.

The next morning we awoke to a very healthy dose of fresh powder which continued throughout the morning. We started the day off with an equally healthy breakfast of fried bacon, fried sausages in bacon fat, fried potatoes in bacon and sausage fat, ultimate Quaker instant porridge pot and Jamie's signature "viscosity is an asset" sludge based mtn man custom percolated coffee.

The crew minus the camera man topping up the cholesterol bank.

Finally, it was time to fill the thermos, back in what we packed out and hit the trail back to civilization. The dump of snow justified mine and Pip's decision to bring snow shoes and for the first part of the 14 km return trip we blazed trail and soaked in the perplexing environment we had wound up in. Along the way we took snow covered log bridges in stride, witnessed an avalanche and spooked some unsuspecting day tourists at the canyon near the parking lot with a bear banger into the deep crevice which created a most spectacular red flash and accompanying deafening bang.
With seat heat on full and the Bimmer revving high mountains and snow gradually flowed over to bare grasslands and city lights. Another weekend, another adventure. It only gets better...

Hopefully I get the chance to fill you in on last weekend before tomorrow's events need to be documented.