THE MEISS HUT

David Beck 10/99

Ski huts are wonderful, particularly when it's way below freezing, dark and the snow is blowing horizontally. Happiness then is a snug hut with a good stove, lots of firewood, food, drink and good company. I have a personal thing for huts, I love them. I've been to most of the Sierra huts. One of my dreams is to stay in every Sierra hut during one winter. Sierra huts vary from the high and lonesome Muir Hut, on 12,000 foot Muir Pass to The Wilderness Lodge at Royal Gorge, which is sort of in the back country and serves cuisine which is not typical of most backcountry huts. At Royal Gorge they serve Houte Cuisine at the Meiss Hut we serve hut cuisine. In the next edition of SKI TOURS in CA, I will list all the backcountry huts and lodges in California and Nevada.

The key to a good ski hut is good snow. In that sense the Meiss Hut is fortunate located at 8,500 in the upper Tahoe Basin and surrounded by ski slopes reaching up over 10,000 feet. It's in the midst of the tall mountains you see across the lake from Tahoe City. It gets the same snow Kirkwood does but is protected from east wind that some time visits that ski area. The hut is perfectly located for our courses. We are always the first and last to ski and have early powder, late corn, and interesting terrain; natural half pipes, powder pockets, early creamed corn ridges, etc..... As the business saying goes "it's location, location and location". We have it.

Since it was built in the 1870s the hut is one of the oldest any where. Snowshoe Thompson may have even stayed in it. We take very careful of it. Since it is a National Historic Site it cannot be altered. So there are only basic amenities. No electricity, no running water--except what we run outside for, and in the winter no water at all; Snow has to be melted. Sanitation is by portable toilet. We have to haul all waste out by dog sled. because the hut is in a non-motorized area. There is however a brand new wood cook stove that keeps the hut warm on the coldest nights and bakes a tasty oatmeal cookie. It is comfortable and it is surrounded by all that beautiful terrain.

When you come to the hut bring a pair of warm snow boots to visit the john in the barn and for generally walking around outside. You will also need a 15 degree sleeping bag. Typical January minimum temperature outside is below -10f.; It is warmer in the hut-very warm with the new stove. The hut is completely supplied with, sleeping pads, utensils, a few extra sleeping bags and propane appliances. Do not bring white gas stoves, white gas is not allowed in the hut. Check our equipment lists. Even though we supply all the food, treats are traditional.

Sorry, no meadow blasters (radios or tapes) are allowed. One should take advantage of the hut library, the wonderful view and the peace and quiet.

All events at the hut meet at the second Carson Pass Snowpark, coming from the east, the one on the north side of the road, at 10am of the first day of the event. You must have a snowpark permit; The fines are at least $85 if you don't have one.

We supply climbing skins which make it an easy two to three hours, 3+ miles, to the hut. Bring a water bottle and a little energy food. It can be windy crossing into the Basin over Meiss Gap.

Max group size is eight clients but more typically six. Do not bring a dog unless you check with us. We will usually bring rescue dogs in and sometimes a sled dog team if we have to haul fire wood or provisions.

The Forest Service requires that we have an employee present at all times, so we cannot just lease the hut out. We can only allow clients who are in one of our events to use it.

The hut is close to the Pacific Crest Trail, it is shown on the Caples Lake 7.5' topo; The Carson Pass 7.5' topo is also useful. UTM zone 10 598898