In Episode 19 we are between Elim and White Mountain on the Western coast.
Scattered along the trails in rural Alaska are Shelter Cabins. I guess these are similar to Rest Areas on the highways and turnpikes in the Lower 48; except there no rest rooms, Wendy’s burger joints or iPhone charging stations.But… they could save you life in a storm.
These cabins are rustic but appreciated all the same. They are often located where they could be lifesaving should a person need to seek shelter. This particular cabin is on a north facing, exposed tundra field just downhill from the summit of Little McKinely and prior to the frozen sea of Golovin Bay. As you can plainly see, there is no place to hunker down out there.
The winds often come from the northwest in this area. Gale force or hurricane force winds are not uncommon here. If you look at the layout of the snow drifts and surrounding snow forms around the cabin you can witness the power of the wind.
The lee side or sheltered side of the structure has no snow blown onto the cabin walls. The cabin and immediate surrounding area is exposed. Wind blows over the top or around the sides of the cabin and scours out large scoops of snow. You wouldn’t want to be sitting in the leeward side of this cabin during a storm!
The trail goes directly in front of the cabin. A traveler can’t miss it if they are on the trail. Even during the darkness, the cabin is illuminated with permanent yellow reflectors. You can see them in this photo below.
The windward side of the cabin catches the direct force of the wind. Snow drifts can easily cover the entire cabin from this side. In the video, you’ll notice that human goodwill helped out the stray traveler in need because the cabin door has been shoveled clear.
I stayed at this cabin in 2010 for two hours. The weather hadn’t been an issue but my dog team needed a rest. The cabin had a renovation since then. When I stayed there had been no door on the wood stove, although there was wood to start a fire. I had slept on the floor of the cabin with the cabin door open in order to let the smoke escape.
I have stayed at a few of these cabins in my years of mushing across Alaska. Often they are situated in some of the most beautiful settings, as well as the most deadly if a storm catches you at the wrong time.
Nice to have shelter cabins where you need them! Amazing how open the topography is in that area…thanks for the video and the explanation of how the wind hits the cabin…it all made sense in the pictures with your narrative…..hurricane force winds…yikes!
The team looks fantastic – even as they close in on White Mountain – great job all!!!
Woof!!!