Brian Waddington Hut
About the Hut
The Brain Waddington Hut is the VOC's newest hut. You'll find it in Phelix Creek on the shores of long lake, near the peaks of Mt. Aragorn, Shadowfax, Gandalf and Peregrine.
Facilities
The Brain Waddington Hut sleeps about 20 people in relative comfort, and more in a pinch. There is an outhouse not far off behind the hut. Water can be collected from a nearby stream, even in winter.
The following are provided for your enjoyment:
- 2 Colemann double burner stoves
- 2 Colemann lanterns
- Various pots and fry pans
- 2 disfunctional kerosene heaters - these have been ruined by misue, especially by using the wrong kind of fuel in them.
Note: On pain of death, only use white gas (Naptha, Coleman Camp Fuel) in the stoves and lanterns.
Skiing
The Brian Waddington Hut is on the eastern side of the Coast Range, and so snow quality is usually very good. The hut is a great base for yo-yoing and touring, surrounded by good slopes on all aspects. There is excellent tree skiing nearby as well, so bad weather won't mean you have to sit around in the hut all day.
Hiking
There are few developed hiking trails nearby, but the high alpine country makes for excellent off trail hiking. Unmarked high routes go east towards McGillivray Pass and west towards Tenquille Lake.
Mountaineering
Gandalf, Shadowfax and Aragorn are three nearby peaks composed of nice, clean granite. There are only a handful of routes so far, and many unclimbed, unexplored faces. Check the hut log book for the most up to date info.
Access
Drive highway 99 to Mt. Curie, and head north, following signs for D'arcy. You need to take the Blackwater Road on the left, just before reaching D'arcy itself. If you hit the town, you've gone a bit too far. After about 13km, there is a gate on the Blackwater Road at the entrance to Birkenhead Provincial Park. Just before the gate, turn right onto the Phelix Creek Road.
Winter
The Blackwater Road is plowed occaisionally to the birkenhead gate, but the Phelix Creek road is not plowed at all. After a dump of fresh snow, you might have to do some extra skiing. 4wd or chains are reccomended.
Ski up the road, cross Phelix creek once, then go left at a fork and cross the creek again. Just above the second bridge is another fork - go right this time. The road ends after several huge cross ditches, where two clearcuts and an avalanche path need to be crossed. From here continue up the creek sticking to either the east or west side, as the creek itself enters a steep canyon. On the west side there are some tapes that mark a good route that just clears the canyon. Once above the canyon section, head for the west bank and begin climbing into the branch of the creek that flows from long lake. On the south side of this creek are a series of benches which make the climb up to long lake easier. Generally, it's best to stay south of the marked summer trail.
Summer
If you have a 4x4, you can drive the Phelix Creek Road to near the end. However, in recent years there has been substantial rockfall in the first 1km, so bring tools to move some small boulders if you want to get through. Drive (or walk) the road as described above and then find a huge white boulder at the far end of the second clearcut. Downhill from here is a good log to cross Phelix Creek where you will find a trail on the east side.