An overview of hut systems in the USA: where located, who uses and how, amenities and services, architecture, and business models. Outlines challenges and key trends.

A history of U.S. hut systems, including a table of chronological development in USA. This brief outline of the evolution of hut systems in USA is a placeholder for a more detailed piece which someone else will doubtless undertake someday. It would be a great topic for a graduate thesis or book.

What is a hut? Suggests hut definition and typology of backcountry shelter options, along with lots of pictures and examples.

A 2015 discussion of the reasons people enjoy and the nation might benefit from development of hut systems in USA.

Part 2 outlines the challenges inherent in creating more hut systems in the USA, including environmental protection, regulatory environment,siting, design and construction, etc.

Preliminary report on a scientific study by Dr Jeffrey Marion comparing the environmental impact of huts with that of overnight stays in campsites and lodges.

A call for research to identify the extent and forms of environmental impacts of huts compared with other forms of overnight stays in the backcountry.

An invited editorial published in the Fall 2017 issue of American Trails. It is a call to trails professionals, recreation planners, and land managers to acknowledge that hut systems are no longer just peripheral, “accepted anomalies” on the American recreational landscape. They are a growing grass-roots movement that needs support and guidance.

In an editorial “What’s next for America’s Public Lands?” Mathias Eichler presents a case for more huts on public lands.  A separate piece “Eight Huts we need in the Mountains of the American West” presents brief profiles, accompanied by great pictures, of some huts he admires.

Description of an interesting example of high end accomodations hut-and fine dining in the backcountry.

Describes Stehekin Outfitters unique tent-to-tent business operating in North Cascades National Park under permit from National Park Service.

Trip report on visit to several Tenth Mountain Division Huts, including Continental Divide Huts, Tenth Mountain Division Memorial Hut, and the Summit Hut System Huts; finishing up with an overnight with dinner at Tennessee Pass Yurts.

While alpine clubs around the world operate hut systems for walkers and skiiers, the American Alpine Club followed the British in ignoring huts. They have, however, built cabin complexes for climbers at five iconic climbing spots in USA.

Link to a 2017 article by Krista Langlois about Alaska Huts and how they might contribute to economic development in Alaska.

The AMC’s system of eight huts and the network of trails in White Mountains of N.H. were developed concurrently. After a brief introduction, this piece links to Chapter 36 of Forest and Crag bu Guy and Laura Waterman (Appalachian Mountain Club Books, 1989) offers a fascinating look at how a cohesive regional trail system evolved over a period of about 20 years, 1910 – 1930 along with the AMC huts, the first in the USA.

Summaries of 6 hut-related news items from 2018.

Review of excellent book about European Huts. With the Mountain Hut Book, the prolific and trusted guidebook author Kev Reynolds offers an enjoyable and highly informative tour of the hut experience, and recommends some favorite huts and hut to hut traverses.

Overview of early stage planning for a hut-to-hut trekking program by LandPaths, a land trust in Sonoma County, CA. Intersection of land trust goals and methods of land stewardship with hut-to-hut seems a promising approach.

Julie Judkins summarizes her work on M.A. thesis at Duke University comparing methods of developing community on the Pennine Way in U.K. and Appalachian Trail. In particular she studies methods of promoting trail stewardship and the development of conservation advocates through the development of community on trail.

Daniel Chabert presents an illustrated summary of 12 different techniques used by hunters to fashion emergency shelters. The primitive shelters are useful to know about and represent echoes of the early origins of human architecture.

A review of this first (and only!) book on trail towns outlines the history of the concept, discusses its future, and, best of all, distills what Amy Camp has learned in 13 years of working with towns that decided to make a trail part of their culture.

Trip report on the 2018 first test run by Adirondack Hamlets to Huts. This combination hike and paddle route was a fun “proof of concept” run that clearly demonstrated that Joe Dadey and Jack Drury are on the right track to bring village to village trekking to the vast Adirondack Wilderness Park, a pioneering effort in USA. Illustrated with photos by John DiGiacomo and others who joined this 47 mile test run.

Using the Tenth Mountain Division Huts, Huts for Vets provides a powerful healing opportunity for combat veterans through a wilderness immersion experience and an opportunity for camaraderie with other vets. The program is based on research findings and practical experience in the: efficacy of different treatments for veterans suffering from PTSD, calming and healing power of wilderness therapy, benefits of physical activity in strengthening the mind-body connection, and benefits of thoughtful intellectual discussion.

Three informative tributes to Joe Dodge from the Appalachian Mountain Club Archives, Dartmouth College, and the Boston Globe. While Joe was not technically the founder, he was the dynamo that expanded, organized, and shaped the AMC huts into a system, and who took the huts to a whole new levels of operational effectiveness and hospitality.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.