hut trippin

So, this weekend we went on a hut trip (weekend being mon-wed). A hut trip, for all you who don't know what that is, is when you hike up into the wilderness to a "hut" and stay there for a few days/nights and go ski. A "hut" is actually a cabin, some are log, some are stone, and they are maintained by the forest service. They are actually pretty nice. Most huts sleep anywhere from 10-20 people and they are supplied with pillows, linens, etc. All dishes and cookware are supplied and kept up at the hut along with books and games. Most huts don't have electricity but they have gas lamps/stoves etc and pretty nice outhouses...as far as outhouses go...We hiked up a road called 4-mile road, which was, you guessed it, 4 miles long. Then we had to dive off into the trees and hike up to the top, which was grueling as hell. I almost didn't make it! You hike with your skis on and use what are called skins. They stick to the bottom of your skis so that you can hike uphill whithout sliding backward. Pretty fancy stuff! My pack that I had to carry was about 30lbs and IT WAS TOUGH! After a while your shoulders start to hurt but mostly its tough on your hips. Who knew right? The strap that goes around your waist basically supports all the weight of the pack so that is where you end up feeling it! It was quite the workout but we are now safely back home (and showered)! We had quite the intense game of spoons going on at that hut, let me tell you! p.s. I'm the champ.
Oh, I should mention that you have to pack in all your food, water, and alcohol. Theres nothing like hiking straigh uphill with a box of wine on your back...=) priorities!