Benson to Bradley Hut Traverse 4-Day / 3 Night

Without a doubt the Benson Hut is the premier winter hut in the Tahoe backcountry. This advanced event links the Benson and Bradley huts for a one-way traverse and promises to be an exceptional adventure. It provides members with an opportunity to explore deep in the backcountry while staying in a nice WARM hut at the end of the day's activities.

PRIORITY SIGN-UPS will be given to members who were signed up last year regardless of refund status. That event was cancelled due to weather and avy danger. Also, members have priority over guests. MAX OF 12 ATTENDEES

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a moderate to heavy snorer, please take a pass on this event (based on prior experience). Sleeping is in an open area, so ear plugs are still recommended!

COST is $205
This is a first come first served event with payment locking up a spot.
Refunds available ONLY if trip is cancelled due to road closures or an alternate fills your vacated slot. The huts are already paid for and exclusively reserved for RTA members!

RESERVATION PAYMENTS ACCEPTED via:
Pay-Pal: https://www.paypal.com/us/digital-wallet/send-receive-money
Please send funds through Pay-Pal to: **crestone15@hotmail.com**

Venmo: https://venmo.com/
Please send funds through Venmo to: @Walt-Johnson-25

Please include your name if using an avatar so we know who sent the
funds!

Sorry again for the Sunday-Wednesday timeframe but the huts are offered to summer work crews first then the public gets the leftovers! Hey, it's definitely worth it to use vacation time or PTO for this event!

The Benson hut is 5.5 miles with 1,800' of gain from the T/H. The route is difficult, especially in bad weather and involves a ridge-top traverse so prior winter experience in the backcountry is required. Expect bare ground and/or ice where wind has stripped snow from the ridge as well as cornices on the ridges' east side. Extra caution will be the mantra of the day as surrounding slopes are steep, and weather (when it worsens) can be problematic. Carrying avy gear is highly recommended.

The hut is nestled under the north face of Anderson Peak at 8,350′ and has extraordinary views to the east, north, and west.

The second day, everyone's free to explore the area, climb Anderson Peak and/or possibly traverse to Tinker Knob to enjoy it's amazing 360-degree views. One can also just hang at the hut and enjoy the fireplace (especially if the weather is nasty). Strongly recommend avy gear if skiing as the avy risk in the area is real.

After two nights at the Benson, we will make our way to the Bradley Hut, apprx. 4-5 miles with a 700' descent depending on the route. Our final day drops us 1,600' over 4.7 miles to our shuttle vehicles on HWY 89.

ALL winter gear normally taken for a winter overnight back-pack trip is needed, except for your tent. An air mattress and 3 or 4-season sleeping bag will work. An emergency shelter (bivy sac, etc.) should be considered as well. Snowshoes, ski's, split-boards, your choice.

The huts have a wood-burning stove, table, and kitchen area. Side rooms hold firewood and maintenance supplies. Sleeping is either in the main room or loft.

All participants need to bring their own stove & fuel, pot, cup, etc.
The huts usually have solar for lighting (sometimes) but if anyone has a lantern they wish to bring, please do, otherwise it's headlamps. Two-story outhouses are within 100′ of the hut's, BYO T/P.

If you're missing an item or two, Nevada Adventure Rentals in Reno www.nevadaadventurerentals.com has a complete line of winter gear for rent.

We will car-pool from Gold Ranch in Verdi to T/H parking. Will place a shuttle vehicle(s) the night before due to Sunday AM ski traffic on Hwy 89.

There is the possibility of catching a ride on Sugar Bowls Mt' Lincoln Express ski lift. This would cut the distance in half and eliminate 1,500' of gain. This would entail an additional cost per person. Once the event is full, participants will be asked for their input whether to use the lift or not.

All attendees will need to sign off on the RTA Liability Waiver.