Bomber Hut

Bomber hut was built in 1990, it is part of the Bomber Traverse, but can also be utilized as an overnight destination.

  • Water: 50 yards slightly to the right of the front door among boulders, or use the numerous creeks.

  • Outhouse: 20 yards from the front door, burn your used toilet paper.

  • Inventory: Sleeps 7-9, insulated, lantern, Coleman 2-burner cook stove, bring your own fuel, books and reading material.

  • Location: Bartholf Creek valley, 1 ½ miles north of the Bomber Glacier, 8 miles from the Reed Lakes trailhead. Elevation 3900 feet.

  • Coordinates: 61 52.757 N 149 08.122 W [61.87928, -149.13537]

Access

Accessing the hut requires glacier travel skills, beware of inherent risks.

Via Reek Lakes: From the end of Reed Lakes trail ascend northeast toward the northwest ridge of Lynx Peak. Cross over the ridge at its lowest point which is the Bomber Pass (N 61 51.274, W 149 07.995) onto the Bomber glacier. Be aware of the possible avalanches on this slope. Descend the glacier north north-east towards Parliamint Peak. The hut's metallic siding might be visible in the valley below. Get off the ice and descend boulders and tundra to Bartholf Creek, cross the creek over boulders and you will come up on the hut within 100 yards on a bench.

Via Snowbird Glacier: Be aware of avalanches on this route, it might be slightly less risky than Reed Lakes route, but it is still prone to slides.

Take the trail to Reed Lakes, but before crossing Glacier Creek, find a trail to the left. Ascend for about 1200 feet to Snowbird Mine where the trail ends. Continue past the ruins and follow the creek short ways up valley. Begin ascending trending left over scree, boulders and dwindling trail as you follow Glacier Creek past Didilkama. Eventually climb to the pass between Didilkama and Lower Tower at upper Snowbird Pass. Descend the glacier. As you descend you will notice the American Alpine Club dome-shaped hut on the right moraine. Continue down the glacier to the terminus and either follow the outlet creek over some waterfalls or follow the ridge to the left. Continue past the lake and follow Bartholf Creek north through heavy bushwhacking and boulders. About 1 ½ miles from the lake turn right and ascend the eastern branch of Bartholf. The hut might be visible far in the distance. Follow the creek through some brush for two miles. The hut is on the north side of the creek on a tundra bench overlooking a lake to the left. If you go too far you will run into one of the glaciers feeding the creek so turn around and look for the hut again.

Via Mint Hut: From the rear of the Mint Hut head up the valley trending left towards a large boulder slope. Beware of avalanche conditions on the slope. Ascend the slope to a pass between Tenemint and Hunchback Spire. You are at the Backdoor Gap (5650 feet, N 61 51.734, W 149 05.761) Descend Penny Royal Glacier past Parliament Peak, keep descending left (west). Cross East branch of Bartholf Creek below the waterfall and continue west about ½ mile to the tundra bench where the hut is located.

History

Pre-assembled at Dave and Gretchen Staeheli's property on April 1990. Assembled at destination on Labor Day 1990 by the following crew: Dave Pahlke, Joel Babb, Marcy Baker, Mark Findley, Mike Miller, Neil O'Donnell, Nancy Pfiefer, Jeff Young, Chris Zaffren. The materials and crew were flown in by ERA Helicopters of Palmer in late afternoon on Sept 1. It took 6 or 7 loads and was all delivered by 8:30 p.m. The crew got up at 8:00 a.m. next morning and in an amazing 12 hours the hut was complete, along with the outhouse and right before the rain started falling. On the morning of the 3rd the crew finished up some bits and pieces and headed out at noon, reaching the parking lot at 5:30 p.m. During the same weekend the club also built the Scandinavian hut, an amazing feet. The success of the two projects depended on the great work of Gretchen Staeheli who was the leading force behind the fundraising and construction. There was a substantial support from the community: Pacific Alaska Forwarders loaned a flat bed truck, Spenard Builders sold the materials at cost, Matrix Construction donated some materials, REI donated lanterns, stoves and pots. ERA Helicopters flew the materials in for a third of the commercial cost. There was also an anonymous donation of $200 from a club member (Scree, October 1990).

In July of 2007 Greg and Mary Beth Bragiel performed the following maintenance while hiking the Bomber Traverse. Paint exterior trim, caulk, organizing, cleaning, repairs, inventory, paint floor, remove junk. In March of 2008 the crew of Choate, Chard, Taylor, Bragiel installed slider window on the 2nd floor while skiing the Bomber traverse.

In September 2021, Dave Staeheli, Stan Olsen, Brad Nelson, Wayne Todd, Andy Milauskas, Sean Ashmore, Jeff Sauve, Ray Kossler, and Sally Belchin spent 7 days on site for a renovation of the hut. A foyer was added, the hut's roof/siding was replaced, and new window installation was prepped. The team was supported by numerous volunteers and sponsors. Victoria Lytle, Kathy Stills, and Joey Slowik assisted with helo ops on the road side. Brad and Dave hosted a painting party prior to the work trip.

Sponsors include:

  • Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation- Significant financial support through their granting program

  • Pollux Aviation- Helicopter operations at a reduce rate

  • Rain Proof Roofing

  • Sheet Metal Inc.

  • Broken Tooth Brewing

  • Alaska Mountain Rescue Group