Custodian Days at the Kees & Claire Hut
This past week, I made my way back to the Kees and Claire Hut for another custodian shift. Getting there is always an adventure, but this time, with high avalanche danger closing the alpine on Whistler, we had to take the long way in—the Oboe Traverse, through to Singing Pass, and then up Cowboy Ridge. It was a gruelling but rewarding trek, one that felt even more remote than usual.
The Journey In
We started by taking the Whistler gondola up, then dropped into the Oboe Traverse before linking into Singing Pass and climbing up Cowboy Ridge. Along the way, we passed a couple of groups camped deep in the woods—a surreal, almost apocalyptic sight in the fading daylight. With avalanche conditions keeping skiers out of the alpine, we were forced onto this alternative route, making for an exhausting but beautiful journey.
Packing Light: The Ricoh GRiiix for Backcountry Photography
For this trip, I packed my Ricoh GRiiix, knowing I wanted to keep things light. The weather was unpredictable, and skiing wasn’t a top priority, so carrying a heavy camera setup didn’t make sense. One of the best things about the Ricoh GRiiix is how easy it is to carry—it fits right in my jacket pocket, meaning I could take quick snaps on the move without ever stopping or fumbling with a neck strap. Not having to dig into my pack every time I wanted to capture a shot made a huge difference on a long trek like this.
Wild Weather and Changing Conditions
The weather was all over the place. It had warmed up significantly, triggering avalanches all around us—you could see them from the hut, a constant reminder of how unstable the snowpack had become. Then, on Thursday—the day of our departure—the temperature dropped, freezing everything solid. A fresh 5cm of snow had fallen on top of a thick, crusty layer, making the ride out one to remember.
Life at the Hut
Once we arrived, we were met with complete silence—no one else was there. It was just me and George, a rare and peaceful moment in a hut that’s usually bustling with backcountry skiers. After the long trek, we took time to settle in, soak in the quiet, and tackle our usual hut chores—sweeping, tidying up, and checking supplies.
While at the hut, I met a fellow camper who had just picked up a Fujifilm x100vi and wasn’t quite sure how to use it. We ended up nerding out over cameras, and I showed him some of my favorite tricks and tips. It was fun to see how quickly he got comfortable with it—by sunset, he mentioned how helpful my advice was and joked that I should run a master class (which, honestly, is something I’d love to do one day). Holding the Fujifilm x100vi again reminded me that the x100 series will always have something the Ricoh doesn’t—there’s a magic to those cameras that makes them special in their own way.
Even though skiing wasn’t the focus of this trip, I love coming to this hut simply to step away from daily life. This time, I brought my iPad, which let me stay on top of emails and finish editing my recent photoshoot with Brume World. There’s something special about getting work done in a remote alpine hut, completely disconnected from the usual distractions.
If you’re interested in picking up any of the gear I mentioned, grab them through my affiliate links below! It helps me out a little, and it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thanks for the support!
Ricoh GRiiix - https://amzn.to/4kNRBgI
Fujifilm x100vi - https://amzn.to/4cmP7lG
