We dedicated the summer of 2012 to designing and installing a solid-waste dehydrating system for the Snowbird Hut outhouse. Several passive systems were integrated into the outhouse design, including urine separation, passive solar, and continuous air movement to dry solid-waste matter. The lightened matter then can be removed from the outhouse less frequently to be transported off the mountain. This new design combination will provide insight to others with the problem of handling human waste at higher elevations. Cindi Squire has been invited to present a poster about this design at the Sustainable Summits Conference in Talkeetna in September 2013.

The Alaska Section has received an incredible amount of positive feedback about the Snowbird Hut. Users have sent thanks and many beautiful pictures. This is the reward for all the hard work our volunteers put in to make this hut a reality. A plaque at the hut, which was dedicated in August 2011, says it all: “This hut is dedicated to adventurous backcountry users who love and live in the outdoors. Please preserve it for the future and include it in your adventures now!”