1. What is the most efficient way to make a reservation for the Wendy Thompson Hut?
Using the online booking feature on this website is the fastest, most efficient way to guarantee bookings. Your initial contact is a request, which may be followed by an automated message. See #2 below regarding notifications.
2. When I have used the online booking feature, how will I know I have a reservation?
If the dates you have requested are available, your confirmation will be sent to you in an email after you have paid for your reservation. Payments are currently moving to online due to a number of guests not making payment. Please check the details to determine that the dates, identity of the guests, and the payment details are correct.
3. When I've received a confirmation, what should I do next?
In addition to planning your trip, you will want to print a copy of the confirming email and in most cases mail your fee to the address given on the site. This is the best way to ensure your reservation remains valid.
4. What group gear is at the hut?
This is normally outlined in the confirmation message, but currently we have a new kerosene heater that requires about two litres of kerosene fuel per night, two functional Coleman two-burner white gas campstoves, and various pots, pans, small bowls and dishes, and cutlery. We recently added new plastic plates, bowls, and cups. As the hut doesn't have a regular custodian, food prep items may or may not be in good shape, depending upon the previous party.
5. Is it a good idea to leave unused food items, empty fuel containers, and other garbage at the hut?
Ongoing maintenance and fees for removing garbage have been increasing our costs. This fall alone our costs were increased by over $500 to fly-out garbage left by guests. As we are a non-profit, these increases will be reflected in increased rates if they continue. The rates at the Wendy Thompson Hut have remained static for nine years. To keep them low, we will need the cooperation of our guests. Please pack out everything you pack in. If you can pack out someone else's garbage, please do.
6. Why should I pay a fee for a hut on crown land?
The hut is a legally permitted structure on crown land and is registered with the forest service. The family who donated the monies for the building and the dozens of volunteers who put so much effort into the hut also would like to see costs kept as low as possible. At the same time, the hut doesn't maintain itself, and some years our low rates do not cover all maintenance, insurance, and material costs. It costs us about $3800 annually just to have a fly-out biffy system, but we feel it is the best thing to do for the local environment. It is services such as these that one is paying for, and we know most people see it as a good deal.
7. What should I do if people without a reservation are occupying the hut?
Please be patient, understanding, and polite. Introduce yourself and show the group your copy of your reservation and politely insist that they make room for your group. As time goes on, unpaid guests have become less of a problem, but one thing you can do is notify us immediately upon your return home that you encountered this problem. If we see a trend in unpaid visitors we will take reasonable precautions to ensure our guests have accommodation when they have made a reservation. We have erected signs at the trailhead on two occasions informing tourers that the hut is reservation only; unfortunately, both times the signs have lasted less than a month before being vandalized and/or destroyed.
