Mountain Boulder
The restoration of this historic 19th-century mountain cabin, nestled deep within the rugged backcountry of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, required a meticulous balance of historic preservation and modern structural engineering. Left exposed to extreme alpine elements for over a century, the existing cabin was dilapidated, with severe rot compromising its perimeter log structure and destabilizing its original foundation. To stabilize the shifting structure, we utilized high-capacity ground screws, providing an unyielding foundation minimal in environmental impact to the remote landscape.
To ensure the cabin endures for the next century, the timber-framed decking and log junctions were enhanced with defensive, preventative measures. We embedded borate rods directly into the vulnerable timber cores for ongoing rot and insect prevention and utilized advanced waterproof taping across the tops of the structural joists to stop moisture retention. The resulting execution guarantees a lasting, resilient frame capable of withstanding the harsh wilderness environment while meticulously maintaining its rugged, historic soul.
Our primary objective was to breathe new life into the home while strictly preserving its authentic aesthetic and remaining historically accurate to its original frontier character. We then carefully shored the structure to cut away the rotted timber, replacing it with hand-selected structural log elements that blend seamlessly with the historic architecture.
