Wood-Mizer Celebrates Vertebrae Lodge

In 2003, The Chatter Creek partners and their small crew undertook the huge task of building a 9300 sq ft. backcountry lodge. The enormous log building is located 90 km from the nearest paved road and about 120 km from the nearest hardware. Built in just six months, from bare ground to occupation by 24 guests, Vertebrae Lodge stands as a testament to the skill and dedication of the builders. In 2004, they were back at it, and another 9,000 sq. ft. building, Solitude Lodge was constructed over one short summer, as a bedroom annex and expansion to Vertebrae Lodge.

For each building, well over 200 large spruce logs were milled on site to provide the large supply of posts and beams, decking, studs, rafters, purlins, and paneling needed for the buildings. To accomplish the necessary milling at a rate not to delay the projects, a reliable high-throughput sawmill was required. The partners chose a Wood-Mizer LT40 Hydraulic Alaska-style portable mill, complete with a 45 ft bed, a decision they have never regretted.

Wood-Mizer has featured the construction of Vertebrae and Solitude Lodges in it's company magazine, "The Wood-Mizer Way", Vol 68, Winter 2004. (click for an on-line .pdf document). Chatter Creek is very proud of it's lodges and thanks Wood-Mizer sincerely for this welcome recognition of it's accomplishments. Wood-Mizer have also featured Vertebrae Lodge on their Web site.

The following link provides photos and more information on the Chatter Creek sawmill.