About
The Backcountry Hut Company was founded in 2015 with the shared dream of creating a simple recreational structure that could be easily installed in virtually any remote location.
Our founders, Wilson Edgar and Michael Leckie, are no strangers to adventure and the wild unknown. Born east of the Rockies, they each migrated their way out West on different paths, following the seasons and chasing adventure in the mountains and along the coast. Wilson’s experience with the outdoor community in the Pacific Northwest and Michael’s background in creating award-winning modernist architecture led to the development of the first prototype Backcountry Huts, with the goal of creating a prefabricated modular shelter that combined practical utility and a minimalist aesthetic. As development progressed, the team reached out to Vancouver-Island based Cyrill Werlen, a master builder originally from Switzerland, who brought his appreciation for quality wood construction and the concept of self-assembly to the project.
Working through the elements, both materially and naturally, realizing the impact of each individual detail on the collective whole, our team has developed, tested, and built for five adventurous years to bring you our first collection.
Environmental mission and strategy (ESG)
The Backcountry Hut Company was born from a deep appreciation of the outdoors and a desire to put down roots in the places we seek adventure. Loving the outdoors means treading lightly in the environment, and preserving our natural and wild spaces for future generations. We are very conscious of the environmental impact that building can have. As stewards of the planet, we thoughtfully consider each element of our brand and product to ensure a light footprint. We operate with a zero-waste philosophy in the design and implementation of our systems, select environmentally-conscious building materials, plan efficient uses of space and energy, and deliver a product that makes a minimal impact on the landscape. Every BHC System is fabricated using FSC-certified Canadian wood and responsibly-sourced and produced materials that can be fully recycled - a choice that stems from our commitment to the natural environment and the health of our forests. We value the protection and preservation of local old growth and second growth forests, and green spaces in urban and recreational landscapes.
Our core considerations:
- We seek products that can be RECYCLED at the end of their life. Our target is a shell System that is 100% recyclable.
- We work with LOCALLY-SOURCED products, makers, and manufacturing partners.
- We select products that are SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED.
- We have adopted a ZERO WASTE philosophy in our production and construction practices.
- We utilize ENERGY EFFICIENT materials that consider the health of people and the planet.
150 Trees Initiative
BHC has an ongoing commitment and meaningful contribution to the health of our forests by partnering with Forest Recovery Canada (FRC) to plant 150 trees for every System 01 and 02 cabin that is purchased.
FRC supports a green future for our forests through tree planting, which positively increases forest cover and adds connectivity between forested areas. Through partnerships with local planting organizations, municipalities, First Nations, ENGO partners and corporate sponsors, FRC works to minimize the devastating effects of climate change by laying the groundwork for a national tree planting strategy.