Kristie Wolfe turns 1950s fire lookout into off-grid shelter

The 13 acres of forest above tiny Fernwood, Idaho (population: 684) cost
her $67,000 and was her most expensive purchase, but the structure it
came with has historic value: there are only about 900 lookouts still
standing (at one time there were over 5,000 towers in the US). The
lookout heydey was inspired by the devastating Great Fire of 1910 that
burned 3,000,000 acres (12,000 km2) throughout Washington, Idaho, and
Montana.

Wolfe’s “Crystal Peak Lookout” was built in 1959 on Stranger Peak, WA,
but in 1983 it was moved to private land in Northern Idaho where it was
used as a hunting lodge. When Wolfe bought it, it had been abandoned for
25 years by all but the bushy-tailed woodrats which had inflicted their
damage.

Working mostly alone, Wolfe spent weeks transforming the cab into an
overnight shelter with a fireplace, kitchenette and 360 degree views.
The location is off-grid (the town of Fernwood doesn’t even have
Internet), but a small PV setup provides enough energy for lights and to
charge phones.

With the help of her brother and mother, Wolfe moved an old shed down
the hill (using pipes and a pulley system) and gave it a new life as a
cold-water shower and sauna. Another old shed became a composting
toilet.