Narrow Results By
- Alpine Club of Canada fonds 47
- Ben Gadd fonds 21
- Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies fonds 9
- Chic Scott fonds 5
- Canadian Pacific Railway fonds 3
- Luxton family fonds 3
- Maryalice Harvey Stewart fonds 2
- Dorothy Wardle fonds 1
- Jean Knox Petrie fonds 1
- Kidney family fonds 1
- Lillian Gest fonds 1
- Malcolm Geddes fonds 1
Alberta Centennial 2005 Summit Registers and Notes
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions57664
- Part Of
- Alpine Club of Canada fonds
- Scope & Content
- Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from the Alberta Centennial Mountain Expedition 2005 produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 2005 and 2017. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details o…
- Date Range
- 2005-2017
- Reference Code
- M200 / V / A / 14 to 25
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- GMD
- Textual record
- Organization record
- Part Of
- Alpine Club of Canada fonds
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- Fonds Number
- M200
- V14
- S6
- Series
- M200 / V: Summit Records
- Sous-Fonds
- M200
- Sub-Series
- M200 / V / A: Identified Summit Records
- Accession Number
- accn. 2023.20 accn. 8002 accn. 2023.19 accn. 2014.8293
- Reference Code
- M200 / V / A / 14 to 25
- Responsibility
- Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
- Date Range
- 2005-2017
- Physical Description
- 25 cm of textual records 12 volumes
- History / Biographical
- The Alberta Centennial Mountain Expedition 2005 was a way for the Alpine Club of Canada, the Rocky Mountain Ramblers and other climbing groups to celebrate the Centennial of Alberta. These groups climbed various mountains throughout Alberta and placed registers on their peaks for climbers to commemorate their climbs during the centenary period. Various summits were reached including Mount Aylmer, Pigeon Mountain, Mount Niblock and others.
- Scope & Content
- Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from the Alberta Centennial Mountain Expedition 2005 produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 2005 and 2017. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while at the summit, wildlife sightings, trail updates, and related topics. Files consist of: M200 / V / A / 14: Mount. Aylmer 2005 M200 / V / A / 15: 2005 Alberta Centennial Mtn. Expedition Summit Register – Pigeon Mtn., Aug 2005 – July 2006 M200 / V / A / 16: Summit Register + Notes – Big Sister, Aug 2005 – Aug 2007 (AB. Centennial Mtn. Expedition 2005 Register) M200 / V / A / 17: Sentry Mountain Summit Register 2005 - 2017 M200 / V / A / 18: Mount Niles [summit register] [2005-2017] M200 / V / A / 19: Alberta Centennial Mtn. Expedition, 2005 Summit Register – MT. Niblock, July 2006 – July 2009 M200 / V / A / 20: 2005 AB. Centennial Mtn. Expedition Middle Sister July 2006 – July 2007 M200 / V / A / 21: 2005 AB. Centennial Mountain Expedition, Yamnuska, 2005 – 2006. Summit Register M200 / V / A / 22: Summit Register – Crowsnest Mtn., July 2005 – July 2007 2005 AB. Centennial Mtn. Expedition M200 / V / A / 23: Alberta Centennial Mountain Expedition. [Part 1 of 2]. M200 / V / A / 24: Alberta Centennial Mountain Expedition. [Part 2 of 2]. M200 / V / A / 25: [unidentified Alberta Centennial Mountain Expedition Log]
- Name Access
- Alpine Club of Canada
- Subject Access
- Alberta
- Alpine Club of Canada
- Backcountry skiing
- Backpacking
- Banff
- Banff National Park
- Bow Valley
- Celebrations
- Centennial
- Climbing
- Environment
- Environment and Nature
- Events
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
- Mountaineers
- Mountains
- Ski mountaineering
- Skiing
- Sports and leisure
- Sports and recreation
- Summit
- Trails
- Winter sports
- Yamnuska Mountain
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Banff
- Banff National Park
- Bow Valley
- Canadian Rocky Mountains
- Crowsnest Pass
- Kananaskis Country
- Mount Yamnuska
- Pigeon Lake
- Rocky Mountains
- Access Restrictions
- Restrictions may apply
- Language
- English
- French
- Conservation
- Some registers contain water damage. Some registers have loose pages placed in mylar. Some registers contain rusted staples.
- Related Material
- M235
- Title Source
- Title based on contents of file
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Alberta Views article
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions56023
- Part Of
- Ben Gadd fonds
- Scope & Content
- File consists of a signed work agreement, correspondence, research notes, reference materials, newspaper articles and other related documents pertaining to an article titled "The Ravens & the Road: Life & Death on National Park Highways", which Ben wrote for Alberta Views magazine between 2004 and …
- Date Range
- 2004-2005
- Reference Code
- M590 / II / B / 33 to 34
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- GMD
- Textual record
- Part Of
- Ben Gadd fonds
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- Fonds Number
- M590
- S61
- V810
- Series
- M590 / II : Research and publication records
- Sous-Fonds
- M590
- Sub-Series
- M590 / II / B : Other publications
- Accession Number
- 2021.20
- Reference Code
- M590 / II / B / 33 to 34
- GMD
- Textual record
- Date Range
- 2004-2005
- Physical Description
- 3 cm of textual records
- Scope & Content
- File consists of a signed work agreement, correspondence, research notes, reference materials, newspaper articles and other related documents pertaining to an article titled "The Ravens & the Road: Life & Death on National Park Highways", which Ben wrote for Alberta Views magazine between 2004 and 2005.
- Name Access
- Gadd, Ben
- Subject Access
- Publication
- Professional and Personal Life
- Correspondence
- Environment
- Wildlife
- Birds
- Conservation
- Roads
- Magazine
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Banff National Park
- Reproduction Restrictions
- Restrictions may apply
- Language
- English
- Related Material
- V810 / II / B / DF - 1
- Category
- Environment
- Title Source
- Original title used
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Balfour Hut Registers
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions57646
- Part Of
- Alpine Club of Canada fonds
- Scope & Content
- Sub-series of hut registers from the Balfour (Rob Ritchie) Hut produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1966 and 2019. Registers include entries from visitors to the huts which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while staying at the hut…
- Date Range
- 1966-2001
- 2007-2019
- Reference Code
- M200 / IV / I
- Description Level
- 4 / Sub-series
- GMD
- Textual record
- Organization record
- Part Of
- Alpine Club of Canada fonds
- Description Level
- 4 / Sub-series
- Fonds Number
- M200
- V14
- S6
- Series
- M200 / IV: Hut Registers
- Sous-Fonds
- M200
- Sub-Series
- M200 / IV / I: Balfour Hut Registers
- Accession Number
- accn. 2376
- accn. 3298
- accn. 3560
- accn. 7779
- accn. 2023.10
- accn. 2023.31
- accn. 2023.15
- Reference Code
- M200 / IV / I
- Responsibility
- Registers produced by Alpine Club of Canada
- Date Range
- 1966-2001
- 2007-2019
- Physical Description
- 20 cm of textual records 9 volumes
- History / Biographical
- According to the Alpine Club of Canada's website: "The Rob Ritchie Hut, also known as the Balfour Hut, is found on low, rocky hills at the toe of the Vulture Glacier, approximately 28 km northwest of the town of Lake Louise, AB. It is east of Balfour Pass and the Continental divide, just inside the Banff National Park boundary.[...] The Rob Ritchie Hut, also known as the Balfour Hut, is found on low, rocky hills at the toe of the Vulture Glacier, approximately 28 km northwest of the town of Lake Louise, AB. It is east of Balfour Pass and the Continental divide, just inside the Banff National Park boundary. This is the half-way mark for the Wapta Traverse and is usually used in conjunction with the other huts in this chain while attempting this classic cross-glacier ski trip. Usual approach is from Bow Hut through the Olive/St. Nicholas Col then down the gentle and pleasant Vulture Glacier to Balfour Pass, where the hut sits on a section of moraine beneath the impressive bulk of Mt. Balfour. Though most people will spend one night at the R.J. Ritchie (Balfour) Hut before continuing on to Scott Duncan, there is potential for good skiing here, especially on the Diableret Glacier which sits northwest of Mt. Balfour and makes for a fantastic run on a clear day! There is also an optional route to the summit of Mt. Gordon from this hut, which would be an excellent loop trip if combined with the normal route back towards Bow Hut. Use your imagination and some neat trip ideas will present themselves!"
- Scope & Content
- Sub-series of hut registers from the Balfour (Rob Ritchie) Hut produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1966 and 2019. Registers include entries from visitors to the huts which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while staying at the hut, wildlife sightings, custodial issues and updates, and related topics. The sub-series is separated into individual hut registers, arranged by date:
- M200 / IV / I / 1: Balfour Hut [Register] [1966-1971]
- M200 / IV / I / 2: Balfour Pass Hut [1971-1972]
- M200 / IV / I / 3: Balfour Pass Hut Register [1973-1974]
- M200 / IV / I / 4: Balfour Pass Hut [register 1974-1982]
- M200 / IV / I / 5: "Balfour Hut" [register] Sept. 2, 1982 - Nov. 17, 1989
- M200 / IV / I / 6: Balfour Hut Journal Nov. 22, 1989 - Apr. 25, 1997
- M200 / IV / I / 7: Balfour Hut Register [1997 -2001]
- M200 / IV / I / 8: Balfour Hut Register 2007 - 2015
- M200 / IV / I / 9: Balfour Hut register 2011 - 2019
- Name Access
- Alpine Club of Canada
- Subject Access
- Huts
- Cabins
- Cabins and shelters
- Backcountry skiing
- Banff National Park
- Buildings and facilities
- Climbing
- Environment and Nature
- Lake Louise
- Mountaineering
- Mountains
- Ski mountaineering
- Sports and leisure
- Sports and recreation
- Winter sports
- Wapta Traverse
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Banff National Park
- Lake Louise, AB
- Access Restrictions
- Restrictions may apply
- Language
- English
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Biographical Source Notes
- Alpine Club of Canada website: https://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/rob-ritchie-balfour-hut/"
- Title Source
- Title based on contents of sub-series
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Banff National Park and Lake Louise maps
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions54945
- Scope & Content
- File consists of two folded maps and a small clipping [possibly top or bottom portion from a different map or one of maps in file]. One map is of Banff National Park and one is of Lake Louise [1959]. Banff National Park map has black pencil tracings over trail section near the bottom of the map and…
- Date Range
- 1959
- [1960-1970]
- Reference Code
- M545 / V / 53
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- GMD
- Textual record
- Published record
- Map
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- Fonds Number
- M545 / V635
- Series
- M545 / V : Administrative records
- Sous-Fonds
- M545
- Accession Number
- 8235
- Reference Code
- M545 / V / 53
- Date Range
- 1959
- [1960-1970]
- Physical Description
- 0.5 cm of textual records (2 maps ; 60.5 x 57.5 and 60 x 56.5 cm)
- Scope & Content
- File consists of two folded maps and a small clipping [possibly top or bottom portion from a different map or one of maps in file]. One map is of Banff National Park and one is of Lake Louise [1959]. Banff National Park map has black pencil tracings over trail section near the bottom of the map and annotation in bottom right corner which reads "Natural Bridge". Lake Louise map produced by the Government of Canada.
- Subject Access
- Banff National Park
- Environment
- Geography
- Map
- Lake Louise
- Travel
- Government
- National parks and reserves
- Trails
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Banff National Park
- Lake Louise
- Language
- English
- Conservation
- Clipping stored in mylar due to significant staining and residue from tape
- Items kept folded [not placed in mylar] due to mass production of content and minimal/no annotations
- Title Source
- Title based on contents of file
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Banff National Park management plan
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions54927
- Scope & Content
- File consists of a draft of "Banff National Park of Canada Management Plan" produced by Parks Canada and dated October 26, 2009. File also includes drafts of "Key Strategy" documents and an "Environmental Impact Assessment" for the regions of Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay [Parks Can…
- Date Range
- 2009
- Reference Code
- M545 / V / 26
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- GMD
- Textual record
- Government record
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- Fonds Number
- M545 / V635
- Series
- M545 / V : Administrative records
- Sous-Fonds
- M545
- Accession Number
- 8235
- Reference Code
- M545 / V / 26
- Date Range
- 2009
- Physical Description
- 2 cm of textual records
- Scope & Content
- File consists of a draft of "Banff National Park of Canada Management Plan" produced by Parks Canada and dated October 26, 2009. File also includes drafts of "Key Strategy" documents and an "Environmental Impact Assessment" for the regions of Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay [Parks Canada]. Contents pertain to natural resources, tourism, townsite development and other related issues within Canadian Rockies national parks.
- Subject Access
- Parks Canada
- National parks and reserves
- Natural resources
- Conservation
- Government
- Environment
- Townsite development
- Tourism
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Banff
- Banff National Park
- Lake Louise
- Jasper National Park
- Kootenay National Park
- Yoho National Park
- Language
- English
- Conservation
- Metal clip from Management Plan draft was removed
- Creator
- Parks Canada
- Category
- Environment
- Government
- Natural resources
- Title Source
- Title based on contents in file
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Banff Park geology sheet
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions56002
- Part Of
- Ben Gadd fonds
- Scope & Content
- File consists of a draft, final copy and related correspondence pertaining to a fact sheet titled "The Geology of Banff National Park", which Ben Gadd produced for Parks Canada in 1980.
- Date Range
- 1980
- Reference Code
- M590 / III / D / 27
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- GMD
- Textual record
- Part Of
- Ben Gadd fonds
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- Fonds Number
- M590
- V810
- S61
- Series
- M590 / III : Professional records
- Sous-Fonds
- M590
- Sub-Series
- M590 / III / D : Other contracts and projects
- Accession Number
- 2021.20
- Reference Code
- M590 / III / D / 27
- GMD
- Textual record
- Date Range
- 1980
- Physical Description
- 0.3 cm of textual records
- Scope & Content
- File consists of a draft, final copy and related correspondence pertaining to a fact sheet titled "The Geology of Banff National Park", which Ben Gadd produced for Parks Canada in 1980.
- Name Access
- Gadd, Ben
- Subject Access
- Parks
- Parks Canada
- Government
- National parks and reserves
- Natural history
- Research
- Education
- Environment
- Publication
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Banff National Park
- Reproduction Restrictions
- Restrictions may apply
- Language
- English
- Category
- Education
- Environment
- Government
- Title Source
- Title based on contents of file
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Bankhead map project
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions56117
- Part Of
- Ben Gadd fonds
- Scope & Content
- File consists of textual records pertaining to a brochure describing the history of Bankhead, which Ben Gadd researched, designed and produced on behalf of Parks Canada in 1981. File includes research notes, reference maps, correspondence, paste-up drafts and finished copies of the brochures.
- Date Range
- 1981
- Reference Code
- M590 / III / D / 93
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- GMD
- Textual record
- Part Of
- Ben Gadd fonds
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- Fonds Number
- M590
- V810
- S61
- Series
- M590 / III : Professional records
- Sous-Fonds
- M590
- Sub-Series
- M590 / III / D : Other contracts and projects
- Accession Number
- 2021.20
- Reference Code
- M590 / III / D / 93
- GMD
- Textual record
- Responsibility
- Produced by Ben Gadd, Parks Canada
- Date Range
- 1981
- Physical Description
- 1 cm of textual records
- Scope & Content
- File consists of textual records pertaining to a brochure describing the history of Bankhead, which Ben Gadd researched, designed and produced on behalf of Parks Canada in 1981. File includes research notes, reference maps, correspondence, paste-up drafts and finished copies of the brochures.
- Name Access
- Gadd, Ben
- Subject Access
- Settlement
- Townsite development
- History
- Research
- Education
- Publication
- Tourism
- Tourist information
- Parks Canada
- Government
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Bankhead
- Banff National Park
- Reproduction Restrictions
- Restrictions may apply
- Title Source
- Title based on contents of file
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Ben Gadd fonds
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions55758
- Part Of
- Ben Gadd fonds
- Scope & Content
- Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, …
- Date Range
- 1956-2018
- Reference Code
- M590 / V810 / S61
- Description Level
- 1 / Fonds
- GMD
- Digital image
- Drawing
- Negative
- Newspaper clipping
- Photograph
- Photograph print
- Postcard
- Published record
- Textual record
- Video
- Transparency
- Part Of
- Ben Gadd fonds
- Description Level
- 1 / Fonds
- Fonds Number
- M590
- V810
- Sous-Fonds
- M590
- V810
- Accession Number
- 2021.20
- 2024.01
- Reference Code
- M590 / V810 / S61
- GMD
- Digital image
- Drawing
- Negative
- Newspaper clipping
- Photograph
- Photograph print
- Postcard
- Published record
- Textual record
- Video
- Transparency
- Date Range
- 1956-2018
- Physical Description
- ca. 7.9 metres of textual records -- ca. 274 maps -- 29 VHS tapes -- ca.15 discs with digital files -- 21 cassettes -- photographs -- oversized materials -- USB stick with 15 sldeshows
- History / Biographical
- Ben Gadd (1946-) is a retired naturalist, guide, geologist, instructor, freelance writer and award-winning author based in the Canadian Rockies. Ben was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1946. He met his wife, Cia (Langdon) Gadd at Colorado College in 1965, and the couple married four weeks later. Ben and Cia had two sons, Will and Toby. Ben and his family relocated to Jasper in the late 1960s. Ben later attended the University of Lethbridge and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Earth Science in 1972. Between 1976 and 1980, Ben taught classes at Mount Royal College and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; he later taught additional classes at Grant MacEwan College and Lakeland College. From 1981, Ben also worked as a seasonal naturalist/guide for Parks Canada. Ben left Parks Canada in 1985 to start an independent naturalist guiding business with Cia based in Jasper and other parts of the Canadian Rockies, which the couple continued to operate for over two decades. Ben published his best-known work, "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies", through his publishing company Corax Press in 1986. The second edition of "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies" received multiple awards after its release in 1995. Ben's fiction book, "Raven's End" won the title of Best Canadian Rockies Book at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in 2001 and became a Canadian bestseller. Overall, Ben has authored or co-authored 11 books and received nearly one dozen awards for his achievements as a writer, researcher and guide. Ben continued to lead guided hikes and school programs until his retirement in 2016.
- Scope & Content
- Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, video and sound recordings, and other related material. Materials donated in 2024 include one USB stick containing
- Notes
- Ben Gadd fonds arrangement: Series I : Personal records - Subseries A : Travel guides and maps - Subseries B : Education and early writings - Subseries C : Personal interest files - Subseries D : Other personal and collected Series II : Research and publication records - Subseries A : Handbook of the Canadian Rockies - Subseries B : Other publications Series III : Professional records - Subseries A : Parks Canada Records - Subseries B : Interpretive guiding - Subseries C : Teaching records - Subseries D : Other contracts and projects Series IV : Legal and financial records - Subseries A : Legal records - Subseries B : Financial records
- Subject Access
- Education
- Research
- Publication
- Environment
- Geology
- Tourism
- Family and personal life
- Personal and Professional Life
- Academics
- Guiding
- Guides
- Businesses
- Finances
- Conservation
- Wildlife
- Natural history
- Sports and recreation
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Jasper National Park
- Banff National Park
- Yoho National Park
- Kootenay National Park
- Lethbridge
- United States of America
- Colorado
- Canadian Rocky Mountains
- Reproduction Restrictions
- Copyright restrictions apply
- Language
- English
- French
- Dutch
- Title Source
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Processing Status
- Processed / Unprocessed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Bow Hut Registers
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions57641
- Part Of
- Alpine Club of Canada fonds
- Scope & Content
- Sub-series of hut registers from the Bow Hut produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1968 and 2019. Registers include entries from visitors to the huts which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while staying at the hut, wildlife sightin…
- Date Range
- 1968 - 1977
- 1983 - 2006
- 2010 - 2023
- Reference Code
- M200 / IV / F
- Description Level
- 4 / Sub-series
- GMD
- Textual record
- Organization record
- Part Of
- Alpine Club of Canada fonds
- Description Level
- 4 / Sub-series
- Fonds Number
- M200
- V14
- S6
- Series
- M200 / IV: Hut Registers
- Sous-Fonds
- M200
- Sub-Series
- M200 / IV / F: Bow Hut Registers
- Accession Number
- accn. 2023.32
- accn. 2023.15
- accn. 2023.20
- accn. 2014.8293
- accn. 2023.19
- accn. 8002
- accn. 7779
- accn. 2023.10
- accn. 6465
- accn. 6623
- accn. 6766
- accn. 2376
- accn. 3296
- accn. 3970
- accn. 5215
- accn. 2023.06
- accn. 2024.20
- Reference Code
- M200 / IV / F
- Responsibility
- Registers produced by the Alpine Club of Canada
- Date Range
- 1968 - 1977
- 1983 - 2006
- 2010 - 2023
- Physical Description
- 66 cm of textual records (34 volumes)
- History / Biographical
- According to the Alpine Club of Canada website and their Backcountry Huts: Bow Hut Info Sheet: "The original Bow Hut project was initiated by Peter Fuhrmann, funded by Peter and Catharine Whyte and was constructed in 1968 by members of various groups including the Calgary Ski Club and the ACC. The hut was built near Bow Glacier to facilitate ski tourers and mountaineers entering the Wapta via Bow Lake, the easiest and most natural route to the icefields. Fiberglass igloos had been established at both the Peyto Glacier and Balfour Pass in the years prior, and with the building of a deluxe 14-person facility at a location between the two, the vision of a system of huts on the Wapta/Waputik Icefields was taking shape. None of those responsible for the project, however, could have predicted the amount of use and the level of abuse that the original Bow Hut would endure. The hut was abused from the beginning, and saw very little regular maintenance or upkeep. By the 1980s the place was a total hole. The hut was used as a flop house, the snow within several hundred feet of the hut had been contaminated by the outhouses and by indiscriminate waste disposal, and some estimates put the number of users per year at 7,000 (19 people per night at a facility which was built to sleep 14!). The hut which was described upon its completion as the “the Ritz” had metamorphosed into the “Bow Ghetto”. By the mid-1980s it was evident that the facility required radical change. In 1989, under the direction of the ACC’s Huts Committee Chairman Mike Mortimer, that radical change took place. The original hut had been built on a site which was non-porous and therefore had no drainage – a problem that led to the contaminated water and snow. Plans were made for a new hut in a more environmentally sensitive location and fund-raising began. The new Bow Hut was constructed for $98,000, raised primarily through the Calgary and Edmonton sections of the Club. Design concerns in the new hut included proper waste disposal, spacious and bright common areas and sleeping rooms which were both increased in size from the original hut and separated from the common areas to facilitate use by may groups at one time. The palatial new Bow Hut was opened in the fall of 1989 to rave reviews and is presently operated by the ACC. The hut today is a far cry from the original Balfour and Peyto fiberglass igloos, which a Banff Warden predicted in the late ’60s “will only serve the few hardy ski mountaineers who can accept the hardships of carrying and skiing with heavy loads and are willing to put up with discomfort during the night in bad weather”. It’s an even further cry from the abused state of the original Bow Hut and now serves as a stopover for many summer and winter trips."
- Scope & Content
- Sub-series of hut registers from the Bow Hut produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1968 and 2019. Registers include entries from visitors to the huts which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred while staying at the hut, wildlife sightings, custodial issues and updates, and related topics. The sub-series is separated into individual hut registers, arranged by date:
- M200 / IV / F / 1: Bow Glacier Hut [1968 - 1971 register]
- M200 / IV / F / 2: Bow Glacier Hut Register [1971 - 1973]
- M200 / IV / F / 3: Bow Glacier Hut Register [1973 -1975]
- M200 / IV / F / 4: Bow Hut register [1975 -1977]
- M200 / IV / F / 5: Bow Hut [register 1983 - 1984]
- M200 / IV / F / 6: Bow Hut Register [1984-1986]
- M200 / IV / F / 7: [Bow Hut Register Dec. 17, 1986 - June 19, 1989]
- M200 / IV / F / 8: Bow Hut [1989 - 1991]
- M200 / IV / F / 9: Bow Hut 1991 - 1993
- M200 / IV / F / 10: [Bow Hut Registers 1992 - 94]
- M200 / IV / F / 11: "Bow Hut Register" Sept. 30, 1994 - Aug. 28, 1995
- M200 / IV / F / 12: Bow Hut Register Sept. 16, 1995 - June 27, 1996
- M200 / IV / F / 13: [Bow Hut Dec. 1995 - March 2000 Register]
- M200 / IV / F / 14: Bow Hut Register June 29, 1996 - Mar 29, 1997
- M200 / IV / F / 15: Bow Hut register Mar 29, 1997 - Nov. 14, 1997
- M200 / IV / F / 16: "Bow Hut Register" November 24, 1997 - September 26, 1998
- M200 / IV / F / 17: Bow Hut Register [2000 - 2001]
- M200 / IV / F / 18: Bow Hut Register [2001 - 2002]
- M200 / IV / F / 19: Bow Hut Apr 18, 2002 - Feb 24, 2003
- M200 / IV / F / 20: Bow Hut Apr 8, 2003 - July 18, 2004
- M200 / IV / F / 21: Bow Hut July 18, 2004 - Aug 4, 2004
- M200 / IV / F / 22: Bow Hut Register 2004 - 2006
- M200 / IV / F / 23: Bow Hut Register 2006
- M200 / IV / F / 24: Bow Hut Register April 2009 - August 2010
- M200 / IV / F / 25: 2010 - 2012 Bow Hut Register
- M200 / IV / F / 26: Bow Hut 2012 - 2014
- M200 / IV / F / 27: Bow Hut Register [2014/15]
- M200 / IV / F / 28: Hut Register Bow Hut [2015-2016]
- M200 / IV / F / 29: Bow Hut Register, 2016 - 2018
- M200 / IV / F / 30: Bow Hut Register 2018-2019
- M200 / IV / F / 31: [100 YR SWISS CENTENNIAL CLIMB 1999: Faye Summit notes. Bow Hut OCT - DEC 1998]
- M200 / IV / F / 32: Bow Hut Register [2018-2020]
- M200 / IV / F / 33: Bow Hut Register [2021-2022]
- M200 / IV / F / 34: Bow Hut Register [2022-2023]
- Name Access
- Alpine Club of Canada
- Subject Access
- Huts
- Cabins
- Cabins and shelters
- Environment
- Environment and Nature
- Mountain
- Mountaineering
- Parks
- Parks Canada
- Sports and recreation
- Winter sports
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Bow Glacier
- Banff National Park
- Lake Louise, AB
- Access Restrictions
- Restrictions may apply
- Reproduction Restrictions
- Contains personal information
- Language
- English
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Related Material
- M200 / V / A / 156
- Biographical Source Notes
- The Alpine Club of Canada website: https://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/bow-hut/ The Alpine Club of Canada Backcountry Huts: Bow Hut Info Sheet pdf: https://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BowHut-InfoSheet.pdf
- Title Source
- Title based on contents of sub-series
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.
Calgary Area Outdoor Council
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions54952
- Scope & Content
- File consists of press releases, correspondence and meeting notes pertaining to the Calgary Area Outdoor Council. Correspondence is mostly between Dr. Nancy S. Maguire and Penny Egeland and includes members forum and meeting notes, information pertaining to fire bans and other news, membership info…
- Date Range
- 1995-1999
- Reference Code
- M545 / V / 55
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- GMD
- Textual record
- Organization record
- Published record
- Description Level
- 5 / File
- Fonds Number
- M545 / V635
- Series
- M545 / V : Administrative records
- Sous-Fonds
- M545
- Accession Number
- 8235
- Reference Code
- M545 / V / 55
- Date Range
- 1995-1999
- Physical Description
- 1 cm of textual records
- Scope & Content
- File consists of press releases, correspondence and meeting notes pertaining to the Calgary Area Outdoor Council. Correspondence is mostly between Dr. Nancy S. Maguire and Penny Egeland and includes members forum and meeting notes, information pertaining to fire bans and other news, membership information and registration documents, and newsletters and press releases.
- Name Access
- Egeland, Penny
- Maguire, Nancy
- Subject Access
- Administration
- Communications
- Community events
- Organizations
- Parks
- Park policy
- Publication
- Environment
- Pack trips
- Geographic Access
- Canada
- Alberta
- Calgary
- Banff National Park
- Language
- English
- Title Source
- Title based on contents of file
- Processing Status
- Processed
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.