Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpin…
ca.42 m of textual records. -- ca.12,500 photographs: prints, stereographic prints, transparencies, slides, negatives, postcards. -- 85 photograph albums. -- 8 motion pictures: films, video recordings. -- 3 sound recordings
History / Biographical
The Alpine Club of Canada, the national mountaineering club, was co-founded in 1906 by A. O. Wheeler and Elizabeth Parker, and other like-minded climbers. The club espoused scientific study and exploration, cultivation of art, public education, acquisition of climbing skills, and preservation of natural areas within the mountainous regions of Canada. Through a national executive, local sections and volunteer committees, the club provided climbing camps, clubhouse, huts, and publications, including the Canadian Alpine Journal. ACC expeditions and projects resulted in pioneer exploration, first ascents, and included mountain warfare training during the Second World War. In recent years, the club's membership has increased dramatically with the popularity of climbing and its programs have evolved to serve the needs of unguided climbers using sophisticated technical aids.
Scope & Content
Fonds constitutes the principal resource for the study of the history of Canadian mountaineering. It provides a wealth of information on individual alpinists, expeditions, mountains, national parks, conservation, climbing, alpine organizations, publications, guiding, scientific study and the Alpine Club itself.
The fonds consists of four Sous-fonds: I. Alpine Club of Canada records; II. Mount Everest Expedition (1982) records; III. Personal papers and photographs; IV. Other material. Club administration records (series I.A.) pertain to executive positions; head office; finance; camps, climbing and treks; expeditions; huts and properties; clubhouses; library; publications; photography; other committees; other activities; and other. Other club records include section records (series I.B.), hut registers and summit records (series I.C.).
File pertains to a photograph album containing some photographs of various Alpine Club of Canada, American Alpine Club, Sky-Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, and personal trips. Photographs primarily depict mountain views, buildings, lakes, and people, some of whom are identified.
The bulk…
1 album (173 prints : b&w and col. ; 25 x 22.5 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album containing some photographs of various Alpine Club of Canada, American Alpine Club, Sky-Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, and personal trips. Photographs primarily depict mountain views, buildings, lakes, and people, some of whom are identified.
The bulk of the album is dedicated to Christmas cards sent to Lillian Gest by various people from 1949-1958.
Inserts pertain to two photographs of a group of people sitting on the front porch of a cabin in Lake O'Hara. Ernest Feuz is seated far right.
Photographs pertain to mountain peaks, glaciers, landscapes and scenery; mountaineering and alpine recreation; mountaineers and personalities, including portraits; huts; events and other subjects. A significant portion pertain to Alpine Club camps (ca.225 prints, 8 negatives and 5 albums containin…
Most items, including the six photograph albums, were likely produced by private individuals and club members. Includes photographs by: M. E. Alford, L. M. S. Amery, Fred Armbrister, A. H. Bent, B. C. Government, Eric Brooks, Allan Carpe, P. A. Carson, W. M. Docharty, Mary Fallis, Marion Fawdry, E. Feuz, F. W. Godsal, Douglas Griffin, L. G. Grimble, Klaus Hahn, Don Harmon, E. W. D. Holway, Frank Jacobs, Wally Joyce, E. Mills, C. H. Mitchell, Elfreda Pigou, Jaroslav Ruza, Mary Schaffer, W. E. Stone, J. M. Thorington, W. J. Topley, Hap Trevelyan, Underwood and Underwood, Valentine and Sons, Charles Walcott, Bradford Washburn and A. G. Wehrli. Many items are not credited.
Date Range
[ca.1900-1960]
Physical Description
ca.720 photographs (ca.560 prints, ca.40 negatives, ca.120 transparencies, 6 albums of ca.350 prints)
Scope & Content
Photographs pertain to mountain peaks, glaciers, landscapes and scenery; mountaineering and alpine recreation; mountaineers and personalities, including portraits; huts; events and other subjects. A significant portion pertain to Alpine Club camps (ca.225 prints, 8 negatives and 5 albums containing over 300 prints). Camps and expeditions documented include: Yoho Valley (1906) (1919); Paradise Valley (1907); Sherbrooke Lake (1911); Vermilion Pass (1912); Mount Robson (1913); Cathedral Mountain (1913); Upper Yoho Valley (1914); Ptarmigan Lake (1915); Healy Creek (1916); Lake of Hanging Glacier (1928); Coast Range (1952); Eremite Valley and others. Portraits include those of Charles Fay, Jean Habel, Frank R. Oastler, James F. Porter, H. E. Sampson, Charles D. Walcott and A. O. Wheeler. Includes series of British Columbia air photos of B.C. locations in the 1950s (AC 055 / 60-66). Contains many unidentified and undated items.
File pertains to a photograph album containing photographs from various trips taken by Lillian Gest, some of which include Alpine Club of Canada Annual Trips, and Christmas cards sent to Gest by various friends and club members. Greeting cards are dated from 1938-1948.
Contents include:
1938: [Alpi…
1 album (306 photographs : b&w ; 23 x 18 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertains to a photograph album containing photographs from various trips taken by Lillian Gest, some of which include Alpine Club of Canada Annual Trips, and Christmas cards sent to Gest by various friends and club members. Greeting cards are dated from 1938-1948.
Contents include:
1938: [Alpine Club camp, Columbia Icefields; Maligne Lake and canyon, Caroline Hinman trip; Banff; Lake Louise; Christian Hasler].
1939: [Ptarmigan Lake; Crosby Lake; Mount Vaux, Mount Ennis and Hanbury Peak; Ice River Valley; Goodsirs; Kate Gardiner; Phyllis Munday; Eric Brooks; Charles Hunter ranch, Pincher Creek; postcards of Washington and Oregon].
1940: [Mount Athabasca; Lyell Glacier; Wapta River; Christian Hasler; Mount Waddington, Phyllis and Don Munday].
1941: [Banff Indian Days; climbing Mount Odaray].
1942: [Three Sisters; White Man's Pass area; Grassi Lakes; Bow River; Banff Indian Days; Lake Louise area; Mounts Temple, Fay and Pinnacle; Mount Quadra; Mount Neptuak from Tower of Babel].
1943: [Lake O'Hara, Alpine Club camp; Browne home, Banff; Mount Edith].
1946: [Bow Lake; Jimmy and Billie Simpson; St. Nicholas Peak].
1948?: [Lake Minnewanka; Bow Lake; Mount Chephren; Peyto Glacier; Mount Rhonda; Dolomite Peak; Mummery Group; Freshfields; Mount Baker; Sherbrooke Lake; Mount Daly; Mount Balfour].
Inserts pertain to two typed text letters from Caroline Hinman to Lillian Gest and discuss various Off the Beaten Track information.
Notes
Blank pages not scanned.
Inserts are photocopies of the originals that were included with the album.
Microfilm copy available for reference use by appointment only.
Language
English
Conservation
Removed from plastic sleeve and rehoused in acid-free paper, tied with flat string.
Locate original copies of inserts and return them to PD - 11 Documents file - notes on the backs of the inserts note that the originals were moved to M67 but the documents could not be found.