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, …
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
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including cor…
154 cm of textual records. -- 1304 photographs (1190 prints, 95 negatives, 19 transparencies). -- 6 photograph albums.
History / Biographical
The Wardle family was comprised of husband and wife, James Morey Wardle (June 26,1888 - May 18,1971) and Maud Leette (Roney) Wardle (May 24,1889 - December 1,1969), and their one child, Dorothy Hope Wardle (May 23,1919 - July 20,2003).
James Wardle, born in Chiliwack, British Columbia, was a civil engineer and public servant. He was the Superintendent of Banff National Park from 1918-1921, Chief Engineer for Parks Canada from 1921-1935, and Deputy Minister of the Interior from 1935-1936. He is primarily known as a highway design engineer, particularly for building the Banff-Windermere, Banff-Lake Louise, and Banff-Jasper highways. He was a councillor for the Municipality of Rockcliffe Park in Ontario and he was the President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in Banff from 1925-1929. Mount Wardle in Vermillion was named after him in 1921. James married Leette on November 4, 1913, with whom he had one child, Dorothy.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Dorothy (also known as Dot and Dorie) grew up in Banff, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario, due to her father's position with the federal government. She was educated at the Mountain School in Banff and at the Elmwood School in Ottawa. All three family members were graduates of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. James graduated in 1912 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Leette graduated with a Bachelor's degree, and in 1942, Dorothy also earned a Bachelor's degree. Dorothy was prominent in student life and active in athletics. In 1941, Dorothy became the first woman elected as President of the Alma Mater Society and during her academic career, Dorothy was a member of the Levana Intercollegiate Debative, University Centenary Committee, and Queen’s War Aid Commission.
Dorothy spent her career as a freelance writer however, upon graduation she served as the first Secretary-In-Charge of Records at Carleton College (now Carleton University) from 1942-1944 in Ottawa and in the mid-1950s worked as a secretary for the Glenbow Foundation in Calgary. Dorothy pursued a lifelong interest in traveling, art, and antiques. Although she was fiercely proud and protective of Banff and the Park, and remained a volunteer and patron of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dorothy eventually settled in Sidney, British Columbia and shared an apartment with Sheila Iris Ritchie, with whom Dorothy travelled extensively. After her death in 2003, Dorothy, "Dorie," was laid to rest alongside her parents in the Old Banff Cemetery.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including correspondence with Carl Rungius and Mrs. Helen Brett, and Christmas and other greeting cards from Peter and Catharine Whyte). Series III: Queen's University, 7.5 cm, 1911-1980 (including graduation certificates for each family member and records pertaining to Dorothy's participation on the Alma Mater Society). Series IV: Travel, 44.5 cm, ca.1950-1988 (includes hand-written notebooks meticulously detailing their travels).
V75 consists of two series, 79.5 cm, ca. 1912-2001. Series I: Wardle Family, ca. 1912-1971, 6 albums, 31 cm of photograph prints and negatives (including family trips, trail rides in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and family gatherings). Series II: Dorothy Wardle, 1972-2001, 34 cm of photograph prints, negatives, and transparencies (including Dorothy's travels in Alberta and British Columbia, overseas, and various outings with friends).
Sub-series of identified summit registers and notes produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1930 and 2022. 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…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
1930-1931
1959-1968
1970-1989
1992 -2022
Physical Description
100 cm of textual records
223 volumes
Scope & Content
Sub-series of identified summit registers and notes produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1930 and 2022. 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.
The sub-series is separated into individual identified summit records.
Notes
See file-level entries for inventories of identified summit registers and notes.
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers and notes from Isolated Peak between 1996 and 2012 produced by the Alpine Club of Canada. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which …
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
1996-2012
Physical Description
2 volumes
ca. 2 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Isolated Peak is located in Little Yoho Valley of Yoho National Park, B.C. in the Canadian Rockies. Nearby are Mount McArthur, Arete Peak and Mont des Poilus, Vice President and President Mountains.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers and notes from Isolated Peak between 1996 and 2012 produced by the Alpine Club of Canada. 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 include:
M200 / V / A / 83: Summit Register - Isolated Peak, July 1996 - Aug 2009
M200 / V / A / 84: Isolated Peak [2009-2012]
File consists of one summit register from Mount Victoria produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1998 and 2004. Summit record 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 su…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
September 1998 - August 2004
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
1 volume
History / Biographical
Mount Victoria is located in both Yoho National Park, B. C. and Banff National Park, AB in the Canadian Rockies. The mountain is part of the mountain range along the Continental Divide, between Alberta and B.C. Nearby are Lake O'Hara, Lake Louise, Abbot Pass and Mount Lefroy. Mount Victoria was named for Queen Victoria.
Scope & Content
File consists of one summit register from Mount Victoria produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1998 and 2004. Summit record 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.
File:
M200 / V / A / 81: Summit - MT. Victoria, Sept. 1998 - Aug. 2004
File consists of a summit record from Mount Field produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1994 and 2000. Summit record includes 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, …
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
1994-2000
Physical Description
1 volume
0.5 cm of textual record
History / Biographical
Mt. Field is located in the Canadian Rockies, in Yoho National Park near the town of Field, B.C. Nearby are Mount Burgess, Wapta Mountain, and Emerald Lake.
Scope & Content
File consists of a summit record from Mount Field produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1994 and 2000. Summit record includes 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.
File:
M200 / V / A / 118: [Mt. Field, 1994-2000]
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Mt. Yukness produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between ca. 1962 and 2003. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
ca. 1962-1985
1994-2003
Physical Description
2 cm of textual records
2 volumes
History / Biographical
Mt. Yukness is located near Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, B.C. Nearby is Ringrose Peak, Mount Huber, Mount Lefroy, Glacier Peak, and Mount Biddle.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Mt. Yukness produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between ca. 1962 and 2003. 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 include:
M200 / V / A / 79: Mt. Yukness [ca. 1962 - 1985]
M200 / V / A / 80: Summit Register - MT. Yukness, 1994 - 2003
M200 / V / A / 80: Summit Register - MT. Yukness, 1994 - 2003 register is placed in mylar due to evidence of mold. This register also contains water damage.
Series consists of 23 interviews recorded between 1999 and 2009, which were used during the creation of the book Powder Pioneers : Ski Stories from the Canadian Rockies and Columbia Mountains.
Discover the rich history of skiing in the Canadian Rockies and Columbia Mountains of Alberta and British Columbia. From the early ski jumpers at Revelstoke, through the birth of the backcountry lodges and ski resorts to the heli-skiers and snowboarders of today, the stories are all here.
Scope & Content
Series consists of 23 interviews recorded between 1999 and 2009, which were used during the creation of the book Powder Pioneers : Ski Stories from the Canadian Rockies and Columbia Mountains.
Notes
Series consists of 23 interviews:
S47 / IV / 1 : Syd Scroggle in Dundee
S47 / IV / 2 : Hans Gmoser
S47 / IV / 3 : Bob Sayer 16-Feb-02
S47 / IV / 4 : Toni Klettl 15-Feb-02
S47 / IV / 5 : Art Patterson 12-May-99
S47 / IV / 6 & 7 : Hans Gmoser 29-Apr-04
S47 / IV / 8 to 10 : Philippe Delesalle 28-Apr-04
S47 / IV / 11 to 14 : Doug Gardner 19-May-04
S47 / IV / 15 & 16 : Tony and Gill Daffern 06-Jan-04
The classic guidebook to cross country ski trails in Waterton, Banff, Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper National Parks as well as Mount Assiniboine and Mount Robson Provincial Parks and Kananaskis Country, now greatly expanded to includes ski trails in the front ranges of the Rockies, in the Crowsnest Pass and in the Columbia Valley. Jointly authored with Darren Farley.
This book also covers topics such as accommodation, regulations, weather and snow conditions.
Scope & Content
Series consists of research documents, published materials and maps used during the creation of the book Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies.
Notes
Series consists of three sub-series:
M57 / VI / A: Research Files
The classic guidebook to cross country ski trails in Waterton, Banff, Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper National Parks as well as Mount Assiniboine and Mount Robson Provincial Parks and Kananaskis Country, now greatly expanded to includes ski trails in the front ranges of the Rockies, in the Crowsnest Pass and in the Columbia Valley. Jointly authored with Darren Farley.
This book also covers topics such as accommodation, regulations, weather and snow conditions.
Scope & Content
Series consists of 3 CD's with photo scans pertaining to the creation of Ski Trails of the Canadian Rockies.