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.).
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…
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]
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…
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
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Big Sister produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1994 and 2004. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred whil…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
1994-1998
2000-2001
2003-2004
Physical Description
3 volumes
3 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Big Sister peak is one of the Three Sisters Mountains near Canmore, AB, and is the highest mountain of the Three Sisters.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Big Sister produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1994 and 2004. 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 / 65: Big Sister Summit Register May 8, 1994 - Sept. 5, 1998
M200 / V / A / 66: Big Sister [Canmore, 2000-2001]
M200 / V / A / 67: Summit Register - Big Sister, Sept 2003 - Sept. 2004
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Castle Mountain produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1995 and 2010. 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
1995-2003
2005-2010
Physical Description
3 volumes
3 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Castle Mountain is located in Banff National Park. The mountain is named for the castle-like appearance due to erosion. From 1946 to 1979 it was known as Mount Eisenhower in honour of war veteran, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The pinnacle on the mountain's southeastern side is called Eisenhower Tower or Eisenhower Peak.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Castle Mountain produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1995 and 2010. 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 / 51: Castle Mountain Summit Register 1995 - 1998
M200 / V / A / 52: Castle Mountain Sep 26, 1998 - July 20, 2003
M200 / V / A / 53: Summit Reg. Castle Mtn. [2005 - 2010]
A history of West Castle to Castle Mountain Resort 1967 to 2007 : for skiing pleasure unlimited, 2014, Steven Kenworthy, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Archives Library, Call No: 08.3 K42h
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Cirque Peak produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1993 and 2006. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred whi…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
1993-1996
1999-2000
2006
Physical Description
3 volumes
4 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Cirque Peak is located in Banff National Park, near Dolomite Pass in the Bow Valley.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Cirque Peak produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1993 and 2006. 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 / 40: Cirque Peak Summit register July 3, 1993 - July 21, 1996
M200 / V / A / 41: Cirque Peak Sept, 1999 - Sept. 2000
M200 / V / A / 42: Summit Register - Cirque Peak, 2006
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from East End of Rundle and Mount Rundle produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between around 2001 to 2017. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of spec…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
ca. 2001-2002
2014-2017
Physical Description
4 volumes
7 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
The East End of Rundle is part of the eastern ridge of Mount Rundle near Canmore, AB. From the summit, views of Ha Ling Peak and Spray Valley can be seen.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from East End of Rundle and Mount Rundle produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between around 2001 to 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 include:
M200 / V / A / 26: Mt. Rundle Register [ca. 2001]
M200 / V / A / 27: Mount Rundle East June 2002 - Sep 2002
M200 / V / A / 28: EEOR Summit Register [ca. 2014 - 2015]
M200 / V / A / 29: East End of Rundle Summit Log [2016-2017]
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Eiffel Peak produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1989 and 2019. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurred whi…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
1989 -1991
2004 – 2013
2017 – 2019
Physical Description
7 cm of textual records,
4 volumes
History / Biographical
Eiffel Peak is a 3, 077-meter (10, 095 foot) mountain summit in Banff National Park. The first ascent was made in 1901 by Charles S. Thompson, and the Peak was officially named by A. O. Wheeler in 1908.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Eiffel Peak produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1989 and 2019. 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 / 10: Eiffel Mtn. [register 1989-1991]
M200 / V / A / 11: Summit Register – Eiffel Peak, Lake Louise Sept 2004 – July 2007
M200 / V / A / 12: Eiffel Peak [2007 – 2013]
M200 / V / A / 13: EIFFEL PEAK Registry [2017 – 2019]
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from The Fist produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1989 and around 2010. 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
1989-2005
ca. 2010
Physical Description
4 cm of textual records
4 volumes
History / Biographical
The Fist is located in Spray Valley Provincial Park, near Dead Man's Flats and Mount Smuts in Alberta.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from The Fist produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1989 and around 2010. 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 / 47: The Fist summit register Dec 3, 1989 - July 6, 1997
M200 / V / A / 48: The Fist Aug 8, 1997 - Jul 1, 2003
M200 / V / A / 49: The Fist July 23, 2003 - July 9, 2005
M200 / V / A / 50: [The Fist Summit Notes ca. 2010]
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Fortress Mountain produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1992 and 2005. Summit records include entries from visitors to the various summits which pertain to individuals' hiking and climbing trips; details of specific events which occurr…
Summit Registers and Notes produced by Alpine Club of Canada
Date Range
1992-1999
2002-2005
Physical Description
3 volumes
4 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Fortress Mountain is located in Kananaskis Country, near Spray Valley, Banff National Park and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It was originally a mountain ski resort. The films, Inception, The Bourne Legacy, The Claim, The Revenant and others were filmed in the area. Canadian climate researchers have used the area of Fortress Mountain Resort to study the effects of climate change in the area.
Scope & Content
Files consist of summit notes and summit registers from Fortress Mountain produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between 1992 and 2005. 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 / 34: Fortress Mountain Summit register Aug. 16, 1992 - Aug. 13, 1995
M200 / V / A / 35: [Fortress Mountain? 1995 - 1999]
M200 / V / A / 36: Fortress Mountain Sep 15, 2002 - Aug 13, 2005
Fortress Mountain and the false promise of public participation in Alberta, March 2020, Shaun Fluker, In Wildlands Advocate, Vol. 28, No.1, March 2020, p. 6 - 8, The Alberta Wilderness Association Journal.
Whyte Archives Library Call Number: P