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).
Fonds consists of textual and visual records pertaining to Malcolm Geddes, as well as his immediate family: wife Jennie (Waters) Geddes, and children Alvin and Enid Geddes; and extended family members. Fonds includes records related to Malcolm's work as a poet and author (including original drafts …
Some views are by Malcolm Geddes; many were obtained through other sources
Date Range
[1896-2013]
Physical Description
444 photographs: 385 b&w and col. transparencies, 59 b&w prints -- 1 album (28 b&w prints) -- 11 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Malcolm Daniel Geddes, 1866-1927, was a journalist, publisher and mountaineer at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Geddes was one of the founders of the "Farmers and Ranch Review" in 1904, and served as vice-president and editor until his death. He joined the Alpine Club of Canada in 1917, was active in ACC summer camps and served as Honorary Secretary from 1924 to 1926. Geddes was killed in a mountaineering accident on Mount Lefroy in 1927.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual and visual records pertaining to Malcolm Geddes, as well as his immediate family: wife Jennie (Waters) Geddes, and children Alvin and Enid Geddes; and extended family members. Fonds includes records related to Malcolm's work as a poet and author (including original drafts and publications), Malcolm's career in real estate, family letters, financial records, records of mountain ascents and hikes with the Alpine Club of Canada, family trees and genealogical research, and other related materials.
Notes
Fonds consists of three series:
Series I : Professional records
I / A : Published materials
I / B : Manuscripts and notes
I / C : Professional correspondence
Series II : Financial records
Series III : Personal and family records
III / A : Travel and mountain expeditions
III / B : Genealogy and research
III / C : Other personal and family records
Arrangement of fonds was redone by Processing Archivist Kate Skelton between December 2020 and March 2021 to accommodate unprocessed materials from accessions 7846, 2014.8306 and 2015.8558
53 discs with image files -- 6 cm of scanned photograph copies -- 62 reference slides : col. ; 35mm -- 27 reference photographs : col. prints
History / Biographical
Hans Gmoser played a major role in creating Canada’s vibrant mountain community. Although known internationally as the father of heli-skiing, he was much more than that: a talented rock climber, tireless expedition leader, a mountain guide, film maker and organizer.
Deep Powder and Steep Rock presents an intimate portrait of this charismatic man. Much of the story is told in Gmoser’s own words, gleaned from his diaries, expedition journals, film commentaries and personal correspondence. It is a unique tale of adventure, hard work, perseverance and ultimate success.
Scope & Content
Photograph series consists of discs with reference scans of photographs pertaining to the research and creation of Deep Powder and Steep Rock.
Series consists of hut registers produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between ca.1930-2020. 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 huts; wildlife sightings; custodi…
Series consists of hut registers produced by the Alpine Club of Canada between ca.1930-2020. 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 huts; wildlife sightings; custodial issues and updates; and related topics.
Series is separated at the sub-series level by individual huts:
M200 / IV / A : Abbot Pass Hut
M200 / IV / B : Elizabeth Parker Hut
M200 / IV / C : Wates-Gibson Hut
M200 / IV / D : A. O. Wheeler Hut
M200 / IV / E : Sydney Vallance (Fryatt) Hut
M200 / IV / F : Bow Hut
M200 / IV / G : Stanley Mitchell Hut
M200 / IV / H : Fay Hut
M200 / IV / I : Balfour Hut
M200 / IV / J : Peyto Hut/ Peter and Catharine Whyte Hut
M200 / IV / K : Elk Lakes Cabin
M200 / IV / L : Bon Echo Hut
M200 / IV / M : Bill Putnam / Fairy Meadows Hut
M200 / IV / N : Scott Duncan Hut
M200 / IV / O: Conrad Kain/Bugaboos Hut
M200 / IV / P: Neil Colgan Hut
M200 / IV / Q: Silver Spray Hut
M200 / IV / R: Asulkan Hut
M200 / IV / S: Mount Colin Hut
M200 / IV / T: Great Cairn Hut
M200 / IV / U: Other Huts [Registers]
Notes
See sub-series entries for chronological inventories of hut registers
File consists of 39 recording discs which contain image files and video recordings collected and/or created by Chic Scott. Content pertains to mountain expeditions and travel, the Alpine Club of Canada, personal website content, slide show material, a fireside chat with Don Mickle in 2013, and othe…
File consists of 39 recording discs which contain image files and video recordings collected and/or created by Chic Scott. Content pertains to mountain expeditions and travel, the Alpine Club of Canada, personal website content, slide show material, a fireside chat with Don Mickle in 2013, and other related subjects.
Notes
Contents of discs:
V40 / XIV / 1 : "Wapta Rogers Pass Mar 04"
V40 / XIV / 2 : "The Mountaineer and the Artist: The Alpine Club of Canada Centennial Exhibition" [2006]
V40 / XIV / 3 : "Steve Smith's JPEG Catalog"
V40 / XIV / 4 : "Chic Scott CMH Ski Images History Book Proj[ect]"
V40 / XIV / 5 : "My Slides Scanned for Website"
V40 / XIV / 6 : "Yamnuska Photos Sept 3, 02"
V40 / XIV / 7 : National Parks of Canada Presents: "She Climbs to Conquer" [Georgia Engelhard]; "Skiing at Lake Louise"; "Skiing in Cloudland"; "Sunshine and Powder-Snow"; "Winter Wonderland"
V40 / XIV / 8 : "1958 Bugaboos to Rogers Pass Traverse"
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.
Series consists of textual records pertaining to the creation and publication of Summits and Icefields; includes research documents, maps and other related material.
These are your dream books; “When the first snows fly in November, sit down in front of the fire and dream of endless powder slopes, dazzling icefields and wilderness cabins under northern lights.” Couloir Magazine called Summits and Icefields “The best guidebook yet published in North America.”
Now available in two volumes (The Canadian Rockies and The Columbia Mountains) these books are a skier's guide to Rogers Pass, the classic ski ascents of the Rockies, the backcountry lodges, the grand traverses and much, much more. They also contain a taste of the exciting ski history of these ranges.
Scope & Content
Series consists of textual records pertaining to the creation and publication of Summits and Icefields; includes research documents, maps and other related material.