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.).
Item consists of 1 photograph album by the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to ACC camps and climbs that took place during the summers of 1920 & 1921 throughout the Rocky Mountains, including the Banff, Sunshine, Assiniboine, Lake Louise, and Spray Lake areas, and includes black and white …
1 album (98 photographs : b&w and col. ; 32.5 x 25.6 cm)
Scope & Content
Item consists of 1 photograph album by the Alpine Club of Canada. The album pertains to ACC camps and climbs that took place during the summers of 1920 & 1921 throughout the Rocky Mountains, including the Banff, Sunshine, Assiniboine, Lake Louise, and Spray Lake areas, and includes black and white photographs, all of which are annotated. A black leather album, it has "PHOTOGRAPHS" stamped into the top left corner of the front cover with "1920 and 1921" written in white ink below it.
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.