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
File consists of four CDs containing 235 image files, 10 text files and one PDF. Content pertains to cartoon illustrations by Lonnie Springer and photographs which were used in Ben Gadd's book, "The Canadian Hiker's and Backpacker's Guide".
File consists of four CDs containing 235 image files, 10 text files and one PDF. Content pertains to cartoon illustrations by Lonnie Springer and photographs which were used in Ben Gadd's book, "The Canadian Hiker's and Backpacker's Guide".
Notes
Contents of individual discs in file:
V810 / II / B / DF - 3 : "Lonnie's Illustrations" [9 image files]
V810 / II / B / DF - 4 : "Lonnie's drawings + photos" [1 PDF]
V810 / II / B / DF - 5 : "Book Photos" [191 image files]
V810 / II / B / DF - 6 : "Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Parks Canada: West Coast Trail Centennial Media Kit 2007" [35 image files, 10 text files]
File consists of 21 CDs containing digital image files which were collected from friends and family members of Hans Gmoser, for use in the creation of book Deep Powder and Steep Rock. Content pertains to Hans Gmoser's personal life and events with friends; skiing and other mountaineering trips; ima…
File consists of 21 CDs containing digital image files which were collected from friends and family members of Hans Gmoser, for use in the creation of book Deep Powder and Steep Rock. Content pertains to Hans Gmoser's personal life and events with friends; skiing and other mountaineering trips; images from a trip to Austria with Chic Scott, Margaret Gmoser and others; trips to Yoho, the Bugaboos and Mount McKinley; and other personal events.
Notes
Most discs in file include related handwritten notes [by Chic Scott?] and scanned paper copies of images on discs.
File consists of two discs containing digital image files which were used in the creation of an exhibit about Dr. Eric Mountjoy at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives. File also includes printed paper copies of 10 images which are included on the two discs. Images pertain to Eric Mountjoy and…
Two discs (80 image files) -- 10 paper reference copies of images
Scope & Content
File consists of two discs containing digital image files which were used in the creation of an exhibit about Dr. Eric Mountjoy at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives. File also includes printed paper copies of 10 images which are included on the two discs. Images pertain to Eric Mountjoy and fellow geologists assessing and working in areas near Miette, Alberta.
Notes
Discs are labelled on front:
V810 / III / D / DF - 1 : "Roger Macqueen's slides Miette mapsheet geo party 1958" [contains 60 image files]
NOTE: DF - 1 is accompanied by typed summary list of images in file
V810 / III / D / DF - 2 : "Roger Macqueen's slides Miette mapsheet (1st 7 images), rest are Shell Canada 1959" [contains 20 image files]
File consists of 6 CDs containing scanned copies of images pertaining to Hans Gmoser, which were collected by Chic Scott for use in creation of the book Deep Powder and Steep Rock. Images include views of Lake O'Hara and various mountain landscapes; Margaret and Hans Gmoser; Hans with friends; heli…
File consists of 6 CDs containing scanned copies of images pertaining to Hans Gmoser, which were collected by Chic Scott for use in creation of the book Deep Powder and Steep Rock. Images include views of Lake O'Hara and various mountain landscapes; Margaret and Hans Gmoser; Hans with friends; heli-skiing trips [1967 and 1969]; and other skiing and backpacking trips.
Notes
Discs in file accompanied by printed paper copies of images
File consists of two compact discs photographs pertaining to Ben's work as an interpretive guide in Jasper National Park in 2002 and 2005. First disc is titled "The Strongest Link: Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, Jasper 2002" and contains 29 digital files, including JPG images and HTML links; sec…
File consists of two compact discs photographs pertaining to Ben's work as an interpretive guide in Jasper National Park in 2002 and 2005. First disc is titled "The Strongest Link: Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, Jasper 2002" and contains 29 digital files, including JPG images and HTML links; second disc contains 63 image files produced by Jon Shields, pertaining to a guided hike led by Ben Gadd in July 2005.
Sub-series consists of textual records and photographs collected by Ben Gadd. Content pertains to various research subjects, current events and other topics of interest, including: environmental science; wildlife; sports and recreation; Parks Canada; clubs, charities and organizations; natural hist…
ca.180 cm of textual records -- 5 CDs with digital image files -- 1 floppy disk -- ca.122 photograph prints : b&w and col. -- 2 negatives : b&w ; 6 x 7.5 cm -- 26 film strips : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope & Content
Sub-series consists of textual records and photographs collected by Ben Gadd. Content pertains to various research subjects, current events and other topics of interest, including: environmental science; wildlife; sports and recreation; Parks Canada; clubs, charities and organizations; natural history; and conservation.
Notes
Subjects are arranged alphabetically by title. Original titles and arrangement of materials by Ben Gadd has been preserved. See file-level descriptions for content details.
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"
File consists of 59 discs containing digital images and videos which were collected and/or created by Chic Scott. Content includes images used in slideshows and publications, including displays at the Georgetown Inn, an article in Backcountry Magazine and program "On the Road Again" by CBC; photogr…
File consists of 59 discs containing digital images and videos which were collected and/or created by Chic Scott. Content includes images used in slideshows and publications, including displays at the Georgetown Inn, an article in Backcountry Magazine and program "On the Road Again" by CBC; photographs for slideshows pertaining to travel in Scotland and various expeditions within the Canadian Rockies, including trips organized by the Alpine Club of Canada; interior views of Chic Scott's home; and other related materials.
Notes
Contents of discs:
V40 / XIV / 39 & 40 : "Chic's New Pics: Some of Chic's Best Images" (TIFF format, n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 41 : "Chic's May Slides" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 42 : "Nine Would Not Do : The Life of Leo Grillmair, Mountaineer" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 43 : "Leo scans Apr. '09"
V40 / XIV / 44 : "Centennial Expedition [with] titles : Mathematics Department Camp, Canada's Centennial" 1967
V40 / XIV / 45 : "Mt. Louis Heli Skiing Permission to Print for Georgetown Display Dec. 06, 2004"
V40 / XIV / 46 : "Marmot Basin Avalanche Control History" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 47 : "3 images for G[eorge] Town Project: 3 Sisters, Lizzie's Cabin, Yamnuska" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 48 : "Jasper/Banff March 2010 Thoare[?]"
V40 / XIV / 49 & 50 : "Filming the Eiger Sanction, 1974"
V40 / XIV / 51 : "B+W scans - Heli skiing 3 Images - Brian Greenwood" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 52 : "ACC Slide Show Canmore Jan 13, 2010 Audio Recording; Chic Scott in The Alps"
V40 / XIV / 53 : " "Touching the Void" 2003 UK : Film Four (et al)"
V40 / XIV / 54 : "Images for Gmoser/Grillmair Story for Backcountry Magazine" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 55 : "First Bugaboo - Rogers 1958 100 slides Phot CD Bob French" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 56 : "Images Scanned by CBC for On the Road Again" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 57 : "Photos Winter 2004 Chic Scott"
V40 / XIV / 58 : "Georgetown Inn Photos 5x7 Proofs Dec. 14 /04"
V40 / XIV / 59 : "Nov 2009 Core Slide Show Scotland - Leysin[?]"
V40 / XIV / 60 : "CJSW Emission "Spéciale Montagne" Le 17 octobre 2005"
V40 / XIV / 61 : "Drum Scans Feb. 18 /11"
V40 / XIV / 62 : "Jim Davies Skiing - 3 scans Made by Rod Plasman Oct 7, 2009"
V40 / XIV / 63 : "Scottish Images for Ian's Show" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 64 : "Chic's Slide Show Draft 1: 5/26/10"
V40 / XIV / 65 to 68 : "Full Resolution TIFFs [10-128, 129-230, 231-330 & 331-363]" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 69 : "Eiger Scans" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 70 & 71 : "Georgetown Inn '03 [discs 1 and 2]"
V40 / XIV / 72 : "Spring 2008 Mt. Assiniboine Lodge Allenby Pass Battle Abbey"
V40 / XIV / 73 : "2008 Summit of Excellence"
V40 / XIV / 74 : "Don Vockeroth - Summit of Excellence Photos"
V40 / XIV / 75 : "Chic + tomasz [?] 2007"
V40 / XIV / 76 : "Trip to Jumbo Glacier" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 77 & 78 : "Uptown Show May 14, 2009 [discs 1 and 2]"
V40 / XIV / 79 : "The Bill Davidson Story" (2004)
V40 / XIV / 80 to 82 : "Powder Paradise [discs 1, 2 and 3]" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 83 : "Chic Scott Portrait July 23 /05"
V40 / XIV / 84 : "Interneg Scans" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 85 : "Charlie Locke" [n.d.]
V40 / XIV / 86 : "Cascade Fire Rd. Ski Jan. '07"
V40 / XIV / 87 : "P[hilippe] Delesalle S. of E. Images" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 88 & 89 : "Gregg [Gronn?] Rogers Pass Pics" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 90 : "Bonnington Traverse 2010"
V40 / XIV / 91 : "Leonard Cohen Live in London"
V40 / XIV / 92 : "Loreena McKennitt: Nights from the Alhambra" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 93 : "Peter Amaans Video of Little Yoho 2006" - 3 videos which includes ACC Little Yoho Valley Centennial Camp July 2006, Out-takes and Mike Mortimer
V40 / XIV / 94 : "Chic's Bathroom Images" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 95 : "Assiniboine Spring 2008"
V40 / XIV / 96 : "Raw Files 1449-1675 : Aug 2011 - Feb. 2012"
V40 / XIV / 97 : "Rossland Photos" (n.d.)
V40 / XIV / 98 to 130 - misc. personal
V40 / XIV / 106 : "Au Pays Du Avalanche : Rogers Pass"
V40 / XIV / 107 : "Mountain World : High Horizons Banff Alberta Canada"