A. O. Wheeler founded the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) in 1906 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Although similar to its British counterparts, the biggest difference was the ACC allowed women to become members. The ACC has grown rapidly across Canada since its modest beginnings and now boasts a membership in excess of 10,000 people. The main office and official clubhouse are now located in Canmore, Alberta. The ACC owns and operates a series of backcountry huts and lodges, as well as front country hostels, that can be reserved for your next adventure. After enjoying this stroll down memory lane, get out there and explore Canada’s alpine environment for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!
Alpine club of Canada camp at Rogers Pass, British Columbia, 1908Alpine Club of Canada camp, Sherbrooke Lake meadows, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada camp, Sherbrooke Lake meadows, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada members on mountain, likely near Niles Pass, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada members relaxing on mountain, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada members hiking up mountain. Below Mount Daly, hiking to Niles Pass, above Sherbrooke Lake, British Columbia, 1911Two members from the Alpine Club of Canada enjoying the view. Looking down to Yoho Valley on edge of Wapta Icefield, British Columbia, 1911Mountaineer from the Alpine Club of Canada poses for photograph, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada members rest beside a waterfall, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada party on top of Mount Daly, British Columbia, 1911Gottfried Feuz, Alpine Club of Canada camp, Sherbrooke Lake meadows, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada members on icefield. Likely near Niles Pass. On Wapta Icefield, Mount Balfour on right, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada mountaineers, likely near Niles Pass, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada mountaineers. Descending onto Wapta Icefield, Mount Balfour on right, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada members on mountain, British Columbia, 1911Alpine Club of Canada member sitting beside river, British Columbia 1911Men with mountain climbing ropes and equipment in front of a building in the forest. Annotated: “Up the Waverley Road. The Klondike”. “Hotel” sign on wooden building. Revelstoke area, Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, 1912Mountain climbers, including Mr. Sissons, Miss Hume, and Mr. McDougal, at the summit of Storm Mountain. Storm Mountain is located near the Vermilion Pass, Continental Divide, on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. Mount Ball in the background, British Columbia, 1912Swiss guides nailing boots in camp near Storm Mountain, British Columbia, 1912View from the slopes of Mount Moloch. About 50 km northeast of Revelstoke. Mr. Sissons, Hal Bennett, and Mount Sir Sandford are visible. Harold Bennett was later Dean of Victoria University and first President of Laurentian University. Northern Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, 1912ACC members on top of Mount Niles, Yoho National Park, British Columbia. Bill Bates second from left, W. P. Major extreme right, Mr. Saunders fourth from left, 1912Arthur O. Wheeler. From “Canadian Alpine Journal”, Volume 5. (in Glenbow Library). Probably in the Rocky Mountains, Alberta and British Columbia, 1913Conrad Kain (left) near Mount Robson, British Columbia, 1913Mountain climbers on Mount Robson, British Columbia. L-R: Basil S. Darling; Albert H. MacCarthy; Conrad Kain. Annotated: “The wall Conrad climbed above the Dome”, 1913
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these similar collections of historical photographs from mountain environments; Rogers Pass, Lake Louise, and Glaciers.
Mountain climbers standing on Robson Glacier, British Columbia. The Extinguisher and Mount Resplendent in background, 1913
The photos above were collected from the Glenbow Archives. Additional information can be found for each photograph on the Glenbow website by searching the identification number that is printed on each photo. There is also the option to purchase a high resolution copy. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from Alberta. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.
Tyler is originally from Saskatchewan, and yes he cheers for the Roughriders, but don’t hold that against him as Calgary has been his home for the past eight years. He is a teacher working at a wilderness-
based treatment program for youth working to overcome addiction. Tyler is also a volunteer with the GOT Parks initiative, which aims at reconnecting Canada’s youth with our national, provincial, and territorial parks. During his time away from work, Tyler enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and snowboarding, team sports, travelling, photography, spending time with good friends, and being at home with his wife and German Shepherd, Rome.
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