The Alpine Club of Canada

Publication Year: 1992.

The Alpine Club of Canada. The major highlights of 1991 in the facilities area were the renovation and re-opening of Fay Hut and the Water, Energy and Waste Management Symposium (WEWMS). The first hut built by the A.C.C. (1927), the Fay Hut, was fully renovated during the summer with the assistance of the Rocky Mountain Section and Kootenay National Park. The renovationsincluded a new roof and windows and a completely new interior. The popularity of this hut was evident by the number of reservations that were received almost immediately after the renovations were complete. The WEWMS, held in late October and the first of its kind in North America, attracted over 100 delegates and speakers. Attendees included National Parks personnel, private chalet operators and others concerned with the management of waste in the backcountry. The proceedings are expected to be published in early 1992. An extensive five-year renovation plan for the A.C.C’s backcountry huts was completed in 1991.

The expanded summer and winter activities schedule was very successful, and a number of international camps have been added to our schedule. Although the location of the General Mountaineering Camp had to be changed at the last minute, the new location at Farnham Creek proved popular, and all four weeks were full.

The Environment Fund has been well supported with pledge donations totalling almost $30,000. The Mountain Guides’ Ball and charity auction in October netted over $10,000 for the Fund. The Fund will provide financial support for environmental initiatives by the club.

The Mountaineering Course Syllabus was completed and distributed for comment. It is hoped that the Syllabus will be widely used to standardize mountaineering course content in Canada. The A.C.C. continues to support its National Sport Climbing Team, and a successful national competition took place in Edmonton, Alberta, in January. The Expeditions Committee continues to support international expeditions through letters of endorsement.

The Silver Rope for Leadership was awarded to Mike Haden (Canmore, AB) and Roger Wallis (Weston, ON), and Distinguished Service Awards went to David Brown (Toronto, ON) and David Gillespie (Montreal, PQ). Special awards were presented to Leslie DeMarsh, Brad Harrison and Chic Scott at the Annual General Meeting at Lake Louise in October.

Membership remains steady, and a membership drive aimed at section-only members was moderately successful. The existing membership structure is being analyzed and some changes are expected in 1992 to meet the needs of the mountaineering and hiking communities.

The Canadian Alpine Journal had a number of full-colour pages added to it, making it the best C.A.J. yet. As always, more material was received than could be published. Continued changes to the newsletter have resulted in positive feedback from the membership.

Over $10,000 was allocated to eight projects including publications, youth scholarships, a portable climbing wall, the Kluane Lake Shelter and a waste- management project.

The Canadian Alpine Centre and International Hostel at Lake Louise was completed in December. This marks the successful completion of a long-time dream of the club. The facility provides low-cost accommodation for 100 in Lake Louise and is bound to be popular. The official opening will take place in January 1992. Reservations can be made by calling (403) 522-2200.

Beverley Bendell, Activities Manager