Arthur O. Wheeler hut
Encyclopedia
The Arthur O. Wheeler hut is an alpine hut located four km southwest of Rogers Pass
in Glacier National Park
, British Columbia
. Although not truly a backcountry
hut, this log cabin
is situated conveniently close to the Trans-Canada Highway
in the Selkirk Mountains
(west of the Rocky Mountains
) is often used as a base for mountaineering
, hiking
, and ski touring
into the Asulkan Range and Illecillewaet Glacier areas south of the highway, and the Hermit Range north of the highway. The hut is maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada
(ACC). It is the only ACC hut which can be reached by vehicle.
, who together with Elizabeth Parker and Stanley Mitchell
, founded the Alpine Club of Canada
. He was the first president of the club from 1906 to 1910 and held various other posts with the club, including Honorary President.
Shortly after completion of its transcontinental main line in 1885, the Canadian Pacific Railway
(CPR) built the nearby Glacier House in 1887 to serve as a restaurant and hotel for guests traveling on the line. The CPR imported Swiss guides to take hotel guests onto the nearby glaciers and up the mountains, and Glacier House became the birthplace of alpinism in North America. For the first quarter of the 20th century, it served as a centre of alpinism until it was closed in 1925 after the CPR Connaught Tunnel
under Rogers Pass bypassed it. The foundation ruins of Glacier House can still be seen near Wheeler hut along the short rail trail
that provides access to the hut in winter.
The Alpine Club of Canada
approved plans for an Alpine hut
to serve as a substitute for Glacier House for alpinists in 1938, but construction did not commence until after World War II
ended in 1945. Like Stanley Mitchell
after which the Stanley Mitchell hut
is named, A.O. Wheeler did not live to see completion of the hut named after him. He died in early 1945, while the hut was completed in 1947. Since its completion the hut has seen numerous upgrades and renovations, but remains rich in charm and history.
Rogers Pass
Rogers Pass is a high mountain pass through the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia used by the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Trans-Canada Highway. The pass is a shortcut across the "Big Bend" of the Columbia River from Revelstoke on the west to Donald, near Golden, on the east...
in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park (Canada)
Glacier National Park is one of seven national parks in British Columbia, and is part of a system of 43 parks and park reserves across Canada. It protects a portion of the Columbia Mountains. It also contains the Rogers Pass National Historic Site, designated for its importance in the construction...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Although not truly a backcountry
Backcountry
A backcountry area in general terms is a geographical region that is:* isolated* remote* undeveloped* difficult to accessThe term may apply to various regions that are reasonably close to urban areas but are:* not immediately accessible by car...
hut, this log cabin
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
is situated conveniently close to the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
in the Selkirk Mountains
Selkirk Mountains
The Selkirk Mountains are a mountain range spanning the northern portion of the Idaho Panhandle, eastern Washington, and southeastern British Columbia. They begin at Mica Peak near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and extend approximately 320 km north from the border. The range is bounded on its west,...
(west of the Rocky Mountains
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies comprise the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. They are the eastern part of the Canadian Cordillera, extending from the Interior Plains of Alberta to the Rocky Mountain Trench of British Columbia. The southern end borders Idaho and Montana of the USA...
) is often used as a base for mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, and ski touring
Ski touring
Ski touring is a form of backcountry skiing involving traveling over the winter landscape on skis under human power rather than through the assistance of ski lifts or snow vehicles. It can take place in terrain ranging from perfectly flat to extremely steep...
into the Asulkan Range and Illecillewaet Glacier areas south of the highway, and the Hermit Range north of the highway. The hut is maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada
Alpine Club of Canada
The Alpine Club of Canada is a mountain club with a National Office in Canmore, Alberta that has been a focal point for Canadian mountaineering since its founding in 1906. The club was co-founded by Arthur Oliver Wheeler, who served as its first president, and Elizabeth Parker, a journalist for...
(ACC). It is the only ACC hut which can be reached by vehicle.
History
The hut is named for Arthur Oliver WheelerArthur Oliver Wheeler
Arthur Oliver Wheeler was born in Ireland and immigrated to Canada in 1876 at the age of 16. He became a land surveyor and surveyed large areas of western Canada, including photo-topographical surveys of the Selkirk Mountains and the British Columbia-Alberta boundary along the continental divide...
, who together with Elizabeth Parker and Stanley Mitchell
Stanley Mitchell
Stanley Mitchell was a British translator, academic, and author, noted for his English verse translation of Alexander Pushkin's Russian verse novel Eugene Onegin.-Life and works:...
, founded the Alpine Club of Canada
Alpine Club of Canada
The Alpine Club of Canada is a mountain club with a National Office in Canmore, Alberta that has been a focal point for Canadian mountaineering since its founding in 1906. The club was co-founded by Arthur Oliver Wheeler, who served as its first president, and Elizabeth Parker, a journalist for...
. He was the first president of the club from 1906 to 1910 and held various other posts with the club, including Honorary President.
Shortly after completion of its transcontinental main line in 1885, the Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
(CPR) built the nearby Glacier House in 1887 to serve as a restaurant and hotel for guests traveling on the line. The CPR imported Swiss guides to take hotel guests onto the nearby glaciers and up the mountains, and Glacier House became the birthplace of alpinism in North America. For the first quarter of the 20th century, it served as a centre of alpinism until it was closed in 1925 after the CPR Connaught Tunnel
Connaught Tunnel
Connaught Tunnel, in the Selkirk Mountains under Rogers Pass on the Canadian Pacific Railway main line between Calgary, Alberta, and Revelstoke, British Columbia, at long was, at the time it was built, the longest railway tunnel in North America. Dug under Mount Macdonald to ease growing traffic...
under Rogers Pass bypassed it. The foundation ruins of Glacier House can still be seen near Wheeler hut along the short rail trail
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
that provides access to the hut in winter.
The Alpine Club of Canada
Alpine Club of Canada
The Alpine Club of Canada is a mountain club with a National Office in Canmore, Alberta that has been a focal point for Canadian mountaineering since its founding in 1906. The club was co-founded by Arthur Oliver Wheeler, who served as its first president, and Elizabeth Parker, a journalist for...
approved plans for an Alpine hut
Alpine hut
A mountain hut is a building located in the mountains intended to provide food and shelter to mountaineers, climbers and hikers. Mountain huts are usually operated by a section of an Alpine Club...
to serve as a substitute for Glacier House for alpinists in 1938, but construction did not commence until after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
ended in 1945. Like Stanley Mitchell
Stanley Mitchell
Stanley Mitchell was a British translator, academic, and author, noted for his English verse translation of Alexander Pushkin's Russian verse novel Eugene Onegin.-Life and works:...
after which the Stanley Mitchell hut
Stanley Mitchell hut
The Stanley Mitchell hut is an alpine hut located at an altitude of 2060 m in the Little Yoho Valley in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. It sits in a small meadow not far from the base of a mountain called The President. It serves as a base for hiking, scrambling, ski-touring and climbing...
is named, A.O. Wheeler did not live to see completion of the hut named after him. He died in early 1945, while the hut was completed in 1947. Since its completion the hut has seen numerous upgrades and renovations, but remains rich in charm and history.
Facilities
The hut sleeps 30 in summer and 24 in winter. There are two wood stoves for heating and drying gear, and a kitchen with propane ranges and oven. There are propane-powered lamps in the kitchen and common areas.Nearby
- Asulkan Pass
- Great Glacier Trail
- Illicilewaet Glacier
- Sapphire Col
- Mount Sir DonaldMount Sir DonaldMount Sir Donald is a peak in the Rogers Pass area of British Columbia, Canada. Its good rock quality and classic Matterhorn shape make it popular for alpine rock climbers, and the Northwest Arete route is included in the popular book Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.It was originally named...
- Avalanche PeakAvalanche PeakThe Avalanche Peaks are two mountain peaks situated above the Arwa Valley to the northwest of Badrinath in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The peaks are named for the avalanches experienced by early climbers seeking to cross the glaciers beneath them....