Mount Robson Centennial Hut Update

Mount Robson Photo: © David Toole

September 30, 2007

Since the last report (ACC Summer Gazette April 2007 ) progress has been made on several fronts:

Process Agreement - Following ACC Board approval this document has been submitted, and returned by BC Parks approved. It will need to be modified in due course by extending its term beyond one year.

Fund Raising - The Mount Robson Centennial Hut will be the primary appeal in the next ACC fund raising initiative to be launched in November 2007. A meeting was held during September with a potential major donor confirming his bequest to the ACC remains in place. We will continue our search for major sponsors.

Hut Design - Research has been done on several broad hut design parameters. It is apparent from a mid winter visit to the site that there is no water flow in the Robson basin in winter months as the Emperor Falls at the Berg Lake exit are virtually dry during the period of hard freeze. In addition it was determined through interviews and observation that the snow pack and terrain in the basin are not suitable for destination skiing outings. Thus the original ideas presented in the proposal will need to be modified to exclude hydro power and the design for significant winter occupation. The ACC initiative with Parks Canada and BC Parks (BEES) has been asked to investigate alternate energy systems. As a result a proposal has been made to the ACC to erect a trial wind turbine in a windy pass in the Rockies (near Bow hut) to trial a small prototype. However it is unlikely that the capacity and sustainability of this source will provide the necessary energy to meet all the power needs of a fully occupied hut summer or winter, but rather will serve as a supplement to the traditional methods - propane and firewood. The recently completed Haberl hut (Vancouver Section) provides an excellent design model for features of the Mount Robson Centennial Hut - designed to be light weight and transportable, pre-assembled off site and disassembled for transportation to the heli staging site, lifted in by helicopter and re-erected on site are some of the many attractive features of the design. A graduate student seeking his Masters degree has been engaged to consider aspects of the design. In particular we are focusing on research into economically viable sustainable building materials, particularly those that deal with moisture and mould issues.

Hut location - Discussions with parties concerned about the BC Parks policy on Fixed Roof Accommodation, and hence the Mount Robson Centennial Hut, culminated with a 'soft' understanding that an extension or modification to the existing Ranger would likely not raise further objections from member organizations of the Coalition. Thus our proposal to BC Parks will need to specify hut location in the immediate area of the existing cabin. BC Parks will need to be consulted on their preferences with respect to Ranger cabin accommodation at this location. The site benefits from a summer water supply from the unnamed stream descending to the west of the cabin, the hardened nature of the terrain, the fact the site is set back slightly into the trees at the edge of the valley thus hidden from immediate view, and that it is contained in the scope of the area contemplated by the Request For Proposal.

EIS - It is contemplated that the required Environmental Impact Studies outlined in the Request For Proposal documents will be started this winter.

Committee - An expanded oversight committee is being formed with representation being sought from the Pricen George and Jasper sections, and individuals with applicable experience.

David Toole
Project Director, Mount Robson Centennial Hut