Sapphire Col Hut

Located between The Dome and Castor Peaks on the Asulkan ridge, the Sapphire Col Hut gives access to high-quality quartzite mountaineering on the ridges and faces of the the Asulkan Group. Sapphire Col is above the tree line in serious avalanche terrain and requires travel on a crevassed glacier. Getting to the hut requires mountaineering equipment and skills, knowledge of safe glacier travel techniques and whiteout navigation skills.

Sapphire Col Hut is a basic mountaineering shelter. Apart from a toilet system, this metal bivouac shelter is unequipped; with no heat, stove, utensils or sleeping pads. Water is obtained from a nearby melt pond or by melting snow.

A mountaineering loop can be done beginning at the Wheeler Hut, then to Asulkan Cabin and ending at Sapphire Col. Note: this route is exposed to ice fall and other hazards. A descent via the Lily Glacier completes the loop. Advanced to Expert backcountry travelers only.

IMPORTANT – During the winter months, you must display a parking pass when accessing the Sapphire Col Hut from the Illecillewaet parking lot. You can obtain a copy of the Glacier Parking Permit – Winter (it will also be attached to your confirmation email when making a booking at this facility).

Summer access to Saphire Col follows the route to the Asulkan Cabin and then steeply across rock and the Asulkan Glacier to the col between Dome and Castor Peaks. This route is only recommended for experienced mountaineers. The hut is open all year but is seldom used in winter.

Printable detailed approach description

The Hut Experience

Staying in a backcountry hut is a shared, rustic experience. Sleeping, kitchen and living areas are communal, and foam mattresses, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Guests are expected to bring their own sleeping bags, food and personal items.

All of our huts are user-maintained, meaning that the custodial work of keeping the hut clean, chopping firewood and shovelling snow is done by the guests. The ACC provides major service and renovations to all of our huts each year to ensure they are in good repair.