Spearhead Hut System Proposed for Garibaldi Park

Exciting news! It's about time we share with you what we've been working hard on for the past few months. As previously mentioned, we have formed a coalition with ACC Vancouver, ACC Whistler, BCMC, and the Brett Carlson Memorial Crew, to work towards a common goal that we had all previously been working towards separately. Timing is perfect, momentum is building, as is the excitement. Here is the official update:

The Spearhead Hut Committee has formally submitted a conceptual plan to BC Parks for the construction of hut system along the Spearhead Traverse (the Spearhead and Fitzsimmons ranges), the spectacular mountain ranges that connect Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. This proposal comes from a working group comprised of representatives from the Alpine Club of Canada Whistler Section (ACCW), The Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver Section (ACCV), the Alpine Club of Canada National, The British Columbia Mountaineering Club (BCMC), memorial groups (the Kees and Claire Memorial Hut Society and the Brett Carlson Memorial Group) and other interested parties. This coalition of support represents a broad base of non-motorized backcountry user groups, committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The Spearhead Hut Committee (The Committee) is the organizing and advocacy group that will design and build this system of huts.

The Whistler Section of the Alpine Club of Canada will operate and maintain the hut system, for the benefit of mountain enthusiasts who wish to experience this dramatic area of Garibaldi Provincial Park. The vision of a hut system for this area was first contemplated and proposed in the mid-1960’s by the BCMC.

When completed, the hut system will be comprised of number a huts, spread at intervals along the 40 km circuit. The huts will provide summer and winter shelter with overnight accommodation, heat, water, toilets and self-serve cooking facilities. The hut system will allow winter and summer backcountry travelers to experience this remarkable environment relatively unencumbered by equipment and heavy packs. Establishment of the hut system will also mitigate and control the current random user/uncontrolled camping impacts that are occurring throughout this area. The huts will also broaden the potential user base of the Spearhead range to include both younger and older people, and those with less experience than would currently be able to experience and enjoy this region of the park in the summer and winter seasons.

The Spearhead Range is unparalleled in North America in its combination of length, quality of terrain, accessibility and position within the alpine wilderness of Garibaldi Park. Skiers and backcountry travelers from around the world have begun to discover this opportunity. The proposed hut system would support what is undoubtedly one of the most sought after backcountry trips in North America, and would likely be considered one of the great alpine hut tours in the world. It is anticipated that this would be a legacy project as BC Parks celebrates it’s 100th anniversary in 2011.

For more information contact:

The Spearhead Hut Committee,
Jayson Faulkner – 604 902 0080