The ACC, 118 years old, is getting its first proper history book, in the form of a large format book written by mountain historian Chic Scott. The full story of the book, and a preview of the eras and contents can be read here. The history book, which will cover the first 120 years of the club’s existence, will be full-colour and about 450 pages long and is scheduled to be published and available in 2027.
Chic needs our help. There are many people, places and events that feature in the club’s story for which there are poor images, or no images at all. The list below is sorted by general era, and section of the upcoming book.
We’re asking ACC members who have connections to these people and have an old photo or two stashed away somewhere to be in touch with Chic – we can arrange for scanning if you’re not in the Bow Valley area. Chic’s email can be found at chicscott.com/contact.
From the Old days (pre 1945)
ACC members who served and died in WWI
- Lieut. W.E.L. Broad
- Lieut. J.C. McHutcheon
- R.H. Smith, 4th Field Ambulance
ACC members who served and died in WWII
- Major Albert Gresham
- Flight Sergt. Robert Leighton
ACC members who served and died in WWII
- Major Albert Gresham
- Flight Sergt. Robert Leighton
Pre 1945 ACC Members
- Charlie and Eileen Richardson – ACC Calgary Section members who set up and managed camps almost every year from about 1911 to 1948.
- Cora Sutter – a prominent Edmonton Section club member during the 1930s and 40s.
- Hector Allan – a Calgary Section club member and head of ACC Club House Committee for many years.
- Helen Hatch – a Lethbridge woman who died at the 1908 camp in Rogers Pass
- Hobart Dowler – Alberta log builder who built the Stanley Mitchell Hut and the Wheeler Hut.
- John Bulyea – a 17-year-old from Edmonton who died in an avalanche at New Year 1937/38 at Lake O’Hara.
- Margaret Wylie – a prominent Calgary Section club member during the 1930s and 40s.
- Russell J. Cuthbertson – ACC member from Saskatchewan and club treasurer for many years.
Location Photos
- The original Sooke Lake Hut on Vancouver Island.
Update: photos that have been found!
Thank you to everyone that has sent Chic photos.
- Eric and Emmie Brooks – Eric and Emmie were prominent Vancouver Section club members in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Eric was ACC president from 1941 to 1947.
From 1946 to 1984
ACC Members
- Andrew Gruft – editor of the Canadian Alpine Journal from 1970-1974.
- Bill Sharp and Roly Morrison – died at a club camp in the Clemenceau area in 1972.
- Cam and Jean Ledingham – ACC secretary treasurer during the 60s.
- Danny Minion – 15-year-old climber who died in a fall on Bugaboo Spire in 1979.
- Dave Fisher – ACC President from 1970 to 1972.
- Dorothy and Gladys Hartley – active members from Edmonton.
- George Stefanick – prominent Edmonton Section member.
- Herb and Pat Kariel – Herb was the chair of the club’s huts committee. Herb and Pat authored Alpine Huts in the Rockies, Selkirks and Purcells in 1986.
- Isabelle MacPherson – editor of the ACC Gazette for many years.
- John and Bunny Tewnion – prominent club members from the 1970s on. John was club president from 1976 to 1980.
- Kevin O’Connell – prominent Montreal Section member who died on Huascaran in Peru in 1984.
- Leon Blumer – designed and built the Conrad Kain Hut in 1972.
- Mike Rojik – led treks to Nepal for the ACC in the 1970s and 80s.
- Moira Irvine – editor of the Canadian Alpine Journal during the 70s and 80s.
- Monty Alford – prominent club member from the Yukon who played a big role in the Yukon Alpine Centennial Expedition in 1967.
- Mrs. Crockett – managed the club’s Sulphur Mountain Club House.
- Neal Carter – prominent club member from Vancouver.
- The Neave Brothers: Roger, Ferris and Hugh.
- Pat and Stephanie Boswell – ACC club manager in Banff from 1969-1974.
- Stan Rosenbaum – ACC President from 1972 to 1975.
- Ted Whalley – prominent member from Ottawa and ACC President from 1980 to 1984.
- Walter T. Read – club auditor for many years.
- Wayne Smith – a prominent Edmonton Section member who died on Mount Edith Cavell.
Location
- Construction of the Canmore Clubhouse in 1972.
- Banff ACC office during the period 1970 to 1992.
Update: photos that have been found!
Thank you to everyone that has sent Chic photos.
- L.C. Jimmy Wilson – ACC secretary treasurer during the 50s.
- Construction of the Conrad Kain Hut in 1972.
- Dennis deMontigny – Canmore Clubhouse custodian during the 70s and early 80s.
- Bon Echo Hut (Toronto Section).
- Keene Farm (Montreal Section).
- The Lloyd MacKay Hut near the Freshfield Icefield before it was removed.
- Peter Aitchison – prominent Manitoba Section member from the 1970s.
From 1985 - 2025
ACC Members
- Dave Vallance – prominent Calgary Section member.
- Kevin Lohka – Executive Director of the ACC during the early 1990s.
ACC Huts Committee Members
- Dixon Thompson
- Gordon Smith
- John Harrop
- John McIssac
- John Lajeunesse
- Tim Clinton
Places & Events
- Canadian Alpine Centre at Lake Louise – construction and opening ceremonies.
- The ACC office in the old Canmore hospital.
- Mount Alberta 75th anniversary celebrations in Jasper in 2000.
Update: photos that have been found!
Thank you to everyone that has sent Chic photos.
- Carl Hannigan
- Dick Howe
- John Harrop
- John Lajeunesse
- Malcolm Talbot
- Bev Bendell – ACC Librarian and prominent Rocky Mountain Section member.
- Rick Checkland – prominent Edmonton Section member.
- The first Canadian Sport Climbing Competition in the Eric Harvie Theatre in 1988. (FOUND!)
- Building of the second Fay Hut in 2005.
If you have a photo or connection to the people or places on these lists, and would like to help, please email Chic – contact information can be found at the Chic Scott website.
