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Peter and Catharine Whyte (Peyto) Hut

Peter and Catharine Whyte (Peyto) Hut

Built 1983

Being the most northerly of the huts on the Wapta Icefield, the Peyto Hut is where a full traverse of the Wapta starts (or finishes). It gives access to the excellent, moderate mountaineering challenges of Peyto and Trapper Peaks, and Mts. Baker, Thompson and Rhondda, all of which are popular ascents in both summer and winter.
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Hut Facilities

  • Heat Source: None
  • Light Source: Propane - Provided
  • Stove: Propane - Provided
  • Oven: None
  • Bedding: Mattress
  • Water Source: Snow Melt, Lake
  • Bathroom: Outhouse

Peter and Catharine Whyte (Peyto) Hut Features

Open All Year

Features

  • Trail Distance: 10km
  • Elevation Gain: 670m
  • Capacity: 18
  • Activities: Scrambling, Mountaineering

The northern extent of the Wapta

While the Peyto Lake lookout can be a very crowded area in the summertime, there are excellent hiking opportunities in the area that allow you to get high up on the glaciated peaks and get a beautiful view of Peyto and Caldron Lakes, among many glacial features in the area. For more information on specific trips, refer to the book Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies by Kathy and Craig Copeland.

From high up at 2,500 metres elevation, the Peyto hut is an excellent base from which to bag high peaks surrounding the hut. All of the peaks around the Whyte Hut are climbed in both summer and winter. Some ascents can be made entirely on skis, while others must be made on foot for the final section. Refer to the book Summits and Icefields of the Canadian Rockies by Chic Scott for more information on winter ascents.

Trail Access

A steep trail leads down the hillside toward the lake from the end of the tourist trails . At the bottom of the hill, the trail follows the south end of the lake and the inlet streams until it reaches a bridge to the south side of the main creek (approximate grid reference 327286). Cross the bridge and soon begin climbing to reach the crest of a moraine high on the north side of the valley. Ascend the moraine and then climb another 100m until you can traverse across to the Peyto Glacier.

Proceed up the glacier in a southwest direction, onto the Wapta Icefield itself, staying to the right of the crevasses. Once you have passed the crevasses, circle back to the left and head east toward the Whyte Hut on the elevated moraine below the northwest ridge of Mt. Thompson.

It is also possible to access the Whyte Hut in the summer across the Wapta Icefield from the Bow Hut. The route is over the same terrain as described for winter access. Glacier travel and crevasse rescue experience as well as proper equipment are essential.

Member Rates

  • Standard $50

Non Member Rates

  • Standard $60

Features

  • Trail Distance: 10km
  • Elevation Gain: 670m
  • Capacity: 16
  • Activities: Ski Touring, Ski Mountaineering
  • Technical Considerations: Avalanche Terrain, Glacier Travel

The northern extent of the Wapta

The hut-to-hut ski trip along the Wapta Icefields is listed in Explore Magazine’s March/April 2008 issue as one of “Canada’s 25 Trips of a Lifetime”. There are opportunities to get some turns in on the lower slopes of the large ski- mountaineering peaks. Mt. Thompson, Rhondda and Baker are the best in the area for good snow, and the lower slopes of Peyto Peak could also offer a great run in spring conditions.

Trail Access

The route starts further north on Highway 93, descends to and crosses Peyto Lake itself and the follows the general line of the summer route, with a few important variations. Be certain that the lake is well frozen before attempting to cross the ice. Refer to Chic Scott’s book Summits and Icefields of the Canadian Rockies or Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies for a detailed description of this route.

In good conditions, the Bow to Peyto approach can be an easy trip, but in poor visibility or whiteout conditions navigation can be extremely difficult. From Bow Hut, the route ascends onto the Wapta Icefields and travels toward the Whyte Hut for 6 km to the northwest. Refer to Chic Scott’s Summits and Icefields of the Canadian Rockies guidebook for more information. The route first ascends 335m, and then slowly descends about 180m back down to the Peyto Hut. Three to four hours is standard for this trip in good conditions.

Member Rates

  • Standard $50

Non Member Rates

  • Standard $60

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Location

  • Bow Lake, Banff National Park

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Hut History

The evolution of this facility (commonly called the Peyto Hut, but correctly referred to as the Peter and Catharine Whyte Hut, or simply the Whyte Hut) mirrors the development of other huts on the Wapta, especially the Balfour Hut. The first structure built on this site was a fiberglass igloo; the next consisted of surplus plastic bubble huts from Parks Canada; and finally, the present insulated corrugated metal structure. Unlike the Balfour Hut, the Whyte Hut has always been in the same location.

While on a Calgary Ski Club trip in 1967, Peter Fuhrmann inspired Catharine Whyte to fund the construction of the first hut on this location. The ACC got permission from the Parks to construct the hut, and then turned it over to Parks to operate upon completion. It was a 12-man fiberglass igloo identical to the Balfour Hut, and was named the Peter Whyte Hut after Catharine’s husband who had passed away in 1966. Bands of wolverines roving in search of booty pillaged the place, and thus the first Whyte Hut fell victim to the same problem as beset the original Balfour igloo.

The igloo was replaced in 1970 by two Parks Canada surplus backcountry fiberglass bubbles. The bubbles were wolverine-proof, but presented their own problems: extensive condensation on the interior and a white exterior that made them difficult to see in the snow. These structures remained as the Whyte Hut for 13 years before they were removed and replaced by the present hut.

The present hut was built in 1983 by the Alpine Club, with another large donation from the Whyte Family and volunteer labor supplied primarily by the Banff (now Rocky Mountain) Section of the ACC. The responsibility for operating the hut was turned over to the Alpine Club in 1989 along with the Balfour and Bow Huts.

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Conditions May Apply

  • Pricing is subject to change without notice.

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