Project supported by the ACC Environment Grant
by Marc Piche
The Friends of Bugaboo Park (FOBP) have wrapped up their recent waste management project in September 2023. With the hard work of four volunteers over four days, they’ve made notable progress in addressing environmental concerns in the Bugaboo Spires.
The journey began in the early 2000s when FOBP, partnering with the likes of the Alpine Club of Canada, BC Parks, and the CMH Bugaboo Lodge, installed alpine toilets at the Bugaboo– Snowpatch Col and the West Ridge of Pigeon. By the mid-2000s, the group added a ‘green throne’ alpine toilet at the East Creek Camp location, funded by Arc’teryx.
While these green thrones significantly reduced human waste affecting mountain water sources, they had a downside. They frequently filled with rainwater, snow melt, and urine. This led to more helicopter trips to empty them, increasing costs and carbon footprints. Also, the remote nature of the site made it sometimes impossible to remove the full barrels when the rest of the toilets in the park were being serviced, leading to sometimes over-filled barrels and no useable toilet.
To address this, FOBP decided to replace the East Creek toilet with a urine-diverting system. This new system, successfully used in many places worldwide, including several BC Parks, is expected to reduce helicopter trips. The open-air design has even been set up in places as high as 3,300m in Colorado. More details on this are available at ToiletTech.
The project, despite volunteer efforts, discounted materials, and flying support from CMH Bugaboo Lodge, had a budget of nearly $20,000. Through a still active Go Fund Me campaign, FOBP appealed to the community, especially those who have spent time in East Creek, for support.
Now, with the project’s successful completion, the FOBP would like to acknowledge the support received. This project was made possible, in part, with support from The Alpine Club of Canada Environmental Fund, Arc’teryx Alberta, and Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) Bugaboo Lodge.
Marc, Tim, Chris and Patrick.
Marc, Tim, Chris and Patrick.
The ACC Environment Grant is issued annually from a permanent fund to be used to create a legacy of environmental improvement.
The purpose of the Fund is to provide support that contributes to the protection and preservation of mountain and climbing environments, including addressing climate change in mountain ecosystems, the preservation of alpine flora and fauna in their natural habitat and support for mountain cultures that rely on these ecosystems.
Mountain historian Chic Scott is creating the ACC’s first official history book, a 450-page full-color volume spanning 120 years. Chic needs help to finish the book: he’s seeking photographs of key people and events from ACC members who might have rare images in their personal collections.
In 25 local sections across Canada, all year round, members of the ACC climb, ski, hike, go to the gym, clean up crags, build trails, and gather for social events. From St. John’s to Vancouver Island to the Yukon, thousand of club outings are run by volunteers each year.
Pulling from the 2024 ACC Gazette, these stories are from our club members, in their own words, about an aspect of their section that is special to them.
The Alpine Club of Canada is thrilled to announce the newest addition to its hut network – a new hut at Robson Pass. This hut has been more than two decades in the making and will serve as a gateway to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and the surrounding area.
We appreciate that the lands known today as Canada are home to the enduring presence of all First Nations and Métis people, and the Inuit and we acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of these Nations who continue to lead us in stewarding this land, as well as honour their knowledge and cultural ties to this place. The Alpine Club of Canada’s head office is located in the traditional lands of Treaty 7, which is comprised of the Stoney Nakoda Nations of Wesley, Chiniki, and Bearspaw; three Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy: the Piikani, Kainai, and Siksika; the Mountain Cree; and the Tsuu T’ina of the Dene people. This territory is also shared with the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. Before the signing of Treaty 7, and prior to the establishment of provincial boundaries, this region was also used by the Ktunaxa and the Maskwacis people.
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The Alpine Club of Canada is a registered Amateur Athletic Association and a registered Canadian charity (Registration No: 10670 4182 RR0001). The ACC’s US Foundation can accept charitable donations from donors living in the United States. We will issue a charitable tax receipt for eligible donations of $20 or more.
