Peter and Catharine Whyte (Peyto) Hut
The place
Backcountry hut of the Alpine Club of Canada, perched at 2500 m at the northern end of the Wapta Icefield in Banff National Park (Alberta, Canada). In 1967, Peter Fuhrmann inspired Catharine Whyte (during an outing with the Calgary Ski Club) to fund the construction of the first hut: a 12-person fiberglass igloo identical to Balfour Hut, named Peter Whyte Hut in memory of her husband, who died in 1966. The current building, made of insulated corrugated metal, was erected in 1983 thanks to a major donation from the Whyte family and volunteer work by the Rocky Mountain Section of the ACC. Managed by the ACC since 1989, the hut accommodates 18 people in summer and 16 in winter. A reference base for scrambling, mountaineering, and summer glacier traverses, as well as winter ski touring. Starting point for the full Wapta traverse (Peyto Hut → Bow Hut → Balfour Hut → Scott Duncan Hut).
Getting there
Approach from Peyto Lake (Icefields Parkway). Fully self-sufficient glacier travel. ACC reservation mandatory.
The setting
Northern end of the Wapta Icefield, Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies.
