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Abbot Hut in Rockies Closed for Fear of Falling Over

The following is a press release from the Alpine Club of Canada about the 96-year-old Abbot Hut in the Canadian Rockies. The historic hut is close to falling over due to slope slide.

Our Abbot Pass Hut is currently closed for site and safety assessment due to a slide on the north side – reservations are unfortunately cancelled at this time and new bookings are closed until further notice.

You probably have some questions, so here’s a few quick points to help answer them:
– public safety is paramount to us, so the hut will remain closed until the geotechnical engineers determine the slope stability
– no additional area closures at the time, just the hut area (reminder: bivying at Abbot Pass is not permitted)
– if you have a reservation with us at the hut, please give us a call (403-678-3200. ext 0) and we’ll provide a full refund
– if you decide NOT to cancel your stay at Abbot, the bus permit will still be honoured to reach Lake O’Hara for a ONE DAY hike (you’ll need to return the same day)

Erosion beneath Abbot Hut in 2018 Photo Matt Brooks

About Abbot Hut

The Abbot Pass Hut is one of the most unique huts in North America. It was built in 1922 with the stones from the pass and has served as a base for mountaineers and as a destination for strong hikers since then.

Sitting at 2,926 metres elevation, it is second only to the Neil Colgan Hut on the list of highest permanent structures in Canada. The hut is on the Continental Divide so the provincial and National Park borders run right down the middle of the hut. Make dinner in Alberta, eat it in BC.

Strong hikers will find the hut a sublime reward after the approach hike and a well-equipped alternative to the campgrounds down in the trees. For many, this is the highest elevation that they will ever spend a night.

Mountaineers come from around the world to climb the classic routes of the Rockies and two of the best – the West Face of Mt. Lefroy and the South-East Ridge of Mt. Victoria – begin from the front door of this stone hut.

The Abbot Hut

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