Hišimy̓awiƛ construction is underway!
Editor's note: A new hut on Vancouver Island - ACC member Chris Jensen will be keeping us updated with photo galleries on the progress of the building of the ACC's newest hut that, once complete, will expand the western edge of the ACC's hut network by more than 150km. Stay tuned for more updates.
Dec, 2019: This post has been updated with the name of the hut changed to Hišimy̓awiƛ [Hi-SHIM-ya-wit].
A drawing of the proposed location/size/scope of Hišimy̓awiƛ, looking towards Triple Peak.
Construction has begun
The ACC Vancouver Island Section is very excited to begin construction of the ACC's first hut on Vancouver Island, on 5040 Peak. Our newest ACC hut is being built by Vancouver Island Section members and volunteers and will provide access to extensive summer alpine hiking and superb winter skiing in the area around Triple Peak, from its location 35km west of Port Alberni.
Supplies are flown in.
post raisingHEAVE! Excellent team work made this lift go smoothly. Pic from Shanda.
Time to dry off after a soggy session.
Hut features
The hut will sleep 12 and features a large kitchen (with propane stove) and a large living space with maximal views of the surrounding peaks. It will be heated by a wood pellet stove and will utilize solar panels to power lighting and the pellet stove. The design is based on the Jim Haberl Hut, with some modifications made in consultation with the designers of that hut to incorporate First Nations-inspired design elements (see image below).
The logs in this picture were kindly donated by Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, whose traditional territory the hut is being built upon (the hut site also overlaps with the territories of Ucluelet First Nation and Tseshaht First Nation). These Yellow Cedar trees will form the hut’s front posts.
Collaboration is making it happen
The project is a collaboration between many organizations including the ACC Vancouver Island Section, ACC National, the four First Nations in the surrounding area, the local municipalities, MEC and the Island Coastal Economic Trust. We have more than 100 volunteers signed up to help and a two person film crew that will be producing a high quality documentary of this community mountain project for the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Thanks to everyone for helping to bring this hut to life!
Lots of laughs in the Mountain Hardwear Space Dome that we use as our mess tent. Thanks Shanda for all your work to keep that big work crew well fed with delicious meals!
Some of our amazing volunteers near the hut site.
Volunteer dream team
We had a dream team up there this weekend. The gang from Saltspring Island and the rest of us from Vancouver Island worked our butts off and managed to get a ton accomplished in two days.
Follow the Hišimy̓awiƛ build progress
You can learn more about the project, and make a donation, on the Vancouver Island Section's website
You can also get minute to minute updates on this hut build and find out how you can volunteer at the ACC Vancouver Island Hišimy̓awiƛ page on Facebook.