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Construction Continues on Whistler’s Spearhead Hut
Next week, after a long pause to accommodate winter, construction will continue on the first of three much-anticipated backcountry huts near Whistler, British Columbia. Spearhead Huts, a Whistler-based non-profit initiative that is entirely volunteer driven, will build three huts on the popular Spearhead Traverse in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Once complete, the modern alpine huts will be the first hut-to-hut experience on the West Coast.
Architect rendering of the Kees and Claire Hut in summer.
The first hut, named the Kees and Claire Hut in honour of Kees Brenninkmeyer and Claire Dixon, is located in the alpine meadows on the west ridge of Russet Lake at an altitude of 1967 meters. Last summer, the many volunteers completed the foundation. Construction is scheduled to begin anew next week and continue throughout the summer. The goal is to complete the hut in time to welcome guests for the upcoming ski season.
The foundation of the Kees and Claire Hut was completed by volunteers in 2017.
Designed by Don Stuart Architect, built by Coast Essential Construction, and pre-manufactured by BC Passive House, the Kees and Claire Hut will be a 2-storey, 4,500 sq. ft. highly energy-efficient building with the capacity to comfortably sleep 42 adventure seekers. The hut will be built to Passive House standards to ensure the hut is durable, efficient and comfortable.
Floor, wall and roof panels are pre-manufactured by BC Passive House in Pemberton, British Columbia.
Innotech will be supplying triple glazed Defender 76TS windows for the project. High-performance, overall durability and design flexibility were three important criteria in the selection of the windowsfor the remote project. All building materials, including our windows and doors, will be shipped to site by helicopter. Most volunteers will also fly into the site by helicopter; some will hike in over the Musical Bumps from the top of Whistler Mountain. A well-equipped base camp will offer comfortable accommodation on site, with a professional cook and all food provided.
The windows and doors for the Kees and Claire Hut are manufactured and awaiting their helicopter delivery.
Spearhead Huts is looking for skilled trades to volunteer to build the hut. If you have a passion for backcountry adventures and have the right skills, you’re invited to review the construction schedule and complete a volunteer application form here.
Thank you Spearhead Huts for inviting us to be part of this legacy project.