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Projects
- > Hollyburn Historic Sites Walking Tour
- > Hollyburn Lodge Renewal Project - List of Donors
- > Hollyburn Lodge Renewal Project - A Historical Perspective - Lessons Learned
- > Official Opening of the Renewed Hollyburn Lodge (January 15, 2017 - Photos)
- > Hollyburn Lodge - Thank you for being part of the future! - Jackie Swanson
- > "It Takes a Community to Build a Lodge" - Kevin Healy
- > Hollyburn Lodge Renewal Project Photos (2016)
- > Hollyburn Lodge Renewal Project Photos (2015)
- > Hollyburn Lodge Farewell BBQ - April 24, 2015
- > Hollyburn Lodge Restoration Project Timeline
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Proposed Fred Burfield's Tractor/Bombardier Museum at First Lake
- > Fred Burfield's Bombardier on Hollyburn Mountain -Vintage Photos
- > The Restoration of Fred Burfield's Bombardier - Steve Richards
- > The Restoration of Fred Burfield’s Bombardier - Photos
- > John Deere Tractors on Hollyburn Mtn - Video & Photos
- > Fred Burfield's John Deere Tractor Restoration Project – Peter Tapp
- > Fred Burfield's John Deere Tractor Restoration Project - Video & Photos
- > Fred Burfield's John Deere Tractor After Restoration - Photos & Video
- > Pioneers
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Geography
- > Howe Sound Crest Trail 2020
- > Views from the Major Summits in Cypress Provincial Park (Photos)
- > The Hollyburn Shoulder & Romstads Run (Photos & Video)
- > Hollyburn Plateau Lakes (Photos)
- > Hollyburn Plateau Lakes (Videos)
- > Hollyburn Mountain Public Access Trail
- > Hollyburn Lodge, First Lake (Videos)
- > Hollyburn Ridge Lakes (Photos)
- > West Lake (Videos)
- > Blue Gentian Lake Videos
- > Hollyburn Ridge Creeks (Videos)
- > Natural Historians at Work on the Brothers Creek Trail (July 2013 - Photos & Video)
- > Old Growth Conservancy on Hollyburn Ridge (Photos)
- > Black Mountain Plateau Lakes (Photos)
- > Yew Lake In Cypress Provincial Park (Powerpoint Slides, Photos & Videos)
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History
- > North Shore Mountains Historical Timeline (1875 - 2010)
- > Artifacts of Yesteryear (A.G.M. F.)
- > The History of Hollyburn Lodge - Don Grant
- > Hollyburn Lodge Photos (1924-1984)
- > Hollyburn Lodge Videos: "Hollyburn Lodge Through the Seasons & Generations"
- > The Hollyburn Trail (1922-1927) Articles by Pollough Pogue
- > “The Ski Camp At the ‘Old Mill’ Site” – Eilif Haxthow’s Hollyburn Journal (October 1924 - January 1928)
- > Searching for the Nasmyth Mill Site - Part 1 (Don Grant)
- > The Hollyburn Pacific Ski Club of Vancouver, B.C. - Rudolph J. Verne (1927)
- > Hollyburn Mountain Articles by Pollough Pogue (1927) & Photos from HHS Archives
- > The Swedes At the Hollyburn Ski Camp (1927 -1946)
- > The Burfield Family At Hollyburn Ski Lodge (1946 -1983)
- > History of Hollyburn Ridge - Ted Russell
- > Walks in West Vancouver - Hikes on Hollyburn Ridge (1929
- > Hi-View Lodge & the Chairlift (1951 – 1965)
- > Hollyburn Ridge Brochure circa 1954
- > 1962 Boy Scout Map of Hollyburn Mtn
- > West Lake Camp/Lodge (1932 - 1938) "The Other Side of the Mountain"
- > Westlake Ski Lodge (1939 – 1987)
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Prose & Poetry
- > "Heritage of Hollyburn – Holmenkollen (Cabin 225)"
- > "The History of the HWTC" – Bob Tapp
- > "The Bread Lady's Cabin" - Vince Hernandez
- > "Cabin Builders on Hollyburn Ridge (1930’s)" - Hal Plumsteel
- > "Hollyburn Cabin ‘North Plus Fours’ Through the Generations" - Don Grant
- > "Many A Notch In Time" - A.G.M.F.
- > "The Building of Alasker Inn" - Dick Andersen
- > "Par-a-dice Inn" - Jack Branston
- > "Youthful Days on Hollyburn Mtn – 1960’s (Part 1)" - A.G.M.F.
- > "Youthful Days on Hollyburn Mtn – 1960’s (Part 2)" - A.G.M.F.
- > "Braced for Every Season" A.G.M.F.
- > "Hollyburn Hideaways" - A.G.M.F.
- > "Cabineers" - A.G.M.F.
- > "Called To Higher Ground" - A.G.M.F.
- > "After Autumn Leaves" - A.G.M.F.
- > "Ridgeline Vignettes" - A.G.M.F.
- > "A Reverent Ode to the Outdoor Commode" - A.G.M.F.
- > "A Ramble on Hollyburn Ridge" - A.G.M.F.
- > "When A Mountain Comes to Mind" - A.G.M.F.
- > "A Fine Place to Rest" - A.G.M.F.
- > "To A Cabin In the Woods" - A.G.M.F.
- > "TWIXT TIDE AND TIMBERTLINE" - A.G.M.F.
- > "HEWN BY HAND" - A.G.M.F.
- > "On Winter At First Lake" - A.G.M.F.
- > "Hollyburn Lodge" - A.G.M.F.
- > "A Curious Encounter" - A.G.M.F.
- > Cabins
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Competitive Sports
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The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 2) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 3) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 4) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 5) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 6) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 7) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 8) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 9) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 10) Photos
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 11) Documents
- > The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection (Page 12) Documents
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The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1927/1928 & 1928/1929 Ski Seasons)
- > The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1929/30 & 1930/1931 Ski Seasons)
- > The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1931/32 & 1932/1933 Ski Seasons)
- > The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1933/34 Ski Season)
- > The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1934/35 Ski Season)
- > The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1935/1936 Ski Season)
- > The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1936/1937 Ski Season)
- > The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1937/1938 Ski Season)
- > The 'Golden Age' on Hollyburn Mtn (1938/1939 Ski Season)
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Pollough Pogue's Hiker & Skier Magazine - Volumes 1 & 2 (1932/1933)
- > Pollough Pogue's Hiker & Skier Magazine - Volume 3 (1934/1935)
- > Pollough Pogue's Hiker & Skier Magazine - Volume 4 (1935/1936)
- > Pollough Pogue's Hiker & Skier Magazine - Volume 5 (1936/1937)
- > Pollough Pogue's Hiker & Skier Magazine - Volume 6 (1937/1938)
- > Pollough Pogue's Hiker & Skier Magazine - Volume 7 (1938/1939) Nos. 1, 2, 3
- > Pollough Pogue's Hiker & Skier Magazine - Volume 7 (1938/1939) Nos. 6, 7, 8
- > Heroes of the Harnessed Hickory (Parts 1 & 2)
- > Heroes of the Harnessed Hickory (Parts 3 & 4
- > Hollyburn Mountain
- > Grouse Mountain
- > Mount Seymour
- > Princeton
- > Revelstoke
- > Banff, Alberta
- > Pacific Northwest - Snoqualmie & Mt Hood
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The Jack & Thelma Hutchinson Collection
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Recreational Skiing
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Recreational Skiing In Cypress Provincial Park
- > Historic Ski Runs On Hollyburn Mountain
- > Recreational Skiing on Hollyburn Mountain - 1920's & 1930's (Photos)
- > Recreational Skiing on Hollyburn Mountain - 1940's (Photos)
- > Recreational Skiing on Hollyburn Mountain - 1930's, 1940's, 1950's (Videos)
- > Recreational Skiing on Hollyburn Mountain - 1950's & 1960's (Photos)
- > Recreational Skiing on Hollyburn Mountain - 1970's (Photos)
- > Historic Ski Runs On Mount Strachan (Photos)
- > Recreational Skiing On Black Mountain (Photos)
- > Recreational Skiing On Grouse Mountain (Photos)
- > Recreational Skiing On Mt. Seymour (Video & Photos)
- > Recreational Skiing Near Princeton, BC (Photos)
- > Recreational Skiing On Mount Baker (Photos)
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Recreational Skiing In Cypress Provincial Park
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Hiking
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The Trail to Hollyburn Peak (Photos & Video)
- > Lake Country on Hollyburn Mountain
- > Historic References to Yew Lake (Cypress Lake) - 1920's
- > Yew Lake & Black Mtn
- > Howe Sound Crest Trail Part 1 - Mount Strachan
- > Howe Sound Crest Trail Part 2 - Strachan Meadows to West Lion Peak
- > Howe Sound Crest Trail Part 3 - West Lion To Deeks Lake
- > Mt Brunswick Peak from Porteau Cove circa 1940 (Varsity Outdoor Club)
- > Hiking Near Grouse Mtn
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Garibaldi Provincial Park
- > Explorations In Garibaldi Provincial Park - 1930's
- > Garibaldi Provincial Park: Around Garibaldi Lake
- > Garibaldi Provincial Park: Elfin Lakes & Diamond Head
- > The Black Tusk
- > "The Brandvolds of Diamond Head" - Irene Howard
- > Brandvold Family Reunion At Diamond Head Chalet – September 15, 2007
- > Garibaldi Provincial Park Hike Videos - Summer 2019
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The Trail to Hollyburn Peak (Photos & Video)
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Cypress Now
- > Cypress Creek Lodge
- > X-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing Videos
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Snowshoeing Photos
- > Snowshoe Trails To Hollyburn Lodge
- > Ancient Giants & Marr Giant Connector Trail
- > Ridge Traverse Trail
- > Ridge Fall Line Trail
- > Far East Trail
- > Upper Glades Loop Trail
- > Public Access Trail to Hollyburn Peak
- > Snowshoeing On the Black Mtn Plateau
- > Snowshoeing On Mt. Strachan
- > Howe Sound Crest Trail To Bowen Lookout & Binkert Kiosk
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Hiking Photos & Videos
- > Cypress Provincial Park Map - Section 1 (West)
- > Cypress Provincial Park Map - Section 2 (East)
- > 10 Minute Trail to Hollyburn Lodge (March 2013 - Photos)
- > Hollyburn Lodge via the Westlake Road & the Main Trail (April 2013 - Photos)
- > Brothers Creek Trail to the Junction with Crossover Trail (April 2013 - Photos & Video)
- > Brothers Creek Trail to the Junction with Blue Gentian Trail (April 2013 - Photos)
- > Brothers Creek Trail - Crossover Trail Junction to the Upper Falls (July 2013 - Photos & Video)
- > Baden-Powell Trail to the Snowline (May 2013 - Photos)
- > Views of Lawson Creek along the Baden-Powell Trail to the Crossover Trail (May 2013 - Photos)
- > Crossover Trail on Hollyburn Ridge (June 2013 - Photos & Video)
- > Trail to Blue Gentian Lake & the Baden-Powell Trail from the Upper Brothers Creek Bridge (October 2013 - Photos)
- > Blue Gentian Lake to Hollyburn Lodge via West Lake (November 2013 - Photos)
- > Descent of the Fire Access Road In WV's Upper Lands (July 2013 - Photos))
- > Upper Brothers Creek Trail to Lost Lake (July 2013 - Photos)
- > Views of Small Lakes & Ponds along the Unknown Lake Trail (August 2017 - Photos)
- > Hollyburn Peak via the Powerline Trail & the Plateau (July 2013 - Photos)
- > Hollyburn Plateau via the junction of the Baden-Powell Trail & the Old Strachan Trail (July 2013 - Photos)
- > Old Trail to Mount Strachan - Part 1 (August 2013 - Photos)
- > Old Trail to Mount Strachan - Part 2 (August 2013 - Photos)
- > Black Mountain (July 23 - Photos)
- > HSCT East - Trailhead to Binkert Kiosk (July 2013 - Photos)
- > HSCT - Binkert Kiosk to Mt. St. Marks (July 2013 - Photos)
- > HSCT Trail (Summer 2017 & 2018 - Photos)
- > Partners
- > Site Map
There was a time not so long ago when Hollyburn Ridge likely had more outhouses proudly standing their ground than any place this side of the Yukon. Just wander back behind any cabin on the mountain and somewhere hidden in the shadows beside a stump or two, one will find a weathered, wooden enclosure perched on stilts. Why haven’t these humble little huts received the recognition they deserve? After all, how many communities can still claim to have such a multitude within their midst? It’s a shame, really. Given their vital function, haven’t these quaint woodland stalls gotten a bum rap? When was the last time ‘outhouse’ and ‘world-class’ were referenced in the same sentence? Is there no heritage designation for these structures? To those who concern themselves with such matters, this is no piddling affair. It’s doubtful we’ll ever see these inconspicuous shacks featured in an architectural digest, but they’re importance can’t be overstated. Until the call of nature impels us to assume the initiative, nothing else this life-affirming is so routinely taken for granted as the simple, shingled commode.
It may be the crude abode that dares not make its presence known, but to visit Hollyburn Ridge is to discover an indispensable assemblage of these irregular piles of wood. Just think how much the unassuming outhouse has inspired humankind. Countless songs have been written about it; ‘Please don’t tear that little brown building down’; cute expressions coined; ‘Built like a brick s—house’; execrable limericks composed; ‘The fellow wore nothing but skivvies/As he trotted out to the privy’ and evocative euphemisms devised; ‘I’m off to see a man about a horse’. Not only that, but it would be a gross disservice to overlook the many great artworks conceived within the confines of some dungy outdoor lavatory. Just consider for a moment Rodin’s ‘The Thinker.’
Also bear in mind that these rustic outdoor conveniences enjoy pride of place. And, woe betide anyone who would perpetrate mischief against a person’s outhouse. If these homely asylums are not inviolable, what is? Isn’t it a relief just knowing there are sanctuaries scattered throughout the forest to which an individual can retreat without incurring any expense? Let’s give credit where credit is due. Find a well-built biffy containing a tobacco tin full of dry TP and you’ve found just about the cheapest four season resort anywhere around. When the need arises, there’s practically no better place to spend time. And, the best part is, there’s no queue and you’ll never need a plunger. Besides that, they’re economical to build and easy to maintain.
Undoubtedly, there’s a modest downside to these woodland water closets not least for reasons of personal necessity. In summer, the sitter must often contend with spiders, flies, curious squirrels and perhaps the occasional skunk. In wintertime, the flies and other creatures may have retreated, but not us stubborn humans. What a joy it is to roll out of a warm, comfy sleeping bag at four in the morning, then stumble through a snowy, frigid night with only a flashlight for companionship, just to sit alone shivering spasmodically in the creeping cold.
But, on cloudy or moonless nights, when the ghostly woodlands are damp as dew and dark as a sump-digger’s armpits, those musty, cramped quarters can look downright inviting. You’ve got to admit that even when vacillation and inclement weather mar the moment, hunkering down on that elevated thunder mug still beats squatting over a damp, bumpy log with your backside fully exposed to the elements. So, as long as you’re on the can safe and sound, freedom of thought and movement are yours to enjoy. What could be more satisfying? In any case, lumbering off to a lonely loo in the middle of the night is the very essence of Spartan discipline and a practise that makes tough mountain folk just that much tougher. And, by virtue of occupancy, that lowly outhouse is at once transformed into an impregnable redoubt; a forest stronghold where no one can touch you or wants to.
Up on the ridge, those indispensable timberline toilets have seen many changes in the last hundred years. Even the concept of ‘just in time’ has taken on a whole new meaning. Gone are the days when one wiled away those precious moments perusing Eatons’ mail order catalogue. Nowadays, it’s all about checking e-mail on a cell phone. When push comes to shove, the outhouse remains the last bastion for those with personal business to attend to; a secure refuge to which one can always flee during times of turmoil. That simple, oval space is the great equalizer; the ultimate expression of egalitarianism.
You may be rich and famous. People may crave your company and hang on each and every word. You may be the nicest, most magnanimous person in the world, but when that all-consuming urge strikes, you’re on your own.
Just think back to one of those glorious, sunny days when everything seems right with the world. Ensconced on that smooth, wooden seat invigorated by an earthy forest fragrance gently wafting through every nook and cranny, relaxation just seems to happen without even thinking about it. As one listens with delight to the muted murmur of evergreen boughs nudged by a delicate breeze and the cheerful chatter of mountain songbirds reverberating through the woods, one can almost feel Mother Nature’s soft caress.
As far as that secluded woodland throne is concerned, there are few other places where one can rest on their laurels and think pleasant thoughts. Existence takes on a sense of timelessness. One can let down their guard and be completely composed. Apart from the very obvious, a secluded outdoor commode’s utter solitude facilitates endless reflection, contemplation and introspection. Rooted for as long as it takes in that crude confessional, troubles are purged, obstacles overcome, ideas flushed out, internal dialogues parsed and final decisions determined. Inside that lofty, wood-panelled shelter purpose-built for self-expression, where else is a person able to entertain romantic notions, daydream about far-off places or simply gather wool without constant interruption? All things considered, is there any better place to exalt over triumphs and brood over failures or simply meditate on one’s place in the great scheme of things? Not in this lifetime. Finally, it’s a forum ideally suited to self-disclosure, especially for those individuals whose only voice of authority is their own.
Despite the obvious nuisance of clambering up into a decrepit hut six or more feet off the ground, where else can so much gratification be derived with so few drawbacks? Talk about the perfect place to cogitate! Where do you suppose Shakespeare was when inspiration struck? If the outdoor latrine was good enough for the Bard, isn’t it good enough for the rest of us?
Some folks view the simple one-holer as nothing more than a peculiar building arbitrarily erected in the bush, but they don’t know diddley. To those who own one, these moss-laden crappers aren’t just impersonal objects propped up out back for their occasional convenience; they’re part of the family. Numerous backwoods biffies bear a classy name like The Drop Zone. But named or not, cabin owners take personal pride in occupying one that’s unique. Though pedants and persnickety people generally vilify these ramshackled facilities as being odious, primitive and unsightly, they’d be first to make a beeline for one should their innards suddenly get a little slack.
So, next time a toast is proposed, stand up, raise your glass and speak from your guts: ‘here’s to the outhouse - bottoms up!’ After all, year after year in all kinds of weather, that old shack holds up its end, just so whoever happens along looking for a place to park theirs will find relief awaits them.
The fellow wore nothing but skivvies
As he trotted out to the privy
Then gripping despair
For ahead loomed a bear
Who thought the poor chap he would divvy.
A.G.M.F.