About The KMC
A group of KMC'ers on a club trip to climb Mount Begbie
About The KMC
The KMC is a non-profit society based in the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. Our goals are: promoting an interest in and development of mountaineering skills, furthering fellowship in the mountains and advancing the conservation of the natural values of the mountain environment.
Volunteers organize outdoor activities year round including: hiking, climbing, skiing, and mountain biking trips, week long climbing, skiing and hiking camps, and various courses on basic outdoor skills. Our volunteers also maintain four cabins in the Bonnington Range and we are involved in trail development and maintenance.
The KMC publishes a bi-monthly newsletter which includes a list of upcoming trips and courses, reports of recent trips, and other articles of general interest. We also maintain a library of moutaineering books and journals.
You can download a copy of our constitution here. You need a pdf reader, get Foxit or Adobe.
The History of the KMC
In April 1964, 12 local members formed the Kootenay Section of the Alpine Club
of Canada. With the formation of the Section, the Club journal, the Kootenay
Karabiner, began. This semi-annual journal became annual in 1970 with the
publication of a monthly newsletter. The mid sixties saw the start of many
traditions carried on to this day: clearing trails, weekly rock schools,
climbing and hiking camps, building and renovation of cabins, and explorations
and first ascents throughout the Kootenays all year round.
By 1968 the section had grown to 70 members but most were not full ACC members. Since ACC bylaws required the executive to be full members, the Section was dissolved. However, in the spring of 1969, the same group was resurrected as the Kootenay Mountaineering Club (KMC). The Club has now grown to over 300 members.
Many of the early activities of the KMC have evolved into larger enterprises. Early renovations and maintenance of the Slocan Chief Cabin in Kokanee Glacier Park meant that KMCer's were almost the only users of the cabin, particularly for spring ski trips. The popularity of the cabin grew and BC Parks took over regulation of its use and instituted a lottery system. The KMC continues to work for preservation of the park.
The first week long summer camp at Earl Grey Pass in 1967 has grown to four weeks of climbing and hiking camps attended by over 80 members. These camps have been held in numerous locations in the Monashees, Selkirks, Purcells, Rockies, and Coast Mountains. Comfort and convenience has improved considerably over the years with the purchase of cook tents, propane stoves, and other camp gear.
In 1968 the Mulvey Creek trail into the Valhallas was completed. In 1969 a hut was constructed in Mulvey Meadows. The hut received heavy use until 1980 when the access road up Bannockburn Creek was closed. In 1970, the KMC was the first organization to work for the creation of a park in the Valhallas with its brief to the Provincial Government. Many hiking camps were held in the Valhallas before the days of easy access to the area.
In the mid 1970's the Club began efforts to protect the Fry Creek drainage and to support creation of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. The Club is currently involved in efforts to protect the Jumbo Pass area from development as a ski resort.
In 1986, the KMC undertook sponsorship of a federal work grant project to build ski-touring cabins in the Bonnington Range. The multi-use Copper, Grassy, Steed, and Huckleberry Huts are still actively maintained by the Club. The KMC also actively supported the reconstruction of the Silver Spray Cabin in Kokanee Glacier Park.
Early rock schools were held on the Kinnard Bluffs. The informal Wednesday night practice sessions grew into a formal mountaineering course of lectures, rockclimbing, and a weekend of snow and glacier travel.
Throughout the years, a tradition of spring and fall dinners has evolved. These gatherings have been complimented by other social gatherings and various lectures and presentations by noted mountaineers. These occasions have been a forum where Club members could share the memories of their travels and exploits in many mountainous parts of the world as well as the beautiful Kootenays.
By 1968 the section had grown to 70 members but most were not full ACC members. Since ACC bylaws required the executive to be full members, the Section was dissolved. However, in the spring of 1969, the same group was resurrected as the Kootenay Mountaineering Club (KMC). The Club has now grown to over 300 members.
Many of the early activities of the KMC have evolved into larger enterprises. Early renovations and maintenance of the Slocan Chief Cabin in Kokanee Glacier Park meant that KMCer's were almost the only users of the cabin, particularly for spring ski trips. The popularity of the cabin grew and BC Parks took over regulation of its use and instituted a lottery system. The KMC continues to work for preservation of the park.
The first week long summer camp at Earl Grey Pass in 1967 has grown to four weeks of climbing and hiking camps attended by over 80 members. These camps have been held in numerous locations in the Monashees, Selkirks, Purcells, Rockies, and Coast Mountains. Comfort and convenience has improved considerably over the years with the purchase of cook tents, propane stoves, and other camp gear.
In 1968 the Mulvey Creek trail into the Valhallas was completed. In 1969 a hut was constructed in Mulvey Meadows. The hut received heavy use until 1980 when the access road up Bannockburn Creek was closed. In 1970, the KMC was the first organization to work for the creation of a park in the Valhallas with its brief to the Provincial Government. Many hiking camps were held in the Valhallas before the days of easy access to the area.
In the mid 1970's the Club began efforts to protect the Fry Creek drainage and to support creation of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. The Club is currently involved in efforts to protect the Jumbo Pass area from development as a ski resort.
In 1986, the KMC undertook sponsorship of a federal work grant project to build ski-touring cabins in the Bonnington Range. The multi-use Copper, Grassy, Steed, and Huckleberry Huts are still actively maintained by the Club. The KMC also actively supported the reconstruction of the Silver Spray Cabin in Kokanee Glacier Park.
Early rock schools were held on the Kinnard Bluffs. The informal Wednesday night practice sessions grew into a formal mountaineering course of lectures, rockclimbing, and a weekend of snow and glacier travel.
Throughout the years, a tradition of spring and fall dinners has evolved. These gatherings have been complimented by other social gatherings and various lectures and presentations by noted mountaineers. These occasions have been a forum where Club members could share the memories of their travels and exploits in many mountainous parts of the world as well as the beautiful Kootenays.