Foundations

The Former Abbot Pass Hut in the Canadian Rockies, before Deconstruction. Photo: Ken Wylie

The Abbot Pass Hut was built by Swiss Mountain guides and completed in 1922. For a period of time it held the distinction of being the highest building in Canada. The effort to build it was substantial because many of the materials used in its construction were carried up by horse and human to the 9,596 ft high pass. Ninety six years later, in the summer of 2018, the hut was closed for evaluation and never reopened. In June of 2022, one hundred years after it was built, it was demolished. The demise of this iconic and historical building was a tragedy.

I loved that hut. This image, which I took in 2014, is on my living room wall. My first trip there was in August of 1984 with Nicci Code and Barry Roberts and together, we climbed Mt Lefroy. In October of 1985, we needed to stretch a rope between the hut and the outhouse to protect ourselves from the high winds. Over the years I was fortunate to guide clients up the peaks surrounding the rock treasure. The stone walls always provided warmth and security.

Reflecting on the hut and its demise I am reminded about foundations. Regardless of whatever it is that we do, it needs to be grounded in a lasting foundation. Something that can stand the test of time and the winds of change. Sadly this iconic structure was built on ice and broken rock and needed to be torn down because the foundation melted away. Its deconstruction stands as a reminder that it is the WHY and HOW of an endeavour, that is often more important than WHAT we do.

Having really good reasons for doing something is a rare foundational quality in a human. Too few people take the time to understand the importance of crafting a timeless reason for the performing of a task. We settle for platitudes that fail to support us in all situations. Doing something because it is “fun” or “the money” doesn’t cut it when the hard work comes or, creator forbid, a tragedy of some sort strikes.

I was lucky. My reason for traveling the mountains was modeled by some damn good university professors. A reason supported and reinforced by my early work with Outward Bound. “Educational Change” was my motivation for engaging in high hazard situations. Although I sometimes forgot this, I realize that it is a good foundation for doing nearly anything as a human. It brings purpose to a life when we can say that we live our lives so that we can grow in strength, knowledge and most importantly wisdom.

Any risk is only worth it if there is a reward. That reward should always be something foundational that makes us stronger no matter what happens. We live in a time where our technological leverage has outpaced our maturity to use the leverage we have wisely. Many aspects of our society operate from a poor foundation and this presents a huge hazard to all of us. . . .from Deep Water Horizon to Boeing to corrupt governance.

There is a deconstruction happening as we speak. This is a good thing because it is an opportunity rebuild and do it right with a foundational motivation to grow as humans. Because mature wise humans will stand the test of time.

Foundations are hard, because we have to dig deep to find the resilient material in the Earth, and within ourselves.