R.J. Ritchie Hut
| R.J. Ritchie (Balfour) Hut | |
|---|---|
Balfour Hut with Mount Balfour in the background - Sept 2005 | |
| General information | |
| Type | alpine hut |
| Architectural style | Metal Shelter cabin |
| Location | Wapta Icefield |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 51°35′30″N 116°27′18″W / 51.59167°N 116.45500°W |
| Owner | Alpine Club of Canada |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Metal |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Alpine Club of Canada |
| Website | |
| Balfour Hut at the Alpine Club of Canada | |
The R.J. Ritchie Hut (Balfour Hut) is an alpine hut located at an altitude of 2,470 metres (8,100 ft) between the southern tip of the Wapta Icefield and the northern tip of the Waputik Icefield in Banff National Park. The hut is at the half-way mark for the Wapta traverse and is usually used in conjunction with the other huts in this chain while attempting a cross-glacier ski trip. The hut is maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada.
The hut sleeps 18 in the summer and 16 in the winter. It is equipped with propane-powered lamps and stovetop.
The hut requires approximately three to five hours of glacier travel to get to from the Bow Hut, or six to eight hours from the Scott Duncan Hut.