ALBERTA LOOKOUTS
TUNNEL MOUNTAIN
.
October 31, 1941: " 'Protection through detection' is the latest idea in connection with Park Fire Prevention, and the little look-out on Tunnel Mountain is the first step towards setting up a system of look-outs through the Parks.
The lookouts are really sectional towers which are made up at the local government office under the Administration department. They are then broken down and carried to the top of the mountain where they are assembled by the Alternative Service Workers.
The lookout on Tunnel Mountain is 90 per cent completed. It is built on trestles in order to have a viewpoint over the area. A telephone is yet to be installed connecting it to the local government office. A range finder will be installed in the lookout so the fire may be oriented from the centre point on the finder and the exact point of the danger located. A man will be stationed at this lookout during the fire hazard time and will live there during this season.
The Tunnel lookout is to protect the Bow valley and the site has been carefully chosen for its visibility which will be from Bow Lakes to Duthill, a distance of some 60 miles, and also a number of side valleys are covered by this lookout. To date the erection has taken a month and a half." (Crag & Canyon, Banff)
The lookouts are really sectional towers which are made up at the local government office under the Administration department. They are then broken down and carried to the top of the mountain where they are assembled by the Alternative Service Workers.
The lookout on Tunnel Mountain is 90 per cent completed. It is built on trestles in order to have a viewpoint over the area. A telephone is yet to be installed connecting it to the local government office. A range finder will be installed in the lookout so the fire may be oriented from the centre point on the finder and the exact point of the danger located. A man will be stationed at this lookout during the fire hazard time and will live there during this season.
The Tunnel lookout is to protect the Bow valley and the site has been carefully chosen for its visibility which will be from Bow Lakes to Duthill, a distance of some 60 miles, and also a number of side valleys are covered by this lookout. To date the erection has taken a month and a half." (Crag & Canyon, Banff)
March 17, 1952: "A 12-year-old Calgary boy was killed yesterday in a 500-foot fall from the top of Tunnel mountain, near this resort town (Banff) 85 miles west of Calgary.
Pat Demulder died in the long fall down the side of the mountain. His chum, Billy Corrigal, 10, suffered a badly gashed knee and bruises.
The boys came to Banff Sunday and climbed Tunnel mountain to see a fire lookout tower at the peak.
Billy said he and his chum walked towards the cliffed side of the mountain and began to slip in the snow.
'I grabbed a tree', Billy said, 'but Pat, who was sliding behind me, grabbed my leg and pulled me loose. I started to roll and tumble, then closed my eyes as Pat went one way and I the other.'
A search party found Pay's body at the base of the mountain." (The Ottawa Journal)