Byron Harmon’s photos from the first recorded circuit of Mt. Robson, including 30 peaks and a visit to Maligne Lake, will be on display at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives beginning today, Feb. 9.

The 1911 exploration was organized by A. O. Wheeler of the Alpine Club of Canada and resulted in the first map of the Robson area. 

Harmon, the official photographer for the Alpine Club, documented the journey, which was primarily funded by the Dominion Government of Canada, the Alberta and British Columbia provincial governments and the Grand Truck Pacific Railway. 

The Dominion and provincial governments hired Wheeler to complete a topographical survey, to help in the establishment of a provincial boundary between Alberta and British Columbia. The Grand Trunk Railway helped fund the expedition out of an interest in opening up the northern section of the mountains.

For the expedition, Wheeler gathered together a group of climbers, guides, outfitters, and Harmon as his photographer. 

Along with Wheeler and Harmon were Conrad Kain, the Alpine Club’s professional guide, climbing assistant Rev. George Kinney, outfitter Donald ‘Curly’ Phillips, Phillips’ assistant Jim Harvey, and Casey Jones, the cook.

Alongside them were also four American scientists from the Smithsonian Institution: Charles Walcott Jr., Ned Hollister, J.H. Riley and H. H. Blagden. The scientists joined the expedition to collect and record information about the different mammals, birds, plants and insects native to the alpine territory.

In the 1912 Canadian Alpine Journal, Wheeler wrote about the expedition, saying, “An attempt was made to interest Canadian scientists in the expedition, but without success, so the matter was submitted to Dr. Charles Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, who collaborated most heartily and sent a party of four to join and work with the Alpine Club.”

The specimens collected by the scientists were later displayed in the institute as part of the National Museum series. 

The expedition took the men up 30 peaks ranging from an altitude of 7,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level, until a complete circuit was made around Mt. Robson. 

Although Harmon documented the entire journey, over time many of the photos and negatives were lost. The remaining photos, though, have recently been scanned, retouched and printed by Byron’s granddaughter Carole Harmon. 

There will be 13 of Harmon’s images on display at the museum until May 9. The exhibit is called The Rainbow Mountain: Byron Harmon’s 1911 Yellowhead Expedition.

There will be a reception tonight, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.