Sperry Chalet damaged by avalanche
Chris Peterson For Pilot | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 11 months AGO
An avalanche has damaged Glacier National Park’s Sperry Chalet, according to Park spokeswoman Ellen Blickhan.
Blickhan confirmed the structure was damaged, but as of Friday, Park officials had yet to inspect the chalet, which is still under significant amounts of snow. A visitor reported the avalanche damaged the south end of the hotel, she said.
“We know there is damage,” Blickhan said. “We’re not sure how much.”
Sperry Chalet is perched just below Lincoln, Gunsight and Edwards mountains. The chalet sees hundreds of inches of snow each year.
Blickhan said the Park won’t send any personnel to check out the chalet until the avalanche danger subsides. It’s not known when the avalanche hit the chalet.
The chalet was built in 1913 and is accessible by trail about 6.7 miles and 3,300 feet up from Lake McDonald Lodge. It’s operated under contract with the National Park Service by Belton Chalets Inc.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
ARTICLES BY CHRIS PETERSON FOR PILOT
XC standout to run from Lakeside to Glacier
Flathead High School cross-country runner Zach Perrin will run from his home in Lakeside to the west entrance of Glacier National Park this Saturday, Dec. 17. Perrin will take on the 50-mile run to raise money for Jamie Founds. The 11-year-old girl from Marion has leukemia, and her family has no health insurance, Perrin said.
Breast cancer survivor urges women to be proactive
Last spring, Dawn Platke noticed a lump in her chest. She thought she’d pulled a muscle, but just to be sure she went to the doctor and had a mammogram.
Backcountry areas get avalanche beacon check stations
Three people died in avalanches last winter on the Glacier View-Hungry Horse Ranger District. The Forest Service, in partnership with the Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol, is hoping to change that.