Sperry chalet still standing

So far, so good for the remains of the Sperry Chalet.

Glacier National Park in partnership with the Glacier National Park Conservancy recently completed an initial fixed-wing overflight of the Sperry Chalet dormitory building to check on its status.

The chalet was gutted by the Sprague Fire on Aug. 31. All that remains are the stone walls of the historic backcountry hotel. Last fall, with the financial support of the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Park carpenters completed a significant stabilization effort to protect the remnant dormitory walls from snow loads and high winds expected this winter.

It appears that so far, those efforts have been successful, and that no extreme events like avalanches have occurred.

But there’s still at least two months of winter in Glacier’s high country. The Park has received funding through the Conservancy to complete two more flights, planned for March and April. Those flights will be scheduled when weather conditions allow.

“We are very pleased to see that the dormitory walls are standing,” said Glacier Superintendent Jeff Mow. “This information helps us significantly as we plan next steps for the chalet.”

The flight was made possible by donations to the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

An investigation into the loss of the chalet started shortly after the chalet burned down. A final report on that investigation has not been released.

Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke said he’s committed to rebuilding the chalet and Montana’s congressional delegation have said they support rebuilding it as well.

But the chalet has to make it through the winter or the plans may be for naught.