Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure
On the way to Waterton there is a cabin on the right side of the road up in the foothills where supposedly a hermit used to live? I can't imagine that is still standing judging by the map. Was one of the most interesting things about going to Waterton in the summer hearing the stories.
I can't seem to find any info on who lived there but I do recall seeing an article somewhere.
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It wasn't really a hermit. The cabin belonged to Andy Russell, who was a well known outdoorsman, author, and environmentalist. He wrote several books in the 1970s including "Grizzly Country" and "Horns in the High Country" and was far ahead of his time in lobbying for conservation and environmentally sustainable practices. He dabbled in politics for a time and was a well respected voice in southern Alberta. Even received the order of Canada in 1977. And yes, I would imagine that cabin and just about everything around it is gone.
Despite the devastation in Waterton, the danger to the townsite appears to have mostly passed. The bulk of the fire is now burning in the south Castle area and is expected to move into the west Castle area in the next 24 hrs. If the wind comes up it will threaten the ski hill.
Firefighters did a hell of a job protecting the Waterton townsite. I have seen pics and heard firsthand stories from last night and it is nothing short of a miracle that they were able to hold the line. The fire came within feet of some of the houses, and basically everything west of the road (and large patches east of it) from the park gates all the way in to the townsite burned. Those guys are heroes.
