Sperry Chalet overflight shows walls still standing

An overflight of the Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park indicates that the dormitory walls are still standing, and appear to be in good condition.

Glacier National Park in partnership with the Glacier National Park Conservancy recently completed the initial fixed-wing overflight of the chalet to check on its status. The historic chalet was badly burned during the Sprague Fire on August 31, 2017.

Last fall, with the financial support of the Glacier National Park Conservancy, the park completed a stabilization effort to protect the remnant dormitory walls from snow loads and high winds expected this winter.

It appears that thus far those efforts have been successful, and that no extreme events like avalanches have occurred, a press release from the park states.

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 Park Superintendent Jeff Mow. “This information helps us significantly as we plan next steps for the chalet.”