Harry Horstman of Mount Sproatt

When I first read The Mysterious Harry Hortsman I was immediately drawn to this so-called “illusive” character who mined and otherwise occupied the area nearly a hundred years ago.

On a warm sunny October afternoon I set out to summit Sproatt. I took one of the easier bush whacking routes next to Sproatt Creek up around back just in time to snap a couple pics and return for supper. Simply stunning looking back across Whistler valley into Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Whistler_from_Sproatt

On the way down I decided to take a straighter shot avoiding some of the larger hazards such as cliffs and avalanche shoots overgrown with near-impassable alder trees. I have hiked every inch of Sproatt in the past 20 years, or so I thought. On cutting across the hill I walked over and barely noticed a site of an old cabin. Reduced to a level dirt floor with an outline of decaying logs, the site had bits of single plate glass and other debris.

Harry_Hortman_Cabin

After some closer inspection I uncovered an old frying pan that felt a bit spooky considering it’s mention in Harry Hortsman’s story.

Harry_Hortman_Frying_Pan

This site seems to be a bit lower in elevation than the reported cabin Harry Hortsman had at the 5300 foot level, which I still have yet to find.

Was this another cabin of Harry’s or possibly the residence of another miner or illusive character of years past?

Selfie_from_Sproatt

It’s getting dark and colder quickly. My thoughts are of all the mysterious people that have roamed these woods.

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