Growing up in Ontario and attending Camp Pathfinder in Algonquin Park, I learned early the tremendous power of being outside. I learned how wonderful life could be on an expedition—the peacefulness of the routine. I learned about the bond with those whom we share these adventures with. I spent ten summers travelling around, sharing these joys with my fellow campers, and then later, as a counsellor, I learned the value of sharing those experiences with others.

My family moved to British Columbia when I was thirteen, and although we travelled back to Ontario every summer, I found myself getting caught up in the whirlwind of modern life. I bounced around between different schools and jobs but never found what I was looking for. Then, on a ski trip up to Mt. Cain, I was introduced to backcountry skiing, and the flame was re-ignited. The day I got back, I looked around and found the Adventure Studies program at Thompson Rivers University, and I haven’t looked back. Nothing is better for me than sharing the Joy of being outside with others.

This off-season, I’m travelling around BC, teaching first aid and avalanche rescue courses while trying to spend as much time as possible with the people I love in the mountains I, so fortunately, get to call my home.