Guides Gossip

Les Parsons

(May) I have had a great winter! I was lucky to spend 2 months in Europe where I got to be a guest coach for the Polish Cross Country Ski Team. In February, I was coaching for Canada in the World Junior Championships in Italy. Then in March, I was a guest coach at the Norway Ski Club. And even in May, thanks to a great snow fall in Quebec, I am still skiing up a storm! Looking forward to swapping some stories with some old faces and sharing a few with some new faces on the river this season!

(Sept) As of September 1, I have made a difficult decision to leave "la belle province" of Quebec, and, return to live & work in Alberta, so that I can be closer to my parents who are almost 80 years young. I have accepted the job as the Head Coach of the Edmonton Nordic Cross Country Ski Team. The most difficult regret of this decision was to say "au revoir" to his young elite athletes & the great xc ski community in Quebec, and, to leave behind his Parti Vert Green Party leadership team.

Haley Elzen

I got to spend the past winter dog sledding for Uncommon Journeys in lovely Whitehorse, Yukon. I am happy to report that (if nothing else) I learned everything to do with dog poo and survived epic nights in -50˚C!

After a fantastic summer on the River, I am working with Neil and Christine in the office and warehouse over the winter and looking forward to another great summer season!

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Tyler Dinsdale

2008 was an amazing summer for me, I was part of a team of seven who raced the, "Yukon River Quest" from Whitehorse to Dawson City in a voyageur canoe, and I also guided my first trip down the Firth River. It was great to see rivers I had not been down before, and to travel to different northern towns and cities. There were too many highlights this summer to list. My winter plans are quite a bit different from previous years, this will be the the first time in a long time that I will be spending a whole winter in Canada, that means six months or more out of a raft, I'm not sure how well that will treat me. I will be taking the Priamary Care Paramedic program and the Justice Institute of BC this winter and should emerge early next year as a licensed paramedic. A big part of me is missing overseas travel, and rafting, be it commercially or with friends, but I am looking forward to taking this winter off the water to learn some new skills, and also play in the snow.

Travis Finlayson

First and foremost, I am pleased to announce the new member of our family – a new baby boy aptly named, River Tra Finlayson, weighing 8 lbs, 10 oz. As well, my wife and I finally finished building our new home the end of last summer (yes built). And I spent the year at Lakeland College teaching Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Education. Can’t wait for another excellent season!

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Alana Martinson

This year I worked for the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus as an assistant to the Outdoor Education Program. There I coordinated and led the spring outdoor program for the university. I also spent some time working at a fitness centre. It wasn’t all work though! I went on a two week dog sled expedition in the North and came back with more great outdoor knowledge!

Chris Ford

Chris is off on his honeymoon with Alison in the Grand Canyon! Congratulations to both of them!

Kevin Brigadyr

I just moved to Vermillion, Alberta this past year and have had the pleasure of teaching at the same college as Travis (yes, we get to spend everyday together!). I spend my free time cross country skiing on the trails of Vermillion Park, with my son Jackson in tow. My daughter, Zoe, is already getting ready to go to Kindergarten in the fall. My kids are growing up fast!

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Alan Christie

I graduated from college in Thunder Bay where I completed the Paramedic Program. I was lucky enough to get a full-time position in Hamilton in August. I had a nice trip back home to Scotland in January/February to catch up with family and friends. I made a second attempt at Ben Nevis and failed due to seasonal horizontal rain! I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Queen Charlottes in May. Unfortunately I won’t make it up North to guide this year.

Lara Fenton

I started my PHD of Physical Education and Recreation & Leisure last September. I have been doing some Outdoor Education teaching among studying time! I will be running the Banff Jasper Relay in June, so I will be busy training in between rivers!

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Mike Neville

This year, I graduated with my Bachelor of Tourism Management Degree (yes they have those now!). In my spare time I love to go white water kayaking and spending time with my new girlfriend. I’m looking forward to getting back to one of the best places on Earth: The Tatshenshini River!

Liz Demers

I am teaching Outdoor Education at Augustana. Lucky me - I get to hike, paddle, climb, and ski for the rest of the year!

Maya March

Maya is currently working at McMaster University, co-coordinating the Outdoor Recreation Program. This fall she will backpack in the Adirondacks, canoe Algonquin, Killarney and the Madawaska River and explore the California Redwoods. Most of all, she is looking forward to another summer up north in 2009.

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Jock Richardson

I spent the winter doing avalanche forecasting in BC – something I have always wanted to do. The family is doing well; in the spring we went rafting on the San Juan River, USA and we are already planning another rafting excursion in the fall!

Doug Reese

I have been teaching at the Fire Fighter Academy for the last year. My son, David, married a lovely woman named Becca Hamilton at New Years. My wife and I backpacked in Central Mexico with Sophie Borceman and Doug Kirk in March. And, on top of all that, I was able to enjoy a great season of back country skiing!

Selena

After being blessed with a full summer on the Nahanni, sharing its wild and flowing pace, here I am now living in Victoria, BC. Fully diving back into school in Environmental Studies, dusting off the algebra formulas! Stimulations and inspirations are at the rendez-vous for this fall. And I will catch some backcountry skiing around Golden, BC for this winter. When things get to crazy, I close my eyes and travel to a stellar morning in first canyon...

Cheers, and enjoy every moment!

Selena

Chloe Steepe

Since graduating with my Bachelor of Outdoor Experiential Education in the Spring of '07, I have spent very little time in a classroom!

Instead, I have been guiding, working, travelling and otherwise spending as much time as possible outside. This winter found me cycle touring around New Zealand and travelling by camper van around Australia. While away, I began blogging about my travels, adventures and mis-adventures with Type 1 diabetes. Inspired by the lack of resources and support for young, active adults living with Type 1 diabetes, I am in the process of starting Connected in Motion - an organization that I hope will build foundations for a network of young adults living with diabetes who are pushing boundaries and eliminating barriers through outdoor pursuits. Check it out at www.connectedinmotion.com

Trish Duncan, Royce Casford and Cohen Casford.

We truly missed not being on the rivers this summer but a new adventure began...Cohen Riley Casford was born on Aug. 18th a small clone of his father. We're pretty sure he will be a water baby and can't wait to get him his first lifejacket. We are currently living on the Cheakamus river near Squamish, B.C.

Lara Fenton

I am currently in my second year of a Phd in Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure. Three more to go!!!

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Jeff Siddle

(Spring 08) I spent a short stint in Camrose working with the lovely Alana Martinson, followed by a glorious trip down the Colorado River. I returned home to enjoy Christmas with family – who are all well! I rounded off the season working at an amazing little sporting goods shop in Edmonton where I awaited this upcoming season with baited breath.

(Fall 08) This season was one for the books and I want to thank all the amazing people that made it so special, you know who you are! It seems I have returned back down south to a land where everyone is getting married or having babies!!! AHHHH! What is the world coming to! I can assure you all I will do my best to not get caught in the trend. This winter is somewhat of a mystery to me thus far, but what I can promise is that there are lots of turns to be made and so keep an eye open for me at your local mountain! Here's to the snow gods, may they smile upon us this winter!

Rob Warburton

While currently surveying in the high Arctic I am looking forward to returning to school in January for my Emergency Medical Technician. The idea of spending the coldest arctic months inside a classroom seems very appealing. Thank you to all for an amazing experience last summer and I look forward to sharing a boat with you all again sometime soon.

Tyler Garnham

Meg and I are super happy to introduce: Keaton John Garnham , 8 pounds 10 ounces, born at 6:19 am Sept. 29, 2008.

Hope you are all well.

Cheers,

Ty, Meg ,Keaton and Kosi.

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