Guide the Rockies

08/07/2025

Acclimatization for climbing at altitude is the thing you do before going climbing, for better or worse. It is essential to let your body adapt to higher elevations, but the frequent headaches and long stretches in the tent can be challenging. This year, we were lucky with some good weather right when we arrived in our basecamp below the Batura Sar wall. This was a different base camp from our Ultar Sar camp, so we made a separate trip up the Mushwar Valley to slowly walk uphill, amongst some of the tallest peaks in the world (Batura I is 7,795m) and play Monopoly Deal. After waiting two days to ward off some sickness (unsuccessfully), we headed up for 8 days. This year, the snowpack was much shallower, which made for safer conditions and (mostly) good travel. Can’t get away from the trail breaking, but that just helps with the heavy breathing 😮‍💨. After two nights at 6,650m (our high point), we reversed 2,100m of elevation over 7 days in about 7 hours. The insistent talk of Usman’s pakoras (fried spicy dough snacks) was a strong motivator!! Some frisbee golf was played (check out Usman’s throw!) and then it was time to walk back to Karimabad. Until the porters came to help us return to the urban world, we had not seen anyone outside of our own team, incredible!
.ca

01/05/2025

Just one more week till the departure for Pakistan with and ! After months of prep in all its ways, we’re set to go. Perhaps surprisingly, there’s not much climbing in the first few weeks of these trips, so I’m looking forward to immersing ourselves again in the Pakistani culture, hiking into another beautiful basecamp and going mountaineering to get acclimatized. Although news of increasing Pakistan-India tensions is growing, the area we’re visiting seems safe enough to travel to, but we’re keeping a close eye.
While none of us are full-time professional climbers, the brands and individuals that support our trips are crucial. These are big trips for us, and expenses can pile up quickly. Huge thanks to for continuing to support me; for some incredible alpine climbing kit; for some delicious bars (srsly, the best!); for our hydration and protein (🇨🇦!). Big thanks to the and Cutting Edge Award for financially supporting our trip. These awards are quite unique, in that they support small, alpine style expeditions to remote regions. We’re hoping to do them proud! Thanks as well to all the brands and individuals that sponsor these awards ( and more!).
&chickenshop

08/03/2025

Though I’m proud of her every day, International Women’s Day seems like the right time to brag about my amazing wife. Whether we’re out biking, climbing or just hanging out, her energy and creativity always amazes me. Especially this last year, the work she’s put into .ca with has been incredible. After working at creative agencies for over a decade (working on campaigns for Nike, Apple and Infinity, among others), she took the brave leap to bring that high standard of design and client care to her own agency. From a home business, to an office in Canmore and taking the Bow Valley branding and marketing to the next level, these two the best! Can’t believe this is only the start of this next chapter. Couldn’t be more proud of you love 😘.

04/02/2025

Climbing is serious business, but that doesn’t mean you have to take yourself very serious! Just like The Timbits box suggests, ice climbing is “Always Fun”. Pretty memorable day bringing the Tim Bit box (on lead!) up one of my favourite grade 6 waterfalls in the range, Virtual Reality! Timbits are pretty good power-snacks: delicious, plenty of energy and perfectly proportioned to eat one at the start of each pitch! Where do you think we should take next?! Always so spectacular out there!
Great to spend the day with my new friend Ryan and Jon “Big” Rigg. I had the pleasure of meeting Jon at the very start of my outdoor climbing journey, and the friendship and stoke has only grown! We’re a long ways from those icy smears in Ontario! Thanks big guy!

04/02/2025

While I don’t do it often, making these short videos are great souvenirs of the trips we go on! This one was pretty special: great location, hut-based ice climbing and great company! Thanks Tracy Faber Paul Taylor Austin Goodine for an awesome trip! Again next year?!

Footage from our stay at the Troy Kirwin hut in beautiful British Columbia. Over our week-long stay, we climbed High 5 (WI5, 230m), Blue Lagoon (WI5, 230m), ...

10/11/2024

As the weather is cooling off, it’s time to get stoked for some ice climbing. Here’s a short video of one of our Quebec Ice Trips over the years. Get in touch if you’d like to get out ice and mixed climbing in the Canadian Rockies!

Brief edit of some of the earlier trips to Quebec. Golden ice climbing and beautiful remote locations. Good granite and good gear! Featuring f...

14/04/2024

Another great winter season up in Jasper, working with on sharing our passion for the mountains with our guests! The shoulder season is for family, wood fires, skiing with many backpacks on the ski hill (?) and portrait sessions. Enjoy the spring! Thanks for making it a great season .lisa .innamillion