General Information
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GUIDES
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MANAGEMENT & OFFICE STAFF
| LOCATION
| HISTORY |
Our Guides
Yamnuska
Mountain Adventures is a company owned and managed by active guides.
All climbing, skiing and hiking guides are trained and certified by
the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). The ACMG is a
member country of the International Federation of Mountain Guide
Associations which is often known by its French acronym (UIAGM).
Yamnuska guides operate within the strict terrain guidelines of the
ACMG.
The
very exacting standards to which Yamnuska's guides are held should not
obscure the fact that the guides are the heart and soul of the
company. They are some of Canada's best mountaineers joined by superb
guides from other UIAGM nations. Teachers as well as leaders, they are
great mountain companions as happy to share skills and experiences as
to guide on challenging peaks. Many have been involved with the
company since its inception.
Some of this season's guides and instructors include: Steve Blagbrough, Barry Blanchard, Jason Billing, James Blench, Jeff Bullock, Todd Craig, Patrick Delaney, Jesse de Montigny, Tom Gruber, Sarah Hueniken, Sean Isaac, Paddy Jerome, Doug Latimer, Brett Lawrence, James Madden, Grant Meekins, Nick Rapaich, Jeff Relph, Simon Robins, Erica Roles, Nick Sharpe, Dave Stark, Mike Trehearne.
Management and Office Staff
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Office Manager, Sylvia
Watson |
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Director
of Operations, Dave Stark
Sylvia
graduated from our Mountain Skills Semester in 2002 and then, deciding to
relocate to Canmore from Ontario, she joined the Yamnuska team. In 2005
Sylvia was promoted to the Office Manager, overseeing the accounting and
finance and assisting with logistics and marketing projects. She is a keen
rock climber and skier and competes in many running & cycling events, having
recently taken up duathlons and triathlons. Sylvia is a certified nordic ski
instructor with the Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors. 
Reservations
and Sales, Andrew Stevens
Other Services
In addition to courses and instruction in all aspects of mountaineering Yamnuska applies its expertise to commercial projects which require the specialized safety skills possessed by guides.
Film Production: Yamnuska supplies guides to ensure safety when shooting in dangerous locations, sources stunt and photo doubles for mountain shoots and assists with location scouting.
Military Training: Yamnuska has long experience in providing tactical and adventurous training to military personnel and army cadets. This includes a contract to provide instruction and logistical support for the Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre here in the Rockies and involving multi activities for 200 cadets over a 6 week period. This is also the 14th year in which we have supplied mountaineering and rock instructors for the British Army who train in Alberta each summer. In addition to these major contracts we instruct numerous Canadian Forces groups on an ad hoc basis.
Corporate Training: Yamnuska is ideally suited to assist corporate incentive and training programs by providing the outdoor adventure components which make for exceptional experiences.
Our location
Yamnuska is based in the Rockies resort town of Canmore where it has a well equipped office with full logistical facilities including meeting rooms, gear rooms and an out trip food production room plus a guest bathroom where you can refresh before heading to the airport. Guests can leave extra luggage at our office whilst away on trips.
Canmore is 100 km west of Calgary and 20 km east of Banff and ideally located for all Rockies adventure activities. The population is around 12,000 and the town is fully geared for tourism with hotels, restaurants outdoor gear suppliers and everything else you might need.
Canmore Map
Permits
It is important that the company or individual you choose for your course or guided trip have the operating proper permits. Without these your group could be shut down.
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures holds permits for Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks. For Assiniboine, Bugaboo, and Robson Provincial Parks in British Columbia and for Bow Valley and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks in Alberta and also Kananaskis Country, also in Alberta.
Leave No Trace
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures practices Leave No Trace camping and back country living practices. Your assistance in this will be appreciated. Please visit OUR COMMUNITY to learn more about Leave No Trace.
Company History
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is the leading mountain guide company in the Canadian Rockies. In addition to mountaineering guiding and instruction we are also known for our backpacking and hiking programs.
We have been in business since 1977 and operate year round. In summer hiking, mountaineering, and rock climbing are the mainstay. Come winter and the focus switches to ice climbing, avalanche training and ski mountaineering.
"Yamnuska" is the popular name for the mountain guarding the Bow River's exit from the Rockies. This Stoney Indian word means 'flat faced mountain' and it is that 'flat face' looming above the Bow Valley that is famous for its many fine climbing routes.
The origins of Yamnuska Mountain Adventures (YMA) can be found back in the mid-seventies when a group of top young climbers including the iconoclastic John Lauchlan, decided that the Canadian Rockies needed a modern mountain school and guide service.
The idea was a hit. This was the first time that modern instructional techniques had been used on mountaineering programs in the Canadian Rockies. Up to that point guiding and instruction had followed the traditional European model. The young Canadians created quite a stir but the new approach was unstoppable and in time Yamnuska moved from brash upstart to become the modern face of Canadian mountain instruction and guiding.
The early core group included included James Blench, Barry Blanchard, Dwayne Congdon, Chris Miller, Marni Virtue and Sharon Wood. Barry and James are still involved with Yamnuska and the others have all gone on to achieve success if not fame in other endeavors. Their place has been filled over the years by new generations of outstanding guides.
From the days when they dominated Canada's Everest and Himalayan climbing in the '80s, Yamnuska's staff have always been at the fore of modern Canadian climbing. Not just excellent instructors and guides they have been responsible for many new routes here in the Rockies and abroad.
Since 1988 Yamnuska has been owned by David Begg, a New Zealand guide who recognized the potential in Yamnuska and who committed himself to continuing its tradition of excellence in instruction and guiding. Recently he has been joined by Rob Davidson who is committed to keeping Yamnuska Mountain Adventures current, relevant and to maintaining its high standards.
Yamnuska operates year round. In summer mountaineering, rock climbing and hiking are the mainstay. Come winter and the focus switches to ice climbing, avalanche training and ski mountaineering. Linking them all are the Yamnuska Mountain Skills Semesters running spring and fall.
Most programs happen in the Canadian Rockies with occasional trips to other ranges. In recent years we have led expeditions to Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Bolivia and Peru plus a ski tours in Europe and Japan. In future months we will be attempting Aconcagua and Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak plus revisiting Japan to ski the incredible powder of Hokkaido.
"Yamnuska" is the popular name for the mountain guarding the Bow River's exit from the Rockies. This Stoney Indian word means 'flat faced mountain'. It is this 'flat face' that is famous for its many challenging climbs.
