Our Guides
The most important questions to ask a tour company
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- How long have the company’s guides been guiding in the specific area that you are interested in?
- Does the company specialize in one or two specific activities and one or two locations or do they try to cover the whole spectrum (spread themselves too thin)?
- Do the guides have their wilderness first aid certification and do they have training and certification in the activities that they are guiding?
- Does the company provide the clients with all the necessary safety equipment for the activities they are participating in and do they insist that clients use or wear it in accordance with regulations?
- Does the company have former clients who will provide testimonials and references?
More About Pathways
Pathways is a small, family-owned company that prides itself on it’s guiding experience and personal service. We only offer canoe expeditions and we guide them in only two areas: the Bowron Lakes and Yukon rivers. We were the first company to guide commercial canoe trips in the Bowron Lakes Provincial Park and have been guiding canoe trips there since 1973.
We have been guiding on the Yukon rivers since 1978. We take great care to make sure our guides reflect our love of the wilderness. Also, all our guides have a minimum Red Cross Wilderness First Aid, relevant Paddle Canada Certificates in both lake and moving water. We supply all the safety equipment, including PFDs (life jackets) and insist that clients wear them, properly secured, whenever they are in the canoes.
We also have many former clients who have offered to supply references and testimonials. We are the most experienced guides on the Bowron Lakes and believe our company runs the best trips. If you’d like to ask us more questions, give us a call at 236-335-2824 or e-mail pathwayscanoe@gmail.com for an information package.
Our Guides
Attila – Paddle Canada Certified Instructor
Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, Attila first discovered his love for canoeing on the Danube River. After completing his studies in Munich, Germany, where he spent much of his time trekking and hiking in the Alps, he made his way to Vancouver and fell in love with the West Coast.
Since then, Attila has guided various sightseeing, hiking, and river paddling trips across Vancouver Island, the BC Interior, the Rockies, Alaska, and the Yukon. He is passionate about sharing his love for the outdoors, particularly through the Pathways trips.
When he’s not guiding, Attila enjoys fishing and indulging in his love for food and wine, with a special fondness for open-fire cooking.
Bruce
I live in Abbotsford. I am a retired professional firefighter, having served 29 years. My hobbies are outdoor adventure by bicycle, backpack or boat, as well as physical fitness. I run a small mobile strength training business other than my work with Pathways and Ridge. I love guiding with Pathways and teaching first aid with Ridge because it combines all my passions together and I love meeting new people.
Jackie
Jackie has attended Columbia Bible College where she has received her diploma in Outdoor Leadership which has given her experience in multiple outdoor activities. This program has also equipped her with certificates in the outdoor industry and extended professional development.
In the past couple years, she has expanded her love for the outdoors and brings this into her instruction in Wilderness First Aid, and also upgrading multiple canoe certificates. In her free time, Jackie loves to stay busy either by getting outside on water or land and broadening her horizons by learning new skills.
Jackie’s driven by helping people get outside and feel confident in the wilderness, either by teaching them how to paddling or gaining new skills in first aid.
Walker
Walker (like the noun or the verb) is a Guide with Pathways and a first aid instructor here with Ridge, who grew up on Salt Spring Island, and now calls Victoria home. In what’s a case of nominative determinism (oh yeah) Walker’s favorite thing to do is move around outside – ambulate! He loves everyday plogging (look it up!) from point a to b foremost, second to hiking and endurance long-distance jogging. He’s also got a soft spot (and deep appreciation) for cold water exposure – let’s everyone go jump in an ocean, 365 days a year! Walker’s a graduate student in the University of Victoria, researching into some of the social, psychological, and institutional aspects of environmentalism. In his personal time, Walker volunteers with a local Search and Rescue team, and does a little bit of archaeology research here and there. In the future, Walker sees himself busy with research, writing, and time spent exploring (wherever this may be!). He’s passionate about learning (within himself and others), and helping to give back to the world that’s given him so much. That and chickpeas – Walker loves legumes (good for the body, good for the planet. Seriously!). Walker’s excited to see you in a course or a trip, where we can learn together, building our skills and knowledge on how to help others! Thanks for reading, and all the very best to you – Walker (N/V)