“Of all the logistics and planning that go into an expedition, a groups’ emergency kits can sometimes be the difference between a complete or incomplete expedition” On the river, in addition to first-aid kits, repair kits, Personal Locators and so forth, every expedition should bring a pin-kit that is in good working order. READ MORE
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Growing up, Chris often went on adventures in the neighbouring river valley where he would see a variety of wild life. It be years later that Chris would hone his love of nature and the outdoors into a pursuits and education program only offered within Western Canada at Saint John’s School of Alberta. This is where he first met Tyler Williamson and James Gillese, both were ‘Old Boys’ whose knowledge and skill of the outdoors was second nature. Saint Johns introduced Chris to the concepts and the requirements (education, training and logistics) involved in expeditions of various length. It was at that school where he paddled over 2200 km, hiked nearly 300 km in Nordegg snowshoed almost 400 km, got hypothermia twice (my fault), portaged nearly 70 times (58 on his first trip alone). For his achievements at Saint John’s Chris was able to receive the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Standard award presented by HRH Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh in Winnipeg, Manitoba (2003) .
Since then Chris formed the Canoe Guys which has done several river trips, lake trips and a led a expedition from Edmonton To York Factory, Hudson Bay Manitoba, falling short by 325km of the destination for a total of 2125 km (87 days). Chris adventures have also taking him to Europe and 14 great countries within it. The itch for outdoor adventures hit·and Chris·spent a short time in the highlands of Scotland climbing the tallest peak, Ben Nevis, in the United Kingdom and exploring the outdoor capital of the UK, Fort William
Chris has also been to China where he hiked a lengthy portion of the Great Wall. A few years back Chris partook in a month and half long road trip to la belle province Quebec where he had·an unplanned·extended stay in the fantastic outdoor community of Sept-iles. Aside from adventures and the outdoors Chris has a Degree in Both History and Political Economy with a certificate in Globalization and Governance awarded by the University of Alberta. His interest in history is predominately Western Canadian and he hopes to combine his research and canoeing for a historical project upon entrance of grad school in 2011.
To date Chris has paddled in 4 provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) and two States (Montana and Idaho). Systems canoed from the Kootenays to the Hayes and many more inbetween. He hopes to add the territories in the not so distant future. “If you have ever wanted an incredible experience then I suggest you explore/canoe the world’s greatest backyard, Canada.” Chris Petrie
Tyler Williamson, HDN
Tyler Williamson was born in Calgary, Alberta on October 25, 1983. Growing up he never did express much interest in any sort of outdoor activity until he found himself attending a boarding school·outside of Edmonton, Alberta. The school opened his appreciation for the great outdoors through the ample out trips that were part of the vigorous outdoors program. Through just this program alone, Tyler has paddled over 5,000 km, snowshoed over 800 km, and dog sledded over 500 km.·
During the beginning of his fourth year of attendance at the boarding school is when his path crossed with the auspicious character, Chris Petrie, the spearhead for Canoe Guys. Since after the boarding school experience, in 2005, Tyler’s curiosity and love for the outdoors lead him to pursue an Adventure Guide Diploma through Thompson Rivers University.
The program expanded his hard skills and created a foundation for his budding awareness for sustainable thinking in respects to the dynamic environment upon which we depend. Through the Diploma Tyler helped plan and execute paddling expeditions throughout British Columbia, the United States, and Tibet, China. Currently he is continuing his studies in the field of Tourism Management with a minor in Psychology. For the past five paddling seasons, beginning in 2005, Tyler has been working as a raft guide on the Fraser River one hour west of Jasper, Alberta.
Tyler is also a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Standard award recipient in which he received his award the same time as Chris.
Tyler has showed uber enthusiasm for the upcoming expedition season of content gathering.
James Gillese BTM, HDN
James was born in Edmonton and grew up camping and hiking with his family in the mountains of Alberta. He also attended Saint John’s School of Alberta, meetingTyler in the fall of ’96 and Chris in the fall of ’98. It was during this time that James discovered his passion for the outdoors. He didn’t know it at the time but the skills for an effective guiding career were being formed during those years. Up until he left the school, as a student James had paddled well over 3,000 km, snowshoed over 700 km, and dog sledded over 400 km. James then returned to the school to help with the June trips for four years in a row, accumulating another 2,000 km.
In 2005, after returning from a snowboarding trip in Europe, James enrolled in the Adventure Guide Diploma at Thompson Rivers Universityand began the program that fall. Once complete he then transferred to the Tourism Faculty and was awarded a Bachelor of Tourism Management with a major in “Adventure” and a minor in Marketing in June 2010. When school was not in session James would be in a mountain town guiding a section of river. In 2006 he was a canoe guide on the Athabasca River between Hinton and Whitecourt, in 2007 he was in Canmore rafting on sections of the Bow River (Horseshoe Canyon Class and float trip), and the Kananaskis River. James then spent 2 summers rafting in Jasper on the Sunwapta River.
James has explored the rivers of Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, and the Yukon. Many of those trips were 3-4 weeks in length. In addition to this, he has run rivers in the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica. James is also a Wilderness First Responder, and a Swiftwater Rescue Specialist. It is with great anticipation and excitement that James brings his enthusiasm for expeditions to the Canoe Guys and their upcoming seasons.
Mystery
Pending successful completion of training and education the apprentice will then embark on 700km canoe expedition. Successful completion of the 'short' expedition gains approval to be a voyageur. As a voyageur, the individual will help determine routes to be paddled and the other necessary planning involved.
