MRM, B.A. (Hons)
ADVENTURE & EXPLORATION
I was born and raised in the isolated far North of Canada's Yukon Territory where I learned how to enjoy the rugged wilderness while planning ahead and staying safe - which in bear territory requires some work! I have experience hiking, canoeing, kayaking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, backcountry camping, fishing, and many other ways to have fun in the woods. I have also learned the accompanying safety skills such as emergency first aid, CPR-C, emergency shelter building, basic search and rescue techniques, avalanche prediction and response, crisis management, and life-guarding.
I have also had a couple of very adventurous jobs which you can learn more about below!
POLAR EXPEDITION GUIDE
Hurtigruten Expeditions
As an Expedidtion Team member, adventure is always on the menu! As a team we are responsible for the safety and experience of guests in rugged Polar environments. We prepare landing gear, drive zodiacs, secure landings, educate guests, and share our enthusiasm with everybody.
I also do formal risk assessments, lead scientific sampling, and snap a few photos when possible! See some photos of Antarctica, the Fjords of Chile, Alaska, and the Northwest Passage below!
ADVENTURE GUIDING & AURORA HUNTING
With Wandering Owl Tours in Tromsø Norway
Certainly the most fun job I've had to date! I lead snowshoe and hiking tours during day and night, took groups out Aurora hunting, and taught night photography work shops. My responsibilities included detailed weather analysis to find the best conditions within a maximum range of 4.5 hrs of driving. I provided safety briefings, warm clothing, and background information on the site and plan. Aurora hunting often required digging out a massive snow pit, starting and maintaining a fire, helping guests set up their cameras, using my own camera to document the evening, and entertaining groups of 8-15 people from countries all over the world.
My tours often included temperatures down to -30ºC, waist high snow, long periods of waiting, and supporting a diversity of people having completely new experiences. The challenge and the variety of situations faced in the great outdoors was a huge part of what made this job so fun!
SCUBA
PADI Divemaster, NAUI Rescue Diver, Emergency First Responder Instructor, Marine Ecology Fanatic
Since completing my PADI Divemaster in 2011 (at the wee age of 18) I have continued to dive professionally and recreationally all around the world, amassing >400 dives. I have worked in Utila, Honduras, Sackville, Atlantic Canada, and Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. During this time I have worked with Queen Conch conservation in Honduras, assessed coral bleaching patterns on brain corals (Diploria sp.) in Bonaire, and assisted with coral farming and artificial reef development in Indonesia.
As a recreational diver I have explored abandoned submerged whaling stations in the Westfjords of Iceland, been fjord diving in Northern Norway under the Northern Lights, and basked in the glory of reef ecosystems in South East Asia, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and North Pacific.
SAILING
Iceland & Greenland
I worked as the only cook and provisioner for a 32 m Dutch tall-ship sailing around Northern Iceland and Eastern Greenland. I was responsible for the meal planning, shopping, cooking, serving, cleaning, and supply rationing for groups of 12-17 (guests and crew) on 18 to 22 day voyages to extremely remote locations. I was the primary crew member below deck and spent a lot of time engaging with guests, sharing my experiences of the high North, and acting as the resident environmental scientist. My days were often 12-14 hrs long with rare opportunities for breaks, and I worked without a day of rest for almost 50 days - but you should see the photos!
HIKING & BACKCOUNTRY
Experienced planning and leading hiking and backcountry adventures with tourists and friends
I am an avid outdoors-woman that was raised in Canada's Yukon Territory to be able to start a life sustaining fire in under 5 minutes, hunt and gather from the surrounding environment, and find joy in even the most terrible weather. I am happiest sharing and learning about the great outdoors with great people in both a professional and personal context.
Back country safety and ethical environmental practices are always of the utmost importance. I am a trained Emergency First Responder Instructor (PADI), an Instructor for the Royal Canadian Life Saving Service, and have taken courses in Avalanche safety, Crisis Intervention, Risk Assessment, and back country survival for the Boreal forest.
Please view the gallery below to see photos of some of my experiences!