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Meet Our Instructors

Dave Wan, Program Coordinator

Dave holds a Masters Degree in Outdoor Education, and has worked professionally in the Adventure Tourism Industry in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Greenland, and the USA. Dave was the Coordinator of The Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts for 4 years directing a one year certificate program that trains students for careers as outdoor education instructors, and adventure tourism guides. Prior to that position, Dave spent 5 years as Director of the Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training Centre (COLT) in British Columbia, an intensive 100 day guide training program with a focus on technical skills and leadership.

Twenty years of whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, mountaineering, and back country ski expeditions have taken him throughout North America, the Himalayas, the Karakorum, and other parts of the world. You will appreciate his warmth and humor.

Peter Oxtoby, Backpacking Guide/Instructor

Peter started in the Adventure Tourism industry in 1984, guiding on Great Bear Lake, NWT. Originally trained as a wildlife biologist, Peter is a professional teacher and is certified as a Backpacking Guide and Climbing Gym instructor. Peter has guided in Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, and extensively in the Northern Territories. He is former a Inspector of Wilderness Programs for the BC Attorney General and is a Course Leader and Examiner for the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, ACMG. Peter currently lives in Golden, BC.

James Gudjonson, Mountain Guide/Instructor

Jim was born and raised in Golden and has spent most of his life exploring the mountains on skis and by foot. Jim has been skiing for over 30 years and climbing for almost 20 years. He works as UIAGM guide, working in all aspects of guiding (skiing, mountaineering, rock and ice climbing). He enjoys sharing his passion for the mountains through guiding and instruction. His love of the mountains has led him to explore overseas in Asia, South America and Europe. He has extensive local knowledge of the Golden area and is also a part owner of a backcountry ski lodge (Icefall Lodge).

Todd Craig, Rock Climbing and Ski Touring Guide/Instructor

Todd Craig has been ACMG, IFMGA mountain guide since 1998. He has guided and taught in the outdoor field extensively for the last 20 years. His work now focuses on ice climbing, rock climbing, ski touring and mountaineering, although he has considerable experience in whitewater kayaking and rafting. Todd is an instructor/examiner/coach on the ACMG guides courses and exams. When he is not working for COTR, he runs a successful private guiding operation with clients from all over the world. Todd has been working with the college for 4 years and has worked on all the mountain programs. He enjoys sharing his experience and skills with his students.

Rich Marshall, Ice Climbing Guide/Instructor

Rich is an ACMG/UIAGM mountain guide member since 1986. Rich grew up in Golden BC. He guides year round in all facets of the mountain industry. Rich is dedicated to the education of backcountry users for their own personal safety and development through a positive learning environment. Rich has 10 years of college and university outdoor program instructor experience. He is an ACMG course Coordinator and Examiner.

Laura Shaw, Head Business and Canoe Instructor

Laura completed her B.Ed at U.B.C. in 2003 and now holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Education and Communications through RoyalRoadsUniversity.

As a new member of the COTR team, Laura brings her experience working as a guide, outdoor educator, curriculum developer and high school teacher to the college. 

Born in Ontario, she spent many summers paddling in AlgonquinPark and Temagami.  In 2000, she embarked on a 5.5 month canoe expedition across Canada to raise awareness of the landscape and people of Canada’s Boreal forest.  She and her three paddling partners paddled from SmoothstoneLake in north central Saskatchewan to Ottawa. Laura also worked at Strathcona Park lodge and many other outdoor education centers and schools in B.C. and Ontario.

Gideon completed a geology program at Cambrian College (now the Sault College) in Ontario.  He worked professionally for four years as a field geophysicist and topographic surveyor in various parts of Canada.  He then completed an archaeology program at the University of Calgary.  After working in archaeology for several years, Gideon returned to the field of geology, and worked with the Geological Survey of Canada for eight years.  While with the Geological Survey he participated in two field expeditions, one to the high arctic, and one to the Rocky Mountains on the northern edge of JasperPark.  Gideon has participated in archaeological projects throughout Alberta and in the Northwest Territories.  During trips to Mexico he has also extensively photographed some 25 Mesoamerican archaeological ruins.  Gideon moved to Golden in 1990, and began teaching with College of the Rockies in 1991.  An earth sciences background, along with field work, and many years experience hiking, mountain climbing, ski-touring, and canoeing have given Gideon a wide knowledge of the natural environment.  Over the years he has also worked as a professional ski patroller, and has acquired expertise in computer spreadsheet and database design.

Glen Reisenhofer, Backpacking Guide/Instructor

Glenn Reisenhofer has been climbing, hiking, skiing and backpacking all over North America since 1982. However, his favourite place to play is in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains of Canada. Somehow, Glenn managed to find the time to finish a science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Calgary. The lure of the mountains changed his direction and prevented Glenn from getting stuck in a laboratory. He started guiding officially in 2004. Glenn received his backpacking certification in 2005 from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. He also went on to become a professional interpreter with the Banff based Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association.

Glenn is a freelance photographer and writer with 36 published articles and various published photographs. Glenn is often found at the crags or in the great outdoors with his partner Colleen and daughter Elsa.

Ian Foss, SAR Manager and Peak OEC First Aid Instructor

Ian Foss is a Golden and District Search And Restucue Manager as well as a Peak Emergency Response Training First Aid Instructor. Ian has lived in Golden for 17 years and is very active within the community and enjoys Mountain Biking, Rafting, Skiing & Snowboarding, traveling and Rescue work.

Paul Harwood, Whitewater Kayaking Instructor/Avalanche Skills Instructor

Paul grew up on the Ottawa River, but has called Golden home for the last 12 years. He has been working in the whitewater industry for the past 18 years, both in kayak and as a raft guide. Work and paddling have taken him to rivers throughout North America, and abroad to Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal. Paul currently spends his summers operating jet boat tours on the Columbia River near Golden. In the winter he has spent the last eight seasons working on the Ski Patrol/Avalanche forecasting team at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Paul is a professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and is currently enrolled in the ACMG ski guide program.

Mike Farris, Professional Expedition Guide/Instructor

Mike Farris is a professional expedition guide with a degree in political science and outdoor education. Over the past decade, Mike has been guiding on the Canadian west coast. Mike joined us in 2005 guiding trips to Greenland, Ellesmere, Queen Charlotte islands and East Arm Great Slave Lake. Mike provides a safe, secure and fun environment for guests to learn about the wilderness in which they travel.

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