Sawback Alpine Adventures: Our staff page

Celebrating 10 years! 1995 - 2005

Sawback Staff

Sawback has a strong team of instructors who bring their own unique strengths and perspectives to our programmes. All are certified in Advanced Wilderness First Aid and have at least five years of experience in leading or teaching groups in the mountains.

ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) are available upon request and are required for certain destinations and/or activities. You will be advised of this during the booking process.

The following is a brief intro to some of the staff who work with us.

Tom Wolfe, Director

Tom gearing up for a route on Yam

Email Tom directly at

Has made Canmore, AB his home since 1993
Graduated from McMaster University's Arts and Science Programme, with a B.A.Sc. and combined honours in German Literature-Modern Languages (1994)
Graduated from the Master of Teaching Program, University of Calgary (BEd, Alberta Teacher's Certificate; 2002)
Worked as a Level 4/Senior Instructor with Outward Bound Canada, Western Operations
Certified by the Canadian Avalanche Association (Level 2 Ski Ops), the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (Ass't Ski, Alpine & Rock Guide) and the Canadian Ski Instructor's Alliance (Level 1)
ACMG member in good standing with all available insurance and permits
Moderator of the Informalex, an informal Guides' information exchange
Moderator and contributor for the Mountain Conditions Report, public information source for mountain conditions, provided by volunteer professional guides

Sawback's Programme Director Deborah Lantz is:

Deb in Outer Space

Email Deb directly at:

Certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (Hiking Guide)
Certified by the Wilderness First Aid and Safety Association British Columbia (Advanced Wilderness First Aid 80-hr ticket) and Level C CPR
Registered Nurse, University of Calgary (2002)
A graduate of McMaster University's Social Science Department with a B.A. (1998)
A senior Instructor with Outward Bound Canada, Western Operations

Folks who have worked with Sawback over the years include:

	Chad Rigby, ACMG Chad is an Assistant Alpine Guide and runs his own mountaineering company, and works with the Alpine Club of Canada and Yamnuska Inc. He has guided in North America and the Himalayas.
	Conrad Janzen, BKin., ACMG Conrad has also worked with Outward Bound, Yamnuska Inc., the Alpine Club of Canada, and as a ski guide in the winter.
	Brent Raymond, ACMG Brent has worked with NOLS and Outward Bound in the past. He is also a member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ARG), and Director of Alpine Wild.
	Bruce Hendricks, , MEd., ACMG Bruce has worked for years as an instructor at the University of Calgary's Outdoor Pursuits Programme and is an Assistant Alpine Guide (ACMG). He has just moved with his family to take up a position as a school principal in Australia (we miss him already).
	Marina Heaton, BKin. Marina is a graduate of the University of Calgary's Outdoor Pursuits programme and has worked as a paddling guide, ice climbing instructor, and hiking guide. She has worked for Summit Adventures in California as a hiking and climbing guide, and as a teacher at an orphange in India.
	Coralee Reynar, BKin. Coralee is also a graduate of the University of Calgary's Outdoor Pursuits programme, co-ordinated a pilot outdoor programme with Young Life, has worked with Outward Bound, and runs the Banff Climbing Gym at the Sally Borden centre as her main focus right now.. She is an avid ice climber and ski tourer.
	Sheila Hendricks, BPE, Teaching Cert, MA. Sheila has worked with Outward Bound, Beyond Malibu, American Alpine Institute, Summit Adventures, and others as a mountain guide and instructor over the past 25 years. She's also a mother of two boys and a part-time school teacher.
	Dave McNab, BPE, BEd. Canmore Collegiate's Outdoor Education teacher, member of four Canadian Himalayan expeditions, co-founder of the Yamnuska Mountain Shool and the "Mountain Skills Semester." Dave is also the father of two teenagers.
	Marci L. Wittman, BFA. Marci has been a rafting guide for eight years and is an avid backcountry skiier and adventure guide.
	Al Tinholt, PEng. Former co-director of Sawback Alpine Adventures and currently working as a contractor in Environment Project Management. Al still works as a lead instructor for Sawback's Teambuilding and Adult Retreat programming. Al and his wife Tracy live in Canmore with their children Jessica and Jacob.

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