STAFF

Dale Douglas, Operation Manager / Pilot

Dale has been successfully operating aircrafts under an Airline Transport Rating (the highest commercial license available) since 1985.  He has experience working for one of Canada's highly regarded corporate flight operations and has experience on a variety of aircraft, from flying boats to corporate jets, including:

• The Grumman Goose
• Beechcraft King Air 300
• Dehavilland Twin Otter
• Hawker Sidney 125-700R
• Dehavilland Beaver

Dale is also an avid outdoorsman; he has been involved with mountain biking since 1981.  He competed professionally and spent time coaching for the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association, before retiring after winning the Canadian Nationals in 1998, in the Veteran Expert-Cross Country Category.

Presently, Dale is using his capacity as owner of Tyax Air Service to share his knowledge of the backcountry of British Columbia with travelers and explorers from all corners of the globe.

Certifications and experience includes:

• Airline Transport Rated Commercial Pilot
• Former Canadian National MTB Champion
• Diploma in Business Management, Capilano College (Dean's List)
• Certified Level 1 Mountain Bike Coach
• Helped develop the Mountain Bike Coaching Certification program in Canada

Erin Heintzman - Guide

As a fully certified heli-ski guide Erin gets to ski first down the mountain all winter long. Bike guiding satisfies her urge to be first all summer long.  Erin moved to Gun Lake three years ago to secretly stalk a guy named Ian.  She finally got him and now spends her time exploring and creating new adventures in this amazing area.  When not guiding she spends her time wrestling Grizzly Bears.

Certifications and experience includes:

• Outdoor Emergency Care Certification
• Canadian Ski Guide Association - Level 3
• Canadian Avalanche Association - Avalanche Skill Training Level 2
• Canadian Ski Guide Summer Glacier Assistant Instructor
• Canadian Ski Patrol First Aid
• Certified Belayer
• Former Professional Mountain Bike Racer

Ian Tierney - Guide

Originally from Kingston, Ontario, Ian got tired of riding below sea level and made his way out west to Whistler, BC.  After honing his skills in Whistler for many years and spending too many weekends in a tent in the Chilcotin Mountains he made the move to Gun Lake three years ago.  A heli-ski guide in the winter, Ian spends the other 7 months exploring new routes looking for sweet single track for your riding pleasure.  Ian is very mechanically inclined but still won't stop to ask for directions.

Certifications and experience includes:

• Outdoor Emergency Care Certification
• Canadian Avalanche Association - Avalanche Skill Training Level 1
• Canadian Ski Guide Association - Level 1
• Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance - Level 1
• Former Elite Mountain Bike Racer

Cliff Umpleby - Guide

Cliff is the newest member of Tyax Air's mountain bike guide team. Born and raised in Scotland, Cliff immigrated to Canada in 1982 and has worked with TLH Heliskiing since 1998. Prior to that he was employed by the British Army and trained troops in ski mountaineering. Cliff has taken part in several ski expeditions in northern Canada and has the claim to fame of going thirteen days without food.

Pat Andsel - Guide

Always an avid outdoorsman, Pat earned a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Brock University in 1991, stopped cutting his hair and headed west looking for adventure.  In 1995, Pat established Gravity Fed Adventures Ltd. and began guiding heli-biking descents in the Lillooet area as well as backcountry mountain biking tours in the South Chilcotin Mountains.  Eleven years later, Pat is still riding hard and living full-time in the Chilcotin Mountains.  In the off season, when he is not riding, Pat works for the BC Ambulance Service and pounds nails except, of course, on powder days!

Certifications and experience includes:

• Wilderness First Aid and CPR
• Occupational First Aid Level 3, 1st Aid Attendant
• Part-time Ambulance Attendant
• Expert mountain bike maintenance skills

Geoff Playfair - Guide

Geoff is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable residents of the Goldbridge area! Geoff's zest for life and adventure is evident upon first meeting him.  His love for the mountains and mountain biking has led him to re-establish several old cattle and mining trails in the Chilcotins, which he is proud to share with anyone who will come along for the ride.  As an Assistant Fire Chief in Whistler and avid cyclist for more than 25 years, Geoff's priority is safety, followed closely second by fun!  You'll certainly be in capable hands on one of Geoff's tours of the Chilcotins.

Certifications and experience includes:

• Wilderness Outdoor Emergency Care First Aid Attendant
• Emergency Medical Attendant (1st Responder Level 3)
• Canadian Red Cross CPR Level C
• Experience working with Search & Rescue
• NFPA Incident Safety Officer Certificate
• ROCO Hi-Angle Rope Rescue Instructor
• IRIA Swiftwater Rescue Technician
• More than 20 years experience in wildfire prevention and suppression
• Expert mountain bike maintenance skills