Dave Stark has been instructing and guiding with Yamnuska since 1986. His climbing resume spans the globe with climbing and mountaineering experience on five continents. He has guided groups on high alpine peaks in Asia, South America, Antarctica and North America. As the Director of Operations at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, Dave oversees the guides and all aspects of the programming. In addition to his supervisory and training duties he still actively guides and stays current with all technical facets of Mountain Guiding. He has written curriculum and evolved programs from ideas into full scale operations. He initially directed the Mountain Skills Semester at Yamnuska for over ten years. He has coordinated mountain safety crews and rigging staff on many film projects. He helped develop the curriculum for CAC Avalanche Skills Training Courses and has been teaching avalanche awareness courses for the past thirty years. Dave’s primary focus with Yamnuska, involves education, technical training, safety systems and assessment of risk. His specialty is providing maximum benefit in programming and skills learning. Dave is an IFMGA certified international Mountain Guide and holds Level 3 certification with the Canadian Avalanche Association.
Dave has been a mentor to hundreds of guides throughout his tenure with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. He has also served on the Board and several committee’s throughout his career as a Mountain Guide. Dave is a leading expert in risk management and is more than willing to share his expertise with anyone that asks. His calm professional demeanor make him approachable to anyone in need of assistance. He has coached several guides through hard times and for many is the voice of reason when seeking help.
Dave has guided all over the word and left a lasting impression on those he has guided as well. Hundreds of clients at Yam, endless rounds with semester students, military and cadet programs has seen him actively working as a Mountain Guide for well over 30 years. Many of these people stop by to chat with Dave when they pass through town and remember their experiences with him in the mountains regardless of the time that has passed by.
In my mind there is no better person to be honored in this fashion. Dave’s continued contribution, mentor ship and passion for guiding is one that I respect and have a great amount of admiration for. It would great to see his years of service celebrated in this manner.
Congratulations Dave!
Tim, Yamnuska’s Director of Operations, was the recipient of the President’s Award. This award is presented annually to the volunteer who has, in the opinion of the ACMG President, performed the most valuable volunteer service to the ACMG. Sylvia Forest, the past ACMG president, nominated Tim for this award.
The past few years have been challenging, with numerous complex issues that required sound judgement, and a delicate approach to problem solving. Tim was my ‘go-to’ person, and was by my side, and had my back, for all of these. It is impossible to express just how much time, energy, and dedication to the well being of the ACMG that Tim invested, to ensure the sound governance, process, and positive outcomes. It was a lot.
The ACMG is incredibly lucky to have had Tim on the Board. His clarity of thinking, analytical approach, and creative solutions, has served the Board, and the ACMG, well.
Congratulations Tim!
Yamnuska is incredibly fortunate to have Dave and Tim on our team, and we couldn’t be happier to see their hard work and services rewarded.
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