Born in the southern interior of British Columbia, Steve's exposure to the grandeur of the forests, lakes and mountains began early. The son of an avid sport fisherman, family vacations were spent camping and fishing throughout the backcountry of the Monashee and Purcell Mountain ranges. He gained his first driver's licence in a Dodge 4x4 Power Wagon. As a member of four wheel drive clubs, he competed in off road competitions and other events, building sound foundations in vehicle control, driving techniques, safety and for preservation of the environment with "Tread Lightly" driving techniques. He developed superb mechanical diagnosis and practical roadside repair skills.

His Physical Geography degree from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC gave him a solid understanding of physical landscapes. He was hired to a career in mineral exploration by a major Canadian mining corporation and has traveled thousands of kms of BC's most remote backroads. Where the roads end, Steve used helicopters, fixed wing, ATVs and pack animals to continue on into Canada's most remote terrains.

His work took him to South America, supervising a fleet of 4x4 vehicles specially equipped for work in the Atacama Desert and the high Andes of Chile and Argentina. His projects took him through terrain where roads do not exist and access is possible only with sound judgement and outstanding vehicle control.

Your personal safety is assured to the highest level possible as Steve is fully versed in risk reduction and awareness as a past Risk Manager for a local ski resort. He has 25 years of first aid training and worked at the resort as the Professional Ski Patrol.

But most importantly, GeoQwest has the equipment and intellegence to keep your personal risk at a minimum (Please see our risk exposure page).

No other wilderness tour company provides to you the breadth of wilderness knowedge and travel safety you'll find with a GeoQwest Overland Safari.