CANADIAN ROCKIES ESCAPES
Nordegg & Abraham Lake Adventures
Meet the Team
Brett Pawlyk
Co-owner & Head Guide
Born and raised in Edmonton, Brett grew up in a family that embraced adventure and travel, igniting his lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. After completing university, he relocated to the Rocky Mountains, beginning a rewarding career in guiding that has spanned over two decades.
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Brett has led expeditions on wild rivers throughout Canada and the US, co-founded an outdoor education program for high school students, and established a forest school for youth. His extensive travels across North and South America and Asia have enriched his understanding of diverse landscapes and cultures.
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Brett feels most at home in Nordegg, which he proudly considers his favourite place for both work and play in the great outdoors. Drawing on his teaching background and experience in training future outdoor leaders, he transforms his tours into immersive learning experiences that foster a genuine connection with nature. With his unique blend of knowledge, skill, and passion, every journey with Brett offers an opportunity to deeply appreciate and engage with the natural world.
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Certifications:
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Wilderness First Responder
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Wilderness First Aid Instructor
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OCC Field Leader Instructor - Hiking, Paddling, Winter and Overnight
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Paddle Canada Advanced Lake Canoe Instructor Trainer;
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Paddle Canada Advanced Moving Water Canoe Instructor Trainer
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Paddle Canada Camping Leadership Instructor Trainer
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Swiftwater Rescue Technician
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Alberta Education Certified Teacher
Annabelle Oung
Co-owner & Administrative Director
Annabelle excels at working in the shadows, and feels right at home doing the background work to ensure the smooth operation of Canadian Rockies Escapes! Originally from France, she didn’t grow up 'outdoorsy'. Her love for the mountains began during a year working in Scotland, and later deepened when she moved to Alberta for a nine-month French teaching job. That temporary move turned into a lasting love affair with the Rockies, and she has called the Nordegg and Abraham Lake region home for the past 16 years. Alongside her work at Canadian Rockies Escapes, Annabelle is also a translator.
Her passion for the mountains has led her to explore some of the world's most stunning ranges, with the Nepal Himalayas and Patagonian Andes holding a special place in her heart. Here in the Canadian Rockies, she spends her time off hiking, backpacking, trail running, or biking. If you stay in Nordegg long enough, you will likely catch her chasing her daughter on her bike—make sure to say hello!
Nadine Potts
Guide
With a degree in Adventure-Based Counseling, Nadine has spent her entire life immersed in outdoor adventures! Passionate about sharing her love for climbing, paddling, hiking, and biking, she has built a decade-long career helping others create memorable experiences in nature. Through classes, camps, schools, and corporate groups, Nadine has guided countless individuals in discovering their confidence and skills outdoors. When she’s not empowering others to explore, you can find her around a campfire, enjoying music, or knitting. She's also been involved in some of the awesome trail building happening in the area through the Nordegg Trail Society.
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Nadine holds a Wilderness First Aid certification, is a certified Hiking Field Leader through the Outdoor Council of Canada, and a Paddle Canada Waterfront and Lake Canoe Instructor.
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Ken Larlee
Guide
Ken has over 40 years of experience in the mountains including hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, mountain biking, skiing and kayaking.
Ken retired from his long career as a Chemical Engineer, settled in Nordegg and has spent considerable time exploring the area. For his skills in leading mountaineering trips and organizing camps he was awarded the Silver Rope (award for Leadership) by the Alpine Club of Canada. Ken is Wilderness First Aid certified, and is a Hiking Field Leader through the Outdoor Council of Canada
He has joined Canadian Rockies Escapes in the hopes that he can share his enjoyment of the mountains with others.
Stu Weidenhamer
Guide
With a deep love for the outdoors, Stu is an avid hiker and adventurer who's explored some of the most iconic trails around the world. His hiking resume includes the Dolomite Mountains in Northern Italy, the Freycinet Trail in Southern Tasmania, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the West Coast Trail in British Columbia, the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park, and the stunning Torres del Paine in Southern Chile—not to mention just about every trail in David Thompson Country.
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When not on the trail, you’ll likely find Stu fishing the North Ram River or stocking his freezer with wild game like white-tail deer and moose.
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He holds a Wilderness First Aid certification and is a certified Hiking Field Leader through the Outdoor Council of Canada. With hands-on experience in remote wilderness environments, Stu brings both expertise and passion to every adventure.
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Fun fact - He has worked and appeared in three movie shoots filmed on breathtaking Abraham Lake!
