We Believe Adventure is Transformational.
It feels amazing to ‘send’ that hard project or summit under splitter skies. Girth Hitch is all about sharing adventures that guarantee challenge and growth.
Your journey to transformational adventure has always been our focus.
We Believe Adventure is Transformational.
It feels amazing to ‘send’ that hard project or summit under splitter skies. Girth Hitch is all about sharing adventures that guarantee challenge and growth.
Your journey to transformational adventure has always been our focus.
Mountain giants always challenge us, & that is a good thing, because adventure makes you better.
Built upon the belief that adventure can be transformational, let Girth Hitch Guiding take you on a life-affirming journey through the ancient mountains of the Canadian Rockies. Based out of Nordegg, Alberta we thrive on introducing outdoor enthusiasts – from beginners to experts – to our beautiful mountains.
Our approach to guiding is guest-centric and strives to bring the best out of everyone we work with. We believe that mountains are not something to be conquered but rather ancient friends to discover and experience. Our years exploring the mountains has taught us that being amidst the giants provides far more than mere fitness and adventure; we have discovered that our time in the mountains nurtures us holistically and spiritually and challenges us to be more than we thought we could be.
Join Tim and his team to find the sweet spot where challenge and growth come together to offer profound opportunities for personal development. We believe that transformational adventure focuses on creating a safety net in which real success and failure can occur. No guide can shelter you from those realities while exposing you to challenge. At Girth Hitch Guiding we embrace failure and success while fostering safe and meaningful experiences in the mountains.
TIM TAYLOR
Lead Guide
- ACMG Alpine Guide
- ACMG Rock Guide
- Adventure Medic Wilderness First Aid
- Canadian Avalanche Association ITP Level 2
- Canadian Avalanche Professional Member
- Avalanche Canada AST Instructor
- Outdoor Council of Canada: Field Leader, Overnight, Winter, Instructor Trainer
As principal owner of Girth Hitch Guiding and a proud Métis man, Tim Taylor’s heritage is aligned with the stories and legends of the Canadian Rockies. His passion for the mountains he calls home is rooted in his cultural background.
“My first outdoor climbing experience was unexpectedly powerful. I remember attempting to climb a route for hours without success, as I was patiently coached by a trustworthy climbing leader. Eventually, after hours of attempting the route something clicked and it all came together. My first climbing victory was about much more than climbing a route. At sixteen, I unconsciously learned that I was capable of far more than I ever dreamed or imagined. I learned that failure was the gateway to success and that it was valuable to ‘try hard at things that are hard’. This experience, and others like it, began to shape me as an individual. Climbing was the venue, but patience, care, and intentionality, on the part of the coach were the recipe.
Years later I found myself caught up in the rat race. A homebuilder in the middle of a building boom chasing the next dollar and working for clients whose name I would never know. I remember having a moment of clarity in which I realized that I wanted my life to be about building up people rather than buildings; thus began my journey into mountain guiding.
I have spent the majority of the last two decades seeking excellence, learning, failing, and sharing journeys. Nothing is more fulfilling than walking with people as they encounter challenges and overcome them.”
Did I mention that it’s all about the journey?
”The best part of my journey is coming home to these amazing adventurers. I consider it a great honor to parent these four little people with Liz.
In our home, adventure plays a key role. I admire the passion Liz has, to safely expose our children to challenge and adventure. We see these crazy kids becoming fun and competent people, as they choose to embrace wild experiences. Maybe we will see you on the trail or at the crag!”
The Girth Hitch Team
While you may be relying on the expertise of Tim to lead you up the mountain, there are many other facets to the operations which require the input of a few more fine folk. To meet the rest of the GHG team click here.
NICOLE BARRETT
Living near the ocean sparked Nicole’s love for the outdoors, but stepping into the mountains deepened it. A summer job at an outdoor adventure centre grew into a lifestyle and a belief in the power of shared outdoor experiences. She enjoys exploring nature with her young family and encouraging others to get outside.
ELI SCHELLENBURG
Eli Schellenberg is an ACMG Apprentice Rock Guide. Eli grew up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, however it wasn’t until finding gym climbing while living in the Netherlands that he discovered a passion for climbing and the mountains. Eli has a passion for teaching people new skills and brings a calm, methodical approach to risk management in the mountains.
ETHAN WOODSIDE
Ethan is an ACMG Apprentice Alpine Guide working toward becoming an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide. He loves climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, and skiing, and is eager to introduce new people to the sport. Whether on a first climb or a challenging multi-pitch, he helps every climber reach their goals safely.
BEN THOMPSON
Ben Thompson is an ACMG Apprentice Rock Guide, born and raised in Canmore, Alberta. Growing up Ben spent most of his time exploring the mountains hiking skiing and biking with his family. With over 15 years of climbing experience and four summers of professional guiding under his belt, he loves helping people explore the mountains and pushing them to achieve goals they may never have thought possible! Ben is passionate about sport climbing and you will likely run into him at the many world class crags dotted around Canmore.
LIZ TAYLOR
Liz is a mountain mother whose experiences in the outdoors have shaped who she is today. Now, as a mom, she has the privilege of watching that same transformation in her kids as they grow more confident and capable in the mountains each day. Raising adventurous children is one of her greatest joys. As Tim’s wife, her role with GHG is mostly behind the scenes—often herding their four kids out the door for “adventure school,” coffee in hand.
