Your Hosts
"There are few places in this world this beautiful and even fewer that make you feel so much like family. The lodge is beautiful, the river and mountains are spectacular, but the Allens are the real treasure in the Kispiox Valley."
-Jeff Fransisco
Gene and Joy Allen
Gene and Joy Allen grew up in the Kispiox Valley, with pioneering families. They raised their four children in the Valley, and all have been involved with the Cliffs at Kispiox River. With a history of mountain trips, logging, rodeos, river rafting, hiking, horse showing, guiding, fishing and trail riding, the Allens' past make for some great stories and client experiences. Both Gene & Joy are active members in their community.
Gene is a Director on the Quality Waters Strategy Board, Skeena Fisheries Angling Committee and the Skeena Watershed Coalition. He's involved with the Land Resource & Management Plan for the Forest District and the Swan Lake Wilderness Area. Gene has initiated many clinics for rodeo athletes and has taught and recommended rodeo athletes to College Universities. Gene is a past president of the British Columbia Rodeo Association and won the Lifetime Achievement Award in Rodeo. In October of 2011, he was awarded the 'Rodeo Person of the Year in B.C. Gene is a fishing guide, coordinates the mountain pack trips and is involved in every aspect of the Cliffs at Kispiox River.
Joy has always had an active life with horses, competing in both rodeo and horse shows. She conducted barrel racing clinics for many years and was the Director of Women's and Children's events for B.C. rodeos. She initiated Elementary School 'Working Ranch Hand Programs' and ran 'Working Cowgirl Camps' for many years. Joy has served as President of the Kispiox Valley Rodeo Club for nearly 30 years and is the Vice President of the local Community Association. Joy won the 'Today's Woman Award' for Community Enrichment for the Yukon and B.C. Interior, and was the first recipient of the Hank Vogel: Rodeo Person of the Year Award in B.C. She initiated the Conservation Camps for kids at Bearclaw and continues to be actively involved in all facets of the lodge programs.
Our Staff
KALEIGH ALLEN is a well rounded outdoors woman, a rafting guide, experienced horse woman, a former rodeo competitor, and schooled in South Carolina and Germany. Her experiences growing up in the Kispiox helped her outwit Terry Grant on the popular T.V. Series 'Mantracker' in serious mountain terrain. Kaleigh is a certified Swift Water Rescue tech, has first aid, boating licence, helicopter safety, and many other certifications making her a valuable asset to the company. She speaks fluent German and some French. She has an avid interest in the Conservation Camps and helps kids learn to have an appreciation for the outdoors.
JIM ALLEN is a world renowned steelhead fly fishing guide and owner of the Kispiox Fishing Company. Jim has rod days on the Kispiox, Skeena and Bulkley Rivers and guides fishermen throughout the year. He was the trip leader for the 'Skeena Swim' where Ali Howard swam from the Sacred Headwaters to the Pacific. (See more about Jim Allen and the Kispiox Fishing Company)
SHANNON ALLEN MCPHAIL is a force to be reckoned with. She is very involved in conservation as the Executive Director of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition which was rated one of the 2010 top ten organizations in Canada. She has become a regional and provincial leader in affecting positive policy changes for the conservation of wild salmon and culture. She is a founding member of the Citizens Concerned about Coalbed Methane that is currently working with the BC Government on regulation reform in the Oil & Gas sector. She is the Editor, designer and graphics journalist for the Kispiox Valley Community Newsletter that spotlights positive people and events in the area. She keeps herself rooted in local organizations as a director of the Kispiox Valley Community Association and Parent Advisory Committee. Shannon has worked with local First Nations in hopes of building a robust cultural tourism and conservation economy. She helped successfully negotiate to have proper bridges installed on the upper Kispiox that resulted in more than 18,000 more salmon in the system. She is a strong supporter of youth and has been instrumental in designing the curriculum for our Conservation Camps for Kids and the Youth on Water Program. Shannon and her husband Steve live on the banks of the Skeena River with their two children, Grant - 6 and Sara - 3.
RICHARD SULLIVAN is a 'seasoned' employee and has continued to increase his knowledge of all facets of the operation. Richard is a fire fighter and works for the B.C. Forest Service when he's not at Bearclaw. He is renowned for his positive attitude and work ethic and his ability to get along and enjoy all types of people. Richard is an avid snow boarder, and has had the opportunity to do some heli skiing with our clients. Richard is an active Community member, helping out with Music Festival, youth programs and other community events. He speaks fluent French and has a keen interest in the environment.
KATIE SULLIVAN has been a part of the Bearclaw team for the last few years. Fluent in English, German and French, Katie has put her knowledge of languages to good use travelling around the world. She is an amazing singer, and dazzles clients with her powerful voice. Katie is a fire fighter and works for the B.C. Forest Service. She is very involved in her community, a hospitality volunteer for various functions, guitar camp volunteer, SPCA foster home, Retirement Home activity Coordinator, Food Bank volunteer, Bear Aware teacher, UNICEF volunteer and enjoys working with youth. Katie is motivated, positive and a great team player.
SARAH LAZZARATTO first came to the Cliffs as a Conservation Camp kid. Sarah has expressed a keen interest to be part of the 'Bearclaw Team', learning every job. She is one of our Trail Horse guides, and works as a councillor for Conservation Camps. She has excelled at housekeeping, serving and working in the kitchen. Sarah is very involved in fund raising for cancer research, her school and community. She attends Hazelton Secondary and enjoys sports, especially volleyball, skating and soccer. Sarah is becoming quite an accomplished horse woman and is the current 'Miss Kispiox Valley Rodeo Queen' for the 2011/2012 year. She has represented our local rodeo by travelling throughout the province, participating in parades, radio talk shows and speaking to students at schools. She teaches skating for the 'Canada Skate' program in Hazelton. She is fluent in English and French and speaks some Italian.
TORI SILVER at the age of 17 is an 'oldtimer' employee, first coming to work when she was 10 years old. Tori has continued to improve over the years, and holds many certifications, making her a valuable asset to the company. She's very active in sports, and competes in biathalons, soccer, hockey and volleyball. She enjoys skiing, rafting, horseback riding, drama class, school and travelling. She's a Conservation Camp Councillor and helps out in all outdoor activities. She works inside the lodge housekeeping and serving and continues to excel at all levels. Her positive attitude, good morals and high energy, make her a favourite with conservation kids and clients.
ALANA WADLEY is one of Bearclaw's "original" team members. She is involved in community programs, events, and fundraising. Alana is a volunteer for the Skeena Watershed Coalition among numerous other community organizations. Alana showed her true grit in the popular T.V. show, 'Mantracker', in some of the toughest terrain in the northern B.C. mountains. Alana helps out in the Conservation Camps, and is a tremendous asset to the company. Her artistic creations are displayed throughout the lodge. Alana now works part time, the other half spent with her partner Jim Allen and their beautiful 2 year old daughter Aurora.
BRANDI NASH An accomplished athlete, Brandi brings to Bearclaw a love for youth and a passion for sports and the outdoors. She is a Pharmacy Technician, and attended SAIT and Kamloops colleges. She played college basketball for SAIT, and her team won first at Nationals! Brandi has been coaching basketball for several years at the Hazelton highschool, and her teams qualified for Provincials 5 times, winning their Regional Zone Championships several times. Brandi is a 'remote camp cook', has Foodsafe, First Aid and her Level I Coaching Certificate. She is a runner, and competes in marathons as far away as San Fransisco. She has a keen interest in fishing, river rafting and hiking. Brandi is a camp councillor and a valuable employee.
HEATHER MUIR A graduate of Pacific Culinary Arts, Heather relieves our regular chef and specializes in baking. She is active in our community and is in charge of the 'Good Food Box', putting together healthy boxes of food for people in the area. She helps out with many local organizations and events and is a volunteer with local schools. Heather is renowned for her large garden, especially the garlic, and supplies local businesses with organic produce. She helps out at our conservation camps, instructing how to make healing balms from plants. When Heather isn't gardening, helping out in her community, or cooking up something delicious, you can generally find her at home with her partner Ian and their two beautiful blonde children, Harper and Avery.
JORDAN KNIGHT Our chef for the heliski season started working for his mother at 11 years of age, in his family's home town restaurant. Growing up in Rossland, Jordan has a penchant for mountains and spent most summers fishing with his Father on the West coast. These were his first introductions to the food service industry, and more importantly the direction his life would take. Jordan has worked in Whislter, The Okanagan, Vancouver, and Europe in many notable establishments. Jordan is well practiced as a fish monger, a butcher, and preparing wild game. Most recently he spent a summer in Haida Gwaii working for the West Coast Fishing Club as their Executive Chef at the Outpost. As a very remote, unique fishing adventure, his job was to provide guests with a 5 star culinary experience. The Bearclaw Team is very excited to have Jordan join them, for another remote and unique adventure in the wilderness of the Upper Kispiox Valley, bringing with him his breadth of knowledge and experience.
MEGAN WILEY Raised in the Hazeltons, we are happy to have another "local" on our team! Megan graduated in June of 2011 with Honors from Hazelton Secondary School, completing also the French Immersion Program and receiving in her Junior Year, the French Immersion Student of the Year Award. Megan has a strong passion for sports, being an athlete herself, and also helps with other Youth Sports Programs in her community. Her father is a Conservation Officer as well as a fly fishing guide in the fall-thus, Megan has a 'bit' of experience with the outdoors. With her strong drive and wonderful smile, she is a great asset to our team!
EVE JONES Our massage therapist trained in Hawaii and brings to our clients her special techniques to relieve muscle soreness from a day of heliskiing or fly fishing. Eve features the Lomi Elli Special, using smooth stones oiled and heated to body temperature, then used to massage the muscles providing a sense of deep release and relaxation. Other popular massages are the Lomi Lomi and the Cowboy. Eve enjoys horseback riding and travelling to warm countries. Eve leads the stretching classes in the early mornings during heliski season.
"You just can't describe the beauty of this place! It will be in my mind and heart always as will the Allens, the guides, and the staff. Ya'll are the best! Come to SC!" -Mary Carol and Roy Abercrombie
