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Tam McTavish
Bio

Tam McTavish


Vancouver, BC
Pro Contributor
82 Adventures Explored
23 Adventures Published

Growing up in the mountains, born with skis on my feet I rediscovered the mountains in my twenties. Now I try and find myself outside as much as possible in the midst of a busy Vancouver life.

Published Content

Published Content

Blog Posts

The Best Phrase to Keep Safe in the Backcountry

The Best Phrase to Keep Safe in the Backcountry

by Tam McTavish

The Best Phrase to Keep Safe in the Backcountry
by Tam McTavish
The Vancouver Adventure Resource Toolkit

The Vancouver Adventure Resource Toolkit

All The Resources You Need To Plan Adventures in the Lower Mainland

by Tam McTavish

The Vancouver Adventure Resource Toolkit

All The Resources You Need To Plan Adventures in the Lower Mainland
by Tam McTavish
5 Steps for Getting Into Mountaineering

5 Steps for Getting Into Mountaineering

by Tam McTavish

5 Steps for Getting Into Mountaineering
by Tam McTavish

Adventures Published

Joffre Peak: Northeast Ridge Scramble
Joffre Peak: Northeast Ridge Scramble
Joffre Peak: Northeast Ridge Scramble
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
West Lion Hike via the Howe Sound Crest
West Lion Hike via the Howe Sound Crest
West Lion Hike via the Howe Sound Crest
Vancouver Metro Area, BC
+
Vantage Peak
Vantage Peak
Vantage Peak
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
West Lion Scramble
West Lion Scramble
West Lion Scramble
Vancouver Metro Area, BC
+
Bruins Pass via Connaught Creek - Glacier National Park
Bruins Pass via Connaught Creek
Bruins Pass via Connaught Creek
Central Columbia Mountains, BC
+
Bugaboo Spire via Kain Route
Bugaboo Spire via Kain Route
Bugaboo Spire via Kain Route
Central Columbia Mountains, BC
+
Lasqueti Islands Coast Paddle
Lasqueti Islands Coast Paddle
Lasqueti Islands Coast Paddle
Powell River Area, BC
+
Mount Athabasca: The Silverhorn
Mount Athabasca: The Silverhorn
Mount Athabasca: The Silverhorn
Jasper, AL
+
A.O. Wheeler Hut
A.O. Wheeler Hut
A.O. Wheeler Hut
Central Columbia Mountains, BC
+
Lasqueti Island
Lasqueti Island
Lasqueti Island
Powell River Area, BC
+
Singing Pass
Singing Pass
Singing Pass
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Saint Nicholas Peak: South Ridge
Saint Nicholas Peak: South Ridge
Saint Nicholas Peak: South Ridge
Banff + Yoho, AL
+
View All
Photos
Updates, Tips + Comments

Updates, Tips + Comments

Tam McTavish | Vancouver, BC
Pro Contributor

Brunswick Mountain

04.05.18

If you're heading up this route in winter it's worth noting that there is significant cornice risk most years. In 2017 five experienced snowshoers, two of which had basic avalanche training, were killed when the cornice collapsed beneath them on a peak very nearby with similar feautres. Be wary and keep at least 8m back from the edge.
Also, after storm cycles small storm slab avalanches can knock you off your feat into tree wells so take the same precautions you would snowshoeing in any avalanche terrain.

Brunswick Mountain

04.05.18

If you're heading up this route in winter it's worth noting that there is significant cornice risk most years. In 2017 five experienced snowshoers, two of which had basic avalanche training, were killed when the cornice collapsed beneath them on a peak very nearby with similar feautres. Be wary and keep at least 8m back from the edge.
Also, after storm cycles small storm slab avalanches can knock you off your feat into tree wells so take the same precautions you would snowshoeing in any avalanche terrain.

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Tam McTavish | Vancouver, BC
Pro Contributor

Mount Harvey

If you're going up this route in winter don't forget that in 2017 five experienced snowshoers were killed when the cornice they were standing on collapsed. In a big snow year the cornices potential fall zone can be 8 metres long, so keep well back from the edge.

Less risk , but after snowfall small storm slabs can knock people into tree wells. Despite the seemingly low risk of this adventure all relevant precautions should be taken.

Mount Harvey

If you're going up this route in winter don't forget that in 2017 five experienced snowshoers were killed when the cornice they were standing on collapsed. In a big snow year the cornices potential fall zone can be 8 metres long, so keep well back from the edge.

Less risk , but after snowfall small storm slabs can knock people into tree wells. Despite the seemingly low risk of this adventure all relevant precautions should be taken.

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Nearing the summit
Approach trail coming out of the valley
Pulling up from the valley
Tam McTavish | Vancouver, BC
Pro Contributor

Golden Ears Summit Hike

09.13.17

One slight edit. Ice tools are not required for this route as there is no permanent snow, ice or technical rock climbing required. Skis or Snowshoes, and crampons would be required for a winter ascent.

I think there may have been a misunderstanding regarding grading. This route is rated F (facile ) by the UIAA, and Grade I in the North American Alpine Rating system.

Matt Gunn's Scrambles in Southwest British Columbia Guidebook rates this peak as a "Moderate" scramble. This means minimal exposure, some slight routefinding challenges, with lot's of distance and elevation.

Golden Ears Summit Hike

Nearing the summit- Golden Ears Summit Hike
Nearing the summit- Golden Ears Summit Hike
Approach trail coming out of the valley- Golden Ears Summit Hike
Pulling up from the valley- Golden Ears Summit Hike

09.13.17

One slight edit.

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Tam McTavish | Vancouver, BC
Pro Contributor

Keith Flavelle Memorial Hut

01.01.18

In recent years the firewood has been running out long before the September heli-drops. Please burn only what you need to, and be considerate to future guests.

Keith Flavelle Memorial Hut

01.01.18

In recent years the firewood has been running out long before the September heli-drops. Please burn only what you need to, and be considerate to future guests.

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To-Do List

To-Do List

Skywalk Trail Hike: North Loop - Whistler
Skywalk Trail Hike: North Loop
Skywalk Trail Hike: North Loop
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
The North Shoulder, Callaghan Country - Coast Mountain Range
The North Shoulder, Callaghan Country
The North Shoulder, Callaghan Country
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Journeyman Peak, Callaghan Country - Coast Mountain Range
Journeyman Peak, Callaghan Country
Journeyman Peak, Callaghan Country
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Ring Lake Trail
Ring Lake Trail
Ring Lake Trail
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Lillooet Lake Campgrounds - Strawberry Point, Twin One, Lizzie Bay, Driftwood Bay
Lillooet Lake Campgrounds
Lillooet Lake Campgrounds
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Tenquille Lake Hike via Tenquille Creek Trail - Tenquille-Owl Lakes Recreation Area
Tenquille Lake Hike via Tenquille Creek Trail
Tenquille Lake Hike via Tenquille Creek Trail
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Armchair Glacier
Armchair Glacier
Armchair Glacier
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Northover Ridge - Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Northover Ridge
Northover Ridge
Canadian Rockies + East Kootenay, AL
+
Blue Pools in Lynn Canyon - North Vancouver
Blue Pools in Lynn Canyon
Blue Pools in Lynn Canyon
Vancouver Metro Area, BC
Howe Sound Crest Trail
Howe Sound Crest Trail
Howe Sound Crest Trail
Vancouver Metro Area, BC
+
Porteau Cove Provincial Campground
Porteau Cove Provincial Campground
Porteau Cove Provincial Campground
Vancouver Metro Area, BC
+
View All
View All
Adventures Explored

Adventures Explored

Athabasca Falls - Jasper National Park
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls
Jasper, AL
+
Iceline Trail - Yoho National Park
Iceline Trail
Iceline Trail
Banff + Yoho, BC
+
Hanes Valley + Crown Mountain
Hanes Valley + Crown Mountain
Hanes Valley + Crown Mountain
Vancouver Metro Area, BC
+
Meadows + Solitude Loops, Callaghan Country - Coast Mountain Range
Meadows + Solitude Loops, Callaghan Country
Meadows + Solitude Loops, Callaghan Country
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park - North Vancouver, British Columbia
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Vancouver Metro Area, BC
+
Panorama Ridge Hike - Garibaldi Provincial Park
Panorama Ridge Hike
Panorama Ridge Hike
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls Hike - Banff National Park, Alberta
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls Hike
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls Hike
Banff + Yoho, AL
+
Alice Lake Campground - Alice Lake Provincial Park
Alice Lake Campground
Alice Lake Campground
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
Mount Joffre via Cerise Creek
Mount Joffre via Cerise Creek
Mount Joffre via Cerise Creek
Squamish-Lillooet Area, BC
+
West Lion Scramble
West Lion Scramble
West Lion Scramble
Vancouver Metro Area, BC
+
Gold Creek Campground - Golden Ears Provincial Park
Gold Creek Campground
Gold Creek Campground
Fraser Valley + Harrison Lake, BC
+
Tower Lake + Rockbound Lake
Tower Lake + Rockbound Lake
Tower Lake + Rockbound Lake
Banff + Yoho, AL
+
View All
View All
 

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