B.C.-based Mountain Guide Herb Bleuer was one of two guides to
be awarded Honorary Membership by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
at their annual general meeting last weekend.
This designation is the highest award possible in the
profession. It was also bestowed upon Lloyd Gallagher, of Canmore.
“Honorary membership is our way to recognize the outstanding
contributions of Herb and Lloyd to the guiding profession, as well as to public
safety and mountain knowledge,” said ACMG President Scott Davis.
Originally from Switzerland, Bleuer came to Canada in 1969 and
began his career doing avalanche control for the Granduc mine, near Stewart,
B.C. He became a certified Mountain Guide in 1971 and settled in Whistler in
1975.
Over the next 25 years, Bleuer pioneered helicopter skiing in
the Coast Mountains, and was for many years the only active ACMG Mountain Guide
in the Coast Mountains. He alone pushed for high standards, guides training and
certification, and the general spirit of professionalism he knew from
Switzerland.
“Herb Bleuer is responsible for the presence of professional
guiding in the Coast Range”, said Davis. “His long tenure in the area as the
lone professional guide inspired several generations of young skiers and
climbers to become certified guides and seek careers in the mountains.”
Bleuer is noted for a long and diverse career that took him
around the world guiding climbing, skiing, and filming. He was a long time
avalanche safety instructor for the Canadian Avalanche Association and guides
examiner for the training programs of the ACMG.
The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides is dedicated to
protecting the public interest in mountain travel. The ACMG advocates for the
highest standards of alpine risk management and works to advance the profession
by fostering excellence and best practices across the industry.