Canadian Adventure Racer finds new Adventures at CMH Bugaboo Lodge
Posted by Jane Carswell on Wed, Sep 01, 2010
By Lianne Marquis
I had the pleasure to spend some time with Katrina Rosen in the Bugaboo Lodge this past July. Katrina is the Shop Manager for the Heli-Hiking season in "The Bugs", and she was one of the few new staff that we hired this summer season.
I was curious “What’s it like to be one of the newbie’s?” It’s been a long time since I was in her shoes!
LM: How did Katrina, a flat-lander from Manitoba find her way into the Bugaboo lodge this summer?
KR: The mountains have been calling my husband and I for a long time. I love Manitoba and the Canadian Shield near by. The paddling is extraordinary and I doubt you can find such amazing backcountry lakes anywhere else. But it was time for a new playground, a new area to explore and discover.
LM: Did you know that between the Bobbie Burns and Bugaboo lodges, we only hired 5 new staff this summer? What is your background in retail that qualified you to be the Bugaboo Shop Manager?
KR: I was very lucky that there was an opening at the Bugaboo lodge and I think about that every morning when I look up at the spires on my walk to work.
I have been working in outdoor retail for 14 years now and absolutely love it. If I can just be a small part of the excitement that goes into someone’s preparation of a great trip or adventure, I am very happy. I am very passionate about the outdoors and my enthusiasm and love of gear has definitely helped me to be a test rat so that I can pass on my knowledge of what works and what does not onto the guest.
There is nothing I love more than hearing the guests stories after they have come back from an amazing day.
LM: What has impressed you the most since arriving in the Bugaboos and working for CMH?
KR: I was absolutely impressed with the organization of this company. I did my research before I applied for the job since I don’t think that I can ever work for a company that does not care about our environment, but I was blown away how amazing of a job CMH does in this regard. Everything is thought of from recycling, composting, energy, waste treatment and fuel consumption.
LM: Have you had the opportunity to get out heli hiking so far?
KR: OH Yes! It is a huge perk to working here! The Bugaboo area is huge and I haven’t even skimmed the surface. I want to go beyond the next ridge, over the pass or further down the valley. The helicopter allows you to see so much in one day but I always want more. There is no such thing as a bad day at the Bugaboos.
LM: I’m sure you must feel like you have the BEST JOB with CMH. Don’t we all! What’s the best part of being the shop manager?
KR: I do, I love my job! The best part is being able to talk so much with the guests and getting to know them. If I don’t get out in the helicopter, then I still have amazing day mountain biking or hiking around the lodge. There is so much to do here!
LM: What are you selling in the shop this summer?
KR: I sell lots of maps of the area, plenty of T-shirts and technical clothes that help to keep the moisture moving. We have not been selling too many rain jackets because the weather has just been too amazing!
I sell lots of batteries and memory cards for guests cameras because they are in over use.
LM: Katrina the adventure racer… I’m sure you have so many incredible stories during your racing days! Are there any that you’d like to share?
KR: Adventure Racing has given me an opportunity to travel the world and see parts of it that is rarely seen by the common tourist. My team and I photographed a waterfall so deep into Patagonia Chili that it is believed that no other human has ever seen it. I think CMH gives something similar to the guests here as well. It is a special moment to go into the helicopter and explore a new area. Just yesterday we came stumbling across a huge rock that sparkled like diamonds. The guides had not seen it before!!
The world is here, let us play in it.
What a perfect position for Katrina, it has her name written all over it! Welcome to the team and I hope to see you working for us this winter season!!!
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