Notre Histoire

 

YuSquatch est né du rêve d’un homme de vivre pleinement dans la nature — et d’un voyage inoubliable vers le Nord.

Raph, aventurier originaire du Québec, est le fondateur de YuSquatch et la force motrice derrière tout ce que nous faisons. Après six années dans l’armée, il a troqué la structure pour la liberté, acheté un van et traversé le Canada avec un objectif simple : vivre dehors, explorer les territoires sauvages et se reconnecter à la nature. Plus il s’enfonçait dans l’arrière-pays, plus une certitude s’imposait : c’est ainsi qu’il voulait vivre. Et lorsqu’il a atteint le Yukon, tout a pris sens.

Forêts d’épinettes à perte de vue. Sommets déchiquetés. Soleil de minuit. Rivières sauvages et vallées de toundra. C’était tout ce qu’une aventure devait être : brute, isolée, authentique. Raph a créé YuSquatch pour partager cette expérience — pas seulement à travers des randonnées guidées, mais par une immersion complète : voyager ensemble dans un bus converti, camper en pleine nature, cuisiner sur le feu et se réveiller entouré de montagnes et de silence.

Au fil des années, Raph a passé d’innombrables jours et nuits en montagne — à randonner, grimper, faire de l’alpinisme et guider des groupes loin des sentiers battus. Son expérience et son engagement envers la sécurité ont façonné YuSquatch tel qu’il est aujourd’hui. En poursuivant son parcours pour devenir Guide de Montagne ACMG, son objectif reste inchangé : faire découvrir à d’autres la beauté brute et la liberté de la vie dans le Nord.

Aujourd’hui, YuSquatch est bien plus qu’une entreprise de guidage — c’est une façon de vivre fondée sur la connexion, le dépassement et la simplicité. Chaque expédition est conçue pour ramener les gens hors réseau et au cœur de la nature : marcher là où il n’y a pas de sentiers, veiller autour du feu sous le ciel du Nord, et vivre le genre d’aventure qui a inspiré la création de YuSquatch.

Founder & Owner (ACMG Certified Hiking Guide & Top Rope Climbing instructor) 

Raphael Metivier

Before becoming a guide, Raph’s life looked very different. Born on the East Coast of Quebec, he joined the military right after high school and served for six years. But everything changed when he first laid eyes on the mountains. The raw beauty, the challenge, and the sense of community pulled him in.

From that moment on, he set his sights on the outdoors — trading the military for a life of climbing, hiking, skiing, and guiding. He began training and taking courses to become a certified mountain guide, diving headfirst into a new way of life.

His travels have taken him through South and Central America, Northern Canada, and deep into the Alaskan wilderness, always chasing wild places and new challenges.

Now, through Yusquatch Mountain Adventures, Raph shares that passion with others — helping people experience real adventure in some of the most remote, awe-inspiring landscapes on the continent.

Marketing & Operations

Stephanie Kloet

Originally from the Netherlands, Stephanie grew up in a country where mountains are hard to come by. After years of working in Amsterdam, she realized that life behind a desk wasn't quite what she had in mind.

With a backpack and a growing appetite for adventure, she spent every chance she had exploring the world, often traveling solo through Asia, Central America, and Europe. Along the way, she discovered her love for wild places, remote mountains, and life outdoors.

Eventually, her adventures brought her to the Yukon, where the endless wilderness and slightly unconventional way of life quickly won her over.

Part of Yusquatch since the very beginning, Stephanie helps turn big adventure ideas into reality. From organizing expeditions and connecting with guests to sharing stories from the road, she keeps things moving behind the scenes. And whenever she gets the chance, she swaps her laptop for hiking boots and heads into the mountains herself.

Logistics & Field Operations

JP Menard

Born in Brazil and raised in Quebec, JP took a slightly unconventional road to the Yukon. At 26, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces, where he served for 11 years before trading military life for the freedom of the open road.

Since 2022, he's been living a nomadic lifestyle, traveling in his truck, exploring new places, and embracing life outside the usual routines. His adventures eventually brought him to the Yukon, a place he's come to call home.

A former military colleague of Raph's, JP has been part of Yusquatch since the early days. Whether he's behind the wheel of the Squatch Bus, sorting out logistics, or fixing whatever decided to break this time, he's one of the people keeping everything running behind the scenes.

Always ready to tackle the unexpected (and there’s plenty of that at Yusquatch), JP has become an indispensable part of the crew.

Partner Guides

Certified Collaborators

Depending on the trip, we collaborate with ACMG-certified guides and local experts who bring years of technical experience and deep knowledge of the terrain. It’s part of our commitment to keeping our standards high — offering safe, professional, and unforgettable adventures.

It allows us to offer specialized experiences — from mountaineering to ski touring — while keeping the wild Yusquatch spirit alive.

Let's talk adventure