OUR STORY

Yusquatch was born out of one person’s dream to live fully in the wild — and one unforgettable journey north.

Raphael, an adventurer from Quebec, is the founder of Yusquatch and the spark behind everything we do. After serving six years in the military, he traded structure for freedom, bought a van, and set off across Canada with a simple goal: to live outside, explore remote places, and reconnect with nature. The deeper he went into the backcountry, the clearer it became — this was the life he wanted. And look when he reached the Yukon, it all clicked.

Endless spruce forests. Jagged peaks. Midnight sun. Wild rivers and tundra valleys. It was everything adventure should be — raw, remote, and real. Raph created Yusquatch to share that experience with others. Not just through guided hikes, but through full immersion: traveling together in a converted bus, camping in the wild, cooking over fire, and waking up to nothing but mountains and silence.

Over the years, Raph has spent countless days and nights in the mountains — hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and leading groups deep into the wilderness. His experience and dedication to safety have shaped Yusquatch into what it is today. As he continues his path toward becoming a full ACMG Mountain Guide, his goal remains the same: to help others experience the raw beauty and freedom of life in the North.

Today, Yusquatch is more than a guiding company — it’s a way of life built on connection, challenge, and simplicity. Every trip is designed to bring people off-grid and into nature: to hike where there are no trails, to sit around fires under northern skies, and to live the kind of adventure that first inspired it all.

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