Monica Matkovich
About a year ago, I went to the WCT Facebook page to get advice on whether our group of 6 should hire a guide or not. Many people suggested Mike Blake at MB Guiding and so we hired him, and we are so thankful we did! Mike was the best decision we could have made, he helped us complete the trail safely, on time, and with no injuries just over a week ago. He was so patient with our slow pace and kept us positive when we were fizzling out at the end of each day. I highly suggest doing this trail with a guide, he had so many tips and tricks in the planning process and history tidbits along the trail we wouldn’t otherwise have known. We couldn’t have done it without you Mike! Wooooo hooooo!
Valerie Hlady
We hired Mike to hike the famous West Coast Trail. MB guiding exceeded expectations. He understood our skill level and catered/planned the trip around us. I was very impressed with Mike. He made the trip so much better and safer for us. It was a memorable one for sure!
Davina Dawn
Would definitely recommend especially if you are traveling from another province. Mike took care of all the details for our North Coast Trail adventure and was very knowledgeable and experienced. I learned a lot of new things about camp set-up, gear, banana slugs, bears, tides and so much more. I appreciated his enthusiasm and energy throughout the trip.
David Monro
Best trip ever, great guide, meticulous planning, super organized, worth everything. Couldn't have done this without him.
Jason Nelson
I can't say enough good things about MB Guiding and Mike Blake. Top notch experience hiking the West Coast Trail with him August 2024. Great knowledge of the trail system, the ecosystem and all the interesting points and facts in between. Added so much value to our trip and would recommend him to anyone wanting a West Coast Trail trip of a lifetime.
Nicole Victor Anderson
I have been on three trips (North Coast Trail, Nootka Trail, and Augerpoint Traverse) with MB Guiding and I’ll definitely be out there with Mike again in the years to come.
Katherina Hemingway
I hiked the WCT with MB Guiding in July 2024 and cannot speak highly enough about the quality of instruction, experiential learning, in depth knowledge and the professionalism that Mike offers. Even the most seasoned, knowledgeable hiker would find value in partaking in a guided trip with Mike and the confidence gained is just one of the many benefits from my experience.
Meera Grover
Mike took us on the Nootka trail this year and it was an absolute blast. I can’t recommend highly enough doing Nootka with him!
Jeanne Keith-Ferris
I finished the two day Wilderness Navigation course with Mike at the end of October in Strathcona Park. I have had the pleasure to participate in a number of hikes and Navigation courses with Mike and remain impressed with the caliber of his content, knowledge and organization. Mike is well versed in various digital navigation tools helping each of us better understand our own satellite devices; but, he also removes the mystery around map and compass — getting us out into the field and practicing. Mike's enthusiasm is infectious and he is immensely patient, insuring everyone is getting the course content, all the while having fun. Thanks Mike!
Peter Webb
What an amazing hike! The terrain was even more scenic and tranquil than I had expected. A magical trip for Margaret and I that we will never forget. Your knowledge and experience shared through out the hike gave us insight and confidence the entire 5 days and we appreciate your professionalism and positive spirit. We will be in touch for another hiking experience …next time with more of our friends/family newbie, wannabe hikers!
Andrea Griener
I had so much fun on the Nootka Trail! Mike helped prepare me for the trip and during the trip had great tips and guidance to keep us safe and shared hidden gems (caves, intertidal creatures, awesome apps and historical points). Mike gives participants space to learn and experience the trail at our own pace, in a safe manner. Thanks for welcoming me as a solo traveler and I will be back next year for another adventure, to meet new friends and build my skills!
Nicola Carmen
I have nothing but good things to say about MB Guiding. I’ve been an avid hiker for many years but wanted to add a few tools to my tool belt in preparation for more backcountry exploring this year and a multi-month thru hike next year, so I did the 2-day navigation workshop. We had our first day a couple months ago, but the weather forced us to reschedule our second day, so I did day-2 on June 11. Mike (the guide) provided a wealth of resources, explained everything really well and was very open to questions (and refresher demonstrations for things we covered in the first day, since it had been a while) and, perhaps most importantly for me and my crazy work schedule, was really accommodating as far as scheduling the make-up day. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone wanting to feel more confident navigating through the wilderness and will definitely be taking more courses with MB Guiding in the future.
Sarah Parson
Just finished a 2 day wilderness navigation course with Mike. This was a great blend of instruction and hands on learning. Mike is adept a helping everyone progress at their own pace and succeed. He is very knowledgeable and open to sharing, patiently dealing with many questions! I would recommend this course for anyone wanting to know the fundamentals of navigation with map and compass paired with GPS devices.
Neeqa Chapman
Mike does a fantastic course on Wilderness Navigation which I did with him in March 2023 in the Victoria area. He is a superb teacher who understands the principles of adult learning, breaks down complex tasks, and provides all the details, knowledge and practice opportunities to master the task. Mike was enthusiastic, inspiring and patient with our group learning with people at different levels of experience. I will definitely do other courses and trips with him!
Judy D
Mike is a fantastic teacher. He is always positive, patient and encouraging. Information is presented in a very logical and organized manner and his communication with clients is outstanding. The course got me excited about learning more about navigation. I wouldn’t hesitate to take another course or go on one of his trips.
K K
I booked Wilderness Navigation 2 (map and compass) and Satellite Navigation back to back. Mike is extremely organized, helpful, and professional and knows his navigation skills better than anyone I have taken instruction from. Small group for both days which made learning easier as Mike was able to focus on each student one-on-one and we could focus on the skills we needed to work on most. We even saw Whales, and sea lions so not only did we learn but we also had a fantastic viewing of the marine wildlife!! I highly recommend MB Guiding!! I also suggest booking the 2-day workshop. Thank you so much, Mike!
Raida Bolton
If you are looking for a guide to pack your things, haul your stuff, and set up your camp then keep looking. If you are looking for a guide to help you prep for your trip. Help you plan your gear, show you details of your route, give you the resources (and teach you how to use them) to research the trail, the terrain, the weather, and the tides. If you are looking for a guide to encourage you during your trip on how to safely navigate obstacles…mud bogs, boardwalks, logs, rocks, ropes, creeks, stairs, ladders, cable cars, tides. Share with you how to identify animals, birds, plants, trees, and rocks. A guide to teach you the best ways to set up a tarp, light a fire, hang a bear bag. A guide who knows the history of the land you're walking on and how it was created. A guide who answers all your questions with patience, knowledge, and experience, then Mike Blake of MB Guiding is hands down the guide for you. After taking MB Guiding’s Wilderness Navigation Course in the past and recently completing The North Coast Trail with Mike I have zero hesitation recommending Mike and MB Guiding. If you’ve been thinking of doing any of Mike's courses or trips……do it. You won’t regret it.
Christy Woods
Spent the most amazing week on the North Coast Trail with Mike from MB Guiding. I could not say more about this trip, we learned tons plus had so much fun! Mikes knowledge of the area was huge not to mention all the plants and animals we got to see and learn about. From learning how to identify different animal tracks, to bird calls and different flowers. Each evening we would participate in fire starting, tarp hanging, and food cacheing lessons as well as talking about the goals for the next day and what the weather, tides and distances were going to be on the map. On top of all that Mike was always so encouraging, patient and organized which only made the trip more epic. We had done one of Mike’s wilderness navigation courses before and knew how great that was and he just proved it even more. I would 1000% recommended MB Guiding every time.
John Peebles
MB Guiding led a very successful and fun trip to Nootka Island from June 13-17 2022. Mike Blake is an excellent hiking guide and very knowledgable about the route and local conditions, and is good at managing risk.
Nicole Victor
I can’t say enough good things about MB guiding. I did the Nootka trail with Mike and had an absolute blast. Mike is super organized, professional, friendly, and patient. Every aspect was well-planned. Logistics were taken care of, and we had several opportunities to chat, zoom call, and more before the trip. Each evening after we hiked, we were given opportunities to have a lesson on things like fire-starting, tarp hanging, bear safety, etc. I will absolutely be heading out on more MB guided trips in the near future.
Paul Levett
We just completed the Pacific Rim Traverse on a mostly wet and windy weekend. Mike Blake is very friendly and knowledgeable and supplied advice on a a wide range of topics, including trip planning, dealing with weather, wildlife and the environment. We learned a lot over the weekend. I would certainly recommend MB Guiding.
Marlene Pienaar
I took the 2day Wilderness Navigation Course with Mike. What a great learning experience - Mike is super organized and an excellent teacher; the online sessions before the field days allows one to prepare to get the most of the course and his follow-up afterwards as well is awesome. Highly recommend this course.
Sanjara Omoniyi
Mike is an amazing teacher. I took the Wilderness Navigation class. I am in awe of Mike's abundant knowledge, and his generosity in sharing it. I highly recommend this course and Mike's services.
Eva Gnech
I took the 2-day navigation course with Mike, it was excellent! Very useful course for anyone who spends time outdoors, from beginner to advanced, covering both map/compass as well as GPS apps. Mike is a great teacher, super organized and makes himself available for all questions before, during and after the course. Highly recommended.
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Thank you for an incredible day! Justin is still beaming about being able to climb a summit. I had a great day, too, thanks to you. You encouraged without pushing, made it fun even though it was hard work at times. We always felt comfortable and that we were in good hands. Thanks again for making this possible. The day and the ascent were the highlight of Justin’s and my visit here this year.
Barry and Justin, Toronto
Mike is very personable and detailed individual and combines these attributes very well to offer a most enjoyable outdoor experience. He loves to share his knowledge of all things outdoors allowing him to accommodate moderate excursions for the novice and something unique for the more adventurous. Local knowledge is key to Mike’s success and he’s always improving. From the mountaintops to the sunny shores it’s always a great joy to be out and about with Mike.
Kevin and Christine, Calgary
Mike is insanely knowledgeable, infectiously passionate, and absolute pro..on the trail and in the office. Mike LOVES what he does and every client leaves his hikes/tour/program with a strong connection to him and the area he’s brought you to. He’s the BEST guide I’ve ever worked with and nobody knows Vancouver Island better than Mike.
Jason and Jennifer, Vancouver
I first met Mike in 2008 when he was the lead guide for a wellness / hiking vacation that I took on Vancouver Island (contracted via a local resort). Mike proved himself to be an expert in many ways. He adapted our daily hikes based on weather conditions as well as experience and capabilities of the hikers. He provided encouragement when I thought a hike was too challenging, showing me how to set my own pace and tackle obstacles. His knowledge of the areas we hiked was tremendous. He seemed to know the answer to every question that I threw his way (and I always have many questions!). I enjoyed that first two week trip so much that I quickly signed on for a trip the following year which I enjoyed just as much as the first.
Bernadette, Boston
Thanks to MB Guiding for running a terrific Trip Planning and Leadership course. This is a great workshop for folks with novice to intermediate skills who are looking to expand their hiking and backpacking horizons and gain some very valuable resources and skills around leading trips and planning larger adventures. Even though I am a fairly experienced backcountry traveller the course format and Mike and Lara’s collaborative approach made for an exciting exchange of information from everyone present that sent me home with both new knowledge and valuable refinement of existing knowledge and skills. Thanks for a great workshop and a weekend well spent.
Bil, Nanaimo
In true workshop style, Mike often lead by opening up discussion on a topic and encouraged everyone’s participation as he guided us through the content. Everyone could learn something here and new tips were bountiful from both Mike and many in the group. Constructive discussions took place. I found much of the workshop very thought provoking, even afterwards. On day two we ran through several practical scenario’s and this was excellent. I also found that I was able to compare how a professional prepares and can compare this to how I prepare and found it reassuring in what and how I’m doing and where I could improve things.
Rick, Victoria
Mike guided our family of three across the wilds of Strathcona Park. The initial trail is a pleasant stroll with a gentle climb the next day up to Mt Albert Edward for gorgeous views of all the peaks. So far, literally a walk in the park… but once we started to hike down the other side the real adventure began. This is when you see the merits of an experienced guide, as Mike’s knowledge of the ridge came in handy to avoid sharp drop-offs and also to pass the packs down one by one to lower the risk of slipping on the steep slopes. We made camp in a lovely little clearing with the full moon overhead – just us and the birds. The next day we hiked across to Ruth Masters and had the crystal clear waters all to ourselves. The early morning ascent of the Augerpoint really demonstrated Mike’s good understanding of the terrain. We had to be nimble footed to scramble up the path, but it is well worth the effort as the views at the top are spectacular with both coasts of the island visible in the distance. A great traverse, which we would thoroughly recommend.
Stuart, Yumi and Kai – London UK
My wife and I hired Mike to guide us along the rugged and beautiful Nootka Trail for the six-day, 35-km trek. Mike’s enthusiasm was evident the minute we met him at the float plane, and that enthusiasm never waned and was matched by his knowledge, commitment and culinary skills. Despite the ruggedness of the trail, we always felt safe and confident, yet still challenged, allowing us to enjoy the trip and the many sites and features Mike pointed out. The pace he set was perfect for all four members of our group. His commitment to detail was evident, and he presented a perfect balance of guiding while allowing us to enjoy our own personal experiences. As a result, the trip was very memorable and we would certainly recommend Mike to anybody considering his services.
Toby and Mary, Nanaimo
Mike has guided me and my family through the North Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. We had an excellent time. The whole organization was on very short notice and everything worked out great for us. Would not hesitate to have Mike as a Hiking Guide again!
Alfred, Switzerland
Despite the rain and cooler than average temperatures Mike remained positive and always helpful. We learned a lot from Mike during our trip specifically the importance of staying put to stay warm and safe and how to set up camp to make it comfortable in rainy weather. Mike is very knowledgeable about hiking and he is methodical about being safe in the back-country. We really appreciated that Mike is always ready to have fun and he has lots of interesting stories to tell about the local area. Both of us had an excellent experience on our Della Falls hiking trip with Mike.
Catherine and Bruce, Vancouver
Mike was incredible, he sorted out my accommodation and planned a personalized, fun packed and varied two days of hiking. If you are looking for a guide who is efficient, dedicated, knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm, then Mike is your man. I have never met anyone who has so much passion for what he does and who knows so much about the history of Vancouver Island, the culture, terrain, flora and fauna. Mike instinctively tailors the intensity appropriate for one’s physical ability. He showed me amazing feats of animal engineering (magnificent beaver creeks) and taught me how to identify animal tracks, filter drinking water from the river and a few other survival tricks. If you are looking for an amazing experience, then you can’t go wrong with Mike; he is one terrific guide. Thank you Mike and I will see you again soon for our next adventure.
Choi, Hong Kong
Mike was extremely knowledgeable of all aspects of his job. Our daily hikes depended on weather permitted, where we hiked and how long we hiked that day. He got to know my boy friend and I instantly, made an assessment based on our age, level of activity and interests and planned our days accordingly. I was impressed with his ability to help us achieve the goals we set out to accomplish. Thank you Mike for the incredible experience!
Amy, Chicago
Mike taught us many tips for preparing for a trip (gear lists, communication, planning apps, etc) and I think all participants left the weekend knowing that the pre-trip preparation is quite likely one of the most important aspects of leading a trip.
Alois, Victoria
Thank you for leading such a great course today. We really enjoyed ourselves and got a lot out of it. We’d both be very interested in an advanced version to build on these new skills.
Silas and Irini, Nanaimo
Mike was a very personable expert who had all the bases taken care of and his attention to detail always provided us with fabulous results!
Peter and Shiela, Calgary