About
Stewardship
At Slow Down Tours we minimize the impact our tours have on the environment. We offer you to become an observer of the natural world while learning about your surroundings. We are aware of extremely sensitive areas and ensure that we have the proper equipment and a pro-active approach towards protecting our land, water, plants, and animals.
Diversity
Because of the biological diversity of the Pacific coast - seashores to mountain tops, mild to cold climates - British Columbia is a spectacular place for any traveler who is curious about nature. An enormous variety of animals and plants can flourish in environments that are included in our tours. Coast mountain scenery and natural history are featured on our informative, guided tours.
Thoughtfulness
In life we sometimes move at the wrong speed. There is a tendency of hurrying through a vacation, and trying to cram too much into every day. At Slow Down Tours, we don't rush our adventures. Our hikes are carefully chosen, they are inspirational and fun. We strive to spend more time connecting to natural places instead of following a fast-paced itinerary, so that you return home feeling energized.
Meet your Guide Anna
Anna Klimek grew up in Europe and completed her studies in Educational Science in Düsseldorf, Germany. Afterwards, she developed a fascination for working as an Outdoor Educator and pursued her personal dream to move to Canada in 2002. Adventures from hiking in the Canadian Rockies to canoeing the Athabasca River spawned a deeper meaning of what nature has to offer and how outdoor adventures mobilize processes of resilience.
Since 2008, Anna’s experience includes working as a Tour Director and Hiking Guide on multi-day adventure tours in Western Canada, Atlantic Canada and Southwestern USA as well as teaching outdoor recreational skills for schools in Vancouver, Hong Kong and China.
Anna lives and works on the unceded traditional lands of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Coast Salish Peoples where she enjoys hiking, biking, snowshoeing and snowboarding.
Education and Certifications
BA. Ed. (Pedagogy/Educational Science), Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf
Wilderness Leadership Certificate Program, Capilano College, Squamish
Associate Certificate in Emergency Management Program, JIBC, New Westminster
Apprentice Interpreter Course, Interpretive Guides Association, Canmore
Assistant Hiking Guide Course, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, Jasper
BC Parks Law and its Administration 1, BCIT, Vancouver
A.S.T Level 1 (Avalanche Skills Training Level 1), Canadian Avalanche Association, Whistler
Wilderness First Aid and CPR (40 hours), Slipstream Wilderness First Aid, Victoria
B.C. class 2 driver's license