Discussion with Guillaume Rivest

As he guided four times the same tour in Témiscamingue in the summer of 2021, Guillaume noted, surprisingly, that people asked consistently to have their picture taken at the same spot near the river, even before he had pronounced a word, like some places naturally resonate with people.

Guillaume Rivest talks about the forest as the place he actually grew up in. Born in Bellecombe, on the outskirts of Rouyn-Noranda, he was introduced as a child to the joys of hunting, fishing, expeditions and campfires. However, he only fully understood how important the access to nature and its resources was to him when he left the region to study. As a graduate in political studies and in environmental management from the University of Sherbrooke, Guillaume chose to come back and settle in Abitibi-Témiscamingue in 2015, following his deep love of the region and seeking to be near his family. Ever since, the boldness of his projects, that are adding up at a steady pace, keep surprising us! With his adventure tourism company Exode bâtisseur d’aventures, Guillaume wants to put forward the beauty of Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s wild nature, and the value associated with its remote nature, by guiding people through its best-kept secrets.

He says, with conviction, “Tourists’ visits in the region are often driven by cultural events, but I believe nature accounts for at least 50% of the show.” At the time of writing, he recently came back from a cross-country skiing expedition that covered hundreds of kilometres through Réserve faunique La Vérendrye. Guillaume plans to have a busy summer, filled with expedition guiding, training delivery and radio features. Through it all, he is considering his next major expedition. In a joking tone, he sums up, “Let’s say I don’t think I’ll sit still for very long!”

At the time of writing, he recently came back from a cross-country skiing expedition that covered hundreds of kilometres through Réserve faunique La Vérendrye. Guillaume plans to have a busy summer, filled with expedition guiding, training delivery and radio features. Through it all, he is considering his next major expedition. In a joking tone, he sums up, “Let’s say I don’t think I’ll sit still for very long!”

Guillaume is unequivocal: “Late summer, because it’s still warm outside, but there are no more mosquitoes!”

In his opinion, the Dumoine River is a prime destination in the region to enjoy canoe camping. He still, however, has a very soft spot for Kipawa River when it comes to whitewater rafting, although he says, laughing, “This is where I most often injured myself.” Besides open-air sites, Guillaume highlights his commitment to MUDRA Espace sportif, both for its community and for its contribution to the development of a regional spirit of adventure.