Over the last couple of years I’ve had the opportunity to travel to some incredible destinations across the globe. From Nassau to Barcelona and Reykjavik in between, I’ve gotten my share of nature and urban cities. But nothing prepared me for the natural wonders and beauty that lay in my own Canadian backyard. But for this adventure, I wanted to push myself further—to navigate these raw landscapes and truly experience the wilderness. So it was only fitting that my adventure to the picturesque Canadian outdoors came at the invitation of Citizen Watch Canada, a brand synonymous with pushing boundaries. The task was straightforward…to go beyond. To go further.
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Arriving at CMH Bugaboos Lodge
The Canadian Rockies stretch across western Canada, their jagged peaks rising like ancient guardians of the wild. For adventurers, this is sacred ground—a place where nature’s beauty and power come together in awe-inspiring harmony. Equipped with my gear, a sense of excitement, and a solid companion—my Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T, I was ready for whatever the Rockies had in store. The watch wasn’t just a style choice; it was an essential part of my expedition.
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My journey started at the highly regarded CMH Bugaboos Lodge. As the helicopter descended toward the lodge, nestled deep in the heart of the Bugaboo Provincial Park, my anticipation surged. The lodge itself felt like something out of a dream, tucked into the base of towering granite spires that reached toward the sky. It’s one of the most remote and exclusive lodges in the Rockies, renowned for its luxury and proximity to some of the most breathtaking terrain in the world.
I stepped off the helicopter into the crisp, cool mountain air. Immediately, the grandeur of the landscape hit me—soaring glaciers, pristine valleys, and rugged mountain faces. The Bugaboos are famous for their remoteness, but the lodge itself offered a cozy haven with the finest amenities. After a hearty meal and orientation with our guides, I prepared for the first adventure—a trek across the terrain. Back into the heli we went and up and away but despite how much higher we climbed, the peaks didn’t get that much smaller. A reminder of how big they are and more importantly, how small we really are.
Heli hiking
I recall stepping out of the chopper on top of the mountain, getting my bearings (heli’s take a few trips to adjust to) and now I was ready. The group that had arrived prior to mine was already taking selfies, videos and producing a particular tik tok trend. It wasn’t until I looked in the opposite direction that I stopped in my tracks and lost my words. As a podcaster, you never lose your words. It was like something I’d seen on computer screensavers as a kid. Breathtaking.
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After snapping some photos and some vids, so I can show off on my socials of course, it was time to go on our first official trek. My guide Roko, of whom no amount of description could do justice to the character that he is, decided for the “fast” group, he was going to run. I thought he was joking. Roko started running. First lesson.
I must also admit, I didn’t realize how much harder it is to run at that altitude and suddenly I questioned my decision to have that extra loaf of bread. Rookie mistake. Second lesson. After stopping to take in the epic views at the top of our trek, we noticed a natural lake built into the mountains at a distance. One we’d visit a few days later. But the main lesson of the day was one I’d never forget. Stand a full body’s length away from the edge. Because if you’re too close and you find yourself losing your footing, well… “you’re fucking golden” as Roko would say.
A reliable companion: The Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T
I’ve been on several brand trips before and the ones that stand out are the ones that put the product to the test in the environment they are meant to be in. So before setting out, I took a moment to check my Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T. This beautifully crafted piece of wristwear was to be my companion for the trip. As a multi-functional watch designed for adventure, it offered absolute precision, look and feel. The type to suit any modern gent.
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The Eco-Drive technology was especially useful, as it runs on light, meaning I didn’t have to worry about charging or changing batteries—an essential feature for a multi-day mountain adventure. With its super titanium case, it remained lightweight but durable, ensuring that it could withstand any accidental knocks, and believe me, there were several. It felt like I was wearing more than just a watch, it was a swiss-army knife on my wrist and I was prepared to take on the challenges ahead.
Promasters in the wild
It’s not everyday you get to trek through the Canadian rockies at crazy high altitudes with beautiful scenery. It’s even less likely you’ll get to do it while surrounded by some of the world’s greatest adventure seekers and trendsetters.
Let’s start by getting formal introductions out of the way. Jeff Shapiro is a wingsuit pilot…I could stop there but it goes on. He’s a rock climber and paraglider. William Drumm is a world renowned diver with significant expeditions under his belt including some work with Billie Eilish. Jody MacDonald is an award-winning adventure photographer and explorer known for capturing images off the beaten path. Finally is Will Gadd, a legendary Canadian climber, paraglider and world record holder. When you’re surrounded by this caliber of people, it’s not hard to be sucked into their world and just listen as they talk about the challenges and hurdles they’ve overcome over years of honing their craft. If these legends decided to join forces and become Promasters, it should tell you something. They embodied what Citizen stands for. Going further, deeper and beyond.
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The Ascent: Climbing Through the Clouds
As we ascended higher into the Rockies, the terrain shifted from soft alpine meadows to jagged rock formations. It was tough going, but the rewards were worth it: shimmering alpine lakes that mirrored the surrounding peaks and untouched valleys. After hours of hiking, we reached a high ridge that offered unparalleled panoramic views. The horizon seemed endless, with glaciers glinting in the sunlight and distant peaks disappearing into the clouds. This was the essence of adventure—being surrounded by something far greater than yourself.
My Skyhawk, with its anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial, remained clear and readable even in the bright alpine sun. Its water resistant nature soon to be tested by mountain weather. This would later come in handy – read on to find out about an unexpected 6 hour trek in the pouring rain.
2 hours away from being 2 hours away
On what ended up being the last hike of this adventure, a group of us, guide included (Roko of course), decided to take an easy trek. One, maybe two hours of hiking before the heli would pick us back up. Except as soon as we landed and the heli flew off, there was something eerie about the clouds quickly converging over us. Not long after, downpour. Thus began what would be the most challenging part of this journey.
The only way back was through. Through the mountain wilderness, the wet ground beneath and the miserable grey that covered us. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I wasn’t worried about the physical, it was a mental game. Can I survive unrelenting conditions with literally no escape option but the path ahead? Every so often Roko would yodel, to which I came to understand was a way to inform any nearby bears that we exist and are trekking through. Did I forget to mention bears? Roko had stopped at one point to intensely scan his surroundings before pulling out his bear spray…uh oh. Suddenly we’re all on high alert and of course in that moment my balance decided to disappear and next thing I know I’m in a pool of water.
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Back up and functional, the trek continued. “How much longer?” someone dared ask. “Two hours away” Roko remarked. Except he would later state “we’re about two hours away from being two hours away” half jokingly half serious. At that point the only thing distracting the group was a debate about whether we’d prefer beautifully seasoned and tasty ribs or, my personal favourite, chicken wings back at the lodge. We need to build up a reward for the trek we were on.
By the time we finally returned to the lodge, soaked to the bones, the sun was beginning to set. The long, physically demanding day had given me a deeper appreciation for the Rockies and the unique adventure I was just on. I was miserable, I was angry but I survived. As I shed my gear and looked at the time, my Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T reflecting the long journey I was on, reminded me of its durability. Despite being exposed the entirety of the journey, it was the only piece of gear that went unscathed. Couldn’t say the same for my camera…or my phone.
Go beyond
The Rockies demand respect, but they also offer unparalleled rewards for those willing to push beyond their limits. Whether you’re navigating treacherous glaciers or relaxing at the Bugaboos Lodge, the right gear makes all the difference. The Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T wasn’t just a watch; it was my reliable companion, offering precision, durability, and style in one. From the breathtaking peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the everyday city hustle, this watch is built for adventure. It serves as a reminder that, like the mountains themselves, life is best when you’re fully prepared and ready to embrace the unknown.
The Citizen way
In 2023, I participated in a similar trip with Citizen in Nassau. We took the slogan of go deeper quite literal as we went diving with sharks in the ocean. Yes you read that right. I recall receiving the press guide with shark info and thinking to myself – it’s best not to think about it. There are brands that say they want to push the limits and then there are even fewer brands that PUSH the limits. Citizen is one of those brands.
So when Zahra Hemraj, the Director of Marketing & Data Integration, sent me a text asking me how I felt about hiking in the Rockies, I knew it was going to push my limits again. When she sent the press materials and included several pages about bear awareness…well I reminded myself it was best not to think about it. This was the adventure of a lifetime. A perfect blend of exploration, relaxation and incredible humans. Thank you Citizen, thank you Zahra, thank you to the CMH guides who made taking care of a group of first-timers look effortless.
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I packed my bags, said my goodbyes and hopped onto the heli but not before one last look at the screensaver. I’ll be back soon. When I am, you can bet I’ll have my wrist gear ready to go with me.
