Van Isle Treks was founded with a passion for connecting people to Vancouver Island’s wilderness in a responsible and meaningful way. Our focus is on creating experiences that balance adventure with preparation, sound judgment and respect for the land.
Meet the Founder
My name is Hazen Sage. I grew up immersed in the outdoors of British Columbia, with a strong connection to the mountains, Vancouver Island, coastline. I come from a family background deeply rooted in the Canadian military, shaping early exposure to disciplined training environments, a strong respect for preparation, responsibility.
My background began through structured training in Army Cadets, progressing into Search and Rescue pathways, deeper backcountry experience. By my early teens, I was training in environments focused on field readiness, including navigation, route finding, operating in demanding conditions. This included hands on exposure to advanced training environments such as mock tower exercises, parachute rigging, helicopter based Search and Rescue scenarios, including rappelling from aircraft into remote terrain. These experiences built discipline, precision, the ability to operate under pressure.
From a young age, I developed practical field skills in map, compass navigation, wilderness travel, survival skills, Occupational First Aid training, operating effectively in challenging terrain. That foundation emphasized preparation, awareness, sound decision making in the backcountry.
This was further reinforced through professional experience working in remote terrain within pipeline construction, developing a strong understanding of land, access, operating efficiently in challenging environments as a grade foreman. That experience strengthened terrain reading, route planning, risk management in real world conditions.
Over time, those skills were reinforced through continued experience in mountain terrain, coastal environments, building a grounded understanding of both the rewards, responsibilities of wilderness travel.
Today, I oversee operations at Van Isle Treks, ensuring every outing reflects preparation, awareness, and shared responsibility. Our approach is rooted in preparation, terrain awareness, responsible travel, creating opportunities for hikers, tourists, locals to experience Vancouver Island’s landscapes with confidence.
Van Isle Treks exists to make the backcountry more accessible while helping protect it for the future.