About Us

---

 I was born and raised in Illinois and moved to Washington State almost 20 years ago. During my first summer in the Northwest, I went on the first of what was to become many rafting trips  on the White Salmon River. Although our guide spent most of the day running the rapids backwards, I still had an absolute blast and can  remember the exhilaration of running Husum Falls. I was immediately hooked! The following summer I started guide training and then spent the next five summers as a part time guide, a true weekend warrior. When I wasn’t guiding, you could find me out on my cat boat, honing my technical whitewater skills and challenging myself on more and more difficult rivers. Over the years I’ve run many of the more challenging rivers you can find in the Northwest, like the Wind River, Tumwater  Canyon on the Upper Wenatchee in Washington State, The Golden Canyon on the South Fork Clearwater and the North Fork Payette (AKA, Mecca for technical boaters) in Idaho. 

At some point during all of this, I shifted from weekend guiding and single day trips to multi-day trips. In doing so, I found what has become my true passion, the multi-day expedition. I have stayed up late watching a fire consume the mountain across the river from me on the Snake. I have seen a wolf chase a deer into the middle of our flotilla while on the Selway. I have come upon a grizzly rummaging for food at shoreline while rafting the South Fork of the Salmon. But in my opinion, there is nothing better than slowly emerging from your tent on a sunny, slightly chill morning to sip on a cup of coffee while relaxing in your chair on the Middle Fork. I’ve been fortunate enough to run most of the classic multi-day trips in the Northwest, take my little 14’ boat down the Grand Canyon, and have even had the opportunity to do some international expeditions. 

I’m a husband to my beautiful wife Danielle and father to three young children who I hope to share this hobby with as they grow. I’ve designed and outfitted many boats over the years and now want to share my experience in doing that, and my love for this wonderful hobby with you. Please give me a call if I can ever be of help. 

Rick