What’s your favorite rapid and what makes it special?
My favorite rapid is Husum Falls on the White Salmon River. It’s tall, powerful, and demands precise timing — and it never fails to drench everyone in the boat! It’s considered a Class V rapid, and getting to take people over it (sometimes guests aged 70 and older!) helps them check off bucket-list goals. The excitement and pure bad-assery you feel is unmatched.

Why do you love working at Mother Lode River Center?
I love working for Mother Lode because of the variety of skills I get to learn and practice. Belay instructing, teaching Gold Rush history, and taking students through detailed river courses keeps me interested and constantly expanding my knowledge.

What’s one of your favorite adventures?
One of my favorite adventures was my road trip back to California after a season on the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River. I hiked in Leadville, skydived three times in a tutu in Moab, explored national parks, climbed red rock canyons, rafted the Daily and Westwater, learned to fire spin, slackline, perform acro yoga, and completely fell in love with the desert. I went home for a month — and then went right back for winter!