December 29, 2010

Happy Holidays from Mad River Boat Trips

Warm winter wishes to everyone! We hope that this finds you sitting next to a cozy fire or sleeping under a palm tree listening to the waves crash. As usual, Jackson Hole did not fail to deliver on a White Christmas this year. The mountains are covered and more snow is falling outside now. It has been great getting out and watching the wildlife that are wintering in the valley and seeing all the people who are here to enjoy the mountains and snowmobiling.
All this snow has us dreaming about and getting excited to go rafting on the Snake River this coming spring. It is looking like the whitewater in Jackson Hole will not fail to disappoint once all the snow starts to melt.

Happy Holidays from your favorite Whitewater Rafting company in Jackson Hole Wyoming!

August 9, 2010

CNN highlights Jackson Hole's Lunch Counter rapid as one of the best river surf spots in the world: "Catch a Wave in Wyoming" http://bit.ly/abNz79

August 6, 2010

Snake River Days 2010

Don't let your kids miss this experience! Register them now for...

Snake River Days 2010


Youth Watershed Camp introduction to the Snake River Watershed for 6th-8th graders. Wade Ditch Creek, paddle Slide Lake, cruise the Ox-bow Bend, fish for cutthroat trout at the Murie Center, camp-out on the river and then brave the whitewater on the Grand Canyon of the Snake River.

August 16th-20th.
Monday through Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm

Cost: $ 240
Registration limited to 16
Deadline to register: August 11th.


Snake River Days is an incredibly fun, adventure-filled, and active five day camp for middle school age youth. The camp will provide an incredible glimpse of the Snake River watershed through educational activities and experiences that include river hydrology, flat water canoeing and kayaking, aquatic entomology (bugs), fly fishing, plant, mammal and bird exploration, and floating scenic and whitewater sections of the Snake River. An overnight camping trip along the Snake River is included.

A program with the Snake River Fund, Teton County / Jackson Parks and Recreation, Bridger-Teton National Forest, More Kids in the Woods, Rendezvous River Sports, Mad River Boat Trips, Grand Teton National Park, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Teton County Weed and Pest, Teton Science Schools Teacher Learning Center, Jackson Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the Murie Center.

Registration takes place at the Teton County Recreation Center.
Call 307-739-9025 for more information.

Scholarships are available.
Please call Mike Estes at 307-732-5761 for information.

August 5, 2010

River Runner of the Week - Aniah Seiler


Meet Aniah Seiler, our River Runner of the Week.
Where are you from? Wellfleet, NE
What brought you to Jackson? My family went on vacation.
What other activities will you do while you are here? We are going fishing and going to Yellowstone National Park.
Are you staying at a hotel? No, we are RV-ing.
Did you do scenic or whitewater? We did a scenic trip today.
Who was your guide? Ben M
What was your favorite part of your rafting experience? I liked that there were a few waves at the end.

July 7, 2010

River Runner of the Week




Name: Dan Kohn, Nick Hout, Jessika Martinez and Jordan Michaels
Where are you from: Worland WY
What brought you to Jackson: work
What other activities to you have planned during your stay: work, driving
Camping or lodging: We're staying at the Alpen Haus.
Scenic or Whitewater? Whitewater.
Who was your guide? Brian
Did you paddle? Oh yes, it warmed us up.
What was your favorite part of your rafting experience? Messing with our boss!

Employee Spotlight - Caroline Albers




Name: Caroline Albers
Where are you from? Plymouth, MN
What do you do at Mad River? I work in the office.
What brought you to Jackson this summer? My two older sisters live here. I really wanted to live out west. (Editor's note: Caroline is the third Albers to join the Mad River family!)
Your favorite part about Jackson? I love the scenery and it's great to get out in the mountains - something I can't do in MN.
Are you in school? What do you study? I'm going to be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota in the fall, so I'm still undecided on a major.
What are your plans after the summer season? I'll be managing a snow cone booth at the Minnesota State Fair and I'll be back at school and nannying on my days off.
What is your ideal adventure? Anything that involves being away from home... and laughter of course.
What is your favorite moment on the river? Doing 360s through Lunchcounter on Blue Steel with my sisters and Lizzie.
Who do you admire at Mad River? I admire the guides for their arm strength, which is something I lack.
If you could have one superhero power, what would it be? The ability to go back in time, not to change things, but just to watch.
What sweet skills do you have? I can hula-hoop VERY well.
What inspires you? Passionate people.

July 5, 2010

Please join the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce for a Chamber Mixer with Mad River Boat Trips on Thursday, July 8 from 5:30-8:00pm. http://bit.ly/bQ1pnf

July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July!

June 28, 2010

A new set of regulations designed to help prevent bear problems takes effect in three days, on July 1st. To learn more, read Jackson Hole Daily's article: http://bit.ly/wcOsI

June 27, 2010

Today's Weather: High of 78, Low of 42. CFS (Cubic feet per second) is at 12,200. Awesome day to go rafting!

June 23, 2010

River Runner of the Week - Molly Morse



Name: Molly Morse
Where are you from: New Orleans, LA
What brought you to Jackson: We thought it would be a good idea to visit my pops.
What other activities do you have planned: I'm going to ride my new horse. We went to Yellowstone and say geysers and animals. We went to the Chuckwagon and tonight we are going to the Rodeo.
Who was your guide today: Wayne
Did you paddle: Yes, I liked it it.
What was your favorite part: I liked the underwater waterfall at the Champagne rapid. That was really cool!

River Runner of the Week




Meet this week's River Runner of the Week:

Name: Riley Morse
Where are you from: New Orleans, LA
What brought you to Jackson: We're visiting my pops. He lives here.
What other activities do you have planned: We went to Yellowstone and saw some deer and a moose and the geysers.
Did you do scenic or whitewater: Whitewater
Who was your guide: Wayne
Did you paddle? Was it fun? : Yes, my Dad let me try. It was fun.
What was your favorite part about rafting today: The waterfall!

June 21, 2010

Don't miss out on this great deal: whitewater rafting, horseback riding and two nights lodging in JACKSON HOLE from just $329/person! http://bit.ly/9fOOHI
Although we often spot moose on the banks of the Snake River, a moose was spotted in the Mad River parking lot last Thursday around midnight! Say what?

June 17, 2010

Employee of the Week


Meet Will Bryant.


Where are you from?

Atlanta, Georgia

What do you do at Mad River?

Guide.


What brought you to Jackson this summer?

All the financial analyst positions available in Jackson.


Favorite part about Jackson?

Winter thunder bumps. Summer- Ferrin's travel.


How did you spend your winter?

Skiing all day in the village working all night in town.


In school? If so, what are you studying?

Graduated May 09' so now I can now pursue my career as a ski bum/ river guide full time.


What are you plans after the summer season?

Start my search for a new job.


What is your ideal adventure?

The one that doesn't cost money.


Favorite moment on the river?

When Gray Hamlin dump trucked me out of the boat in Lunch Counter this year.


If you could have one superhero power, what would it be?

Jedi Mind Trick. Think about it.


Who do you admire at Mad River?

Ryan Mertaugh. Have you seen those dreads?


What sweet skills do you have?

I can tap my head and rub my stomach at the same time.


What inspires you?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.


River Runner of the Week



Name: Allison Vangrinsven
Where are you from: Westchester PA
What brought you to Jackson: We usually go to Cape Cod, but we wanted to go somewhere different this year, so we decided to come to Jackson Hole.
What other activities do you have planned during your stay: We went to Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park. We went horseback riding and hiking.
Camping or Lodging: We are staying at a hotel.
Scenic or Whitewater: Today we are doing both!
Who was your guide: We had Paul on the scenic and I don't know who we'll have on the whitewater yet.
What was your favorite part of rafting so far today: I liked seeing the Tetons today with all the snow on them. That was pretty cool. Also, Paul let us try to steer the boat so we got to try the oars. I liked that.

June 7, 2010

cfs on river jumped from 17,900 to 18,600 in less than 30 minutes! Here's why and what's to come! http://bit.ly/bHq7JN

June 6, 2010

Two river otters spotted just above Sheep Gulch!
Bald eagle spotted on the 8:30am scenic trip. What have you seen on the Snake River?
The river level is rising each hour! Now at 15,700 CFS

June 5, 2010

River Runner of the Week.

Meet Michael Crawford, our River Runner of the week for June 1st.


Where are you from?

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but I'm currently residing in Jackson, WY.


What brought you to Jackson?

Work and play.


What other activities do like to do in Jackson?

Fly fishing, being on the river, camping, and hiking.


Camping or lodging?

Camping.


Scenic or Whitewater?

Whitewater, because it's more involved and you get wet.


Who was your guide?

Ryan M. He was very knowledgeable and made it pleasant with his personality. He also went out of his way to get to know passengers, and it meant a lot to his customers.


Did you paddle? Did you enjoy it?

Yes, I paddled in the front left and it was hard paddling.

What was your favorite part of your rafting experience?
The view was amazing along with the hospitality of the employees.

Employee Spotlight

Meet our employee of the week, Joseph Pinkard.

Where are you from?
Lynchburg, VA

What do you do at Mad River?
River Guide.

What brought you Jackson this summer?
The Great Recession.

How did you spend your winter?
Skiing.

In school? If so, what are you studying?
Anthropology.

What are you plans after the summer season?
Shoot ducks.

What is your ideal adventure?
Mexico.

Favorite moment on the river?
Being with friends.

Who do you admire at Mad River?
Grey Hamlin.

If you could have on superhero power, what would it be?
To be able to fly.

What sweet skills do you have?
I'm tall.

What inspires you?
Food.

June 2, 2010

River Runner of the Week


Tom Leach, was our River Runner of the Week for May 28th.

Where are you from?
Westport, Massachussets

What brought you to Jackson?
Vacation.

What other activities do you have planned during your stay?
Hiking in the Tetons and Yellowstone.

Camping or Lodging?
Lodging.

Scenic or Whitewater?
Both, scenic for a grand introduction to Jackson area; Whitewater for the thrill of a lifetime.

Who was your guide?
Ian with Chris and Jessica.

Did you paddle? Did you like paddling?
Yes, it is the only way to experience the river.

What was your favorite part of your rafting experience?
Hitting the rapids.

May 22, 2010

Day 5 of Mad River Guide School

It's the last day of Guide School; this week has flown by! Super intense and super fun. Today started with poster judging, animal presentations, and our final test. After we found out that everyone passed, it was time to enjoy the rest of the day.

We went outside and used most of the knots we learned to make a vector line. It is neat to find out what all someone can do if they learn a couple of knots.

Then it was time to start Guide School Olympics. The games started off with an opening ceremony. Ian "Gummy Bear" McIver lit the paddle torch (which was really funny). The first event was a skit--which my team lost. Steve Wilde"man" stole the show. Throughout the day, we participated in various activities such as the off-hand rock throw, slalom, and the best run through Big Kahuna. Lastly, we did a raft flip with a race to the takeout.

Overall, this has been a great week. We had some great coaches and everyone in Guide School became quick friends. I feel like we have known each other forever and it has only been a week. Now its time to graduate and go celebrate!

-Guide Schooler

May 21, 2010

Snake River Cleanup 2010

Snake River Cleanup
When: June 6th
Where: Pick up breakfast and materials from Mad River at 9:00am. Opportunities to pick up all day.
After party at Cutty's with raffle prizes - be there at 8:00pm!


Day 4 of Mad River Guide School

Today was day 4 out on the river. We continued working on getting in and out of eddy's with relying on the river as much as possible. I started in a stern oar mount with paddlers. Its good practice because you can't just focus on what your doing but on your other paddlers also.

The instructors would launch off the boat and pretend they did not what to do and we had to get them and get them in the boat. Great practice for real life situations.

I have learned a ton from this course. We would have class time and read chapters at night, then would go out in the day on the river and practice.

I also got the chance to row a center frame. Although a little different it's the same idea. I have a better understanding of the river, currents, and other river features. I feel confident I could take people down and have fun and most of all be safe especially after this class.

-Guide Schooler

Day 1 of Mad River Guide School

Getting to know people at orientation last night was cool, meeting the people I would spend the next week with and getting a feel for the group.

As we gathered in the boat house this morning I was excited to get going and see everything in action on the river. We had beautiful weather-sunny and about 70 degrees for a fun and intense day.

We got geared up in wetsuits at the boathouse and drove to the landing to meet with the instructors. The rafts were ready, and so we got into our splash gear and PFDs and headed out.

The first trip was relaxed as the guides brought us down as if we were paying customers, pointing out the sights and the names of features where we were. We practiced our paddle strokes and learned the basic commands of "all forward" and "all back."

Afterwards we had some quick food and drove right back to the top where we would guide from then on. We kept paddling and taking turns "on the stick" as guide. Along the way we saw an osprey carrying a fish it had caught, which it then accidentally dropped right next to the other boat. It was exciting seeing people make mistakes on their guiding strokes and quickly learn from them and get it right. It was even more exciting being on the stick myself and feeling the current as we ferried across, drove into eddies and just drifted.

Another longer lunch break and we were back at it. We rotated through who was guiding and who was paddling again. An osprey (maybe the same hungry one) came near one of the boats as it dive bombed for a smaller fish. That one didn't get away.

We practiced a flip drill where we purposely flipped the boat and had to get on top. We re-right it and get back in again. The rushed feeling added to the excitement, but it is sure tough pulling yourself onto or into these big rafts. Very fun!

Back at the boat house we learned to tie a couple knots-figure eight follow through to be specific-got our assignment for the night and went home. It was a definitely a workout to paddle all day, so I know I'll eat well and sleep even better tonight, excited that we get four more days of this.

- Guide Schooler

Day 2 Of Mad River Guide School

Guide school was great today. I really appreciate the instructors letting us take full control of the boat on only the second day of training. They did a great job yesterday of showing us all of the holes& rapids to avoid. Today they really let us learn through making our own mistakes navigating the river. This form of instruction is the most beneficial way of really learning a river.

The assigned reading was really beneficial to the activities we took part in today. The reading was a great starting block to learning the paddle strokes and maneuvers that we need to master today.

The instructors have been really respectful of all inquiries &comments of learning the river. They are really enthusiastic about their job& it's very clear they are thankful for the awesome opportunity they have been given. It's great to learn vicariously through instructors that have intimate knowledge of the Snake River.

-Guide Schooler

May 20, 2010

Day 3 of Mad River Guide School

Wed. May 19th, 2010

Day 3 of River Guides Training:

Water has gone up a little less than 1000 CFS from yesterday morning. Started off the day with instructions on how to rig an oar frame and a raft. After doing this we geared up and headed for the river. We had two 16ft rear mounted ore rigs and one 18ft center mount ore rig.

Our first run down the river, we switched on and off on the ores and one person at a time rotated through the center mounted ore rig.

It was a little cold on the river today, with some rain periodically but not bad for May.

After the first trip we loaded up and headed back to the put-in. At the put-in we worked on using throw bags from shore with swimmers in the water.

Our second run was a similar dear as the first; switching on and off the ores.

After "California Curler" we pulled into an eddy and walked up to "Ropes Rapid." Most of us swam ropes and got picked up in the eddy. We got back to the take-0ut and headed back to the boat house.

Good day on the river.

- Guide Schooler

Mad River Boat Trips supports Rotary Winefest



Dear Friends, Family and Colleagues:



The Rotary Club of Jackson Hole is pleased to announce our club’s largest fundraiser. The 22nd annual Wine Fest will take place Friday, May 28th at Snow King Center in Jackson Hole, WY between 5pm-8pm. Advance purchase tickets are $30 each, or $35 at the door. 100% of last year’s proceeds provided 22 local high school students with scholarships for higher education.



As in years past, the event features over 400 wines from around the world for your tasting enjoyment. For the first time, the event will offer a special Riedel wine glass tasting from 5:15pm-5:45pm. For only $100, this unique experience includes entrance to the Wine Fest, a professional tasting showcasing four different varietals of high quality wine, demonstrating how the various shapes of glasses enhance wine consumption. Participants will keep their glasses valued at $60. Tickets are limited to 40 people, so be sure to reserve now.



Our club is also excited about the event’s huge silent auction including an original Amy Ringholz painting, hotel stays at luxurious hotels around the country, season ski passes, dinners at Jackson Hole’s finest restaurants, rounds of golf at the valley’s top courses, large format bottles of wine and much more.



This year’s raffle will once again offer a chance to win $5,000 in cash in addition to consolation prizes that include cases of fine wine donated by valley liquor stores. To increase the odds of winning, only a limited number of tickets will be sold. Tickets can be purchased online or at the event. You don’t need to be present to win!



Your support by attending the event, participating in the raffle or even a small contribution to the fundraiser through our secure website would be greatly appreciated. To buy Wine Fest tickets, Raffle tickets, Reidel tasting tickets, or to donate, please visit:



www.RotaryWineFest.org






The Jackson Hole Rotary Lunch Club thanks you for your support!

February 2, 2010

The North South Venture

Justus Meyer, former Mad River guide and his friend have teamed up to create the North South Venture, a campaign to raise money for the Millennium Villages Project. Their blog can be found HERE. They will be traveling from Northern Africa to Southern Africa to raise money for the Millennium Villages Project.


What is the Millennium Villages Project?
(A short excerpt from their blog)

How The Millennium Villages Model Works-

The model is simple yet powerful – to introduce a broad range of interventions that address all at the same time the specific needs of each village. Equally as important is that the villagers themselves own and drive all the work being done through Millennium Promise. They are our partners and they are the keys to success. These practical, proven, integrated, low-cost investments are provided under the scientific and technical guidance of the Millennium Promise Scientific Council, the UN Millennium Project, and The Earth Institute at Columbia University.

January 27, 2010

Mad River Guide School on the Snake River - Jackson WY

Guide School is open! Do you want to guide on the Snake River this year? Guide school is for anyone who wants to guide for Mad River in Jackson WY this summer or anyone who wants to brush up on their rafting skills. Get information for guide school HERE.

Questions? Email rafting@mad-river.com. Or send an information request HERE.

January 15, 2010

Mad River Boat Trips Message from Forever Giving





Mad River Boat Trips would like to pass on this message from the President of Forever Living Products International.





Haiti Disaster Relief
A Call to Action by Gregg Maughan, President
Forever Living Products International, Inc.

Dear Friends,

It is hard to watch the devastating images that we are seeing from Haiti after the recent earthquake. With tens of thousands of people killed, the destruction is unparalleled. Couple this recent disaster with the already dire economic state in Haiti and the need for outside help is greater than ever. We can stand by and hope that someone else will help or we can group together and Make a Forever Difference. I am asking each of you to make a donation to Forever Giving. Whether it is $10 or $1000 is not important. What is important is that we get involved. This is the first big challenge that has hit since the inception of Forever Giving and this is our chance to show the world that we are committed to "Making a Difference." Rex and Ruth have personally made a generous contribution to help with the relief effort. Also we are mobilizing our operations in the Dominican Republic to get needed items to Haiti as the airport at Port-au-Prince is extremely congested.

We hope that you will join with us and together we will be able to give hope where all hope has been lost. GIVE NOW!

Sincerely,

Gregg Maughan

There are four easy options available for making a donation to Forever Giving.

Option 1
Give donations to your local Forever Office. For many international offices this is the best option. Country managers will collect funds and forward with a donor log to the corporate office.

Option 2
Donate online by going to www.forever-giving.org. Click on the "Give Now" tab and the "Donate" button on the left side of the page.

Option 3
Donate via your Distributor ecommerce store. Add a donation amount to your shopping cart while ordering Forever Living products. Note: This option is currently only available in the US/Canada Distributor ecommerce stores.

Option 4
By Mail or Phone

To make your donation by mail, send a check to:
The Forever Giving Foundation
7501 East McCormick Pkwy
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

To make your donation by phone, please call
1.888.440.2563 Ext. 4132
(Note: please have the following information ready: name, address, credit card information, including security code, and donation amount).