Recently, we asked the Idaho River Journeys Crew what are they doing this winter? Besides dreaming about rafting on the Middle Fork Salmon, our crew stays active and enjoys their winter months. From engagements, babies, travel, work and everything in between. Below you can read about their adventures, enjoy.
Esa moved to Reno, Nevada this year to return to school for nursing. Between semesters she will be ski instructing at the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana. Besides studying, she is planning a few ski touring adventures in the Sierras, fly fishing in the Truckee River, and kayaking.
Nate is spending his winter living in Flagstaff, Arizona. He is working as the safety and event coordination for the local ski hill, Snow Bowl. He decided to make the most of his week-off during the summer and proposed to his girlfriend and became engaged. Nate and Nhi are currently planning a fun river guide wedding next September in Stanley, Idaho.
Sunny finished her application to Physicians Assistant school, with the hopes of attending in 2018. She currently works as a ski patroller for the Yellow Stone club. Unfortunately, on her first week back she tore her ACL while skiing. Even with the injury, she’s even more positive and upbeat than ever and looking forward to a full season of guiding on the river.
Dave traveled down to New Zealand to start a whole new summer of guiding. He is working as safety kayaker on a class IV stretch of whitewater near Queenstown. In his spare time, he has been exploring the fly fishing and whitewater opportunities in the beautiful country of New Zealand.
Having spent the last several winters away from the snow and mountains, Fer decided to move back home to Ketchum, Idaho to enjoy the mountain lifestyle he has been missing out on for so many years. Come early spring, he still hopes to get a couple months of travel in before joining us for another season on the river.
Keri will be hanging out in Pocatello for the winter. She is fixing up a new rental property, walking her lovely dog, and waiting for the snow to fly. In between all the fun, she continues to work in the cardiology department at the Pocatello hospital. She is looking forward to skiing in Breckenridge with the rest of the IRJ crew in February.
With their straw-bale house finished, Hannah and her husband Geoff have been able to go on many fun adventures with their twin toddlers. They explored Moab, skied in Sun Valley, and traveled around Idaho. They look forward to taking the kids on their first winter yurt ski trip.
Brian has begun his 3rd year of teaching water policy at the University of Montana. In the fall he received a grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct research in Nebraska on the links between policies and ecological change. Along with preparing for this research, Brian and his wife Jenni have been enjoying the Missoula winter with their 2 dogs and 3 cats.
Drew had a terrific summer on the Middle Fork with IRJ. He guided seven trips. He is back teaching 12th-grade math and science in Hailey, Idaho. When he is not grading papers he has been skiing as much as possible and enjoying the winter in Sun Valley. Drew said his goal for the New Year is to catch at least one fish every month of the year.
Jo has had a busy winter. She is playing hockey for the Salmon women’s team, coaching CrossFit, skiing nearly every weekend at Lost Trail, and planning on obtaining her pilot’s license. When not playing, Jo works at her family business Gem Air.
Dillon has been traveling cross country, often living out of his van. He has been visiting many incredible cities; enjoying the different cultures, food, and drinks. Last we checked he was in New Orleans.
Skip has been enjoying the Idaho winter. Spending as much as time as possible skiing at Lost Trail, shooting photography and traveling around the great state. In Feb. he will move back down to Kernville, California to start preparing for the Kern River season. He is hoping for another big water year.
This summer Bob and Mary became grandparents to a beautiful girl. Emma Mary Volpert was born on June 28th to Will and Julie. They have been enjoying the time spent with the grandkids and are excited to have a new crop of guides.
IRJ Celebrity Guides
Michael is leading ski tours at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah 11th season. Besides being a mountain host he works in economic development for the state of Utah.
Seda spent Dec. at her home in Emmett, Idaho. She is now traveling and plans to fish in Peru, Chile, and Argentina.
Shannon is spending the winter at her home in the Wood River Valley. She’s working as a professional massage therapist, and volunteering at the Swiftsure Ranch, a therapeutic horse ranch.
Jim lives Point Reyes, California chasing steelhead and building custom homes.
Rachael is traveling with her dog, Echo. She has been adventuring around the west with plans to travel nurse.
Scooter is at his house in Ketchum, Idaho. He works at a local ski shop, Sturtevants. Between work and renting his house, he has stayed busy.
Matt and his family have been enjoying the winter in Boise, Idaho. He is working at St. Luke’s hospital.
Steve and his wife Rena, have been doing extensive traveling this winter. He will be returning to guide on our June 30 trip this summer.
