06-09-2010, 10:19 PM
Gardiner MT is right on the WY border and its the entrance to Yellowstone Park. Last year I met a guy named Mike who is a big game guide, wildlife photographer, wildlife sculptor, and whitewater guy. He employees college aged kids to guide families down the Yellowstone River in the summer -- mosty after the spring runoff.
Well the runoff is still going on but there are sections of river that they take people down and sections that they won't take families down.
I stopped in today to see Mike. Long story short he had river guide training for his guides today and I got to go along. We drove well into Yellowstone Park to the largest of rapids coming through the gulches. Mike drove the van and trailer as the chase vehicle and I was pleasantly surprised that he took a bunch of pics. A man after my own heart.
Hey Buckit the water was just above freezing but we had wetsuits, except for two crazy guides! Here we are just putting in!
Now I am very comfortable in the water. And I have done some mild water rafting before. But never BIG water. WOW was this fun! I am front right as you are looking at the raft.
We rode some big whitewater then Ryan the head guide warned us that he was going to flip the boat. When we got to the last big whitewater he steered us sideways into it and we flipped. The "training" guide had to calmly take charge of the situation and get us to shore. WAY TOO MUCH FUN!
Well the runoff is still going on but there are sections of river that they take people down and sections that they won't take families down.
I stopped in today to see Mike. Long story short he had river guide training for his guides today and I got to go along. We drove well into Yellowstone Park to the largest of rapids coming through the gulches. Mike drove the van and trailer as the chase vehicle and I was pleasantly surprised that he took a bunch of pics. A man after my own heart.
Hey Buckit the water was just above freezing but we had wetsuits, except for two crazy guides! Here we are just putting in!
Now I am very comfortable in the water. And I have done some mild water rafting before. But never BIG water. WOW was this fun! I am front right as you are looking at the raft.
We rode some big whitewater then Ryan the head guide warned us that he was going to flip the boat. When we got to the last big whitewater he steered us sideways into it and we flipped. The "training" guide had to calmly take charge of the situation and get us to shore. WAY TOO MUCH FUN!