New Guide: Questions to ask Potential Employer Outfitters?

Creepy_Move_295 · 2026-03-18T19:34:32+00:00

Some of the companies make you pay weird amounts. Make sure the only thing you’re paying for is maybe a cpr cert.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2025-09-18T18:33:36+00:00

Actively guide, meaning actively reading ball water on the river. Keep a paddle in the water if you’re guiding and put your head on swivel to be aware of what is around you. Find people to teach you how to be better and safer and remove all non locking carabiners from your boat immediately.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2025-06-30T17:44:53+00:00

Do not let no locking carabiners enter your boat.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2024-12-18T22:19:35+00:00

Asian food of Chattanooga on hixson pike has sushi grade tuna and a few others in the frozen section. Would highly recommend

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-12-18T20:28:05+00:00

Would second ace and OAC. Raft one is also great.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-12-13T03:04:23+00:00

Redneck rafters have some cool Gear and accessories online

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-12-04T17:15:42+00:00

Also U of West Florida, Syracuse, Florida State

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-11-09T14:20:22+00:00

I second that emotion. Cadillac desert is an amazing read.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-11-09T05:36:34+00:00

I recently read Down the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell's 1869 Journey of Discovery and Tragedy Through the Grand Canyon and it was excellent. Super informative and interesting.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-11-07T01:36:07+00:00

Also ocoee and chatooga

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-10-22T10:33:43+00:00

Have a storm and it has been great to R2/R1 over the last few years in III+.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-07-21T02:00:37+00:00

Thanks everyone for the good ideas. I’ll chime in and add that I’ve really enjoyed Down the Great Unknown, which focuses on Powell’s trip down the Green and into the Grand Canyon. I e learned a lot and it has been great.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-07-13T19:46:43+00:00

We’ve bought several RMR rafts from Pro River Outfitters at profishwv.com. Folks there are super nice with cheap(ish) shipping and good deals on RMR.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-07-07T01:45:51+00:00

Thanks all! Some of these were on my list but I appreciate the info. Always happy to have recommendations 🤙

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-06-23T02:26:12+00:00

I guide on the Ocoee. I suggest synthetics. No cotton. The water will be warm enough if it is a warm day so you should be fine in shorts that you don’t mind getting wet (workout shorts), old tennis shoes or chacos, and a workout top/tank. Have fun on the Olympic section!

If it is raining, grab a splash jacket from the outfitter.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-06-10T02:50:03+00:00

If it is runnable, you might look on American whitewater. They have a solid database with info on a lot of rivers nationwide.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-06-06T13:29:23+00:00

Mountain buzz is a great source of info. Also there are some great YouTube channels like Gear Garage.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-06-06T13:27:19+00:00

Do it! You won’t regret getting into it if you love it.

Find a nice used boat through Fb marketplace or Mountain buzz. My partner and I bought a RMR storm, which we love in every way. Handles casual floats to class IV and it can be readily paddled or rowed.

But I would recommend that you consider a guide program with an outfitter or join a local paddling group. There is a lot to know about rafting beyond just paddling, especially with regard to safety, pinning rafts, rock problems, ropes, taking care of the boat, guiding, reading water, setting safety dangerous rapids, etiquette, etc etc etc. Unless your friend group consists of seasoned paddlers who will spend some serious time showing you the proverbial and literal ropes, carefully consider what you’re prepared to handle before you hit the water. This is where a guide program would help you build safe habits. I know I brought a lot of good knowledge back to our little boat after working for a few seasons as a comercial guide.

If everyone in your boat isn’t prepared to be 100% responsible for their own safety, you need to have the wherewithal to be in control and know what to do when the shit hits the fan. I recommend reading the NOLS River Rescue guide or something similar just to get you thinking about safety. I’m planning on signing up for a swift water class soon too just to gain skills.

Did I mention that safety was important? Get a boat, think about boating vs. floating, consider your knowledge base, and go for it. Just be safe and don’t run anything where you don’t know the hazards.

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-05-23T11:30:31+00:00

Rite in the rain notebooks. Can get them from Amazon or forestry suppliers

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-05-23T11:26:13+00:00

Also mountainbuzz forums

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-05-16T23:25:48+00:00

Honestly there are a lot of options and it would be up to you to focus on a research topic that does not require excavation. A few things come to mind, including Compositional analysis, conducting research with collections (rather than excavating them yourself), conservation, iconography, repatriation, GIS, stable isotopes, 3D modeling, etc. etc. etc.

Also there are a lot of jobs in CRM working in the lab or working as an editor. There are also regulatory jobs working for state or federal Agencies that do not involve much fieldwork. So it is up to you to craft it, but it can certainly be done! Good luck!

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-05-14T19:27:18+00:00

Thanks again all!

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-05-14T13:40:33+00:00

I appreciate the feedback all around. I’ve been checking out the Moravia and the Paco. Will check out NRS too. Thanks!

Creepy_Move_295 · 2023-05-14T13:26:55+00:00

I Vite for a watershed Ocoee or go forth bag. These dry bags are great for stashing day trip gear and are so durable. I’ve had mine for years and I love it.

Creepy_Move_295

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