Friends and Clients on One of Washingtons Best Rivers

   The Skykomish River comes crashing off of the high peaks of the Wild Sky and Henry Jackson Wilderness areas. The mountains within these areas strike the sky five thousand feet above the valley floor. Collecting up to 200" of precipitation every year provides the Skykomish river with generous flows.
 
   Our North Fork of the Sky trip meanders along the Wild Sky Wilderness boundary. In fact sections of this commercially run section are the wilderness area boundary. This provides spectacular scenery with an almost daily sighting of bald eagles and the occasional bobcat sighting.
 
   Since Outdoor Adventures has a private put in we are the only company running this section. Outdoor Adventures is a family run business and the Corson's have been generous. They have allowed us to provide our friends, families, and clients with a unique class III experience.

Ryland on the North Fork

   Over the past couple weeks I have been able to take friends to this amazing location. After paddling at the USRA National Championships Jeremiah and Katie came to Index for a visit.  Subsequently we paddled with Seamus on the North Fork Skykomish (III). After that Jeremiah, Seamus, Ryland and I R-2'd the Main Skykomish (V). So much fun paddling with Katie and Jeremiah a fellow Ark Shark teammate. Shortly after their visit I had another opportunity to showcase one of Washington's best rivers to friends.

Wade, Hannah, Ryland, Josie, Me, Sam, Rib, and Seamus

   Josie came along with Sam as she was moving back to the South Sound area. They had rafted the Lochsa in Idaho a couple days before. So I figured we would be good to go on the Main Sky (V) but we were more inclined to have a scenic run on the North Fork followed with a riverside campfire. Not surprisingly Josie and Sam were impressed with the hidden town of Index, the Skykomish River and the surrounding wilderness. The next day Sam played guide and guides played tourists when we headed to Pikes Place Market in Seattle for a cultural buffet.

Keith, Lindsey, Me, Jordan

  Soon after I had the pleasure of guiding a wonderful group down the North Fork to the Main in a full day whitewater adventure. Here is a photo Mark from Woodinville took on our North Fork to Main Skykomish trip. Keith rallied two full boats from the North Fork to upgrade and add the Main Sky to complete this fun filled day.
 
   Last week I submitted an American Mountain Guide Association scholarship application and video. Finances are one of the biggest hurdles in acquiring AMGA certifications. Thankfully the AMGA has many industry sponsors that help instructors and guides become certified. This video is a short summary of the places Ive travelled to acquire experience and prerequisites to confidently participate in these professional level courses.  rock guide prerequisites  ski guide prerequisites

Check out my scholarship video here.

   Here is another short video from an adventure Seamus and I had on the Rapid River near Skykomish Washington.

Rapid River Skykomish Washington

June Photo Selections

As I continue acquiring the experience expected of a guide I have slowly developed a photography portfolio. These photos are from the beautiful places my career has taken me. I consider myself lucky to have the motivation and persistence that my parents instilled in me as a child. This is what allows me to continue to be confident in this ever daunting task of career development. As a result I have found many people to find pleasure in the images I capture.

While driving to camp outside Grand Junction a lightning storm popped up right in front of me. Unwilling to continue driving into the storm I positioned myself to capture an image. With lightning popping off all around and a hair trigger on the shutter button I was able to capture this image.

G.J. Lightning 

When I posted the image to Facebook my friend Clair requested a print. So when I returned to Colorado on my spring 2014 tour I had the photo printed, mounted on gator board and laminated to archive quality. This laminate will allow the photo to maintain its quality for up to 75 years. Seeing the joy in Clair and Johns faces was incredible. They loved the 16x24 so much it immediately went up on the wall.

I saw this as an opportunity to promote my images and make them available for purchase. I am currently using a professional photo lab to have the images printed and mounted. Custom frames are available at an additional cost.

The money raised through the sale of any promotional photos will go directly to instructor/ guide training courses with the American Mountain Guide Association. Specifically the Rock Guide Course that is being held in Smith Rock Oregon in November 2014. This course will give me the opportunity to further improve client rewards, instructional and risk management techniques in a multi pitch setting. Moreover as we develop climbing trips and instruction at the Outdoor Adventure Center we will be able to offer a more diverse instructional curriculum.

Kane Creek Rainbow I

These two photos were taken in Kane Creek outside Moab Utah. This was during my autumn tour 2013. All of these images are available mounted and laminated for $225. However if you sign up at the top of the page to follow Guided Exposure through Feed Burner I'll offer these images for $200.

Kane Creek Rainbow II

Most importantly share this page with friends, family, and co workers that are interested in rafting, climbing, hiking, or a combination of city to mountain adventure. While I am based in Index Washington, only an hour from Seattle, I am available for adventures from the corners southwest to the coastal pacific northwest.