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Our Guides Bearpaw River Guides are true River
People. We are the type of people who spend our free time at
the river kayaking, paddling, swimming, or just watching the
water roll on by.
For us a day of "work" river guiding on the Lochsa can be
as much fun as a day out paddling with friends. We take our
river fun seriously! With a wide variety of interests and
areas of expertise, there are many ways that Bearpaw guides
will engage you.
We love what we do and are excited about sharing this
with you.
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Jeff Wieber
Jeff is a full time, year round river guide. When
he isn't going head to head with the monster
whitewater of the Lochsa he is either rafting,
drift-boat fishing, or running jet-boat tours and
fishing trips on the Salmon and Snake rivers of
Idaho. When Jeff is not on the water, he is usually
snowboarding, antler hunting, or juggling
chainsaws. He also enjoys fast cars, big 4wheel
drives, and fun people
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Mat E. McGrath I grew up in Missoula
Montana and was a team sports guys until I discovered
mountain biking. I got way into that and to this day, biking
remains as a big part of my life. I don’t even have a
drivers license or own a car- I bike everywhere I go. I am a
full time bike mechanic and ski tech. I enjoy living in a
place that allows me to stay busy in the outdoor world. I
love to bike, hike, ski, inner-tube, and to get crazy in the
raft on class V. I have even invented a few of my own
sports: “ski-bike aerials” and “team midnight floating”
(sponsored by PBR). I have things to do everyday! Rafting
with Justin and the Bearpaw Crew these past few years has
been a wonderful learning experience and a great time. I
hope to see ya-all out there! My favorite color is green. My
favorite number is 13. I love Classic Rock but listen to
everything. My hobbies besides biking and rafting include
making music, developing experimental pyrotechnics, and all
sorts of other stuff.
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Jesse “River Raider” Scollin I was brought
into this world at the Northern tip of The Bear Paw
Mountains and was raised in the valley of the Great
Falls. Central Montana was my home until the day I
left for the Armed Forces of the United States of
America- beautiful US of A! Upon returning home from
the call of duty overseas, I came to know this
gorgeous diamond that you all call Lochsa. It was
right in my backyard... Boom it was on. I have
pretty much been hunting for the WHITE WHALES ever
since! My Family and The Bearpaw Crew have created a
new monster!!
Running the Lochsa has been a steeping stone for
what has become the evolution of my life... I spend
the rest of my time (in the off season) at the
source of the river in the Mountains and hanging out
in Glacier Country with my Blackfeet Nation and down
on the plains with the Cen Mon Crew! Keepin it
seasonal baby, some even might say keeping it dipped
in that butter... Smokin down the slopes head first
on the Airboard, following the snow all the way down
to the river, and then changing up for the Spear or
the Mean Monkey RiverBoard. I may even do a little
flying to. Who really knows?! My wolf pack has
grown. I love being apart of all this greatness and
excellence, so step outside- its nice out here.
Bring your game faces people- this is an experience
of a life time!!!!! Go Big, Go Bearpaw!!!!
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Johnny Watson I was born in 85 and I reside
in Missoula, Montana. I am the youngest of three
boys and I grew up riding bikes, riding snowboards,
going camping, and doing pretty much any outdoor
activity. I absolutely love the mountains and all
they have to offer. I ride the snow at all the
backcountry destinations and tear it up at Lolo
Pass. When the snow begins to melt in the spring I
pick up the oars and get after it on one of the best
rivers in the world – The Lochsa! I first ran it in
2005 and have been addicted ever since. After the
Lochsa runs out, I go and run trips on Montana’s
Alberton Gorge with friends as a summertime
favorite! |
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Ian Haddad |
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Justin Walsh I was born in Salt Lake City,
Utah, in the winter of 1971 and spent my childhood weekends
enjoying the outdoors with my family. It was not until I
started river guiding in 1993, during the summers of my
college years, that I found that I have a great love of
rivers and enjoy sharing river experiences with others. This
love has taken me through the beautiful desert canyons of
Utah, up to the wild glacial rivers of Alaska, and down
through the abundant white-water of Idaho rivers. When you
come up to do a trip on the Lochsa, I recommend bringing a
festive "party shirt" to wear and a snorkeling mask so that
you can go swimming and see what a river looks like from the
inside out! My favorite color is green. My favorite number
is 16. My favorite bands are Built to Spill and Ween. If I
only had one more meal in life it would begin with fresh
oysters on the half shell with Tabasco and radish. About
this time I would crack open up a Kettle House Brewery Cold
Smoke Ale. Then my meal would move to a Montana Elk
tenderloin (cooked rare to medium rare with a splash of
Worcestershire and a shake of Montreal seasoning). There
would be a mess of Idaho potatoes, mashed (skin on), with
the proper amount of butter and salt. I could not overlook
some of Claire’s leeks- lightly cooked in butter with a
balsamic reduction sauce. Rocky road for desert. (Sorry Mom,
your chicken enchiladas are SO good).
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Claire Yauck Walsh Hi! I work on the
office side of Bearpaw operations. But I do love both
paddling and cheering the rafts on from the shore of the
river. I grew up exploring my ranch in the wilds of the
Texas Panhandle. Back then I never imagined I would be
rafting the fantastic Lochsa River! While I love the
excitement of the day trips, I prefer our two-day trips,
because more time is spent enjoying our great camp at Riley
Flats. I am a graduate from Colorado State University with a
degree in Communication and Public Affairs. I am currently
working towards my Law degree at the University of Montana.
I would love to chat with you about the exhilarating Lochsa
River and wonderful Lochsa River canyon! Call us up! Oh, and
my favorite bands are Led Zepplin and the Flaming Lips. My
favorite beverage is Champagne! My favorite rapid on the
Lochsa is Castle Creek…
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Will Malone Howdy folks William "road
shark" Malone here! I was raised by my mom in mid coast
Maine, but have been calling western Montana home since
1994. I am passionate about the outdoors and love being able
to share this with others! In addition to the awesome white
water, I also like to give our guests a memorable dining
experience. I look forward to bringing some new and exciting
things to the "Bearpaw menu" this season!
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Hall of Fame
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Shannon Hilliard |
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Steve Wasmuth |
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Mike Wasmuth |
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Mike “Whitewater” Walker |
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Keri Cummings |
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Leanne Metzler |
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Natasha Carlson |
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