Off Beat Interview Series with Clark
Tell us a little about yourself! Where did you grow up?
I’m from Corvallis, OR, which sits on the Willamette River, another tributary of the Columbia.
How did you find your way to the river?
I was lucky to grow up with the river– my parents had both guided in past lives and since we had our own raft, multiday rafting trips were the norm for our family vacations. I started guiding on the Lower Salmon and Snake River in Hells Canyon to help pay my way through college, and multiday guiding has been a part of my life ever since.
If you could be a river super hero, what would you be?
Kickflip Man– maybe then I could finally figure out how to properly kickflip a damn kayak!
What is your favorite dress up theme?
Definitely Lucha Libre
What is your ‘go to’ crazy hat night creation?
Not gonna lie I’m confused by this questions
What brought you to Canyons?
Their stellar reputation for quality and guide care, an emphasis on kayaking, the opportunity to “turn the corner” and run a 12-day river trip on the Middle AND Main, and a mutual goal of pushing the needle to diversify the kinds of people that get to access these rivers.
How many years have you worked here?
A whopping 1.0
What is your favorite thing about Canyons?
The opportunity to share world-class rivers with guests I admire and with a crew and company that is dedicatedly professional.
If you could describe Canyons in 3 words?
Dedicated, Fortunate, Flaring
When you hear the word Idaho, what comes to mind?
Keeping Idaho Proud!
What are your top three favorite camps?
Depends on the season,,, but I adore Upper Marble Camp on the Middle Fork. Also on the MF, Ship Island sets up some awesome pacing and sits you directly in the middle of impassable canyon. I am a big fan of Warren Creek on the main, the spring wildflowers on the ridgeline hike above camp were a huge highlight of my time with Canyons in 2026.
Your favorite hike?
Since I just mentioned Warren Creek I’ll have to go with Veil Falls– it remains one of the most powerful places I’ve ever experienced.
Top three favorite rapids?
Also depends on the season. On the Main I love Black Creek and Chittam. On the Middle outside of Impassable Canyon I love the screwiness of Pistol Creek at higher water.
Currently what is your nemesis rapid?
More of a teacher than a nemesis but definitely the hole in Marble on the Middle Fork. It remains the only place I have ever flipped a (paddle) raft, humbling!
What river do you want to run that you haven’t yet?
Río Marañón in Peru! It’s the headwaters of the Amazon, plunges from the mountains into the jungle in a huge canyon. The lower stretches are effectively stateless territories still controlled by the Awajún people, so you need to ask the villages for safe passage. I would love to source-to-sea the Amazon someday, although the odds are not in your favor.
What do you consider a ‘real’ job?
Any job that is not bullshit.
If you could only have one kayak in your quiver, what would it be and why?
Would naturally be a half slice… probably the Antix 3.0.
What is your favorite thing to cook on the river?
Our big ol’ meat log!
If you could take a musician or band down the river today, who would it be?
I think Esther Rose would be a great fit on either of the rivers we run.
What is your most memorable swim in a river?
Swam Rainy Falls on the Rogue River when I was 14… Far too much downtime, I was in animal panic, but it taught me respect for the power of the water.
What is one of your river rituals or superstitions?
I got to spend a few weeks last winter in Wallmapu (South-central Chile) working with Mapuche Pehuenche people who are river activists. One of the biggest teachings for me was the way they respectfully greet the river and its resident Ngen (spirits) before entering the water. This concept of greeting/asking for safe passage of the water has shown up in various forms in many of the Indigenous cultural traditions I’ve gotten to spend time in place with and one I’ve incorporated into the way I approach the river. The last time I didn’t express gratitude and ask permission to the water (on the White Salmon river), I swam.
What is your most valued non river related item that you bring with you on every trip?
My journal.
What is your favorite groover spot?
Any spot that doesn’t have a big line when I’ve had my second cup of coffee and am doing the groover dance!
Similar Posts by The Author:
- Off Beat Interview Series with Mike Hipsher
- The Interior Guide: How to Actually Show Up for Yourself this River Trip
- Internal Hydrology: Why You’re More Watershed Than Human
- Blogs are Reflections from a Salmon River SUP Adventure
- Threats to the Salmon River – Stibnite Mine
