Team Canyons Crew

Our Team Canyons “family” of talented individuals, has been working together for many years, some for 25 years or more! We have a balance of both male and female guides. In fact, we have more boat-women on our staff than any other Middle Fork or Main Salmon outfitter. Our guides are not only skilled oarsmen, but also paddle raft captains, sweep boat drivers, and avid kayakers. Their experience, knowledge, dedication to their profession and sheer joy in what they do, is unmatched. In traveling with Team Canyons, you are with some of the best in the industry, and you will feel like part of the family during and after your time with us on the river. Team Canyons has a longstanding tradition of creating a magical experience beyond just floating the river.

Reservations/Logistics Crew:

Katie Procter joins us from Virginia, then Arizona and now Utah. She is the newest addition to our front country staff. Katie has guided for many years and plans to keep guiding for many more to come. As she and her man welcome a new addition to their family, baby Bodhi, Katie has opted for a year-round position working in reservations and logistics. She will continue to get out on the water a handful of times throughout the season, starting again in 2021. Katie brings her southern charm and grace to every aspect of her work. If you haven’t had the pleasure yet, you will love chatting with her on the phone.

Ariana Lowe joined Team Canyons as a river guide in 2005. After many years of guiding, Ari decided to accept a year-round position working in reservations, marketing, and logistics. She has now stepped into the role of management. As a wearer of many hats for Team Canyons, you may chat with her on the phone or receive an email from her, you might enjoy her presence as a guide on the river with you, or you may benefit from her organization of the logistics of your travel to and from the river. Ari’s experience shines through in answering any questions that you might have and will happily help you navigate your trip details.

Meet Your Guide Crew

Cameo Guides

With open arms, we welcome a myriad of beautiful souls to our team. Other obligations and commitments only allow for these folks to join us for a partial season. We are blessed to have them as part of Team Canyons.

• Marty Rood– Longtime river guide for Canyons. Kayaker. Skier. Proud owner of Payette Powder Guides.
• Britt Farquharson– Guide. Kayaker. Wilderness First Responder Instructor for Sierra Rescue.
• Gary Thompson– Guide. Father. Teacher. Mediator. Kayaker. Skier.
• Kiki Wykstra– Guide. Yoga and SUP instructor. Teacher. Kayaker. Adventurer.
• Jim Dickey– Guide. Skier. Mountain Biker. Kayaker. Member of the First Descents Team.
• Kyle Smith– Guide. Nurse. Class V+ adventure kayaker. Sponsored NRS adventure writer.
• Chris Jaquette– Guide. High school teacher. Father. Kayaker. Surfer.
• Somer Morris– Guide. Dog lover. Adventurer. Skier.
• Zak Sears– Guide. Kayaker. Swift Water Rescue Instructor for the Swiftwater Safety Institute.
• John Humphries– Part-time Driver. Retired smokejumper. McCall local. An avid adventurer.
• Colin Marshall– Part-time Driver. Volunteer Firefighter in Aspen. An avid skier and soccer player.

Front Country Crew

Melissa Rood grew up in Oregon but has been an Idaho local for most of her adult life. She resides year-round in McCall, Idaho, the home of Team Canyons’ headquarters. Melissa has worked for Team Canyons since 1995, serving as Reservations Manager until 2017, when she took over as Accounting Manager. She worked for the original owners of Canyons for many years and then played a vital role in helping the current owner, Greg, transition into ownership. She received her BA in Leisure Studies & Services at the University of Oregon. She has enjoyed a career within the recreation and travel industry ever since.

Rick Hudson spent his career fighting fires throughout the west, as a smokejumper.  In retirement, he has committed to driving full time for Canyons throughout the summer season. As a vital Team member, Rick aka ‘Hud’ or ‘Huddy Buddy’ spends hundreds of hours and thousands of miles on the road, from May through September. Hud transports our gear, guides and resupply provisions from our warehouse in McCall, to and from the river. With a kind demeanor and a hard work ethic, Hud is a treasured member of Team Canyons. He is a born adventurer and loves to join us at least once a year on the river, in his own Ducky (Inflatable Kayak).

Neal McAdam is a somewhat recent transplant to Idaho, hailing originally from California, then Utah and now McCall, Idaho. After numerous years of river guiding in Arizona, Oregon, and Idaho, Neal joined Team Canyons as a guide. In 2018 (after the birth of his second child), Neal joined the front country crew at Canyons, as our Warehouse Manager. Neal oversees the food ordering and packing, trip rigs and de-rigs, gear management & repairs and warehouse logistics. He also continues to guide a couple of trips a season for Canyons. You may have the pleasure of meeting Neal on the river, or as a driver at the put-in or the take-out.