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chalkjockey
Dec 29, 2011, 10:50 PM
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I am an avid climber, like most of you, and i too am faced with the challenge of needing money and a job etc...
I need to work near climbing. So far i have been able to be a river guide near my home town during the summers. There is climbing within my city and it has worked out. However, i need to move on to other rivers now.
What cities, particularly in the northwest u.s., offer river rafting companies, and great climbing?
thank you.
-nic
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granite_grrl
Dec 29, 2011, 11:18 PM
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The New River Gorge. I don't know if you'll get much better than that.
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sungam
Dec 29, 2011, 11:48 PM
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I know a couple of rafting/climbing guides in Utah. They seem to do well, but that might be down to them breaking the knees of anyone that tries to cut in on the business.
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adelphos
Dec 30, 2011, 4:24 PM
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The Leavenworth/Wenatchee area of Washington has a lot of climbing and several river rafting companies that operate during the Summer months. In Fall and Winter, these areas have a lot to offer in the way of Winter sports if you can do basic instruction on snowboard or ski. You almost might consider this area as you can move into kayak guiding in the Sound as well.
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coastal_climber
Dec 31, 2011, 6:07 PM
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Lots of raft guides work around squamish
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alpine_monk
Jan 3, 2012, 11:37 PM
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granite_grrl wrote: The New River Gorge. I don't know if you'll get much better than that.
To answer the OP, What river where you guiding on? Missoula is a fairly cool option for what your seeking. The Blackfoot is a blast at high water, then the Clarks Fork is good all summer (and winter when free of ice). The climbing around town varies from one pitch limestone sport all the way to full on grade V A5 5.11, so those options are solid. Other towns that come to mind would be: Index, Wa. Durango, Co. Truckee, Ca. Squamish, BC. Jackson, Wy....
Just sticking with your north west criteria.
(This post was edited by alpine_monk on Jan 4, 2012, 12:16 AM)
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j_ung
Jan 4, 2012, 8:08 PM
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alpine_monk wrote: granite_grrl wrote: The New River Gorge. I don't know if you'll get much better than that. That may be a bit too bold. I personally prefer granite routes over 1,000' long. None of that there so in my mind, yes it does get better. I would also say Idaho alone kicks the crap out of the whitewater on the whole east side of the country...
That's also probably too bold. There's a reason why western guides head east in droves come September.
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rnevius
Jan 4, 2012, 8:33 PM
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Kernville, CA
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camhead
Jan 4, 2012, 9:37 PM
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In addition to everything mentioned, check out:
Moab, UT. Everything from the easy Class II-III daily to week-long Class V Cataract Canyon in High Water. Great climbing in the spring and fall, and even summer is pretty tolerable once you head up to Mill Creek.
Durango: Rafting on the Animas, Dolores (though both are more seasonal than the Moab Rivers), lots of local climbing.
Stanley ID. I've never climbed in the Sawtooths, but have heard that they are amazing backcountry multipitch granite. Rafting on the Salmon, daily and multiday.
Jackson, WY. Daily rafting on the Snake (pretty boring with the exception of Lunch Counter and Big Kahuna rapids), and mountaineering in the Tetons.
Finally, it is pretty tough to get in with, but a lot of outfitters on the Grand Canyon are near amazing backcountry climbing along the Arizona Strip and Vermillion Cliffs, with cragging in Flagstaff a few hours away.
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alpine_monk
Jan 4, 2012, 10:25 PM
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j_ung wrote: alpine_monk wrote: granite_grrl wrote: The New River Gorge. I don't know if you'll get much better than that. That may be a bit too bold. I personally prefer granite routes over 1,000' long. None of that there so in my mind, yes it does get better. I would also say Idaho alone kicks the crap out of the whitewater on the whole east side of the country... That's also probably too bold. There's a reason why western guides head east in droves come September.
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wrbill
Jan 4, 2012, 10:36 PM
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Central and southern Oregon could be a good choice. For climbing you have Smith Rock and a lot of other places that near by.
As for the rivers you have the Klamath River and the Rogue River and a few others that I don't remember the names right now.
Good luck in finding what you are looking for and Happy New Year.
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