Montana Raft Trips

2012-01-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

2012 Swiftwater Rescue Training:

Montana River Guides, in cooperation with The Whitewater Rescue Institute, is offering a variety of rafting and river rescue training during the Spring 2009 throughout Montana. These certified classes are being taught by longtime guides and swiftwater rescue instructors Mike Johnston and Cody Harris.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Swiftwater Rescue Technician
A three day course designed for raft guides and private boaters, the Whitewater Rescue Technician is a 20 hour class with a half day of classroom instruction followed by two days developing and practicing skills on the river. While the initial emphasis is safety & self rescue, the class offers an in-depth look at reading water, recognizing and avoiding hazards, quick rescue techniques, boat-based rescues, dealing with boat wraps and entrapments, technical rescue systems, and a variety of practical scenarios. We analyze footage of actual river rescues in the classroom and progress from a solid foundation of rescue skills and practice into rescue scenarios on the river. The class is challenging, fun and tailored to the students needs. A manual, test, patch, I.D. card, and certification are included. Cost: $335

The classes are scheduled for almost every weekend from late March through late June throughout Montana and the Northwest. You'll need a full wetsuit or drysuit; a pair of neoprene booties and gloves, a helmet (w/skullcap or hat); and a lifejacket. Personal equipment rentals are available from Montana River Guides for $25 the first day of class. Bring a lunch, water and extra dry, warm top & bottom layers such as fleece and polypropelene.

Register by calling to confirm space in the class. We require a 50% deposit to hold your spot. Just call and give us a credit card number or send the deposit and your contact information to: Montana River Guides 2439 Gilbert Ave, Missoula, MT 59802.

Thanks,

Mike Johnston, Instructor
Montana River Guides
406-240-0560
406-240-0560 (cell)

Email: rivers@montana.com

Swiftwater Rescue Classes with Montana River Guides

2010-03-11T07:38:00.000-08:00

NEW RESCUE VIDEO!! CLICK HERE

Footage from our swiftwater rescue classes on Montana's most beautiful rivers including the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Swan, Middle Fork, Gallatin, Bighole and Yellowstone. After learning basic principals of river rescue and practicing rescue techniques, students respond to realistic scenarios created by instructors Mike Johnston & Cody Harris. Fun, challenging, and real hands-on training. www.montanariverguides.com

Inflatable Kayaking on the Blackfoot River

2010-02-28T21:46:00.001-08:00

Ready to up your fun factor on the river? If you don't mind the idea of a swim or two consider an inflatable kayak for your next adventure. Check out our footage of Kayaking the Beautiful Blackfoot River.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding Montana Style

2010-02-12T22:29:00.001-08:00

Everett getting some sun during a stand up surf session on the south shore of Oahu.

2010 Swiftwater Rescue Training & Raft Guide Schools

2009-12-29T23:03:00.000-08:00

Montana River Guides and The Whitewater Rescue Institute are offering a variety of rafting and river rescue training Spring 2010 throughout Western Montana. The classes are being taught by Mike Johnston and Cody Harris and certified through the Whitewater Rescue Institute. Here's a tentative calendar of 2010 River Rescue and Guide Classes. We're still firming up some of the dates as we hear from agencies and organizations that are working out their training schedules.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Swift Water Rescue Technician: A two and a half to three day course designed for raft guides and private boaters, the SRT is a 20 plus hour class with a half day of classroom instruction followed by two plus days developing and practicing skills on the river. While the initial emphasis is safety & self rescue, the class offers an in-depth look at reading water, recognizing and avoiding hazards, quick rescue techniques, boat-based rescues, dealing with boat wraps and entrapments, technical rescue systems, and a variety of practical scenarios. We analyze footage of actual river rescues in the classroom and progress from a solid foundation of rescue skills and practice into rescue scenarios on the river. The class is challenging, fun and tailored to the students needs. A manual, test, patch, I.D. card, and certification are included. Cost: $335

RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL: We offer two to five day classes designed for people wanting to lead river trips. We focus on safety, reading water, and guiding paddle rafts through Class II, III and IV whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, equipment, rigging, boat handling, communications, paddle commands, and rescue techniques. Our five day Raft Guide School combines river instruction with a certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician class the first two days. On days three, four and five you'll guide whitewater raft trips on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. The course includes a Whitewater Rescue Technician certification and certificate of completion. Tuition: $455

PROFESSIONAL RIVER GUIDE SCHOOL: A seven day comprehensive course designed for students interested in becoming professional river guides. The class integrates certified Wilderness Emergency Medicine and River Rescue training with hands-on guide training while running the river each day. Guide topics covered include equipment, boatrigging, trip preparation, risk management, reading water, and rafting class II, III and IV whitewater. Students practice and develop medical skills in river rescue scenarios during guide training on the river. The course is hosted at the Alberton Gorge Ranch near Missoula, Montana. Upon course completion students receive certifications in CPR, Wilderness First Aid and Swiftwater Rescue. No experience necessary. Tuition: $795

WHITEWATER RAFTING WORKSHOP
A full weekend of whitewater instruction and river skills practice for novice river guides and recreational boaters. One evening of lecture and discussion followed by two full days on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. We’ll focus on reading water and guiding paddle crews through Class II and III whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, rigging boats, communications, paddle commands, boat handling, and rescue scenarios.: $185

Dates: May 20-21

June 14-15
Equipment: You will need a full wetsuit or drysuit; a pair of neoprene booties and gloves, a helmet (w/skullcap or hat); and a lifejacket. Personal equipment rentals are available from Montana River Guides for $25 the first day of class. Bring a lunch, water and extra dry, warm top & bottom layers such as fleece and polypropelene.
2010 Class Schedule

March 14-20 Professional River Guide School-Alberton Gorge, MT
March 29-April 4 Professional River Guide School-Alberton Gorge
March TBA Whitewater Rescue /WEMT-Alberton Gorge
April 10 One Day Whitewater Rescue Class-Blackfoot River
April 16-18 Swift Water Rescue Technician-Missoula, MT
April 23-25 Swiftwater Rescue Technician-Missoula, MT
April TBA Missoula City Fire Scenarios-Missoula, MT
May 1-2 Swiftwater Rescue Technician-Bigfork, MT
May 7-9 Swiftwater Rescue Technician-Thompson Falls, MT
May TBA Whitewater First Responder-Glacier NP
May 9-10 Whitewater Rescue for Paddlers-Billings, MT
May 15-16 Whitewater Rescue Technician-Bozeman, MT
May 17-19 Swiftwater Rescue Tecnician-Missoula, MT
May 17-21 RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL-Missoula, MT
May 28-30 Swiftwater Rescue Technician-Big Sky, MT
June 4-6 Swiftwater Rescue Technician-West Glacier, MT
June 12-16 Raft Guide School Alberton-Gorge, MT
June 12-14 Swiftwater Rescue Technician-Alberton Gorge, MT
June TBA Whitewater Rescue Technician-Yellowstone River
June TBA Swiftwater Rescue Technician-Great Falls, MT

Registration: Register by calling to confirm space in the class. We require a 50% deposit to hold your spot. Just call and give us a credit card number or send the deposit and your contact information to: Montana River Guides 761 Hidden Valley Rd, Florence MT 59833. Agency billing can be arranged over the phone. If the course is cancelled or you cancel more than three weeks prior to the class a full refund will be made--otherwise you may forfeit your deposit. For specific directions, a class outline, and lodging info, call Mike or Cody, at (406)-777-4837. For more information check our website at www.montanariverguides.com.

Thanks,

Mike Johnston, Instructor

Montana River Guides

406-77-RIVER

406-240-0560 (cell)

Email: rivers@montana.com

http://www.montanariverguides.com

www.riverboardingmontana.blogspot.com

www.riverrescue.blogspot.com

WINTER SURF SESSION

2009-12-29T22:46:00.000-08:00

Every year we go to visit the cousins and B's family back in Hawaii. This year the trip to Oahu over Christmas was filled with amazing surf and family time on the ocean. While the North Shore was getting pounded with forty foot waves, we were surfing with the cousins from dawn til our shoulders gave out in perfect 1-4 foot swell, no wind. Surfing, Bodyboarding, stand up paddle surfing--we did it all and are grateful to Uncle, the Surf Sensei, and the boys for keeping an eye on us. The Big E shows just a little bit of what we like to call "getting shacked" Montuckey style. In memory the wave size grows.

Rafting with the Michigan Crew!

2009-09-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

Jennnifer Schunk and family came out for an awesome trip on the gorge today. On top of that she's staying for a week to watch the MRG kids!

MRG Rafting Video Clip!

2009-09-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

Alberton Gorge Rafting with Montana River Guides
Cody Harris, Director
Here's some footage from an early August Raft Trip on the Gorge with the MRG Crew.

THANKS FOR A GREAT SUMMER!

2009-09-15T22:10:00.000-07:00

It's September, my favorite month...still running trips every day. Most of the crew has departed back to "reality", Tor Anderson, Cody and I are still here guiding trips on the Gorge. Hot days, cool nights, and plenty of water. This summer is one we won't likely forget....we had an absolutely amazing crew. For now a couple photos to share...montanariverguides

SURF REPORT

2009-08-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

Sam, Quinn & MJ getting ready to go out and surf it up at ICEBOX, Tumbleweed and Fang. Maybe Quinn's last riverboard trip of the summer. He's heading up Fish Creek tonight for some ultimate flyfishing. www.montanariverguides.com

Free Raft Trips for Cancer Patients

2009-08-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

Whitewater Rafting the Alberton Gorge in August has never been better in the fifteen years we've been running this beautiful section of the Clark Fork River. A few August rainy days have kept the Clark Fork running fast and high, we're loving it. Latest News: Montana River Guides offers free scenic float trips thorugh the Tarkio Gorge or on the Bitterroot River for Cancer Patients and their caregives. Just give us a call at 240-8060 and we'll take care of the details. Everett and Yaell rowed a trip through the Tarkio Gorge tonight at sunset and said it was beautiful.

Montana Whitewater Rafting on the Alberton Gorge

2009-07-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

Rafting Montana's best whitewater on the Alberton Gorge is a hard job--but somebody's got to do it. Lucky for us--it's us. We have a great crew of guides this year at MRG. We are so lucky to have longtime MRG guides Cody, Jess and Gena back. Cody is the Director of the Whitewater Rescue Institute, Jess is going to start teaching full time this fall and Gena just returned from a year of guiding stints on the Grand Canyon and in Northern California. Yael Girard has joined the crew and established herself as the best damn new experienced guide we ever had here at MRG. Tommy and Matt are back, working hard and guiding great trips. And we have a bunch of great new guides at MRG (Jenna, Coleman, Brooks, Jo and Tor) who all put in lots of time last year and this spring logging training trips and getting their certifications in swiftwater rescue, first aid and cpr. We lucked out big time again. Now if we could only figure out a way to pay them what they're worth.
Everyon'e busy guiding trips and then running and running the river after work. We're guiding multiple scenic and whitewater raft trips every day all summer through September. There's plenty of whitewater here--when most of the other rivers in Montana and Idaho have dried up.
GIve us a call at 800-381-7238 or visit www.montanariverguides.com

Womens Whitewater Weekend August 7-9, 2009

2009-07-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Women's Whitewater Weekend Scheduled A full weekend of whitewater rafting instruction and camping will be offered on the Clark Fork River's Alberton Gorge August 7-9, 2009 with Montana River Guides, an Alberton Gorge-based rafting outfitter. This workshop is designed for women ages 18 and up and will be headquartered at the Alberton Gorge Ranch. Professional river guides Gena Moore and Yael Girard will provide instruction on how to read water, rig boats, basic river safety and rescue techniques, and and guiding paddle rafts and oar rigs. Students will learn rafting techniques while running the river during the day and camp at the Alberton Gorge Ranch in the evenings. There is an optional riverboard trip scheduled for Saturday evening. Moore's guide experience includes rivers all over the United states--back east on the Potomac, Shenandoah and Cheat-- all the way over to the Grand Canyon and Northern California where she worked on the Merced, Tuolome and the Kings Rivers. Girard started guiding on the Chattooga in Georgia and has worked on the Merced, Kings, and different forks of the American River. Both Moore and Girard currently work for Montana River Guides, an outfitter that offers whitewater and scenic raft, canoe, kayak and riverboard trips on the Clark Fork, Blackfoot and Bitterroot Rivers. Tuition is $250 for the weekend and includes camping, meals and equipment. No experience is necessary. To register call 406-777-4837 or 406-240-8060 for details and ask for Bernice or Gena.

Montana River Guides

2009-04-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

A photo from the Montana River Guides archives. MRG guides Jeremy Moran and Justus McLarty in synch somewhere in South America. We're guessing this photo is the work of Missoula paddling legend and photographer Shawn Robertson.

Whitewater Raft Trips with Montana River Guides

2009-01-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

Montana River Guides
Three of Montana's most distinctive rivers converge in western Montana: the big Class III and IV whitewater of the Clark Fork, the emerald pools of the big Blackfoot, and the peak-reflecting glides of the scenic Bitterroot. The only rafting company based right on the Clark Fork River at the Alberton Gorge, Montana River Guides is a custom river outfitter with an established reputation for fun and professional river trips. Our staff’s professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to create the right trip for different groups of people is what has made our company the Gorge’s leading outfitter. We offer the convenience of a retail shop with free wetsuits right on the river at the Alberton Gorge. Operating since 1994, MRG is the only company in Montana certified to teach River Rescue and the only company in Montana guiding riverboard trips. Over 70 percent of our guests have been with us before or are going with us because they heard about us from a friend.

Montana's Best Summer Adventure: Whitewater Rafting
Located just west of Missoula, the Alberton Gorge is the premium whitewater run in Montana with rollicking Class II.III and IV rapids and absolutely stunning canyon scenery. In between rapids you and your guests will enjoy the spectacular surroundings and watch for eagles, osprey, kingfishers, moose, deer, bear and mountain lions. The Gorge is a great family float. Younger kids (ages 6 and up) and older folks can ride in bigger rafts for a milder float while people who want a wilder ride will go in smaller paddle rafts. After running legendary rapids like Cliffside, Tumbleweed and Fang, guests can swim, relax and soak up the sun and scenery.

Raft Trip:Alberton Gorge
Raft the Alberton Gorge and stop along the way for a delicious riverside picnic at a beautiful swimming hole. Our lunches are legendary and still include Bernice’s homemade brownies. Fish Creek is one of the best swimming holes in Montana. Savor it all on the full day adventure.
Full Day Trip/Launch times 9 –11 am. $79
Half Day Trip Launch Times, 9am, 2 pm, 6 pm. $49

Raft Trip & BBQ: The Alberton Gorge Ranch
An afternoon of rafting and whitewater fun followed by a relaxing BBQ at the Ranch. Located just 30 minutes west of Missoula along the Clark Fork River, our 40 acre ranch is a beautiful setting for wedding parties, church groups, company picnics or family events. Sunsets, horseshoes, volleyball, fishing and trailrides all available. $85

Blackfoot River Trips
The Blackfoot River pours into the Clark Fork River just east of Hellgate Canyon. With its headwaters to the north in the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wildernesses, the Blackfoot tumbles out of the mountains, meanders through willow-choked meadows, and picks up speed again as it rushes toward Missoula. We teach many of our river rescue classes on the Blackfoot. At highwater in late May and June the Blackfoot holds big class II and III whitewater with long continuous sections of fast moving rapids with big waves. As the water level drops the rapids become smaller, the Blackfoot's river rocks reappear creating a fun, technical class II whitewater run that requires precise manuevering. With its fast moving currents, clear pools, friendly whitewater, and mountain scenery, the Blackfoot is truly a classic Montana River. Known for legendary dry flyfishing, the Blackfoot was the inspiration for Norman Maclean’s book, A River Runs Through It. Full day Trips: $74

Why Montana River Guides?
*Complimentary wetsuits on cool, overcast days.
*The only outfitter headquartered at the Alberton Gorge with a retail shop and forty acre ranch on the river.
*The only outfitter in Montana certified to teach river rescue through Rescue 3 International. We have provided river rescue and safety training to over 100 different agencies and organizations since 1995.
*Friendly, professional guides certified in first aid and river rescue.
*Customized trips to meet your groups needs and make it the perfect river adventure for you.
*The only outfitter in Montana to offer guided riverboard trips--featured in Men's Health, the New York Times, & Paddlesports Business. *Selected by the Discovery Channel to provide whitewater safety, production support and stuntwork for "Man vs Wild"

CONVENIENCE & COMFORT
Montana River Guides is the only river outfitter with an office right at the Alberton Gorge. Our retail shop and 40 acre riverside ranch are convenient for guests and give our guides greater flexibility to accommodate last minute adjustments. When guests arrive, our guides will greet them, outfit them with river equipment, and conduct a pre-trip orientation. Then everyone simply walks down to the river to begin the adventure. After the trip, our vehicles will be waiting at the take-out to shuttle the guests and guides back to our office where they can change inside, relax on our deck, look at photos of their trip, and enjoy some refreshments.

PLANNING & RESERVATIONS
Just give us call or e-mail to let us know your trip date and who's going and we'll take care of the rest. For corporate and large family trips we'll provide a flyer that provides guests with all their trip information. Just let us know what we can do on our end to make it easier for you. Bernice is in charge of our office and reservations and will make sure you have all the information to put together a great trip.
A 50% deposit is required for all reservations. We accept all major credit cards. Guests can change their reservation up until 48 hours before the trip without risking their deposit. Cancellations within 48 hours of trip departure forfeit their deposit. No Shows and cancellations the day of the trips are charged full trip price. We run trips daily and can accommodate last minute reservations.

Montana River Guides provides all of your transportation, top of the line equipment, great food, and of course our wonderful, informative guides. We're flexible and will work with you to create the trip just right for your group. Please call us if you have any questions or if you’d like us to send you more specific information on any of our adventures.

Sincerely,
Mike Johnston, Owner

800-381-RAFT
406-777-4837
www.montanarafting.com
www.montanariverguides.blogspot.com
rivers@montana.com