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An essay by Sam Johnston, a lead guide and instructor at Montana River Guides and an instructor and spill responder with WRI. Adapted and expanded from his original piece “Into the Marañón: A Self-Supported Kayak Expedition Through the Headwaters of the Amazon,” first published in Downriver Journal, March 2026. Republished with permission. I was halfway…

We’ve wrapped up most of our swiftwater rescue  classes for the season and are out enjoying Missoula’s best rafting & kayaking on the Alberton Gorge. Summer water levels have arrived with warm friendly class II and II rapids. We know you are all wearing the right gear and keeping an eye on each other. If you know…

Navigating New Currents: Whitewater Rescue Institute in India In November 2024, WRI Instructors Ben Schmidt and Sam Johnston travelled to Northwestern India to teach swiftwater rescue and instructor practices to river guides for Aquaterra Adventures. They were excited to share our swift water rescue curriculum with Aquaterra’s  talented guides on the picturesque banks of the…