Snake River Ranger Job Posting Published: January 7, 2010

River Ranger, Snake River US Forest Service, Jackson Ranger District, Jackson, Wyoming Summer Season 2010 Positions: Multiple positions are available! Start Date: End of May End Date: minimum of mid-August, usually mid-September latest Work Schedule: This is a 40 hr/week position, with every member of the crew working at least one day of the weekend. Pay: GS-4 or GS-5 which...

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The Deminishing Desire to Help Published: December 28, 2009

I patiently braced myself, pinched between the rock and the current. An occasional surge washed water over my head. Distracted by the din of rushing water, I did not notice them until they had already passed. I prefer to catch their attention early, so as not to alarm them. It was too late for this crew, though, they had seen me first. I can only imagine what they must have thought. Below me, m...

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Z-Drags and the Secret Knowledge of Swift Water Published: December 14, 2009

For better or for worse, Z-drag has become synonymous with the words “swift water rescue.” Nearly every student that signs up for a swift water rescue class, hopes the veil of mystery that keeps the mechanics of the z-drag hidden from view will be pulled away and that they will leave the course with the secret knowledge of the rescue world. This is not completely unfounded. Z-drags, or me...

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Former WRI Student Featured in National Publication Published: December 9, 2009

Brandon Stevens, a Firefighter, EMT, and a past student of WRI, responded to a vehicle in the frozen Tongue River last March. His amazing rescue of the entrapped and hypothemic victim is featured in this month's Advanced Rescue Technology magazine. Congratulations Brandon on a job well done!! Read the article at https://advancedrt.epubxpress.com/wps/portal/adrt/...

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Doug Ammons Interview: Part One Published: December 2, 2009

Doug Ammons, amoung other things, is a Father, a Ph.D., an Author, and an Expedition Kayaker. He has run some of the world's hardest whitewater, and has multiple first descents. Below he discusses what it is about the river and kayaking that has kept him energized and intrigued for well over twenty years. Visit his website (dougammons.com) to read a few of his essays and purchase his books. ...

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River Safety: Where do we draw the line? Published: December 2, 2009

Spring is full of paradoxes. After interminable gray skies and snowy hillsides, the days get longer and the nights warmer. Rivers begin to rise. Driveways and car racks fill up with dusty boats as anxious boaters prepare for the season. However, despite the cumulative human desire to have the cold days behind us, and to launch our boats on swollen rivers, spring is not summer. As was the case l...

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First Aid for the River Runner Published: November 18, 2009

Dave McEvoy, Director of Aerie Backcountry Medicine, sat down with WRI to discuss what first aid skills river runners should focus on and prepare for. The video interview can be seen on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VbFBW-lJmA). Click here to read the full interview with Dave. If you need to get your wilderness medicine certification, we recommend Aerie wholeheartedly. Their cour...

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Call for Nominations Published: November 12, 2009

The Higgins & Langley Memorial and Education Fund, working in conjunction with the Swiftwater Rescue Committee of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), is seeking nominations for the 2010 Higgins & Langley Memorial Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Swiftwater Rescue, the highest international honors presented for flood and swiftwater rescue. In add...

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Missoula Paddling Community Meeting Published: November 6, 2009

On November 11th, 6:30 pm, at the Break Espresso on Higgins, members of the local river community will be gathering to discuss the Blackfoot River Management Plan. For those of you who have yet to heard about this plan, we recommend that you visit the FWP website and read through it. https://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/management/river/blackfootPlan.html In essence, the proposed plan sets in place...

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Blackfoot River Recreation Plan Meeting: 6 pm Nov. 5th Holiday Inn Parkside Published: October 30, 2009

There will be a meeting on November 5th concerning the purposed Blackfoot River permit system. The Blackfoot, which is near and dear to many of our hearts, has seen recreational use grow exponentially in the past few years. Please read the purposed plan (https://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/management/river/blackfootPlan.html) and come to the meeting at the Holiday Inn Parkside in Missoula at 6 pm on Nov...

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“Whether you are a river-rookie or an experienced boater, WRI tailors their classes to what you need to learn in a fun and challenging environment. Their scenario based teaching approach creates an electric learning atmosphere where you feel like you are in actual river rescue situations. I would recommend them to anybody!”

Eric Giddens, Owner Kern River Brewing Company/1996 Olympic Kayak Team Member
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