Whitewater Guide School 2026

 A co-teaching collaboration

High Country Expeditions (HCE) and Noah’s River Adventures combine instruction styles and guiding experience to deliver a comprehensive training track. Students gain exposure to multiple rigging approaches, decision-making frameworks, and real-world guiding standards.

Why this school is different

• Total immersion progression across five days (skills build day-to-day).
• Big-picture professionalism: knowledge, organization, awareness, communication.
• Hands-on rescue practice: throw bags, flips, wraps/pins, and mechanical advantage systems.
• Training where conditions are best (Salmon primary, Klamath contingency).

What you’ll learn

Technical guiding skills:

• Ferry angles and boat positioning fundamentals.
• Reading river features and choosing safe lines; when in doubt: scout.
• Row and paddle guiding
• Boat maneuvering; crew commands and communication.
• Rescue basics to systems: throw rope technique, anchors, Z-drag/mechanical advantage.
• Emergency awareness: hypothermia detection/prevention; incident response mindset.

5-day Sample itinerary

Present as a table on the page for clarity. Keep this high-level (details can live in emails/workbook).

Meeting location and travel notes

Basecamp is Nordheimer Campground, near Somes Bar, California. Provide detailed driving directions and last-stop supply notes on the page or via an automated email after enrollment. Group site details will be announced 1 week prior to the course start

Travel & Arrival:

• Meet time: 9:00 AM on Day 1 at Nordheimer Group Site (site will be announced 1 week prior to the course).
• Last supplies: Salmon River Outpost in Somes Bar (snacks, drinks, espresso).
• Cell service is limited; plan accordingly.
• If flying in or coordinating a shuttle, confirm details before arrival.

Mandatory student gear list (Water Set + Land Set)

Bring clothing and gear that allow you to layer for changing temperatures, and pack both a water set and a dry camp set. Layers help regulate comfort throughout the day, while a separate dry set keeps you warm and comfortable in camp if your river gear gets wet.

For your water set, do not wear cotton. Cotton holds moisture, loses insulation when wet, and can quickly make you cold. Synthetic layers such as polypropylene, Capilene, fleece, and pile are best because they wick moisture and insulate well. Wool is also acceptable, though it is generally heavier and less comfortable when wet.

Water Set (no cotton)

Provided by HCE: Helmet, PFD, neoprene booties, and splash gear as needed.

• 2+ sets synthetic base layers (polypro/fleece).
• River shoes (secure; no flip flops).
• River knife + whistle (no cork ball).
• Rescue hardware: 4 locking carabiners, 2-3 pulleys, 2 prusik loops, 20′ tubular webbing. *Only if you own your own hardware. Do not o purchase for this course.
• Warm hat (neoprene/wool beanie) + sunglasses with retention.

Land Set (camp life)

• Tent and ground cover; sleeping bag; sleeping pad.
• Eating kit: plate, bowl, cup/mug, utensils; camp chair
• Meals: Students are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Dinner is provided each evening, along with hot and cold water.
• Camp Kitchen Access: Students have full access to the commercial camp kitchen and shared student coolers.
• Warm camp layers (synthetic/wool); camp hat and gloves.
• Headlamp/flashlight + batteries; towel + toiletry kit.
• Rain jack
• et/pants recommended; zip bags for organization.

Gear principle for spring conditions: DO NOT WEAR COTTON on the water. Synthetic layers retain warmth when wet; neoprene is best for hands/feet.

Professional standards and conduct

High Country Expeditions and Noahs maintains a zero-tolerance policy for drugs on all trips and guide schools. We expect every student to conduct themselves with professionalism, responsibility, and respect throughout the course.After daily training is finished, moderate alcohol use in camp may be permitted. However, this is a professional training environment, and all students are expected to manage themselves accordingly. We are here to teach and share our knowledge with boaters, agency affiliates and future guides, not to babysit.Anyone who becomes visibly intoxicated, creates a safety issue, or negatively affects the group may be asked to leave or may not be allowed to continue participating.Students should arrive prepared to act like adults, make good decisions, and respect the instructors, the course environment, and the group as a whole. We expect professional behavior both in camp and on the river, with a clear commitment to maintaining a healthy, safe, and respectful environment for everyone involved.All participants are expected to treat one another with respect. Any disrespectful, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior may result in a student being removed from activities, separated from the group, or asked to leave the course entirely.

FAQ

Do I need prior rafting experience?

Non needed, be prepared to challenge yourself. Everything is always challenge by choice. Be ready to learn lots.

55+ Years of Combined Experience

Instruction is led by experienced professionals from Noah’s and High Country Expeditions, with 55+ combined years of commercial guiding and teaching experience. Lead instructors average 7 to 10 years of boating and instructional experience, giving students strong hands-on coaching throughout the week.

What if water levels are low on the Salmon?

The general Cal-Salmon region offers a vast array of options. If the Salmon drops out we will move to another section of the lower and/or upper klamath

Is gear provided?

Yes. High Country Expeditions provides the core river gear needed for the course, including wetsuits, booties, and the guide school workbook and instruction. Students are responsible for their own base layers, warming layers, and personal clothing.

Students also have access to the commercial camp kitchen and shared student coolers throughout the training.

Is there cell service at camp?

Set expectation that service is limited; plan communication accordingly. We do have a couple of In-Reaches that students are able to use to check in.

Where is the last place to buy supplies?

Let us know where you are coming from, and we will help point you to the best stops for gear, food, and other provisions along the way. One of the last reliable supply stops before camp is the Salmon River Outpost in Somes Bar.

Should I focus on oars or paddle guiding?

Students may choose to focus primarily on either oars or paddle guiding. Everyone will be introduced to some of both, but we have found that five days is best spent building confidence and repetition in one primary discipline rather than constantly switching back and forth.

Students who want to learn oar rigging will spend more time behind the oars. Students who want to learn paddle guiding will spend more time on guide paddle skills. This helps maximize each student’s stick time, progression, and overall learning during the course.

Details

We are committed to helping students take the next step after guide school. For those interested in working in the industry, we can assist with employment opportunities for the upcoming rafting season through High Country Expeditions or one of our trusted partner outfitters in the Northwest.

Tuition for this 5-day immersion course is $995 and includes dinners, course travel, instructors, training materials, boating equipment, necessary river gear, and maximum river time focused on building real guiding skills.

If you are hired by High Country Expeditions and work one full season with us, you will receive half of your guide school tuition back.