I am the General Manager at the Smoky Mountain River Rat Whitewater Outpost and I have been on the river for over 23 years. I started on the water as a photographer from a kayak on the Colorado river and never had any desire to be a guide until I swam in that Kayak. I attended a guide school on the Arkansas river in Colorado, where I instantly fell in love with guiding and immediately whitewater became my passion.
From there, I worked on the Chattooga, Ocoee, Clear Creek, New, Gauley, French Broad, and Pigeon.
In 2007 with the birth of my first daughter, I took my first management position with the mighty Pocono Whitewater. Then, I returned to the Pigeon River in 2013 and met the River Rat crew at what was then USA Raft Smoky Mountains.
River Rat had a completely different attitude and style, where the goal was not the number of guests, but the quality of the trips. The owner's commitment to excellence was exactly the place I was hoping to find. I was hooked. We had an awesome experienced staff and eventually the opportunity for management was presented and I was excited to help further those goals.
As you get older, you start to think about how you can give back to an industry that has given you so much personal fulfillment. I love training new guides and helping them to achieve excellence in a new sport where they can enjoy serving others. I am proud of the accomplishments and rankings they have earned. I love working with such a talented and experienced staff who works hard and plays harder, that is the essence of whitewater.
We strive for excellence as a family of guides, bus drivers, and retail staff to give our guests something different than any river in the world. That is what we do differently at the Rat!
Nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains is one of the most famous hiking trails in the world: The Appalachian Trail. This 2,190-mile trek spans from Georgia to Maine and over 94 miles are right in our own home of Tennessee. Not only do visitors to the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area have access to this gorgeous resource,…
Let’s throw a twist on the common cliche and say, “Don’t judge an experience based on its most popular video on social media.” That sounds about right, right?! You might see the viral videos that involve “extreme” rafting adventures as you scroll through your feed. However, these videos don’t exactly paint the most accurate portrait of…
There are plenty of great whitewater rafting destinations in Tennessee and North Carolina — in fact, here are the best 50 rivers in the Southeast. However, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite spots right here in Tennessee (or places so close that they’re nearly Tennessee) that are great for those who are new…
Old man winter has officially made his way to East Tennessee. Nighttime temperatures have reached below freezing, the beautiful fall leaves are falling from the trees, and people are generally sticking to the warmer indoor temperatures. But don’t let that keep you from visiting Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Smoky Mountains this December! There are…
In August 2016, the U.S. National Park Service celebrated 100 years of service. There are 58 national parks in the United States, including our very own Great Smoky Mountains National Park — which also happens to be the most visited park in the nation! Today, we’re looking back on the rich history of the national…
While the Smoky Mountains are a prime destination for outdoor activities during the warmer months, there is no shortage of fun happenings in the winter. In November, the region turns into a winter wonderland and haven for holiday-themed activities and events. From couples looking for a romantic getaway, to families who want fun activities for…
Situated in the picturesque forests and foothills between Tennessee and North Carolina’s borders, the Pigeon River has what every outdoor adventurer and angler wants — sweeping vistas, solitude, and bountiful fishing opportunities! Flowing northward from North Carolina to Tennessee, the Pigeon River itself skirts along the eastern side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park…
