Our Guides
We are proud to have the best staff in Northern Colorado!
“Our Guides Make the Difference”
-
Ryott Akio Matthew Neocrush Trietsch
Raft Guide
(Yes, that is his real name) Grew up in Yuma, AZ, Anaheim CA, and Aurora Colorado. He moved to Fort Collins in 2019 to pursue a degree at Colorado State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Sustainability in 2023. His passion for… -
Zach Rockvam
Raft Guide
Zach grew up in Loveland, Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in natural resource tourism. When he’s not spending time in a raft he’s usually camping, skiing, fishing, or taking photos. Zach started out his first year with us as… -
Eric Peterson
Raft Guide
Eric grew up in Boulder, CO, and has been immersed in whitewater since the very young age of 18 months; when his parents took him on his first river trip through Northgate Canyon on the North Platte River. Ever since then, he has enjoyed boating… -
Jaque “Tiny” McVey – River Manager
Raft Guide and Guide Trainer
Jaq or “Tiny” is originally from Ohio and Montana. She graduated with a degree in Natural Resource Management and a minor in Water Sustainability from Colorado State University. She is now working on her Master’s Degree in Water Resources. When not on the river Tiny… -
Coe Stemple
Raft Guide
Coe was born in the Texas panhandle and has lived in the Colorado Front Range for over 10 years now. He majored in geography and got his minor in sustainability online at Arizona State University. During his time off the river, Coe likes to spend… -
Justin Romero – River Manager
Raft Guide and Guide Trainer
Justin grew up in Fort Collins where he explores the mountains. He graduated in December from Colorado State University with a degree in Forestry and Rangeland Management. He enjoys spending his time in a hammock in the mountains listening to the wind whip through the… -
Adam Pearlstein
Raft Guide & Photographer
Adam is originally from Los Angeles, California. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz and Colorado State University with a bachelor’s and master’s in physics respectively, and has been working for Mountain Whitewater since 2014. During the off-season, Adam teaches physics at CSU and helps run… -
Evandel Crabtree- “Vano”
Raft Guide and Guide Trainer
Vano is from Dayton, Ohio where he grew up playing football and running track. He graduated from Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio. Vano’s next adventure was to follow his heart and chase his passion for rafting. That passion found him in Fort Collins, Colorado. Vano’s… -
Jack Reed
Raft Guide, Guide Trainer & Safety Kayaker
Jack was born in Fort Collins and grew up exploring Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Colorado. He started guiding rivers at Mountain Whitewater in 2004, the same year he became a Certified Massage Therapist. In 2010 he earned welding certificates at Butte College in California. He… -
Brad Modesitt
Chief Entertainment Officer
Brad Modesitt is from Michigan but has lived in Colorado most of his life. This is his 31st year as a professional guide on the Cache La Poudre and other rivers. Privately he has boated on four continents while pursuing his passion for traveling. He… -
Turtle Modesitt
The Little Boss
Turtle is from Fort Collins, Colorado. Yes, “Turtle” is his real name, his prior real name was Chase but after sailing around the Caribbean for 15 months he has become “Turtle.” Turtle is a member of the rookie guide class of 2026, he might just… -
Ella Modesitt -Office Manager
The Big Boss
Ella was born in Fort Collins, Colorado. She has spent much of her life near the water. At six, she sailed around the Caribbean with her family and learned to climb the halyards on the boat. A skill she will use when she is your… -
Lindsey Modesitt
Executive Dream Alchemist
Lindsey grew up in Fort Collins where she developed a deep and all-encompassing love for mountains, rivers and especially the Poudre River. After learning to guide on various rivers in Northern California, she returned home to guide on the Poudre. She has a BS degree… -
Casey Batezel
Raft Guide
Originally form Texas, Casey has called Colorado home for most of his life. Most recently, Casey is a proud new dad to Parker (just ask him to see pictures!) and husband to Lindsay. Casey graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism in 2013 with a… -
Matt Troyanek
Raft Guide and Guide Trainer
Matt comes from Duluth, MN. He now finds his home in Laramie, WY where he became addicted to rafting in 1995. His diverse passion for helping others to have fun in the outdoors includes training international mountaineering guides and mentoring youth in outdoor ministry. Matt’s… -
Melissa Matsunaka
Raft Guide
Melissa grew up in Loveland, CO. She earned a B.S. degree in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University and a Law Degree from the University of Colorado. During the off-season, her passion for rivers leads her to travel to new and different rivers across…