Derek Steffens

Derek grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, spending his childhood mountain biking, playing in the dirt, and road-tripping to wild places with his family. He jumped into the outdoor industry as soon as he could and never looked back. His guiding career began on Colorado’s Cache la Poudre River, then took him south to Costa Rica, where he ran the Pacuare, Pejibaye, Naranjo, and Savegre Rivers. A winter spent sailing halfway around the world — including through the Panama Canal — only deepened his passion for travel and exploration.

A friend eventually talked him into swapping paddles for ropes, leading him into the world of canyoning. Exploring remote slot canyons, including some first descents in New Zealand, quickly became a new obsession.

When the tourism world hit pause during COVID, Derek pivoted to new adventures stateside — guiding dog sled tours in Colorado, leading snowmobile trips in New Mexico, and working as a ski patroller. Between gigs, he built houses and even spent time in space tourism, coaching zero-gravity flights across the U.S. Now based in White Salmon, he’s stoked to have so many of his favorite pursuits right out his front door. Off the water, he also works as an EMT for remote private events in Oregon and Washington.

Derek brings 13 years of global experience as a raft guide, kayaker, canyoning guide, and instructor. His pursuit of wild, remote places has taken him from multi-day expeditions in Madagascar to first canyon descents in New Zealand. Some of his most memorable river days include the Zambezi in Africa, Chirripó Atlántico in Costa Rica, Gore Canyon in Colorado, and the Big South Fork of the Cache la Poudre. Now, he’s diving into the Pacific Northwest’s legendary whitewater and looking forward to sharing it with the Wet Planet community.

Derek works as a raft guide on our White Salmon River rafting trips, a kayak instructor helping students learn to kayak on our Beginner River Kayaking courses and as a rescue instructor teaching Swiftwater Rescue courses.