There is nothing quite like disconnecting from the grid and dropping into the majestic canyon of Idaho’s Main Salmon River. One of the most famous rivers in the country for wilderness river travel and spectular rafting trips. Known as the “River of No Return,” the Main Salmon River serves up the ultimate wilderness getaway: pristine white-sand beaches, thrilling Class III-IV rapids, rich backcountry history, stunning mountain vistas, and so much more. 

But what truly transforms a multi-day wilderness expedition from a great trip into a life-changing journey is the crew rowing the boats. A Wet Planet expedition crew is so much more than a team of elite river navigators. They are your wilderness chefs whipping up gourmet meals under the stars, your backcountry historians sharing tales of the canyon, your swiftwater safety experts, and your campfire hosts. From sunrise coffee to the final rapid of the day, followed by a scrumptuous dinner, these folks simply love sharing the magic of traveling by river through this specularly beautiful wilderness, and enjoy taking care of their guests and fellow river travelers. 

We are incredibly proud to introduce our world-class team leading our Main Salmon expeditions for the 2026 season. Get to know the faces behind the paddles! 

Todd Collins

Todd is one of the original visionaries behind Wet Planet, bringing over 35 years and 37,000+(probably more) commercial river miles of elite whitewater experience to our Main Salmon River trips. His journey began at a North Carolina summer camp and eventually turned a passion for rivers into a lifelong passion and whitewater career. With a degree in Computer Science, Philosophy, and Spanish Studies, Todd has guided, taught, and paddled rivers across the globe – from the iconic rivers of West Virginia, Utah, and Alaska to the Jungles of Costa Rica and Ecuador, and Expeditions in Chile, Peru, Zambia, Uganda, and Nepal.

As a former Senior Instructor and Course Leader for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Todd is an expert in the art of the multi-day wilderness expedition. He has led everything from desert trips on the Rio Grande to 30-day wilderness journeys above the Arctic Circle. A certified Wilderness First Responder and an elite Swiftwater Rescue Instructor-Trainer who teaches other guides how to stay safe, Todd’s deep knowledge of river rescue, natural history, and leadership ensures that your journey down the Main Salmon is not just an incredible adventure, but an exceptionally safe and enriching one. 

Todd’s Favorite Part of the Trip: The fascinating human history of the canyon. He loves introducing guests to the off-grid lifestyle, like visiting Greg and Sue at Yellow Pine—two of the roughly six year-round residents in the canyon. They homestead, generate their own power, grow an incredible garden, and Greg even crafts custom knives. For Todd, sharing these stories and the legend of Buckskin Bill is what makes the canyon truly come alive. 

Dave Rhodes

If you are joining us on the Owyhee or Main Salmon Rivers, you will love getting to know multi-day guide Dave. A true Oregon native and lifelong “Jack of all trades,” Dave’s diverse background spans construction, vineyard management, commercial fishing, and heavy crane operation. After raising a family, Dave and his wife, Arwen, transitioned to a mobile lifestyle, embarking on a year-long global journey through 11 countries, where Africa’s Zambezi River hooked him on international whitewater.

A certified Wilderness First Responder and Rescue Diver with extensive multi-day rowing experience across six western states, Dave brings safety, resourcefulness, and a warm, adventurous spirit to every trip. As guest Jerry D. shared after a recent expedition,

“Dave and the crew bent over backwards to make the trip as enjoyable as possible… and made this trip a special experience.”

Sydney Lynch (Squid)

Growing up in Arizona, training horses, Sydney always had a deep connection to the outdoors, eventually earning a degree in Recreation Management from Northern Arizona University. After a career in equine occupational therapy, she traded the stables for the river canyons in 2017, chasing a new challenge and falling head over heels for the river lifestyle. 

Known on the water as “Squid,” Sydney has earned a legendary reputation among Wet Planet guests for her perfect blend of elite river skills and vibrant personality. Whether she is navigating technical rapids or sharing hilarious jokes at camp, her warmth and expert leadership shine through. As past guest Rachel B. shared,

“Sydney was amazing!! She always let us know what to expect… we felt safe with her the entire trip. Her kindness, encouragement, and hilarious jokes really made the trip for us!” 

Giani

With a legendary career that began in 1995 as the youngest licensed guide on New York’s Upper Hudson Gorge, Trip Leader Giani brings an unmatched three decades of elite whitewater expertise to our multi-day expeditions. From claiming raft first descents in the Northeast to navigating West Virginia’s fierce Gauley River, Giani has guided virtually every stretch of water imaginable—including over 40 rivers in his personal raft, “Mr. Blue.”

Off the water, he holds a history degree and boasts the rare feat of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail northbound during the winter. At Wet Planet, Giani shapes the industry by leading our annual raft guide school and assisting with swiftwater rescue training.

Certified in Outdoor Emergency Care, his deep-rooted passion for education and safety earns the instant trust of every guest who steps into his boat. Whether you are tackling technical rapids on the Owyhee or soaking in the canyon beauty of the Main Salmon, Giani’s wealth of experience ensures a world-class, unforgettable wilderness journey.

Thomas Christner

Growing up in Northern California surrounded by the famous forks of the American River, Thomas was destined for a life on the water. First introduced to the world of rafting by a high school teacher, he began guiding at just 19 years old on the South Fork of the American. After a brief stint working for an aggregate mining company, Thomas realized his true calling lay in the current. 

When the summer river season wraps up, Thomas trades his paddle for a snowboard, heading to Big Sky, Montana, where he clocks an impressive 100+ days on the mountain each winter. This year-round dedication to outdoor adventure makes him a fantastic leader on our multi-day wilderness expeditions. Thomas’s easygoing nature, combined with years of technical rowing experience, makes him a guest favorite on the water. Whether he’s navigating big waves or sharing stories around the campfire, Thomas is always ready to make your journey down the Main Salmon an unforgettable experience. 

Thomas trip favorites: For Thomas, the ultimate river trip is all about disconnecting and embracing the river rhythm. His absolute favorite spot is Rabbit Camp, thanks to its great beach and perfect swimming area, and nothing beats wrapping up a day on the water with a classic salmon dinner. But the best part of the whole experience? Completely losing track of what day or time it is—with the sole exception of that inevitable 6:00 AM coffee wake-up call. 

Kale Anton 

Growing up in Salt Lake City, Kale spent her childhood immersed in snowy mountains and red desert landscapes, fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world. Her path to the river was cemented during a transformative, high-adrenaline rafting trip on Idaho’s legendary Lochsa River. That adventure sparked a lifelong passion for whitewater that eventually led her to guide on the pristine Flathead River in Glacier National Park.

She is also a passionate advocate for inclusivity in the outdoors, having served in leadership roles for Backcountry Squatters, a club dedicated to empowering women and non-binary individuals in outdoor spaces. An all-around outdoor enthusiast, Kale spends her free time backpacking, mountain biking, skiing, and foraging for wild berries. Her warm, inclusive energy and deep respect for wilderness ecosystems make her an incredible addition to our multi-day crew.

Kale’s trip favorites: For Kale, the absolute best part of the trip is all about soaking up the summer vibes—spending hours swimming, sitting in the warm water, and just relaxing in the sunshine. 

Kate Bieritz

Originally from Texas, Kate’s love for wild rivers began early during family canoe trips down the St. Croix and the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park—a place that remains one of her absolute favorites in the world. This early connection to nature led her to study Animal Science at Texas A&M University, cementing her status as a self-proclaimed wildlife and conservation nerd. Kate launched her professional guiding career on the legendary Chattooga River in the Appalachian foothills, where she spent five spectacular summers sharpening her technical whitewater skills.

An endless summer boater, Kate splits her off-seasons between guiding on the pristine Tongariro River in New Zealand and rowing multi-day expeditions down the Rio Grande. For Kate, guiding is about deeply connecting with a river’s story—from its unique geology to its flora and fauna—and sharing that knowledge with her guests. She passionately believes that experiencing wild places firsthand builds the deep appreciation needed to protect them. Whether she is pointing out a rare bird species along the canyon walls or swapping book recommendations at camp, Kate’s vibrant energy makes her an incredible leader.

Alexis Foster

Growing up in Colorado exploring the vast outdoors, Alexis was destined for a life of adventure. Initially introduced to the river through fly fishing, she quickly fell in love with multi-day expeditions and big whitewater, launching her guiding career in 2021 on Colorado’s Arkansas River. For Alexis, the best part of guiding is sharing the exhilarating experience of the river with guests, leaving them at the end of the day with a sense of accomplishment and a lasting stoke for the water.

Whether she is navigating the narrow gorges of the White Salmon River, rowing the deep blue waters of the Main Salmon River, or spending her free time climbing, skiing, and backpacking in the mountains, Alexis brings an infectious energy and passion for wild places to every trip. 

While this fabulous team forms the beating hart of our multi-day operation, other expert Wet Planet guides such as Lauren Chapelle, Ava Christensen, Toto Silva, Steve Merrow, or others, may also help out and surprise you with their presence on our trip.

Your Adventure Awaits 

Whether they are pulling a perfect line through a roaring rapid, pointing out bighorn sheep on the canyon walls, or baking a fresh Dutch oven dessert at camp, this team is ready to show you the very best of the Main Salmon River. Their unmatched experience, dedication to safety, and pure joy for the river lifestyle are what make a Wet Planet trip the gold standard of wilderness rafting.

Spaces on our multi-day wilderness expeditions fill up fast, and this crew can’t wait to welcome you out on the water.

Are you ready to unplug, unwind, and experience the river trip of a lifetime?