From the Rockies to the White Salmon River
Dalton’s love for whitewater began during a six-day expedition on the San Juan River. It was there that he realized this was a calling he could enjoy for the rest of his life. He first started guiding on Colorado’s Cache la Poudre with Mountain Whitewater – thanks to a well-timed connection from his mother. Since learning to paddle, Dalton’s journey has taken him from the hockey rinks of New York City—where a Latvian teammate dubbed him “Dolph” all the way to the rivers of the Pacific Northwest.
When Dalton started guiding with Wet Planet in 2022, the team instantly recognized his natural skill, and everyone enjoys working with him. While always humble and enjoyably goofy, he is also always a professional. As a certified Wilderness First Responder and River Rescue Technician, Dalton has grown into one of the most appreciated lead guides and trip leaders at Wet Planet.
For Dalton, guiding is about more than just navigating rapids; it’s about accessing the wild, untouched places that only a river can reach. He possesses a wealth of local knowledge, often sharing stories of the White Salmon River’s restoration and the return of its namesake salmon and steelhead to their spawning grounds. He believes the best day on the water is simply one spent laughing with friends, usually while refueling with his favorite river snack: beef jerky.
Dalton’s guiding philosophy is deeply influenced by those around him. From the foundational training of his first manager, Ben Castello, to the quiet composure of fellow Wet Planet guides like Thomas and the no-nonsense expertise of Squid, Dalton remains a perpetual student of the river. He draws inspiration from the grit of another Wet Planet guide Kale and the daily interactions with his closest friends on the team, constantly refining his craft. Currently, he is focused on stepping into more of a leadership role with day trips, with the long-term goal of guiding multi-day expeditions like the Main Salmon.
This season, he has set a formidable goal for himself: observing 250 unique species of birds before the final trip of the year.
When the autumnal chill hits the Pacific Northwest and the river season winds down, Dalton doesn’t slow down—he just changes his gear. Dalton has spent several seasons skiing at Big Sky in Montana, but now you can find him here at Doug’s in Hood River during the winter months. For him, the great outdoors is the ultimate venue for community, whether that’s shared with teammates, fellow guides, or the guests sitting in his boat.
Dalton’s passion for the river shows in every trip he leads, and it’s no surprise he has earned more positive guest reviews than anyone else at Wet Planet. See for yourself why guests love him:
“Had an amazing float with Dalton! Always wanted to go over Husum Falls and Dalton absolutely cleaned it. Wet Planet has been a great resource for me over the years… I did my swiftwater rescue certification through them as well, and they’re always kind, knowledgeable, and just generally a blast to work with. Request Dalton for your next trip; and bonus: he’s got all the bird facts you’d ever need.”
