“As the the owners of SAC, we would love to take all of the credit for our phenomenal growth, increased market share and our world class trips.  The truth is … we owe it all to our guides. We may offer the best trip in the world, but if your guide is inadequate, all is lost.”  -Roni & Jared Hopkinson

As parents we understand, and take very seriously the influence our guides have on your family.  Every SAC guide is  fun, unique and a true professional.  They bring a great energy, experience and knowledge to work everyday.  They love their job and it shows.   Each of them have the ability to pump confidence into a scared child, lead a boat through wild rapids and cook a riverside meal that will amaze you.   We think  they are the creme de la creme…and are sure you will agree.

Jared H

An avid skier & kayaker turned business man. Jared spent his years before SAC scouring the Rocky Mountains trying to find a career that would let him work and play in the outdoors.  Jared’s experience is drawn from a degree in commercial recreation management,  whitewater instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School and instuctor  for the University of Utah’s Recreation & Tourism Program.   Jared spends his summer running the SAC show and his winter hanging with Oprah, escaping too  SAC’s Nicaraguan paradise,  teaching college courses and skiing Utah powder with his wife and daughter.

Johnny L

Johnny is joining SAC for his 9th season as SAC’s  ’Guide Manager’.   He holds a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Utah and describes himself as a lost soul living the dream.  It is rumored that Johnny has guided the  day-stretch of the Salmon more than any other living person.  Johnny spends his winters in Utah teaching adaptive skiing & snowboarding at the National Ability Center and co-instructing  outdoor college courses.

Jenna M

Jenna Martin is returning to the Salmon River for her 5th summer.  Jenna, the queen of the Main Salmon crew, splits her time between river life and working as a  medical social worker in  Utah.  She is notorious for entertaining kids with her epic river games and putting parents at ease with her unforgetable laugh and smile.

Mike B

The man, the myth, the legend.  Mike is our jack of all trades.  Don’t let his quiet, laid back demeanor fool you.  He is a professional Frisbee golpher, experienced fly fishing guide, culinary sensi’,  white water magician, and an amazing photographer.   He spends his winters skiing Alta powder and managing Little Cottonwood’s famous Shallow Shaft Restaurant.

Rachel B

Rachel is the Glue behind the SAC operation.  Her amazing work ethic, endless energy, great smile and ability to get the job done,  makes her a one of a kind.  Rachel splits her time as our lead mt. bike guide, bus driver and multi-day trip manager. She is known for her amazing art and world class chocolate chip cookies (provided on all our lunch trips).  Rachel spends her winters in Alta with Mike, Maggie (golden retriever) and Alaska with Valdez Heli Ski Guides.

Vanessa B

Vanessa is our go-to cameo guide. She has worked at SAC for the past 7 years on both our day stretch and wilderness trips. Recently received a degree in psychology from the University of Utah.  Vanessa is also the 1st prearranged marriage at SAC.  This September she is getting hitched to Andy Gill, former multi-day lead guide & SAC legend.

Thomas B

A retired engineer turned nursing student,  Thomas is SAC’s energizer bunny and multi-day guide.  Running rivers is in his blood.  He was first introduced to  Idaho’s wilderness rivers as a young boy.   His endless energy, ability to relate to almost anyone and his distinctive laugh makes Thomas a one of a kind.

Shaley S

Shay is SAC’s longest standing employee at 12 years!  She started as Maya’s baby sitter in 2001 and has been an essential part of the team ever since.  Mature beyond her years, Shay continues to impress us.  She is pursuing a culinary career at BSU in hopes to put her education to work on our multi-day trips.

Cody P

2012 is Cody’s second summer in the Sawtooths, and his first at Sawtooth Adventure Company. His great work ethic and ability to connect and entertain with our youngest rafters makes Cody an essential member of the SAC day-trip  crew. Cody spends his winters in Little Cottonwood Canyon teaching aspiring rippers how it’s done.

Jeff S

Originally from Georgia, Jeff has been running rivers and guiding rafts since he was 14 years old  throughout America and the world. Following a 14 day honeymoon on the Middle Fork/Main Salmon last fall he couldn’t help but relocate to Stanley and the Sawtooths. Not only is Jeff a great guide, but a bus drive’n machine!  He spends his winters as a snowmobile guide in Colorado with his wife Heidi and pup, Vico.

Heidi S

A graduate from CU boulder with an economics degree.  Heidi has been exploring the world’s rivers and guiding rafts for the past 10 years. Heidi has a river sense beyond her years.  Her attention to detail and the ability to connect on a personal level with all walks of life makes her a great addition to the SAC Crew.  Heidi spends her winters with Jeff and Vico in the high mountains of Colorado teaching skiing.

Stella S

Currently applying for medical school by night and guiding rafts by day. Stella’s sweet demeanor,  great laugh and contagious smile makes every day on the river a memorable experience.  Her work hard, play harder attitude is a great role model for us all.

Fritz H

Our gentle giant and one of the top collegiate Nordic skiers in the US. Fritz grew up in Vermont on a Christmas Tree Farm and escaped to the west following graduation from University of Vermont. Fritz’s great work ethic, strength and easy going demeanor are the perfect ingredients for a great river guide.

Ian H

Ian returns to SAC as our lead fishing guide and mountain bike guide.  Ian, former collegiate athlete, has a 6th sense about fish, where they are and what they want to eat.  Ian spent last winter as an avalanche forecast intern and guide for Telluride Helitrax and the late spring guiding on Denali in Alaska.