ABOUT OREGON RIVER EXPERIENCES

ABOUT O.R.E.

For over 40 years, at O.R.E. we believe that nothing renews mind, body, and spirit better than a river adventure. The thrill of challenging the rapids, the quiet joy of exploring a scenic side stream, the warmth of sharing stories around a campfire – these experiences enrich our lives. Once you’ve joined us we think you will agree. 

We believe that in sharing the rivers of the Pacific Northwest, everyone can find their own river experience and share in the common bond of river running. It is a privilege that we find ourselves on these magical river trips that provide so much more than just having fun. Through our trips, we share special places that we hope everyone can learn to appreciate and want to keep protected for future generations to enjoy.

As an owner-operated company, we are focused on the customer experience. Our many different trip options mean that we can help you make sure you’re choosing the right river adventure. Being a smaller company means that many of our guests have become more like our river family than a guest. We enjoy seeing families and groups return year after year, being a part of their vacation experiences.

The reason to choose O.R.E. is that everyone, both old and young will surely be thrilled with the ability to sit back, relax, and get back to what’s important, having fun on a river rafting trip. That is why you want to go rafting after all.

You’ll feel safe and return home with stories of your adventure to share for a lifetime. Our guests have been embarking on exciting memorable trips with O.R.E. since 1978 and keep coming back to explore the many different rivers offered.

A group of River Guides and employees for Oregon River Experiences take a group photo along the river.

OUR OWNER, TODD GILSTRAP

Todd grew up in northern California and graduated from California State University Chico in 2008, with a degree in Recreation Administration. Having worked in the outdoor industry for over 20 years with experience in rafting, outdoor education, wilderness therapy, trail crews, U.S. Forest Service, and non-profit management he has a lot of different experiences to draw upon.

 

As a guide for many years, now you mostly find Todd in the office answering phones, booking trips, and ensuring our clients are getting the best possible Oregon River Experience. Although that doesn’t mean Todd doesn’t get back out on the river during the busy summer months, a good reminder of why this industry and rowing for customers is such a great job. 

 

When not in the office or out on the river, Todd is usually hanging out with his wife or exploring some of the beautiful outdoor places the PNW has to offer.

OUR GUIDES

As the Portland area’s only full-time, statewide rafting outfitter, we offer an unparalleled selection of trips on Oregon and Idaho’s most thrilling rivers. From quick adrenaline rushes to epic nine-day adventures, ORE specializes in crafting custom experiences tailored to your group’s desires. Our guides, seasoned experts in navigating the waters of the Pacific Northwest, are dedicated to ensuring every trip is filled with excitement and lasting memories. Meet the friendly faces behind your river journey and learn more about the skilled individuals who will be your trusted companions as you explore our rivers!

Lead Guide

Ted Brownrigg

Ted was born in California but raised in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Graduating from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Economics he devoted the next 30 years to various companies in the business world and his family. After moving around chasing the business dream, Ted ended up in the Portland area in the late 80’s. Retiring in 2008 he found his way to river guiding with O.R.E. As the Senior Lead Guide and part of the O.R.E. management team he is focused on making sure every O.R.E. guide has the training and attitude that ensures our customers get the most out of their river adventure. When not working on the river or company projects he enjoys kayaking, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, and hanging around with his close friends and family.

Guide

Ross Nolte

Ross has been a resident of the PNW since age 3 and currently resides west of Portland in the foothills of the Oregon coast range. He grew up playing in Oregon’s rivers and has been a casual boater since his teenage years. In his opinion, there’s no better place to be than “down by the river”. When he’s not on the river, you can find him leading hikes and bike rides for our sister company, NW Discoveries. If he’s not playing outside, you might find him exploring Portland’s vibrant craft culinary scene or geeking out on the Marvel multiverse.

Guide

Reid Gautier

Reid discovered his passion and aptitude for whitewater rafting at age 29, and became a guide at age 30, after attending school for outdoor leadership. He has been with Oregon River Experiences since the 2018 season. His favorite river is the Clackamas in Estacada. It’s easy access from Portland and the amount of low-risk but fun and exciting rapids is a huge draw. He spent most of his life moving around the country working in restaurants, but is now in Oregon for the long term, each year counting down the days until the next rafting season!

Day Trips Manager/Guide

Peter Tiernan

Peter is from Vassalboro, Maine, where his dad got him into canoeing at a young age. He likes exploring new places and spending as many of his days on rivers as he can.

Guide

Natalie Jennings

Natalie was born and raised by the Colorado River in Southern Nevada where she gained her love of water. She got her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering-hydraulics/hydrology from Purdue University and then went on to get her Master’s degree in water resources at Oregon State. During the week, she is an engineer doing hydraulics planning and design with rivers, potable water, sewers, and storm drainage. She tries to get out on the rivers on weekends and evenings as much as possible. She started guiding because she was excited about rafting and rapids, but has since discovered that there are so many more wonderful things to a river trip than just the rapids. She is excited to show all the joys of the river to everyone she meets. When not rafting she can be found coaching a rowing team, rowing, kayaking, or swimming in water that is way too cold to swim in.

Guide

Lucy Doggett

In summers you can find me on the river and the off season at the University of Oregon. I love multi-day rafting trips and originally found an interest for outdoor sports on a month long kayaking trip in Patagonia. This will be my second year rafting with O.R.E, and I hope to see you out there!

Guide

Eric Lee

Eric developed his love of rivers from a young age on the rivers near the Smokey Mountains in TN and NC, where he grew up. Every summer, the Lee family would make a journey to the mountains, rent a boat, and head down the Nantahala River with Dad at the helm. As he grew older, Eric begged and got the chance to get his own boat (an inflatable kayak!). Since then, his love of the outdoors and rivers has only continued to grow. During summers while at college, Eric got his first taste of guiding while taking crews on 7-10 day flatware canoeing trips in the Boundary Waters area of Northern MN. During the rest of the year, Eric teaches engineering at a local community college and enjoys cycling, rock climbing and skiing. This is Eric’s 2nd season with Oregon River Experiences and he is excited to meet more amazing people and enjoy the thrills on the incredible rivers of Oregon!

Guide

Amber Rose

Amber’s love of all things outdoors started at a young age when she was camping with her family in Central Oregon, always next to a creek or river. She then moved to Boise, ID where she started hiking the surrounding foothills and floating the Boise River regularly. Her first whitewater rafting trip was on the Payette River in ID. Visiting snowy Crater Lake, hiking Cape Lookout on the Coast, climbing to the top of Mt. Hood, and becoming a river guide are just a few of the adventures she has enjoyed since moving to the Northwest in 2013. She considers Oregon’s outdoors to be the biggest playground ever! She looks forward to sharing her excitement and knowledge of the outdoors with ORE guests