Zachary Collier

Of the 200 Wild and Scenic Rivers in the U.S., 58 of them are here in Oregon. You could say we have more than our fair share. More

My first trip down the Rogue River was in 1997, the year before I became professional river guide. After a three-day trip down the Lower Klamath, four of us decided to make our way up to the famous Rogue River. We left the take-out for the Klamath, stopped in Ashland for dinner and a play… More

In the heart of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness in southern Oregon, the little-known Chetco River flows for 55 stunning miles before reaching the Pacific Ocean near Brookings. Nestled between two well-known whitewater runs, the North Fork of the Smith River and the Illinois River, the Chetco is often not sought out by paddlers due to its… More

This May, rafters and kayakers throughout the Northwest will unite for the 30th Annual Upper Clackamas River Festival. This river rendezvous, affectionately called ClackFest, includes whitewater competitions, equipment demos, and clinics led by local experts. Saturday morning will kick off with several raft and kayak slalom events. Boaters must maneuver through a series of gates set up in the… More

The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival is an annual gathering for rafters and kayakers from throughout the Pacific Northwest. Affectionately termed Clack-Fest, the event is designed for boaters to compete in whitewater races, try out the latest and greatest gear from leading raft and kayak manufacturers, meet up with old friends, and make new ones! 2012 will celebrate the… More

Some people think we're crazy for hopping in our kayaks when it's 35 degrees and drizzling, but if you love to paddle, there are many reasons to get out in the rain. If you wait for summer in Oregon, many rivers and streams are too low for boating; it's the rain that feeds the rivers… More