The Dave Hansen Whitewater Crew
Read about our office crew: click here.
Jason Crockett
Born in the small town of Pineville in the Appalachian Mountains, Jason lived in Kentucky for 23 years. He earned a football scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University and graduated with a degree in Construction Management. Since then Jason migrated west living in mountain towns like Breckenridge, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Lake Tahoe, and Coloma, California. Jason guided two summers on the challenging American River before coming out to Jackson Hole in 2005. Like all of our guides, mountains and rivers are his first love. During the wintertime, Jason is an intense skier and logs in many days on the mountain slopes. Jason brings a unique perspective to Dave Hansen Whitewater, educating the rest of us on the difference between a simple “cookout” and a genuine southern “barbecue.” For those of you laymen, a cookout is simply throwing some beef patties on the grill and turning up the Justin Timberlake. A Jason Crockett barbecue, however, is a live Blue Grass band, Louisiana shrimp flown in from the Bayou, and a 6 foot pit with a pig roasting for some 18 hours. Now that's a barbecue. We at Dave Hansen feel truly lucky to have him returning to our team for a fourth season in 2009, as he is unequivocally one of the best guides on the Snake.
Arne Carter
Arne was born and raised in Salt Lake City. Growing up, he says he probably spent more time in the mountains than in his home. He enjoys snowboarding, kayaking, mountaineering, mountain biking, camping, and pretty much anything that doesn’t involve being indoors. He started working at scout camps when he was 16, teaching canoeing and guiding backpacking trips. Ironically enough, he met his future wife at boy scout camp. He came to Jackson for the first time when he was 18, and fell in love with the river. He is one of the few guides on the river who has guided every section of the Snake from Pacific Creek to Sheep Gulch. At 19, Arne served his Mormon mission in Taiwan, where he learned to speak Mandarin Chinese. A fan of rivers anywhere in the world, Arne decided to go rafting one day. To his chagrin, he overheard the Taiwanese rafting company discussing how they were short one guide, and whatever would they do? To their relief, Arne stepped up and told them he was a guide in the states, and he was promptly handed an oar to guide a boat down the river. Arne is currently pursuing his degree in International Agriculture Business, with a Minor in Chinese for Utah State University, and are happy to say he has signed a 10 year contract with Dave Hansen Whitewater without any out clause.
Molly Luft
Molly is simply unstoppable. She is the triathlete of the river business. She can put a smile on your face while taking your phone reservation, she can drive you safely to the river as a CDL-licensed bus driver, and she can entertain you all the way down the Snake River as one of our most indispensable guides. Molly grew up in Portland, Oregon, slide tackling boys on the soccer field. This experience may have helped her earn a soccer scholarship to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh University, where she became a two-time captain of the soccer team and studied her way to a degree in Earth and Environmental Science. Molly will return to Dave Hansen towards the end of the 2009 season, but not until she travels down to Grenada, Nicaragua, as a volunteer for the nonprofit organization, Soccer Without Borders for a second year in a row. For six weeks Molly will make a difference in the lives of young Nicaraguan girls--and maybe even teach one or two of them to slide tackle the boys.
Tyler Babcock
This summer will mark Tyler “T-Bone’s” 5th summer as a professional river rat. He spent two years as a Kayak Instructor on the Salmon River where he fell in love with the sport; he now returns for a fourth summer here on the Snake River in Jackson. T-Bone hails from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he spends the school year studying at the University of Utah. We love this kid: when you're the President of the Whitewater Rafting Club, you know you can't get enough of the river. Tyler enjoys mountaineering, backpacking, skiing, and if he can trick enough friends, rafting and kayaking Cataract Canyon in the middle of winter. In addition to all of the above talents, T-bone can play the harmonica, strum the guitar, and recite Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy. With this array of talents, you will surely be in great hands. If you can't get enough of Tyler on the river, be sure to check out his rousing performance as Cord Elum in the Pink Garter's "Oklahoma" production.
Bryson White
Growing up in Utah, Bryson’s first river experience was at age 7. On a hot summer’s day he and some of his fellow neighborhood troublemakers inflated a small ten-dollar K-mart raft and tried their luck on the local creek. After a bitter cold swim, a completely destroyed boat, several near drownings, and the dispatch of search and rescue personnel, Bryson was dedicated to big whitewater. His professional guiding career began at age 17 when he landed a job taking boy scouts canoeing on the upper stretches of the Snake. Since then he has guided four years here in Jackson Hole and spent the 2007 season on the Main and Lower Salmon rivers in Idaho. He’s excited to be back working in Jackson with Dave Hansen this summer and says “this will be the best dang summer of my life.” We like to think it’s because he’s working for Dave Hansen, but in reality it’s because he’s marrying the girl of his dreams this coming May. He’s proud of the fact that it only took him one year to actually get the guts to ask her out. When he’s not on the river, Bryson likes to think about the river. He enjoys playing the piano, climbing rocks, riding his bicycle, and singing in the shower. He is a studying Business Administration at Utah State University and ought to graduate sometime within the next five or ten years (which gives him plenty more summers to work for Dave Hansen). Bryson is a river guide because he loves to meet new people, make new friends, and share something with them that he loves.
Jason Laughlin
Jason, or “Deuce” as he is affectionately known around Dave Hansen, has guided every section of the Snake from Pacific Creek to Sheep Gulch. Growing up in Oregon, Jason started fishing at age six, and started rafting at age twelve. Guiding for the Boy Scouts at age 17, Jason has floated The Deschutes, Upper Clackamas, Henry’s Fork, and the Hoback. Jason loves everything outdoors including mountain biking, hiking, swimming, photography, rock climbing, and snowboarding. Somehow he finds time to attend Brigham Young University and after earning a Business degree, he plans on attending law school. We don’t know how he’s going to handle a classroom for so many years, especially since he constantly calls us during the winter time trying to figure out a way to guide trips down the Snake in the freezing snow and ice. This crazy-streak of his is perhaps responsible for his stunning victory in The 2008 Rigby Triathlon. Forget "Deuce," he's now the Champ!
Matthew Lynn
We are thrilled to have Matt returning to Dave Hansen Whitewater for the 2009 season, and his fifth season with us. A river guide since age 16, Matt has navigated rivers across the United States for the past 9 years. Although he has guided on the Shanandoah, Potomac, and Youghiogeny of West Virginia, and the Gros Ventre of Wyoming, he believes that the Jackson area and Snake River Canyon are the most beautiful scenery he’s guided on. Matt is one heck of a talented guy, graduating from Salisbury University with a degree in Studio Art. Recently, Matt has focused on competitive cycling, training and racing in the marathon mountain biking division. At the end of last season, he completed his first 24-hour solo (yes, that is 24 hours in a row of riding a bike!). An avid outdoorsman, Matt spends his free time hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, running, and biking. Matt has enrolled in the University of Wyoming's teacher program where he is pursuing his teaching certification. After he completes this program, Matt will be able to teach during the school year and guide for Dave Hansen Whitewater during the summer time for the rest of his life! Except for the fact that Matt guessed his manager’s age to be 10 years older than the actual age, he is an exceptional person and a highly skilled guide. He is originally from Brownsville, Maryland, which is ten minutes from Harper’s Ferry.
Will Pasquill
Originally from Maine, Will is a robust force of nature. His interests and passions have led him all over the country, from teaching English to high school kids in Oakland, to guiding rivers such as the Rogue River in Oregon and the American in California. The Snake is the thirteenth river Will has guided commercially, which makes him one of the oldest guides Dave Hansen has on staff, but as he proclaims, “the least mature.” We would argue that he is our most resourceful guide—as he is a wizard with the duck tape (just check out his sunglasses) and he can actually function without an email account. Duck tape and emails aside, he is one of the best boaters on the Snake. He always gives the extra effort to navigate you through technical side channels in the hopes of a moose or river otter sighting. Ultimately, if you find yourself in Will’s boat he hopes that you will experience “the spirit of the river” as he truly enjoys his job.
Cristina Fenner
We are thrilled to have Cristina back for another year on the Snake. 
When Cristina was 14 she held a job as a cashier, and this uninspiring experience made her realize she needed her “real job” to be in one place: outside. Vermont’s Johnson State College granted her a degree in Outdoor Education with a double concentration in Environmental Education and Adventure Education/Wilderness Leadership. Excuse me? Adventure Education?! Wilderness Leadership?! Cristina is so brilliant she actually found a way to earn college credit with classes in whitewater kayaking, camping, and snowshoeing. To culminate her degree she completed an extensive whitewater certification course, which found her paddling and guiding on the San Juan River and Animis Rivers of Colorado. At heart, Cris is both an outdoor junkie and a gifted teacher. At just 23 Cristina has been a camp counselor, snowboard instructor, swim instructor, snowmobile guide, and daycare teacher—this girl can do anything (she can even crochet!). As one customer aptly put it: “She is just sooo great.”
Kyle Vosmus
Kyle came to us from Brunswick, Maine, where he grew up canoeing and camping with his family. A talented kid, Kyle played soccer on the men’s team at the University of Maine, where he earned a B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Not only did we hire him as a ringer for the company kickball team, Kyle is also a phenomenal guide with three years’ experience on the challenging Class V rivers of Maine. Not only does he spend his days committed to guiding for Dave Hansen Whitewater, but at night he even dreams about the Snake River. One romantic evening, he declared his love to his long-time girlfriend Ronnie-Jean by saying: “I love you like the Wilson to South Park scenic trip.” Now we simply cannot think of a more profound expression of love. Kyle is one of the most dedicated guides we have at Dave Hansen, and we are lucky to have him returning to us for another season.
Jonathan King
Jonathan is an adventurer. After growing up skiing and rafting with his family in Woody Creek, Colorado, the mountains and rivers of Jackson Hole were a natural fit. Before moving to Jackson, however, Jon earned a Political Science degree from Vanderbilt University, while spending each summer guiding the Arkansas and Colorado rivers. After graduating, Jon decided it was time for something new, and even though he knew no one and his Spanish was spotty, he headed south to Chile. For six months Jon guided on the Teno River, perfecting his Spanish, and even counseling at-risk youth. Like I said, Jon is an adventurer! We are thrilled to have him returning to Dave Hansen Whitewater for another season —I mean you have to love a guide who wants his picture posted on the website with his mom.
Owen Popinchalk (pop-in-chalk)
Born and raised in Jackson Hole, mountains and rivers are Owen’s lifeline. His family took him on his first raft trip down the Snake at the ripe age of four, and he has not stopped running rivers since. Owen has paddled or rowed his way down rivers in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and even Costa Rica. Making his home in the Kelly Yurt Park (a small community of Yurts 12 miles north of Jackson), Owen uses this special place as a base camp for climbing, skiing, and backpacking in the Tetons. As if that weren't enough, you will also find him biking the trails in the Jackson valley, hunting in the fall, and hanging with friends and family year-round. If you are like his employers and curious about his name, it is Czech in origin and was changed slightly when his ancestors arrived at Ellis Island and pronounced their name “Papinczaak”, and it was subsequently written down as “Popinchalk.” Owen is another one of our returning guides who has signed a lifetime contract with Dave Hansen Whitewater. He is looking forward to being on the river and explaining what a yurt is to all his clients.
Bill Hardman
We are relieved and excited that Bill has torn himself away from playing his guitar in Atlanta and has returned to Jackson for his fourth summer as a guide with Dave Hansen Whitewater. Bill has lived his whole life with one foot in the river, fishing from the Nantahala in North Carolina to the Snake in Wyoming. Born in Gainesville, Georgia, he loves to play guitar, flaunt his true southern accent, and call in sick in September when the fish are rising nonstop… We wouldn’t be surprised if he snuck a flyrod on the back of the boat. Bill graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Business Management. Be careful with Bill, as he is our most creative guide; he is responsible for naming "Preaching Rock" and don't even listen to his Boy Scout Eagle Project concerning the retaining wall....
Tyler Thirloway
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Tyler has spent much of his life outdoors. Since learning to ski at the age of two and raft at the age of eight, he made the natural move to Jackson Hole last summer, and is excited to be back guiding the Snake for his second season. Prior to coming to Jackson, Tyler studied religion and rowed competitively at the University of Puget Sound. He has since worked as an outdoor educator, teacher and coach, and loves getting people to try new things. When not rafting, Tyler can usually be found in the mountains, climbing, skiing, hiking and biking. During the "off" season, he spends his time in Washington, working as a rowing coach, sailing and climbing. Tyler is often called "Opie" among the DH staff after Andy Griffith’s fictional child in "The Andy Griffith Show". He garnered this name because of his red hair and wholesome appearance.
Brad Burton
Brad Burton, or B-Rad as he is affectionately known here at DH, was born and raised just south of glorious St. Louis "Missoura", and has recently migrated west to the Great Salt Lake. B-Rad went to school to get his electrical license, but then "decided that it was too much like real work". In the off season, B-Rad takes troubled youth on week long wilderness expeditions, during which creates tofu scramble masterpieces and often attempts to grow a beard (in vain). During the "on" season, B-Rad roams north to Jackson, where he crushes it as a river guide. When B-Rad isn’t exploring the river on raft or kayak, you can find him rock climbing, snowboarding, skydiving, backpacking, canyoneering, or "testing out" a variety of swing sets. After doing one (or all) of the above, B-Rad likes to cozy down in his very own Teepee down by the river (yes, kids, you too can live in a teepee when you grow up). This kid's a winner! If you’re lucky enough to be assigned to B-Rad’s boat, make sure to listen for his rousing renditions of old school Italian ballads.
Bud Chatham
 Bud with Guide in Training, Hyla Chatham, (for the 2020 season) |
Bud is an owner and guide for Dave Hansen Whitewater. Born and raised in the Bay Area of California, Bud owes his love for rivers to his father, cousin, and uncle. Spending his high school summers guiding fishing trips with his cousin on the Truckee River, and his college summers out here guiding in Jackson Hole with his Uncle’s whitewater company (our respected competitor…but which shall remain nameless), Bud has never strayed far from rivers. Bud has been guiding on the Snake for fourteen seasons now, and his goal is to keep Dave Hansen Whitewater thriving for yet another four decades. Bud respects Dave Hansen so much he even has Dave’s cell phone number speed-dialed ahead of his wife’s.
Jacie Chatham
In Training for the 2022 Season. Photo Coming Soon.
Where are they now? New adventures for former DHWW guides...
Tara Meyer
Tara came to us in the summer of 2005 from her fabulous hometown of Portland, Oregon. Having grown up rafting the Deschutes River with fellow Dave Hansen guide Molly Luft, Tara took to guiding on the Snake River faster than we could say, "WOAH, IT'S THE BIG KAHUNA!" She was very lucky to be trained by Dave, Matt, and Bryan. In 2007, Tara graduated with a B.A. in Natural Science and Film and Media Studies. When she is not hanging out in Jackson Hole riding the rapids or wrestling pigs, we can usually expect Tara to be out on some sort of adventure. In the past few years she has studied in New Zealand, spent time interning at a television station in Kathmandu, and rafted some class V rivers near the Nepalese-Tibetan border. This summer, Tara will be journeying to India to photograph wild tigers before heading back to Nepal for some rafting and trekking. After she finishes hugging elephants all around Nepal, she will return to Dave Hansen Whitewater for the 2008 season in August.
Mike Kaiser
After four years of teaching in inner-city schools such as Harlem and Seattle, Mikey is excited to have his classroom under the Tetons on the Snake River. After years of enjoying rivers recreationally, Mike got serious this summer. No, it wasn’t Meryl Streep’s performance from The River Wild that inspired him to grab the oars, but actually our own guide Jason, who challenged him point-blank: “Do you want to be a river guide?” he asked, “Or do you want to just be a Snake River guide?” Mike went through an extensive training program, learning how to study and read water under Bud, Matt, Jason and the rest of the Dave Hansen team. Mike is returning for his second season with us and is a talented, dedicated and focused guide…as long as you don’t mention that there is a snake in the boat.
Bryan Lyster
Trained by Dave himself in 2005, we are so fortunate to have Bryan returning this summer for his fourth season on the Snake River. As a Nationally Registered EMT with a Wilderness Rating, and Outdoor Emergency Care Technician, Bryan is as well prepared as they come. Growing up on a farm in Versailles, Kentucky, Bryan spent most of his waking hours in the outdoors fishing, skiing, and horseback riding. Before moving out to Jackson Hole, Bryan graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Human and Organizational Development. This makes him exceptionally skilled at organizing water fights…. Bryan makes the most out of each season, spending the fall in Alaska as an assistant hunting guide, returning to Jackson in the Winter to volunteer for Snow King’s ski patrol and coach the wrestling team at the middle school. When not memorizing lyrics to Guns N’ Roses, you will find Bryan backcountry skiing, biking, rafting, or hunting.
