Shaping Modern Expedition Rafting with Bart Henderson

The history of river rafting from Ethiopia to Alaska and everywhere in between.

An episode of the The Trail Less Traveled podcast, hosted by Mandela Leola van Eeden, titled "Shaping Modern Expedition Rafting with Bart Henderson" was published on January 16, 2025 and runs 48 minutes.

January 16, 2025 ·48m · The Trail Less Traveled

Summary

Bart Henderson, a retired international river guide, shares his experiences growing up in Utah and being part of the early river rafting industry. He describes how the town of Vernal and the Green River were central to the development of companies like Hatch River Expeditions, which pioneered commercial rafting. Bart's early exposure to the river guiding business sparked his lifelong passion for adventure and exploration, leading him to guide expeditions in diverse ecosystems around the world, from Alaska to Ethiopia.Experience the thrills and challenges of navigating remote waterways, from battling powerful winds to managing wildlife encounters, as Bart shares insights from decades of guiding experience across diverse ecosystems. His story culminates in the successful establishment of Chilkat Guides, proving that adventure tourism can breathe new life into local economies.Join us for this fascinating journey through the history of river rafting and discover how one man's passion for adventure helped chart new courses in global expedition tourism.Listen now to hear firsthand accounts of these remarkable river adventures that shaped modern expedition rafting.Show notes:00:07:46 - From River Kid to Boatman00:10:33 - Pioneering International River Guiding00:13:08 - Exploring the Gaba River: A Risky Adventure00:15:09 - Harrowing Rescue Mission on the Alsek River00:19:21 - Navigating the Alsek River: Challenges and Logistics00:21:33 - Guiding on Whitewater Rivers: Challenges and Rewards00:24:46 - Navigating the Unique Challenges of Glacial River Guiding00:27:36 - Mastering the Portagee Stroke: Efficient Rowing Techniques00:29:47 - Navigating Braided Rivers and Dangerous Channels00:33:45 - Navigating Treacherous River Channels00:36:45 - Pioneering River Guiding Across the Globe00:38:27 - Advice for Aspiring River Guides: Have Fun, Take Care of Your Body, and Plan for the Future!You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.The radio version of the show premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST, streaming live online at Trail1033.com & locally (Missoula) on the Trail 103.3 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects. #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #conservationpodcast #podcast #alaska #alsek #tatshenshini #whitewaterrafting #rafting #whitewater #storytelling #adventure #travel #traillesstraveled #missoula #haines #adventuretravel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description