To be a CREECH

Not everyone can guide for AW.  Of course there are the high standards of guiding, the long hours, and the close proximity to other staff through the duration of the summer.  Because of this, we have developed a  team of misfits, who all share on goal- to bring you on the best rafting trips, ever.  

Our most senior guide, and without doubt the most experienced guide in the company, is Eric Creech.  My first experience with this fine example of a guide was during my  guide training- five years ago.  I clearly remember a man who was harsh, abrasive even, towards his students.  I only took three days of training with Creech, but to this day I credit him as the guide that taught me how it was done.  

My most vivid memory of training with Creech was not from when I was being trained by him.  I was with another guide, struggling to learn to maneuver a boat on the Arkansas river at low water, when I look over and see Creech's training boat being pulled over by none other than Creech himself.  Apparently, the trainees failed to follow his directions, hit a rock sideways, didn't highside, and their trainer did what we call "closed the coffin"- pulled the boat over sideways by hand.  

Fast forward three years to 2016- my partner Justin and I were hanging around the boathouse in Kremmling, when none other than Creech walked in, mentioning that due to a medical concern he could no longer guide class IV like he has been doing for likely 75 years, and was going to have to switch to a more beginner friendly river. So, we hired him on to guide the Upper Colorado River- one of our most popular trips- and now he is one of the main trip leaders out of our Kremmling location.  

I remember one day last year I rode along one of his trips on the Upper C, and let me tell you, I have honestly not had that much fun on a beginner raft trip in my life.  So come check out a raft trip guided by a true professional, and ask for Creech as your guide!