Oregon Rafting Team Trip Logs

Click here to view trip logs on ORT's blog

The ORT Team

	Bruce Reed (OX) : Bruce lives in the woodsy hamlet of Colton Oregon with his wife Laura. When he’s not building homes, Bruce is out on the river in his drift boat, cataraft, or inflatable kayak. Bruce has a reputation of being a hard worker, loyal teammate, and greets others with a big smile and friendly attitude. Bruce has solid mechanical skills and even built the trailer the team uses. Ox is fearless, ask him about his high water drift boat trip on the Upper Clackamas or this first time he took out a hardshell kayak…
	Ryan Olivier (Hoser) : Ryan is a PE teacher at a middle school in Portland where he also owns a house. He grew up in the foothills of the Cascades in Sandy Oregon where he excelled in many sports especially football. Ryan went on to play college football and he continues to enjoy that sport as the head coach at his middle school (he also coaches basketball and wrestling). In addition to being physically strong Ryan is also compassionate as evidenced by his desire to work with kids, volunteer work done to help those less fortunate, and his recent acceptance of a teaching position in the Dominican Republic. Ryan’s up close and personal descent of the Chilko River in British Columbia is a tale worth hearing.
	Evan Dupont (WFE) : Evan works for an energy conservation agency in the Portland area where he also resides. He was a successful wrestler in high school and his competitive spirit still breathes with ORT, soccer, and his focused fundraising efforts. Evan brings an energy to the team dynamic that is as inspiring as it is complimentary to our chemistry. When he’s not competing you can likely find Evan at a bluegrass or jazz festival, but if you get a ride from him don’t expect him to be on time but you will have fun when you finally get there.
	Dick Norris (Action) : Dick grew up in North Carolina and is a 4th grade teacher in the Gresham, Oregon area where he resides with his long time wife Lisa who works for the United States Forest Service. Raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Action developed a strong bond with the outdoors early in life. He has always been active enjoying rock climbing, snow-shoeing, weight training and cycling, yet at “50-something,” ORT was the first team sport activity that he had ever participated in. Action was a DJ in his earlier years, and now brings a wide array of artistic tastes and culture to the team. In only his second year paddling, Dick R2ed Canyon Creek in Washington at a stout water level thus further solidifying his depth of character and place in ORT history.
	Mark Rettmann (Mark) : OK so we still need a nickname for Mark…anyway. Mark lives with his spunky new wife Lisa in Scio Oregon. Mark works in the power generation business and is a leader in many domains to include technical knowledge and employee/labor negotiations. An athlete his entire life and educated at George Fox University, Mark’s well rounded intellect has provided valuable insight throughout the creation and maintenance of all things related to ORT. Mark grew up in Grants Pass on the Rogue River and has experienced first hand the evolution of the whitewater boating industry. A world class oarsman and a true team player, Mark shows up to all activities asking what do you need then hustles off and gets it done. There was a day on the Illinois that for some reason didn’t go quite as smoothly as other trips for Mark...
	Jacob Roop (Rooooop) : Big Jake is a new addition to the crew and as a former guide and kayaker has brought a wealth of skills and expertise in addition to brute strength. Jake spends his day designing floor plans for a builder in the Portland area before heading home to his wife Carol and new born daughter Charlotte (who he can’t stop talking about). Rooooop is as quick to engage in political and federal policy type discussions as he is to start a water fight and/or tackle an unsuspecting paddler. His infectious and hardy laugh is always welcome in the crew rig and especially on long hauls to training venues or events. On a recent icy and snowy day on the Wind River, Rooooop’s size 15 boots weren’t as stable as they appeared as he experienced a lot of difficulty standing up falling once on his face and once on his backside in about one minute, he must have been thinking of how Charlotte was learning to walk.
	Rob Carlson (Rasta) : This dread head can be found skateboarding, snowboarding, kayaking or rafting around the greater Portland area. True to form he hops in his Volkswagen bus and heads up to the hills to collect dead fish (no kidding) for the USFS. Always on tour, Rasta brings a sense of adventure and free spiritedness to the team as it seems as though if he is not on one quest he is planning another. A devoted environmentalist, Rob keeps us current with all things and processes required to keep our beloved rivers pristine and their ecosystems green.
	Clinton Vining (the Nightcrawler) : At 6’ 6” tall and 205 pounds one wouldn’t expect the to find the Nightcrawler playing rugby but that’s exactly where we “turned him up”. Don’t let his appearance fool you, an aggressive competitor and athlete Clinton’s second ever raft trip was a wild charge over Eagle Creek Falls near Estacada Oregon where he has served as the local newspaper editor for two years. In the past year Nightcrawler has married Hawley (damn good thing for this turkey) and had a charming baby boy named Carter. Over the past 3 seasons Nightcrawler has provided us with the funniest of memories with his shenanigans occurring when the sun has long been set, hence the name.
	Bryon Scruggs (Otterboy) : No renaissance man, Otterboy maximizes his time on the river as a full-time kayaker and part-time rafter. If it's not river-related he's not interested. Otterboy contributes to ORT by responding to a limited number of guide commands (forward, back, FASTER DAMNIT) and maintaining the ORT web site.
	Tim Brink (Big Timber): Now residing in Portland, Tim is the founder of, and guide for ORT. Timber also serves as the current president of the United States Rafting Association (USRA). Tim is currently employed as a school psychologist and football coach. A bird of a different color; Tim pushes the envelope as a freeskier, kayaker, first descentionist rafter, mixed martial artist, bouncer, and then keeps us guessing by writing poetry, soul searching trip reports, listening to classical music, jazz, and conducting informal “men’s groups” on road trips which commonly end with a hug at the end of the day. His competitive fervor and at times militaristic demeanor have recently become more balanced as a result of life changing experiences which have triggered an exploration into spirituality and holistic self awareness. Paying strict attention to detail hasn’t always worked for Timber as evidenced by showing up to a put in without lifejackets, going kayaking without a helmet, or the tendency to let er rip when a thorough scout could have avoided a swim, or two, or….three.