Welcome To Our World!
Enjoy it in small groups, with unparalleled personal service, and with guides who have a passion for guiding.

Momentum River Expeditions was founded by guides who believe that a river trip is more than just rafting, and guiding is more than just getting people down the river. It is our goal to “re-invent” the way rafting trips are run. To set the standard for guest service, trip quality, risk management, and the overall river experience.
This all starts with our guides and staff. Our guides are some of the finest anywhere, with years of experience leading trips around the world. They are fun, warm hearted, and they all love showing and sharing with people the places that have captivated them for so long. Most importantly they are experts at creating an atmosphere where the benefits and joys of rivers can be lived to the fullest and where it is easy to relax and be your self.

Check out our Why go with us page for more info on us and what sets our trips apart.

About the people of Momentum:

Pete Wallstrom – Guide / Owner

Pete is originally from Vermont but has spent time living in Colorado, Wyoming, and now on the West Coast. Pete has been a guide for over 15 years and has run rivers all over the United States – including the upper Tuolumne (Cherry Creek) in California, considered the toughest regularly-run commercial trip in North America – as well as rivers in Nepal, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Chile. He has a degree and professional experience in landscape architecture and has further education in civil engineering and ecology, but guiding, traveling, and his love of wild places lead him to start Momentum River Expeditions. In addition to his river-running skills, Pete is also a great cook (he grew up in a restaurant).

 

Erik Sol – Guide

A native Wisconsinite, Erik grew up and was comfortable with the water long before he became a river guide. He has spent the last eleven years exploring and guiding on rivers throughout the western United States, India, Nepal, and New Zealand. He now lives here in Ashland where he runs the Outdoor Program and is a part time professor for Southern Oregon University. He is also a climber, a snowboarder, and a First Aid and CPR instructor. Erik loves sharing his knowledge of river environments and whether he is floating scenic canyons or running class V steeps he is always happy and at home. Eric just got back from a first river descent in Tibet and has some great stories! You can find out more about this trip at www.earthexperience.com.

 

Chad Woodward – Guide

Chad’s various interests have taken him throughout the country in pursuit of both pleasure and education. Originally from Vermont, his interest in politics led to a political science degree, which it turns out wasn’t a real job magnet. With an interest in alternative energy developing, Chad moved to Colorado to learn more. His passion for whitewater rafting began in Colorado and this passion created a gateway for new friends and allowed for adventures and guiding opportunities throughout the country on some of the nation’s best runs. All of these interests culminated in a decision that a law degree specializing in environmental and natural resources was the best career path. While Chad ponders his future law degree he continues to explore rivers with us.

 

Roland Stevenson – Guide

Roland first went rafting on India's Ganges River in 1988 while living in New Delhi as the son of a U.S. diplomat. He fell in love with rivers and rafting and made it his goal to share the lifestyle with as many people as possible. Roland has stayed close to fresh water ever since- visiting rivers, kayaking, and working as a professional guide in India, California, British Columbia, and on the Grand Canyon. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder, holds an MS. in Astrophysics from the University of British Columbia, speaks fluent German and limited Spanish and Hindi, and reads Arabic (holly cow!). He recently worked with the UN's earthquake relief program in Pakistan-administered Kashmir where he was made a bona fide warlord! He is an Aquarius and hasn't played Pete in one-on-one basketball. We are excited to have him join us this year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laynne Cooley – Guide

A guide for 13 years, Laynne grew up in California and has spent much of his time rafting the states many rivers. Including runs class V runs like the Forks of the Kern, Cherry Creek, and Giant Gap. He also has spent time guiding in Chile and managing various operations of one of California’s largest rafting companies. Layne also enjoys sailing, mountain biking, traveling, and losing to Pete in one-on-one basketball. He is a Swift Water Rescue Technician, an EMT, and is now studying to be a Paramedic. Layne is also infamous for his on river entertainment including his alter ego the “Minister of Whitewater”.

Erik Meldrum– Guide

Eric was born in Los Angeles and is one of four Quadruplets! He went to college at UC Santa Cruz for International Politics and has been guiding for over 12 years. He has guided nearly every river run commercially in California including Cherry Creek, the Thunder Run (Upper Kern), and the Forks of the Kern. He also participated in the 2nd raft descent of the Class V+ Headwaters of the Kern. Eric is now a Deputy Probation Officer (He even has a badge) and moonlights with us on almost every river we run.

Aaron Tippett – Guide

Aaron has been guiding for more then 15 years. He has guided many of the countries most difficult rivers, is a class V trip leader, an EMT, and was a river manager for 8 years. He also is an accomplished down hill ski racer and spent time as heli ski guide in Alaska for Points North. Like Layne, Aaron also enjoys losing to Pete in one-on-one basketball. He is now a Helicopter pilot and Instructor in Sacramento, California and joins us for Cal Salmon and Upper Klamath trips.

 

Julie Bibleheimer – Office, Driver, Ect....

Originally from San Diego Julie likes to think that a decade of international traveling has taken most of the Southern California out of her:) She has taught school in Turkey and Malawi, was a travel agent in Greece, managed a hostel in Italy, and was a camp counselor in San Francisco She has also studied English, Victorian Literature, and Education. Julie now owns the Clay Cup coffee house, works part time in the Momentum office, drives for trips, and is our fan club president and unofficial guidance counselor. Her greatest ambition now is to publish a trashy historical romance novel and spend as much time in the great southern Oregon outdoors as possible.