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Middle Fork Salmon Guide and Sweep Boat Driver
Don't
let the name fool you! Rio Jose Hibarger was born and raised on a farm
in Arkansas. His father is a country doctor and his mother is a farmer.
Rio's childhood recreation was riding hogs.
He started river guiding in Colorado when he was 16, and at the ripe old age of 25 has guided rafts and kayaks in Uganda, Zambia, Argentina, Nepal, New Zealand, and Australia. At the end of the 2003 rafting season, he rode his bike from Idaho to Olympia, Washington via Canada. In Olympia he is attending Evergreen College and apprenticing as a wooden boat builder.
This
last spring he went to Cuba as a student and immersed himself in the culture
as only he can. While in Cuba, one of his new friends wrote a song about
his life. The chorus is:
"Rio's mama taught him to shoot a gun, skin a rabbit, how to get things done. He got tired of eatin' squirrel so he traveled around the world."
Guests remember Rio for his amazing stories about growing up in Arkansas and traveling to some unique places. They also remember his great food, hard work, and his relentless competition in games like horseshoes and Koob.
Rio spends his winters living in his sailboat, which he walks a mile to and from each day. He is thinking of dropping out of school, building a boat, and sailing around the world. Money? It has never mattered to Rio.
What Next?
- Call us at (800) 652-3246. We love to talk about our trips!
- Email This Page to friends and family.