 |
| Will and Dana on Illinois River, South Bend Camp |
Will Volpert’s passion
for the outdoors is in his blood. He grew up with parents who were rafting and
fly-fishing outfitters on Idaho’s Middle Fork and Mainstem Salmon Rivers. He
spent every year of his youth floating Idaho’s rivers and exploring its canyons.
He moved to Ashland in
2004 to pursue a degree in Business Administration at Southern Oregon
University. In 2005, Will took his first trip down the Wild & Scenic
Illinois River and received his first exposure to the Kalmiopsis Wilderness
Area. Of the many trips he's done, the Illinois would become his favorite.
After graduating from
SOU in 2008, Will left Ashland and found work and adventure in Salmon, ID;
Portland, OR; Bodfish, CA; and Selma, OR. Joining him was his partner, Dana
Woodruff, who works as a whitewater photographer, complementing Will’s passion
for rivers and wild places.
When Dana and Will
decided to find a permanent living situation, of all the places they had
explored and lived, they chose Ashland, OR in October 2010. By December of the
same year, they hatched a plan to start a new whitewater rafting company,
Indigo Creek Outfitters, named after a remote, wild tributary of the Illinois.
They developed a new
model, focusing on simplifying coordination and providing half-day trips on the
Rogue River upstream of Gold Hill. The Indigo Creek mission is to “deliver
outdoor experiences that create lasting memories.” In addition to their rafting
trips, Indigo Creek offers customers personalized photo CDs of their adventure.
“Gabe Howe introduced
me to the SMC in December 2011. I immediately felt like it was an organization
I wanted to be involved with. The outdoors experience has always been a huge
part of my life, and I place high value on public access to wilderness,” says
Volpert. “Gabe’s enthusiasm and passion is contagious. I look forward to
serving on the SMC board, working with volunteers and, most of all, getting
outside to work on trails.”
Before the season has even begun, Will is displaying symptoms of log fever.
Before the season has even begun, Will is displaying symptoms of log fever.
 |
| Will in action on the Rogue River |
