Julie Munger (USA)

2017 Class | Explorer

Julie has been a big part of the rafting world for over 30 years, she was a huge part of breaking down barriers for women in the sport and her accomplishments at the time were as big or larger than many of the things men were doing.

She led the US Women’s Rafting team for many years, and she took part in many first descents and worldwide river explorations. She has taken her experience and passion and become one of the leading safety and rescue instructors for whitewater rescue in the world. She founded Sierra Rescue and has been a leading advisor for whitewater rescue curriculum development for many years. Most recently she has developed a curriculum specifically for river runners and guides and which has pushed to professionalize raft guides, increasing the reputability and safety of the sport.

Other Accomplishments:

1983-84: Started working on Cherry Creek with Marty Mac for Sierra Mac – one of the first paddle raft and oar boat guides, and the first female guide on Cherry Creek.
1985: on first crew for Rios Tropicales in Costa Rica on the Pacuare, General and Reventazón Rivers
1986: All WET (Women’s Exploratory Team) first RAFT descents on California rivers such as Clavey, Rainbow Falls on South Fork Tuolumne, Upper Upper South Fork American, West Walker, South Fork Stanislaus
1987: Women’s Exploratory for Mutual of Omaha Adventure Series with Diana Nyad to Borneo to do a first descent of Boh River
1988: Participated in one of the First Rafting Competition Ingadine Trophy on Inn River in Austria/Switzerland representing the US Women’s Team
1989: Chuya Rally on Chuya River in Siberia on Team Amazonski, an all-women’s team – second overall (including men’s teams)
1990: Traveled Russia for six months with the Russian Men’s Team, catarafting the mountains/regions of Altai, Carelia, Caucaus, Sian, Chatkal Tienshan and Palmir’s
1990: World Champions on Nantahala, second again overall (including the men’s teams)
1989-2001: US Women’s Rafting Team Paddle Captain-World Champions (first every year until 2001 when they came in second to the Kiwis)
1991-99: Steve Curry Operations Manager in Chile on Bio Bio and Futeleufu Rivers-impressive safety record
1986-2001: International Raft Guide in Chile, Nepal, Indonesia, Tibet, Costa Rica, Alaska, Grand Canyon
1993: River Guide for Alaska Discovery and Mountain Travel Sobek on Tatshenshini and Alsek
1993- Present: River Guide on Colorado River through Grand Canyon
2000-08: Worked as a river guide in the Alaskan Arctic with Alaska Discovery, Mountain Travel Sobek, and Arctic River Journeys
2001: First riverboard descent of Colorado River through Grand Canyon
2004-08: Became an outfitter running trips in the Alaskan Arctic. Started Arctic River Journeys
2003-Present: Founded Sierra Rescue
25 years as an instructor for Rescue 3 International
ACA instructor for many years

Julie Munger (USA)

Other Accomplishments:

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