About

Welcome to GNAR, the premier destination for all-inclusive guided whitewater and mountain biking trips in the Columbia Gorge.

WE STARTED GNAR TO FILL A VOID IN NORTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE TRAVEL. NO ONE ELSE ON THE CONTINENT CAN MATCH OUR OFFERINGS- BECAUSE ITS HARD. AND WE DO HARD THINGS.

THE GORGE

Winding for 80 miles across the heart of the Cascades, the Columbia River Gorge reigns as the nation’s premier National Scenic Area. It is a world where moss-draped rainforests shift seamlessly into sun-kissed high desert. Starting from towering alpine peaks, rivers coalesce and tumble in along it’s length. Ancient volcanic history and vibrant local culture collide, capturing the essence of the Pacific Northwest. Click here to learn more about what the Gorge has to offer: https://www.columbiarivergorge.info/

HISTORY

Nate was exposed to whitewater at a young age on annual canoe trips with his father on the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Staying hairy side up through many runs through the Whitehorse rapids got him hooked. He learned to kayak in 2001 as part of the Virginia Tech Kayak Club and began mountain biking that same year. He spent his summers during college videoboating on the New and Gauley, while rushing out for evening laps at the Poverty Creek trails and Carvin’s Cove during the school year. Nate relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2007 after graduating with an engineering degree and has since explored more Pacific Northwest whitewater and biking trails than all but just a handful of other like-minded adventurers. Nate began to sink roots in the Gorge in 2011, moved to Husum full time in 2016, and after 10 years of non-stop work developing the property, took the leap to start GNAR in 2026.

GNAR CULTURE

We will never let ourselves forget that we’re in the hospitality and client service industry. This isn’t about us. It’s about our guests, their goals, their preferences, their schedule, their abilities. We live by five core tenets that guide us hosts and guides.

Without all five of these, we can’t serve you like you deserve. Our goal is for you to leave a GNAR trip believing that we hold true to these values.

Our Team & Approach to Guiding

Stout whitewater and hero dirt are the soul of this place, but the heart of the experience is the crew you share it with. We will greet you with authentic smiles, shuttle drive stories, and the elite technical expertise required to navigate the PNW safely and stylishly. Safety is our non-negotiable foundation. Every member of our staff is rigorously trained in swiftwater rescue, advanced wilderness first aid, and is intimately familiar with the rivers and trails.
We’ll encourage you without being pushy. We’re patient- we’ll wait. We’re happy to walk back to the top of the rapid or jump line and fine tune your line. We aren’t just your guides; we’re your gateway to the “best days of your life,” and we’re committed to making every boof, berm, and beer an unforgettable chapter of your story.

PARTNERs

We collaborate with some of the best companies in the universe.

STEWARDSHIP

GNAR donates 1% of annual gross revenue to local advocacy groups like Friends of the White Salmon River and Friends of the Columbia Gorge.