Latimer Smith

About me

My passion is being outside with my wife Megan, two children, and one fur child.

The Best Part of My Job

Working with others toward a common goal of offering life-changing river trips.

How I found OARS

I grew up the child of a river outfitter. I became a river guide at age 19. I made the move towards management because I loved the big picture aspect of operating river trips. I was always impressed with OARS, but never expected I would work here. However, a position became available, which eventually led to a job offer. I'm here mostly because of the professionalism and goodwill I've been given by the entire team at OARS.

My Favorite Spot on the River/Outdoors

I really love the big camp on the right below Brown Betty in Cataract Canyon. I love all the sand and how you can hike up to the Maze District from both sides, by going either upstream or downstream. I also love the little camp called Hades in Westwater Canyon. All the anticipation builds there for the dozen or more rapids to be run the next day in the metamorphic gorge that gives the section such whitewater popularity. I also love the many camps below Lava Falls in Grand Canyon, where you can check out all the beautiful basalt and columnar jointing on both sides of the river.

My Favorite Trip Memory

Running the San Juan River as a kid. Kayaking and rowing from Sand Island to Mexican Hat, then to Clay Hills. On my own for the first time, all by myself.

Favorite River Tradition

On non-commercial trips, I like to throw whole pumpkins, gourds, or giant watermelons into the river above rapids during late October Halloween trips. It's fun to try to "chase them down" and perform "rescues" by hauling them back into rafts and IKs. The rescues must happen just in time to throw them into the foam once again. Kids especially love it.

I Can’t Live Without

After some hard thinking, I think I would say a personal floatation device (PFD).

My Fun Fact

My ability to memorize river history.