Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures history and guide staff

Gia and Wayne Fairchild on the Salmon River

Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures was founded in 1989 by Wayne Fairchild. While attending the University of Montana, Wayne worked for the Denton Family at the Lochsa Lodge. There he was able to explore the rivers and trails of Lewis and Clark, a lifelong pursuit. Upon graduating from U of M, Wayne decided to start a business that allowed him to share his enthusiasm for exploration with others. Gia Randono also graduated from the U of M, made Missoula her home and enjoys the active outdoor lifestyle. They were married in 1999. The business started with hiking & biking trips on the Lolo Trail. Soon to follow were Canoe trips on the Upper Missouri, Rafting on the Alberton Gorge, Lochsa and Main Salmon Rivers. Every year Wayne and Gia travel along the Lewis and Clark Trail or abroad gaining experience and learning about new places. As LCTA has grown, Wayne and Gia split their time during the summer between organizing the trips from Missoula guiding on many of the trips. We hope you enjoy traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail with us!

Crew on Training Trip

The LCTA staff is a team of dedicated and knowledgeable outdoor enthusiasts. As LCTA has grown so has our guide family. Some are full time guides and others have full time careers taking time off for special trips. They have years of experience on rivers and trails all over North America and the world. Their skills, attention to detail, safety and shining personalities will make your adventure with LCTA one to remember.

LCTA Guides

Jim Klapper "Furley" Lochsa, Alberton Gorge, Main Salmon, Missouri, Lolo Trail. Attending the UM and teaching snowboarding at Snowbowl Ski Area		John Green "Jono" Lochsa, Alberton Gorge, Main Salmon Attending school at the University of Montana Recreation Management headed to Alta, UT for the winter
Craig Myers "Coach" Missouri, Lolo Trail, Main Salmon Degree in Education from Miami University. Teaching school for the next 2 years at the John F. Kennedy school in Berlin, Germany.		Meredith Ruland "Meriwether" Main Salmon, Missouri River, Lolo Trail. Just finished Masters in Health & Human Performance at UM and working for the Missoula Aids Council when not guiding.
Bryce Smedley Gorge, Lochsa, M. Salmon, Lolo Trail Degree in Anthropology from U M. Attending grad school for Inernational Developement in Bangkok, Thailand		Chad Jones Lolo Trail Masters in Anthropology from Dennison Works at Scooterville scooter shop and Director of Montana Snowbowl Ski & Snowboard School during the off season.
Chris Littleford "Big Country" Lolo Trail, Missouri, Gorge, Salmon Arrived in Montana last spring from Alabama and spent everyday on the rivers and trails of Montana and Idaho. Returned to Alabama for the winter to spend time with family.		Ritchie Doyle "Capt Clark" Lolo Trail, Lewis & Clark History Writer, Actor and Songster, Interpreter Our guest speaker who educates and entertains our guests on the trail and river.
Aaron Mihelish "Mad Dog" Alberton Gorge, Missouri, Lolo Trail Attending the University of Montana studying Physical Education and working so she can play on the river this summer.		Rich Galli "Alpino" Lolo Trail, Lewis & Clark History Served with Wayne in the 509th Airborne Battalion in Vicenza, Italy. Teaches high school history in Bozeman, MT. Rich was called to active duty and will depart for Iraq in Nov. 2004- Be safe!
Todd Edgar Missouri, Lolo Trail, Shuttles Manager of the Montana Snowbowl Ski, Snowboard & Tele Shop in the winter. Tragically Todd passed away Sept 28, 2004 of natural causes. We will miss you!		Dr. Lee Metzgar Missouri River Retired Director of Wildlife Biology at UofM Works with conservation organizations as an independent wildlife consultant and interpretive guide for UofM
Lindsey Gardner Lochsa, Alberton Gorge, Main Salmon Degree from UM in Rec Management. Moved to Salt Lake City, UT to pursue nursing degree.		John Edward Dennison "JED" Missouri River Texas raised, avid bike racer and founder of the Jedzilla Bike Series, member of the "Dirt Bag Nation" Asst. Director of Snowbowl Ski School
Dudley Improta Main Salmon Asst. Director of Campus Recreation Leads the UM Main Salmon trip and spends winter working and playing at Snowbowl		Casey Smith "Captain" Lochsa, Main Salmon, Missouri, Lolo Trail Degree in Journalism from University of Missouri-Columbia, Sells Real Estate in the Missoula Valley and comes out of retirement for special trips.
Joe Petrilli "Joey" Lochsa, Main Salmon Degree from UM in Recreation Management UM Outdoor Recreation Manager Lead Instructor of our annual training trip		Nicole Hernandez Missouri River, Trip planning & prep From Wisconsin and keeps us all smiling on the river. Spending this winter in Green Bay.
Morgan Valliant Lochsa, Alberton Gorge Main Salmon Attending University of Idaho in Moscow, ID working on his masters.		Pat Fairchild"Mom" Logistics, Shuttles, Lunch Maker Helps us on all of our trips and does her best to keep us all in line!
Ande Clark Alberton Gorge, Main Salmon , Missouri Masters in Political Science from UM. Lives in Mammoth, CA and joins us for a few special trips a year.		Eugene Fairchild "Dad" Missouri, Lolo Trail, Shuttles and Logistics Retired Reiter Dairy Plant Manager and Board Member of the Travelers Rest Chapter of the Lewis & Clark Heritage Foundation
Baptiste Gia and Wayne's 4 yr old Newfoundland named after Sacajawea's child, Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau. Lewis & Clark had a Newfie on the expedition and proved to be a very trustworthy companion on the trail. Newfies are amazing water dogs, instinctively rescuing swimmers in trouble. Baptiste joins some of our trips, but mostly hangs around the office.		Garland Davis Main Salmon, Missouri, Lolo Trail Our guest chef who specializes in Southwestern and Texas cuisine. Food and Beverage Manager for Snowbowl Ski Area.

The Early Years 1989….
Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures began as a historical biking on the Lolo Trail and river adventures on the Lochsa and Clark Fork.

Wayne guiding in the Lochsa

Lewis & Clark Trail Adventure's strong foundation developed from the dedication of our staff, who were and still are our best friends. Even after they have moved on to other careers or moved away, we feel honored to occasionally have them return for "guest guiding". The photos below were a few of our first guides.

Bill Thomas Lochsa, Salmon, Missouri Showed us all the best and safest way down any river. Lives in Hamilton, MT with wife and daughter.		Doug Betters Lochsa Played for the Miami Dolphins in the 198 Superbowl. Betters was one of the infamous Killer "B's", and recently inducted into the University of Montana's Football Hall of Fame. He played for the Grizzlies 197 . In 199 Doug was involved in a tragic ski accident which left him partially paralyzed. Even though he is no longer guiding he remains active and inspirational in our company. Doug lives in Whitefish, MT.
Clint Frank "Tripp" Lochsa, Salmon, Missouri & Lolo Trail Degree in Resource Conservation from UM Lives in Sandpoint, ID with his wife Molly and works for the Sandpoint fire dept.		Brian Daly Safety Kayaker and Videographer "Vidiot" Brian recorded many of LCTA trips on the Lochsa and Salmon. Brian lives and sails in Key West, FL
Larry Napier "Elvis" Lochsa Larry & Wayne met guiding on the Gauley River in West Virginia. Larry lives with his wife Melissa and two children in Toledo, OH		Heidi MacDonald Lolo Trail, Alberton Gorge, Missouri Attended University of Montana with Wayne & John in the Recreation Management. Heidi lives with her husband, Randy and four children in Missoula, MT.
John Indrehuse Lochsa, Missouri, Lolo Trail, Salmon Attended UofM with Wayne & Heidi, featured in Time Magazine with Wayne . John works at St. Pats Hospital in Missoula and joins us for special trips.		Gia Randono Fairchild Born &n raised in Great Falls, MT. Graduated from University of Montana in Marketing and Economics. Guides on all trips and oversees menu planning. Works part-time at Montana Snowbowl during the winter.
Wayne Fairchild Born & raised in Cortland, NY. Served in the US Army, paratrooper stationed in Vicenza, Italy. Joined friends in Montana, graduated from UM and founded Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures.