logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Jasper Builds
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Jasper Builds
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Business, News, Peaks & Valleys
Thursday, July 30, 2020
COVID Check-In: Local rafters pivot to new whitewater

Jasper’s Jimmy Gillese and his crew at Stellar Descents staked out a little whitewater history July 8 when they made the first ever commercial rafting trip on the Doré River near McBride, B.C. 

While local rivers were at full volume last month, lower flows of visitors meant Gillese was able to get his river guides trained up on the new run. The “pure class four” river features eight kilometres of sustained rapids, massive hits and has upped the ante in terms of whitewater rafting in the Jasper area. 

“On this river there’s no passengers,” Gillese said, a day before making the historic run. “It’s a big team effort that everyone has to commit to.” 

Gillese first checked out the Doré himself two summers ago, but it was nearly two decades earlier that the permit to raft it was obtained by the former owner of Stellar Descents.
The lapse between trips is a testament to the challenge the river serves up, Gillese says, but it also speaks to the experience his 2020 guides have under their utility belts. 

“You need a great team for a grade four run,” he said. 

The Doré’s advanced classification means operators also need two safety crafts—a scouting kayak as well as another raft. The river is located in the shadow of B.C.’s Bell Mountain, which Gillese said is beautiful “if you have time to look up.” 

COVID-19 nearly sunk the rafting industry in Jasper. The timing couldn’t have been worse as far as trying to hire staff, plus typical risk mitigation measures such as mask wearing made for a lot of
uncertainty when it came to getting the green light to operate.
Stellar has been accepting bookings since June 6, but Gillese is putting four people on a raft, rather than eight, and screening customers before they climb onboard. 

“We considered not opening at all but I want to employ these guys. We thought if every company in Canada said ‘we’re not going to be open’ that wouldn’t work,” Gillese said. 

So they’ll run at half capacity and take the hit—but they’ll also take all the hits. 

“I haven’t been this stoked for training in a long time,” he said. 


Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Most Read ›
Measles case in Jasper prompts health alert
Health
Measles case in Jasper prompts health alert
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Public health officials have confirmed a person with measles has been in a public setting in Jasper while infectious. Yesterday (July 14, 2025), Alber...
this is a test
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
News
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
Lucas Habib 
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Jasper soccer players have once again brought home a provincial soccer championship. Jaifred Mota was the first one to rush keeper Kieran Rudge after ...
this is a test
Mount Alberta centennial: standing on the shoulders of giants
Community
Mount Alberta centennial: standing on the shoulders of giants
John Wilmshurst, guest contributor 
Monday, July 14, 2025
Jasper roping up for celebrations of Mount Alberta's 1925 inaugural ascent If you are going to steal a mountain in Jasper, I’d recommend Mount Alberta...
this is a test
Letter: Jasper remains a wonderful place to visit
Community
Letter: Jasper remains a wonderful place to visit
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
It was with a feeling of trepidation that we approached Jasper this year. We have been regular visitors since 2001 and it’s become a kind of home away...
this is a test
Latest ›
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Introducing Linwood Homes
Featured Builders
Introducing Linwood Homes
Saturday, June 28, 2025
How long have you been in business? Linwood Homes was founded i n 1968 in Alberta. Our business is over 55 years old. How many homes have you built? W...
this is a test
Finding their bearings: How bears use habitat
Environment
Finding their bearings: How bears use habitat
Mark Bradley 
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Dry grass crunched underfoot as the old grizzly searched for food. Her nostrils flared and her nose twitched as she tested her surroundings for anythi...
this is a test
Golf’s golden years at Jasper Park
Jasper History
Golf’s golden years at Jasper Park
John Wilmshurst, freelance contributor 
Monday, June 23, 2025
100 years ago, the Jasper Park Golf Club teed up its first round of the Royal and Ancient Game In 1457, King James II of England banned golf in Scotla...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

The Last Generalist

Jasper History, Peaks & Valleys

Most Read ›
Measles case in Jasper prompts health alert
Health
Measles case in Jasper prompts health alert
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Public health officials have confirmed a person with measles has been in a public setting in Jasper while infectious. Yesterday (July 14, 2025), Alber...
this is a test
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
News
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
Lucas Habib 
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Jasper soccer players have once again brought home a provincial soccer championship. Jaifred Mota was the first one to rush keeper Kieran Rudge after ...
this is a test
Mount Alberta centennial: standing on the shoulders of giants
Community
Mount Alberta centennial: standing on the shoulders of giants
John Wilmshurst, guest contributor 
Monday, July 14, 2025
Jasper roping up for celebrations of Mount Alberta's 1925 inaugural ascent If you are going to steal a mountain in Jasper, I’d recommend Mount Alberta...
this is a test
Letter: Jasper remains a wonderful place to visit
Community
Letter: Jasper remains a wonderful place to visit
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
It was with a feeling of trepidation that we approached Jasper this year. We have been regular visitors since 2001 and it’s become a kind of home away...
this is a test
Latest ›
Measles case in Jasper prompts health alert
Health
Measles case in Jasper prompts health alert
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Public health officials have confirmed a person with measles has been in a public setting in Jasper while infectious. Yesterday (July 14, 2025), Alber...
this is a test
Letter: Jasper remains a wonderful place to visit
Community
Letter: Jasper remains a wonderful place to visit
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
It was with a feeling of trepidation that we approached Jasper this year. We have been regular visitors since 2001 and it’s become a kind of home away...
this is a test
Mount Alberta centennial: standing on the shoulders of giants
Community
Mount Alberta centennial: standing on the shoulders of giants
John Wilmshurst, guest contributor 
Monday, July 14, 2025
Jasper roping up for celebrations of Mount Alberta's 1925 inaugural ascent If you are going to steal a mountain in Jasper, I’d recommend Mount Alberta...
this is a test
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
News
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
Lucas Habib 
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Jasper soccer players have once again brought home a provincial soccer championship. Jaifred Mota was the first one to rush keeper Kieran Rudge after ...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local