Believe it or not, although we’ve been doing Colorado River Rafting for over twenty years, there was a point in each of our lives when we were in the exact same position that you are now: looking for something new, looking for something exciting, and looking for something that you will remember forever.
All of us at American Adventure Expeditions have found that something, Rafting in Colorado, and we haven’t been able to give it up since. We have all experienced an outdoor adventure that has changed us so profoundly, that we have dedicated ourselves to sharing the beauty, the power, and the freedom of the Colorado Wilderness with as many people as possible. It is our goal at American Adventure Expeditions that each and every one of our guests has a similar experience while Arkansas River Rafting and leaves with memories that will last a lifetime.
Our outstanding team of rafting professionals comes to us from all over the United States and the world. Our team members are all highly trained, dedicated, and skilled rafting experts, with each and every one having spent countless hours going above and beyond the basic industry requirements. Our knowledgeable reservation staff will help you choose the perfect Rafting in Colorado adventure, while our colorado whitewater rafting guides will exceed your expectations taking you on the most memorable trip imaginable. Meet the AAE management team below or...
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Mike Kissack [Owner]
I took my first whitewater rafting trip when I was 6 years old in West Virginia, and I haven't stopped paddling since. After finishing high school in central Ohio I started my westward migration, and ended up attending college at The University of Kansas. It was while I was a student there that I came out to Colorado for the first time to pursue my love of whitewater and try my hand at guiding for American Adventure Expeditions. After one summer with the company, I knew that Colorado and more specifically the Arkansas River Valley was where I would spend the rest of my life.
Amber Kissack [Owner]
Although I spent the first 21 years of my life in Kansas City, my heart has always been in Colorado. From a very young age my family made biannual (at minimum!) vacations here. Like true Colorado tourists, we hit destinations like Steamboat Springs, Rocky Mountain National Park, Breckenridge, Durango, Telluride and everywhere in between. Tourists we were not, however…my mom is a Colorado Native and met my dad in college at the University of Northern Colorado. As a young adventurous couple they found all of the scenic drives, special hikes, breathtaking views, and amazing wildlife, and shared that with my brother and me. I have taken over the role as ‘Colorado Ambassador’ in my family and am now the one that shows people the ‘ins and outs’ of this amazing state. When I’m not professionally or personally endorsing Colorado, I can be found on the river (only on Mike’s boat!), traveling, practicing yoga, or walking our dog 'Manny'.
Paul Wilken [Director of Operations]
So there I was, all geared up for my first time going rafting (too small of a wetsuit, smelly life jacket…the works). Like everyone else their first time, I had some jitters and second thoughts about what I was about to get myself into. You know, the usual contemplating the meaning of life, etc. Unlike most of you though, I was 22 years old at the time and was to start training to do this as a job being a raft guide the next day. All these years later and here we are.
Growing up in central Ohio and heading off to Illinois Wesleyan for college, the rafting industry was about the last place I could imagine having a career. I was well on my way to a life with cubicle walls, 40-hour work weeks, and TPS reports. Surprisingly enough, though, this one trip that I spoke of above changed my entire outlook on things. That’s the beauty of the outdoors and working with such an amazing group people every day. Having been a part of the AAE family since 2003, I can honestly say that I cannot imagine a more ideal place to live and work (other than maybe head greens keeper at Augusta).
