Name: Mira D’Amato
Hometown: Portland, ME
Age of First Rafting Trip: 20
Year you started guiding at Northern Outdoors: 2021
What type of guiding do you do?Whitewater Rafting
What do you enjoy most about working at Northern Outdoors?
I love that Northern runs trips on the Dead, Kennebec, and Penobscot. Getting to experience 3 different, unique rivers while working for the same outfitter drew me to Northern.
What is your favorite river to guide, and your favorite rapid on that river?
The Penobscot. Nesowadnehunk – might be a river-guide cliche to say but there’s nothing cliche about it!
What’s your classic Northern Outdoors memory?
Guiding the Kennebec at 8,000cfs, hitting Maytag, and getting “guide popped” several feet into the air. Thought I was going for a swim but I managed to land back in the boat. My crew had no idea what happened.
Where do you adventure when you are not working?
All over! I love the Coast of Maine and paddling on the ocean. The White Mountains also have a special place in my heart, as I love to climb and be in the alpine zone.
What do you do in the off-season when you’re not guiding for Northern Outdoors?
I am a ski patroller at Sugarloaf. I am the Incident Investigator for the mountain and am an Outdoor Emergency Care instructor.
Tell us about any certifications, special talents, guide awards.
Rookie of the Year – 2021
Wilderness First Responder
Outdoor Emergency Care – instructor
Registered Maine Recreation & L2 Whitewater Guide
L4 Swiftwater Rescue
What rivers have you run outside of Maine?
None yet! I’m waiting for my Grand Canyon lottery application to be selected.
Which Kennebec River Brewery beer is your top choice after a day on the river?
Brewer’s Choice
