River Gear Shopping | Gear Garage Live Show
Episode Highlights & Gear Notes
In this episode of the Gear Garage Live Show, Zach dives deep into whitewater rafting, gear obsession, and the unfiltered realities of running wild rivers like the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Here is a breakdown of what went down:
- The Launch of Submarine Hole: Zach introduced submarinehole.com, a brand-new, searchable public platform designed for river professionals, rescue instructors, and guides to share advice and log lasting information.
- Groover Chemistry: A quick shout-out to RTB 780 from Microbiologic LLC—the specialized bacterial culture Zach keeps right on his desk and highly recommends for river toilet maintenance.
- Gear & Tech Updates: Zach plugs his store, River Hardware, giving a heavy endorsement to the Bear Claw knife and high-quality Prusiks. He also shares his latest hobby: using a new 3D printer to manufacture custom gear cases.
The Soapbox: Stop Stressing Over Low Water
"Nature is inherently unpredictable. If you apply for a permit, you should have the baseline skills to handle whatever level the river throws at you—whether it's high, low, or on fire—rather than stressing over predictions weeks in advance."
Zach addresses the high volume of anxious questions from boaters panicking about July water levels. His direct, no-nonsense take? Drop the forecasting anxiety, build your baseline skills, and respect the river's natural flow.
