James Ellsworth, CEO (Chief Expedition Officer)

James has a passion for wilderness rivers and teaching people about the natural world.  James has a degree in Physical Geography with a focus on landform processes and did his Masters thesis at Northern Arizona University on “Daily Photogrammetric Surveying of Sandbars in Grand Canyon”.  With over 30 years experience guiding commercial guests, James worked as a river guide in Arizona and Utah for 8 years, then a decade as Director of International Rivers for Mountain Travel Sobek running rivers in 6 of the 7 continents, until ultimately buying MFRE in 2007.   He has been working as a guide in Idaho since 2000.  Although James has run rivers throughout the globe, he has a special place in his heart for the Salmon River canyons which he enjoys sharing with all who travel with MFRE. James served as President of the Middle Fork Outfitters Association for 4 years, is a founding member of the Salmon River Outfitter Association, and on the President’s Council board of The Wilderness Society.