Vince Welch's own life somewhat parallels his subject. He has been a skier, climber, surfer, and foremost a river runner. He was a boatman on Northwest rivers for several years before heading to the Colorado where he guided for Grand Canyon Dories-and first encountered the legend of Amos Burg. While retaining work as a seasonal guide, Welch lived in a variety of western locations, teaching ESL and writing. He has written for River magazine, The Utne Reader, Boatman's Quarterly Review (published by the Grand Canyon River Guides Association), and Mountain Gazette where he is currently a senior correspondent. Now in his sixties, he still is a part-time river guide on the Snake.
Welch is also co-author of The Doing of the Thing: The Brief, Brilliant Whitewater Career of Buzz Holmstrom, published by Fretwater Press, of which approximately 10,000 copies have been sold. (Holmstrom was the first to run the Grand Canyon stretch of the Colorado solo in 1937.)
