Merriam has a love for the great outdoors in practically any activity or condition. She grew up in Boise, skiing around Idaho in the winters and camping, hiking, and swimming in the mountains in the summers. Her love for the river has grown since she was little, going from rafting only on commercial runs, to last season having an opportunity to row and learn on a multi-day private trip. Since then her interest has peaked into a new pursuit. Her other passions are climbing, backpacking, skiing, and rafting. All of which she has continued to pursue as she attends the University of California in Santa Cruz. This will be her first season with Cascade Raft, and she's super excited to see what adventures summer brings with being a part of a new community!