packrafting.org

MikeC

Why is the gnarwhal so much better Mike? Because Mike is an Ambassador for Alpacka haha. For a very new paddler, the Gnarwal will be a little more forgiving (especially in the regular fabric, because it's less rigid.) But as a hardshell boater, I think you'll find the self-bailer Nirvana edges bett...

MikeC

Pics, vid, and words here:

https://mikesee.exposure.co/upper-mercednbsp

MikeC

Pics, vid, and words here:

https://mikesee.exposure.co/upper-mercednbsp

MikeC

Sold.

MikeC

They aren't even close.

Gnarwhal is in a league of its own.

MikeC

I glue 2 alpacka grab loops to the inside of my cockpit, at the bow, right about where my toes touch when I'm sitting in the boat. These patches are glued about a fist-width apart. Then I connect them with a loop of ~5mm p-cord. This creates a handle that I can grab while shouldering the boat, w whi...

MikeC

Pics, words, details here:

https://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2019/05 ... pring.html

MikeC

Price dropped.

MikeC

Pics, specs, pricing, and contact info here:

https://bigwheeldeals.blogspot.com/2019 ... -sale.html

If the ad is still here the boat is still available.

Thanks.

MikeC

I've paddled a Forager and Gnu a fair bit.

I've seen the PR49 in action. It is a barge -- capable of hauling lots of weight, but not really good in whitewater.

I think the Forager is hard to beat. Big, comfy, light, and nimble (for a 2 person boat) in whitewater.

MikeC

I have one of the Suspicious Devices versions and if we have a group of ~4 or more that's what we take.

If I'm solo I take a foil turkey basting pan from the local grocery.

MikeC

I often use a POV camera when paddling. When I do post-trip write-ups I like to sprinkle some POV in there to give an idea of what the creek/river was like. It's also nice to be able to visually refer back to a certain line or level when sharing beta with others, or for others to use when 'youtube...

MikeC

This and Sheep next time, with a Honolulu capper.

MikeC

Sounds like a great find, Brad. Thanks for sharing.

MikeC

Cleaning out the attic, the garage, and the corners of the shop. Way overdue.

I just posted a pile of ads at my sale page. Please check 'em out here.

Thanks.

MikeC

Here:

http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2018/06/ ... eview.html

MikeC

I get that not everyone is broasting already this summer. Maybe not even a lotta people. Ganey pinged me from Anchorage yesterday to tell me that Hatcher Pass was at 800% of average snowpack. https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kc7ZaQmowjg/WxoO6I4blZI/AAAAAAAA8kQ/gmnO7hN0oZsTTe3jdPmIGoUbNTZMHbX_gCKgBGAs/s160...

MikeC

Browns is a great intro to Colorado class III. We've run it as low as 500cfs and as high as 3000. It is a fast-moving riot of waves, holes, and wave trains at 3k. Maybe pushing IV- at that level. Swims could get long. I've run Numbers from 300 to 1200. I feel it is easy class III- to III creeking at...

MikeC

Video and details here:

http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2018/06/ ... house.html

MikeC

Please read here:

http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2018/05/ ... falls.html

MikeC

Full details here:

https://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2018/02 ... d-bay.html

MikeC

I also shared an opinion on the headspace required for a traverse of this nature, along with a handful of out-takes, here: http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2011/09/lava-coast-adversity-entertainment-and.html Gear geekin' extravaganza here: http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2012/04/lost-and-found-random-g...

MikeC

Way back in the summer of 2011 I completed a traverse of a chunk of the Alaska Peninsula with Dave Gray, Pete Basinger, and Brian Blair. I shared a detailed writeup and lots of pics in several chapters after returning: One. Two and three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten, eleven, twelve. Thi...

MikeC

any holes from cat's claws?

MikeC

Pics, words, and details on this trip shared here: https://mikesee.exposure.co/grand-canyon-of-the-elwha

MikeC

Early in September I joined two friends for a late-season trip into Olympic National Park. https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BDBzd7PQkE/Wf1VOAtu8XI/AAAAAAAA39I/xTaDZDQUqJ8QmrxK1XdLGSuzxBtOuh3dACKgBGAs/s1600/8A3A8088.jpg It was my first trip to the peninsula, and, as you'd expect, only made me want to dive...

MikeC

Is rolling a practical, valuable skill for packrafters? In other words are there many people out there who can combat roll a packraft when they capsize in a rapid? It seems like even really good, capable boaters are swimming/ wet-exiting when they capsize, not rolling how a hard shell boater would....

MikeC

I had the very first cargo fly prototype back in (I think) 2012.

I've logged 200+ days/nights of use with them since then. They completely changed the game of multi-day packrafting.

Keep it clean, keep it lubed, and treat it with respect and you'll get many years of use out of it.

MikeC

I agree that the 'lypse rolls easiest.

rolling a packraft requires a modification to standard kayak roll technique. kind of a blend of a sweep and a c to c.

MikeC

Depends on which pad/valve. I wrapped a Big Agnes valve with a few laps of electrical tape to solve this years ago. Worked OK. Faster to blow it up by mouth, but easier to do it with the bag.

One advantage to using the bag is that you aren't blowing moisture into your pad with every breath.

MikeC

Not for everyone, and lots of logistics to figure out, but worth it for some.

http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2017/07/ ... d-box.html

MikeC

Not for everyone, and lots of logistics to figure out, but worth it for some.

http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2017/07/ ... d-box.html

MikeC

Dark Canyon came and went unceremoniously last week. I couldn't find any packrafters to join me, but was graciously adopted by a hard-boat bunch. Here's the trip report, complete with stills and video: https://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2017/07/open-mind-summit.html Check it when you get a minute or th...

MikeC

A trip report on Dark Canyon, complete with stills and video, from last week:

https://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2017/07 ... ummit.html

Check it when you get a minute or three.

MikeC

Marsh Creek, Middle Fork, Main.

We put on at 6.8' and falling.

Trip report with pics, words, and video here:

Big Wheel Building: MMM.

MikeC

Marsh Creek, Middle Fork, Main.

We put on at 6.8' and falling.

Trip report with pics, words, and video here:

Big Wheel Building: MMM.

MikeC

A few words and some POV from a fun day out, here:

Big Wheel Building: Urban paddling.

MikeC

A few words and some POV from a fun day out, here:

Big Wheel Building: Urban paddling.

MikeC

TR, beta, pics, and video all at the link below.

Exploratory: Middle Vallecito Creek.

MikeC

For big water roadside runs I do exactly this -- add ballast. A sleeping bag or puffy jacket(s) in each twinkie, and maybe a liter or two of water in a dromedary wrapped up inside works well. For lower volume stuff I'll limit it to a liter or two of water in my bow bag, depending on the run. Easy en...

MikeC

Moab Daily -- many sections of the Colorado that run along the hwy ENE of town. Class III at most, although mostly I and II.

MikeC

TR, pics, and some details here:

http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2017/03/ ... river.html

MikeC

This boat has sold.

MikeC

A few weeks ago I attended the annual Grand Canyon self-support with 8 other likeminded folks. It'll be weeks until I have a chance to sit down and process photos, and probably longer until I've fully processed the whole trip. But I wanted to share a teeny, tiny slice of awesome before winter bleeds...

MikeC

A few weeks ago I attended the annual Grand Canyon self-support with 8 other likeminded folks. It'll be weeks until I have a chance to sit down and process photos, and probably longer until I've fully processed the whole trip. But I wanted to share a teeny, tiny slice of awesome before winter bleeds...

MikeC

Full details, pics, specs, and contact info here:

http://bigwheeldeals.blogspot.com

Thanks,

MC

MikeC

Sold.

MikeC

Full details, pics, specs, and contact info here:

http://bigwheeldeals.blogspot.com/2017/ ... -sale.html

Please use the contact info found at that link, as I don't check in here often.

Thanks.

MikeC

Still available, price dropped.

MikeC

I have a lightly used Alpacka(small, red) that I need to find a new home for. It has seven days of use, total. Thigh straps installed via Luc Mehl method. It's the most recent hull/stern shape with the whitewater Alpacka backband and seat cushion. Includes skirt, inflation bag and the two inflatabl...

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