packrafting.org

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...

MikeC

Welcome to the club! I'm nowhere near the PNW or Chetco but I have run it a few times. I just wanted to chime in to say that while it is a stunning place to paddle and gawk, it's not an ideal place to learn about wilderness whitewater. Not very forgiving, and a long way from help when things go side...

MikeC

197cm, 30*, carbon, bent shaft.

Full details, pics, and contact info here:

http://bigwheeldeals.blogspot.com/2017/ ... addle.html

MikeC

Sold.

MikeC

sold.

MikeC

I've done it at 700, 900, and 1500. I wouldn't go back for less than 1500.

MikeC

Missed this when you were here.

Did you go? Good trip?

MikeC

Full-on firehose right now -- I'd guess 2 more weeks yet.

This is the gauge: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?s ... 0065,00060

We'll want 700 to 800 at most. 600 is pretty thin.

When it approaches that range drop a line: mike dot curiak at gmail.

MikeC

Wish I'd seen this sooner, Randy. Did you go?

Almost always game for last minute stuff -- ping me directly next time!

MikeC

Still available, price dropped.

Will consider trade for Gnu.

MikeC

I jumped at the chance to go back to the Chetco with more water.

Full TR here: https://mikesee.exposure.co/river-of-dreams

MikeC

Oregon's Chetco river:

Full TR here: https://mikesee.exposure.co/river-of-dreams

MikeC

Wow, looks like an amazing trip, but I have to say that it really bums me out to see a bike in some of those places. It may meet the letter of the law as you say, but I prefer to see bikes stay on existing trails. But to each his own... at least until the regs change. If we were worried about offen...

MikeC

5 days and nights of desert travel condensed into 7 minutes.

Still pics and some detail can be found HERE.

MikeC

5 days and nights of desert travel condensed into 7 minutes.

Still pics and some detail can be found HERE.

MikeC

I'd get the Alpaca, or Yak at the most. Plenty of space for anything you can possibly carry on your back, but no added fabric bulk/weight to pack and haul on the bike. Llama and Mule are just huge in a relative sense, with no real benefit for what you want to do. My GF is 5'7", in an Alpaca, and she...

MikeC

Look here:

http://bigwheeldeals.blogspot.com/2016/ ... -sale.html

MikeC

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

http://bigwheeldeals.blogspot.com/2016/ ... -sale.html

Thanks for looking,

MC

MikeC

We ran it last weekend at 110cfs. Barely runnable. Couldn't enjoy the scenery because you were so focused on staying the micro-channels.

Ended up taking out early and using a different exit than planned.

I've run it at 150 and I should have known better. I'll go back for 200 and up.

MikeC

A year later we went back for more. Very hard to get 'enough' of the Grand. Not even sure what that would feel like?

Full writeup with pics and words here:

https://mikesee.exposure.co/little-bit-grand

Main video here:

Hermit here:

Cheers,

MC

MikeC

Grand Canyon 2016.

Full details/words/stills/links here:

https://mikesee.exposure.co/little-bit-grand

MikeC

If you mean the Gunny Gorge, it is a good one. Easy hike if you go in Chukar, harder if you go in Warner. Better scenery the higher in you start. Largely II+ with a few III+ and one that might approach IV-. Runs year round, at a great flow right now. Dark Canyon is also a good hike in/float out, as ...

MikeC

Curious which trips you've got your eyes on?

I do a bit of boating around CO and UT, but trips where packrafts are needed for access or egress have been few/far between thus far.

MikeC

Thanks to you and Trip for taking me in/showing me down this summer. Not sure if I was ready, but now that I know, I'll go back every chance I get. Incredibly beautiful in those moments that you can stop holding your breath and look around. Lots of Willow clips in here: 131969465 and here: 108092536

MikeC

From back in September.

Full details here: http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2015/11/ ... ty-to.html

MikeC

Full details here: http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2015/11/ ... ty-to.html

MikeC

Nice one Dave--glad it finally all came together.

I checked your pics, twice actually, and am still a bit puzzled that you posted a TR on the packrafting forum without a single picture of boating in progress...

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