Search found 85 matches
- Wed Jul 08, 2020 8:45 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Trips near Valdez early August
- Replies: 1
- Views: 570
Re: Trips near Valdez early August
Nothing of an expedition, but I literally just did the Glacier Stream which is a great way to packraft around icebergs one minute and be rocking on non-stop fun class ii the next, and do it all within an hour or two. Take the airport road or the haul dump road which connects with the airport road, g...
- Fri May 22, 2020 10:29 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Glacier / Crow Girdwood
- Replies: 0
- Views: 618
Glacier / Crow Girdwood
Glacier from the hand tram down is clear. For those that like the entertainment of adding in the Crow fyi there is a nasty full-width strainer just upstream from the hand tram that blends in well with the canyon wall. Exiting left is doable if done before the drop into it.
- Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:45 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Lower Eagle River
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6602
Re: Lower Eagle River
Probably widely known since it apparently happened sometime last year, but the woodpile at campground rapids has grown and took out the river right opening, with the river left opening a bit sketchy.
- Sat Apr 07, 2018 2:14 pm
- Forum: Europe
- Topic: Packrafting Iceland
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2281
Re: Packrafting Iceland
If you haven't seen it already, my post of runs done a couple years ago is viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5276
- Mon Jun 20, 2016 12:13 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Montana Creek, South Fork, near Talkeetna
- Replies: 17
- Views: 11699
Re: Montana Creek, South Fork, near Talkeetna
FYI there are some issues with access at what was the normal take-out (atv trail at bottom of steep hill on Yoder). Apparently that was private property and the new owner is apparently building a home/cabin as there is a driveway, a chain, and NT signs in place of that atv trail. Further downstream ...
Iceland
Best info I could find online is a Icelandic WhiteWater custom google map https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Wf5q9tawx5uU9vB-fNORRVLyXSQ&hl=en_US . From what I could tell, and perhaps influenced by the high spring melt water encountered, the creator was not loose with class grading. So even s...
- Tue Apr 12, 2016 2:43 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Lower Eagle River
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6602
Re: Lower Eagle River
Campground rapids is now do-able, water seemed to raise up a few inches overnight. Expect a bit of butt-scooting and rock ping pong, but not a terrible amount. The right chute is the only one that allows for uninterrupted paddling. Just did multiple runs only of CG, looked like anything above would ...
- Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:32 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Towing a small raft with a packraft
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2651
Re: Towing a small raft with a packraft
Done it for short distances when somebody gets tired or wants a break paddling. Shouldn't be a problem for the most part on flat water. The only times it might get annoying is if, assuming the towed raft is lighter overall, there is a tailwind and the towed raft wants to overtake yours getting in th...
- Wed Mar 02, 2016 8:45 pm
- Forum: Packrafting Gear
- Topic: First time packraft for one/two people?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3580
Re: First time packraft for one/two people?
I have a predecessor to the Fjord Explorer that was retrofitted with a spray deck. The spray deck zips completely off if desired. I'm guessing that is how it would be with a new one straight from the factory, but double check that with them. I like the bigger size, to me it is more stable in ww, in ...
- Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:32 am
- Forum: Packrafting Gear
- Topic: packraft lifespan questions
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1951
packraft lifespan questions
Have two older Alpackas still in use. One is from back when they came out of Sheri's shed off 36th and when the big one was called the "Row'r" (2005 or 06), retrofitted with a spray-deck, primarily used for mini-expeditions carrying gear or a bike. The other is from just after the move (2007 or 08?)...
- Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:19 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Any Willow (red-gate) updates?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3845
Re: Any Willow (red-gate) updates?
So I'll post what I know now as it seems like earlier intel had disappeared. Red-gate to Shirley Town section... Put-in: Drive with the famed red-gate, left side as coming up HP road from Willow, approx 6.5 mi in, 3/4 mile past Susitna Sled and Kayak (which is on the right). This is private property...
- Sun Jul 19, 2015 6:40 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Any Willow (red-gate) updates?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3845
- Sat Jul 18, 2015 6:51 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Any Willow (red-gate) updates?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3845
Any Willow (red-gate) updates?
Couldn't find any recent willow updates on here (correct me if I'm blind) for the red-gate to shirley bridge section. Anything new? Specifically access on the pvt prop at redgate and strainers, sweepers, and other things that might try to kill us.
- Tue Sep 23, 2014 7:27 pm
- Forum: For Sale
- Topic: Older unskirted Explorer
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1733
Re: Older unskirted Explorer
also women's med drysuit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kokotat-Drysuit ... 1344607412?
- Tue Sep 23, 2014 7:18 pm
- Forum: For Sale
- Topic: Older unskirted Explorer
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1733
Older unskirted Explorer
I listed an extra raft on eBay. Apologies, and I will remove, if posting that here is uncool. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alpacka-Pack-Raft-/191344601078?
- Sat Aug 02, 2014 5:55 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Riley Creek, Denali NP
- Replies: 5
- Views: 9203
Re: Riley Creek, Denali NP
Ran last Thursday. Nenana @ Healy was 10.3 and I noticed the water was moderately low at the takeout pre-hike, thought it was going to be pretty bony boring higher up, but not to fear. Certainly not death-defying but 90 mintues of splish-splash entertainment. Minimal butt scraping. Hiked from Riley ...
- Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:09 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Crow / Glacier (Girdwood) Warning
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2136
Re: Crow / Glacier (Girdwood) Warning
The answer is: wide open! Thank you (presumably) chain-saw fairies or Mother Nature. Touch of wood about 100 feet down from where the footbridge used to be, a piece of steel railing or something in the middle just as the canyon closes in, otherwise all good. This really puts the icing back on the ca...
- Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:34 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Crow / Glacier (Girdwood) Warning
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2136
Re: Crow / Glacier (Girdwood) Warning
Does anybody know if this jam-up got cleared in the past year? Or got worse? If not will try to scout it from the bluff if possible today.
- Fri Jul 11, 2014 3:02 pm
- Forum: Southeast
- Topic: Eagle River
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2662
Eagle River
Did Juneau's Eagle River today. Hiked up Amalga Trail about 4 miles, bushwhacked a few hundred feet just past where the trail gets close to the river again after skirting around the swampy area. I don't know conditions above that point or whether can put in at the lake and start there, "Falls" on my...
- Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:10 am
- Forum: Southeast
- Topic: Mendy Laps
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2875
Re: Mendy Laps
Ran this last night just as the water was rising from the ice-dam breakup, around 10 on the Loop Bridge gage. Didn't have many rocks to worry about as they were almost all washed out, nice large (for a packraft) waves. Put in at the glacier via the ice-cave trail, minimized time at the glacier due t...
- Mon May 05, 2014 12:56 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Lower Eagle River
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6602
Re: Lower Eagle River
There is one freshly downed tree in the right chute at Campground Rapids. Its not very big, but it is strategically located. A two-man crew approaching from the "other" side with safety rope and a handsaw could make short work of it. I had no problems getting to the left chute with today's low water...
- Sun Oct 06, 2013 5:50 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Montana Creek, South Fork, near Talkeetna
- Replies: 17
- Views: 11699
Re: Montana Creek, South Fork, near Talkeetna
if i thought Montana would be a little mellow at a moderately low 5.24 on a nice sunny fall day (Friday Oct 4) for somebody that has run it a few times already, I was sorely mistaken. Rocks come out to play havoc with maintaining balance and direction. Upside down entering the canyon, had to abandon...
- Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:44 pm
- Forum: Arizona & New Mexico
- Topic: Sedona??
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3228
Sedona??
I think my knowledge of the area along with internet searching already gives me the answer, but I'll throw this out there.. Looking for a day trip around Sedona, during fall (yeah, I know, dry season, this is going downhill quickly), class iii -ish. Maybe Flagstaff area? Most of what I see in Kayake...
- Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:50 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Crow / Glacier (Girdwood) Warning
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2136
Crow / Glacier (Girdwood) Warning
Hey, for those familiar with the Crow put-in of this run (about 1/2 mile above the hand tram) and the footbridge to a mining camp that was at the put-in point, that footbridge apparently managed to get washed away during the spring floods. It has now set up shop as the focal point to a full width bl...
- Sun Jun 30, 2013 6:29 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Gulkana River
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3754
Re: Gulkana River
Some additional notes, including those from a raft on bike shuttle to bike on raft float perspective... Contrary to hopes of high terrain tundra to bike or hike on, the area around Paxson Lake is full scale brush so the only realistic access from the Paxson Campground to the outlet is to paddle. To ...
- Thu May 23, 2013 2:59 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Impatient
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4648
Re: Impatient
Six mile is open for business, first canyon anyway, no non-naviagable wood. Low water either made for holes I don't remember from higher levels, or I still suck at this. Anyway, it owned me (again). But it didn't feel life-threatening, and I think you better paddlers than me (just about everyone) ou...
- Wed May 08, 2013 9:24 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Impatient
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4648
Re: Impatient
Add Echo Bend rapids to the list of things still with snow bridges on them. Upstream is (mostly) clear, although buttscraping low in places, for anyone wanting a leisurely hike and float. Hike up from ERNC not too mucky. Hiked to Icicle Creek today but didn't see any reason why even further up would...
- Thu Apr 25, 2013 1:03 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Impatient
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4648
Impatient
I can unhappily report that as of today, April 25, Sixmile is nowhere near doable. Was hoping to shake the rust off in some low water conditions, and the scouting at the put-in gave me hope, but there is still much snow covering it in the first canyon section. Still maybe two weeks out (pure guess o...
- Sun Oct 07, 2012 6:57 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Jim Creek to Knik Glacier--A bikeraft classic
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3009
Re: Jim Creek to Knik Glacier--A bikeraft classic
Not being able to follow conventional wisdom, I hatched a plan to get to Knik Glacier via an "easy" route of parking at the old bridge, biking the nice paved Knik road until it ends, and walking/riding/whatever up the drainage from there. Everything went splendidly early, obviously the pavement bike...
- Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:01 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Eagle River Campground Rapid at High Flow
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2922
Re: Eagle River Campground Rapid at High Flow
Hats off. Simply amazing photos and I doubt they do justice to reality. These guys ever in the same bar as me they can keep their wallets in back pockets. Hope the kayaker ok and gets back on the horse.
- Sun Sep 02, 2012 6:53 am
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Tacoma, WA ?
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1411
Tacoma, WA ?
Will have a couple of days in October in Tacoma, WA (Gig Harbor to be specific). Won't have time to do an all-day expedition, but wondering if there's anything short, sweet, and close to that area. Just in case the packraft makes it into my luggage and it convinces me to ditch family activities.
- Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:06 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: brushkana
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3224
Re: brushkana
I can't add anything to the trail situation other than two things: I think any ATV trail in that area is going to be a bog-fest and be cognizant of private property in that area, especially some of the hunting/fishing camps. Its been a few years since http://packrafting.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&...
- Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:33 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Montana Creek, South Fork, near Talkeetna
- Replies: 17
- Views: 11699
Re: Montana Creek, South Fork, near Talkeetna
After having a place down the road for a few years now, multiple hiking/scouting missions, and at least one episode of chickening out at the put-in while staring at the falls, I finally summoned enough courage or stupidity to put on my big-boy pull-ups and introduced my own (lame) version of "paddli...
- Fri Jun 01, 2012 2:25 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Glacier Creek; Chugach Mtns.
- Replies: 33
- Views: 24110
Re: Crow / Glacier Creek; Chugach Mtns.
Your up to the minute report.. Water level is at a definite heartrate raising sweetspot, about 26.7 today. FWIW reminder you are missing out on the best part of this run if you put in at the handtram (although that is the safer option). From an unmarked trail-pointer post about a 1/2 mile up from th...
- Fri May 04, 2012 9:29 am
- Forum: Southeast
- Topic: "Copper and Gold" -- White River to Cordova
- Replies: 6
- Views: 6516
Re: "Copper and Gold" -- White River to Cordova
Hey Roman (if he's listening) or anybody... Kennicott/Nizina/Chitina (takeout at Chitina), particularly the Kennicott/Nizina part. Bike-on-raft friendly or a bit too sporting? Trying to avoid a 1/2 day drive just to retrieve a bike at Mccarthy. I don't mind swimming (not that I really want my bike t...
- Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:42 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Montana Creek - A New Twist?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1603
- Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:46 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Montana Creek - A New Twist?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1603
Montana Creek - A New Twist?
Middle Fork... from the falls. Anybody beat me to this? (I know, stupid question with this crowd but maybe...) Short teaser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2juSTrbfRY. Left most undone for a future day with more time for scouting (and bushwhacking). Big drop from the first pool may be runnable if on...
- Fri May 27, 2011 4:41 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Chulitna (lower section)
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2206
Re: Chulitna (lower section)
4-5 hours is probably a good estimate of float time for a packraft, as stated above headwinds would throw that out the window.
- Mon May 16, 2011 9:59 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Chulitna (lower section)
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2206
Chulitna (lower section)
Just a little report on the last section of the Chulitna since at least the two books I reference don't have much on this section, calling it a take-out for likely more adventurous runs upriver. Was looking for a mellow relaxing day trip to shake the winter rust off and this fit the bill. Nearest ga...
- Fri May 06, 2011 7:34 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Echo Bend, Eagle River
- Replies: 23
- Views: 26580
Re: Echo Bend, Eagle River
Hiked along the rapids from the campsite up to the bend today. Water level is of course low, but the channel is snow free and for the most part appeared runnable except for the opening boulder garden. I wished I had my raft with me, actually looked like fun, in a ha-ha fairlly safe rock avoidance ki...
- Thu May 05, 2011 11:59 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Lower Eagle River
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6602
Re: Lower Eagle River
Just rode my bike to the cg to scout. CG rapids is now open, and both chutes are probably (barely) runnable, but looks like a lot of rock avoidance and general scraping and scooting. The approach looked even worse for rock scraping. Maybe more fun by weekend or next week?
- Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:20 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Glacier Creek; Chugach Mtns.
- Replies: 33
- Views: 24110
Crow/Glacier Creek; Girdwood
Just a little update, ran today at around 26. Bloody perfect. The 2-3 minutes above the tram hard to beat for ease of access and closeness to the city for a sweet little intermediate ride. One fairly new sweeper just above hand tram (visible from scouting around the tram overlook) blocking 3/4 of th...
- Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:29 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Johnson Pass
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1806
Re: Johnson Pass
Thanks Tim! That helps me make up my mind. Hate constant entry/exit!! Really looked sweet from the trail, but I figured something that small in a heavily forested area couldn't be all good.
- Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:22 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Johnson Pass
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1806
Johnson Pass
Just went "biking" up Johnson Pass (still a bit of snow on Anchorage side). Seems like the same melting snow and high water level affecting the six-mile festival could be making Bench and Center creeks up the Pass possibilities. Lower parts of Bench (along the trail) looked definitely do-able and fr...
- Wed May 26, 2010 6:44 am
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Tonsina
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1280
Tonsina
Tonsina Trip Report, Squirrel Creek (Richardson Hwy) to Edgarton Hwy: May 24-25, gauge about 8.4 (low-moderate). Shuttle is 22 miles, enjoyable biking. River mileage 25 per Embick. Having only Embick's book for beta, I assumed that early season water flow would make for a casual splashy camping trip...
- Wed May 12, 2010 7:43 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Echo Bend, Eagle River
- Replies: 23
- Views: 26580
Re: Echo Bend, Eagle River
With some of the saddest displays of creek paddling ever put on display, along with a 100 foot portage around the most marginal of the rock strainers near the beginning, I pronounce echo bend rapids open for business for the spring. Even with the low water levels, there's enough force going through ...
- Fri May 07, 2010 4:23 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Kenai Canyon
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4082
Re: Kenai Canyon
Thanks for (inadvertently) helping me out. When I found out it was still winter at my planned float trip, needed an emergency substitute. Always wanted to do Kenai but not while playing "hookie" with the combat fishing crowd. Didn't know fishing was closed month of May. Made a nice bike up from Hidd...
- Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:47 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Eskimo Roll in a packraft -- For Real!
- Replies: 34
- Views: 14449
Re: Eskimo Roll in a packraft -- For Real!
Questions for those that have done the roll (congrats btw)? Think its possible with gear strapped on top? How much harder, if any, is it to "escape" if need be with the straps and such on? Opinions on actual usability in ww situations? ie pr doesn't glide through stuff like a kayak might, more bounc...
- Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:45 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Solo packrafting?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3435
Re: Solo packrafting?
While being in a group has a huge advantage for rescue/first aid/bears/etc, I think in some regards, boating alone can be safer. You go at a pace that is comfortable to you, scout what you want to scout, and portage what you think should be portaged. Your concentration might be a bit more focused wi...
- Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:02 pm
- Forum: Southcentral
- Topic: Winter Packraft Trips
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1990
Re: Winter Packraft Trips
Hadn't looked lately to see if its open, maybe the Knik from the old bridge to the new? I don't have any winter pr experience so I am clueless to any additional concerns/hazards, but I am curious also.