Only two more weekends of release flows over 500 from El Vado dam. After Labor Day it's all over. I'm heading up this Sat for one last run. If anyone has never tried the Chama it's a great river! Pretty relaxing place up there too. Cheers.

Does it have the spray skirt?

I would like to see a video of the Exp. 42 in some whitewater. I am considering buying one.

I'm planning on doing this (finally) the early summer of 2015. Plenty of time to plan. Sorry I have been out of the loop for a while.

The Rio Chama is a fantastic river. Perfect for pack rafts.

I went to Iceland last March. I didn't have my boat for that trip. It was very, very cold but I couldn't help but think that I wanted to come back in the summertime with my Alpacka! May be too hardcore for small boats but such an amazing place. Water everywhere. My vote would be still be New Zealand...

Hi everyone. I am finally back in the water (and on the forum) after several years away due to some unfortunate injuries, etc. Packrafting was a HUGE part of my life for a while and it feels good to be back. I absolutely LOVE the new styles of boats and all the improvements that have been made. It's...

Right now, and I assume at least for another month, the Gila River in NM should be raftable. I am wondering if anyone here has ever done this river. Specifically looking for logistic info. Any help appriciated.

Only a year later.. but I am finally back on the forum. (crazy year )....anyhow, I am doing the Rio Chama, two nights, late april or may (2010).. and I WILL, I PROMISE, to post info. As of now there are three of us for sure.

Will you be posting possible dates and trip logistics.? I'm not sure how it's humanly possible to fit something else into my springtime crazieness but I sure would like to try!

So is Buckman still out of the question? I think avoiding Otowi is good advice..thanks.

OK.. due to selling a house, then buying a house, and moving and some few long out of the area jobs and out of state work, ect... I haven't been around for a while. I am GOING to do this trip this year. I will be more active here so I don't miss anyone plannign a trip. (Did I just invite myself?) Al...

Just got back from Huntington Beach, CA, and MAN WERE THOSE WAVES BIG this week.!! Appaerently a few people went missing over the last few weeks in Cali, there were search helicopters everywhere. Anyhow... I took my Alpacka out into the waves and got SMASHED!!!! Repeatedly smashed. I eventually gave...

I have been wanting to do White Rock for years, I am sooo jelous, what was the flow when you went? Having two jobs and two kids is seroiusly limiting my packrafting, I really need to work on that.

I spent days surfing the beach in Mrytle Beach, SC. I guess the waves there were PERFECT for fun fun fun! I felt like a little kid playing in the waves for like, literally 8 hours or more. I love the way a perfect waves grabs ahold of you and drives you foward.

I have been wanting to do WHite Rock Canyon for a few years now. Where do you put in at? I was thinking of starting off by rappelling from the Otiwi Bridge, then packrafting down to the Bandelier take out, and taking the five mile hike out. Something like that. Are there any rapids at all on that st...

I am going to also try to get a BLM permit for later in the spring, if I can get ahold of some I will post it!

There is a small group of folks doing the Rio Chama in NW New Mexico April 29-May 1. no BLM permit needed due to "Prior to May 1st launch. " It is a great canyon, although the nights are very cold. Anyone interested, ? We ran it before at the same time last year and it looks to be an annual event fo...

SOLD

I have this listed on ebay for a starting bid of 125. one and a half days left.

I bought this in March of 2008 for 320 ish dollars. I have worn it very little, perhaps 6 or 7 times. It is a a very nice shell, XCR Gore Tex, totally bombproof. I am selling because it just is a bit too snug for me. I am 5'11" 200 Lbs, 44 inch chest, 36 inch waist, and the XL size just fits me a bi...

I took my one year old daughter out on a calm lake in Minnesota, and she had a blast! I have also rafted clas two's with my 7 year old daughter. Fun stuff.!!

I am hoping to get up there after/during mid july, I have been soooooooo busy lately. I will scout it and post the results.

The Yukon Yak is a one person craft. (Unless the other person is a small child, even then, there isn't enough room for a second paddle.) Have you considered a Dory?

Contact the company directly? Perhaps. A story to go along with it usually helps. Like I had to fend off bears with my broken half, stuff like that!

Awesome to hear it. I am going to get her in by herself in a week or two on the flat sections of the Rio Grande. I can't wait!

Sheri- Was there any technical paddling on your float. I am thinking about taking my 8 year old daughter on that trip next spring, she hasn't exactly had time to hone her paddling skills yet! Thanks- Theresa Does your daughter have her own boat? I have an 8 year old girl myself and was thinking abo...

Sheri... this is on my life list for sure. Could you post a bit more logistics as far as the put in location /directions and any issues with camping/permits, etc. Perhaps next year if I can get it in the books. Also- any good pics?

If I can ever get some time off I will post a day and some of us can meet up. How high is that bridge?

I am wondering if the boat is a self bailer? After seeing that Patagonia video it looks like it perhaps.

I haven't reconed the bridge yet.. I'm hoping it is high enough to rappel just for the fun of it.

These Glenn? http://www.rei.com/product/617046 I'd be surprised since everyone I know thinks they are mini torches that don't go out when put under water. Anywho, a second or third backup way to start a fire is always good for sure. The hypothermia kit thing I saw on a kayaking website. It's good i...

Roman.. could you post a pic of this? I have been thinking of doing it after adding some more grab loops. At your earliest convenianvce ??? Thanks.

The last time I was in the ocean playing, (last month) and also being one who has never lived anywhere close to an ocean, I was briskly told by a local that the sharks feed at night. I quickly removed myslelf from the water and came back in the light.

I assume this is an "undecked" Llama. Is this correct?

Just a quick comment on those "REI" matches. Those have let me down BIG TIME in the past. A small Bic lighter is great. I have also started carrying a small striker and magnesium/flint tool and am really liking it.

Talk about FUN. I had a great time in Jackson. I felt honered taking the class with several of the pioneers of the sport. I wasn't gonna miss those four days for anything! I learned a lot from so many different angles and opinions, and really enjoyed the last day in the canyon. Just shooting thought...

Oh ya, does that olympus use AA's batts? That's a must.

As far as the small portable toilet, if you use one of these... http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/shop/product.php?productid=16143&cat=257&page=1 with one or more of these.. http://canyoneeringusa.com/shop/product.php?productid=16333&cat=75&page=1 well, there is your toilet. Fully waterproof and self c...

OK I have just run 31 miles of wilderness with my new Alpacka adjustable Sawyer paddle, and I must say, it worked great!!! The Rio Chama has many rapids spread out between fairly long stretches of smooth water. It was nice to be able to switch to longer mode for the flat stretches. It proved to be s...

OK stay tuned for a trip planning update-- the plan will be to have a shuttle bunny (perhaps my wife) to drive us to the middle of the bridge, we rappel down to the river (80 feet perhaps, not sure yet)with the inflated boats hanging from our harnesses about 10 feet below, the packs are on our backs...

I think the Upper Box is out. Much too dangerous. I do believe the only ones who run it are expert hard shell kayakers. Also, the entire Rio Grande at once would take a very, very long time. I am a family man with two young kids and would not be able to do it for many , many years. (After retirement...

As I venture into longer trips, I am wondering if some of you with more packrafting experiance than I could share some wisdom on how and exactley what you pack for multiday packraft trips? Pictures of gear laid out would be swell! I am particulary interested in the toilet situation, cold weather cam...

I for one have a lifelong dream of going to Norway, as it is my ancestrial home land. If/when I ever do I can promise my Yak will be packed!

I have the same problems with one side of my paddle, but nothing a feather touch with a Dremmel Tool can't handle!

Well I got my Sawyer Packraft paddle! I am doing an overnight trip on the Rio Chama this coming weekend, so after I will post a review of this great looking paddle.

OK guys, this one didn't have any actual Alpackas, but you have to see this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bP1tuP0 ... re=related Redneck rafting at it's finest. I THINK this is the Gila River in SW New Mexico, , it is only runable in spring runoff.

I think that Olympus will be the one get, thanks.

Well, I am about to find out myself about high water, me and a few others are hittig the Rio Chama this weekend. (April 18th and 19th if anybody wants to come with). All the waters near New Mexico/Colorado are high right now with record snowpack.

DUDE! I just got back from Myrtle Beach, SC, for a few days of beach bumming. I packed my trusty Yak and paddle and MAN-o-MAN did I have fun in that thing. Those east coast waves were perfect!! I must have spent at least 20 or more hours over a three day period just playing in the surf. I felt like ...