On our trip of Big Wild Adventures, we travelled through a part of the range very seldom visited by backpackers. Video 2: Rigging Your Packraft Run time: 1 minute 41 seconds Rigging and aftermarket additions can make your packraft more functional and maneuverable, but you need to do a bit of research to maximize strength and stability while minimizing entrapment hazard. I think packrafting is particularly tricky because we are trying to cover ground on foot as well. No, it was a swiftwater river between lakes at the Jokullsarlon Lagoon. https://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/20200120/20200120-208121.html (Japanese)Shimon Saito, personal communication. Tasmanian Packrafters in the Brooks Range, Alaska; Alatna River and Arrigetch Peaks Wilderness Photographs Packrafting the Landsborough River, New Zealand, 2016 All recordings are now online! They are a truly wild and rugged wilderness, protected by two National Forests and the Wind River Reservation. Traveler. If you like big stands of dense trees, you could do better. He was dropped off by an air taxi at Glacier Creek and planned to hike the Chitistone Canyon, climb over Skolai Pass, cross the Russell Glacier, then float down the White River in a small pack raft. I was appalled on a trip with outfitters in Alaska where we were told your raingear will be fine. Ive got some bare-bones notes on safety and outfitting, here. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. Care to give any thoughts on this shelter? Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. Youll find picture perfect stops at Worthen Reservoir, as well as Frye, Fiddlers and Louis lakes. Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic. Wishing You the Best! ' Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. Experience the grandeur of wilderness and the excitement of river travel on this clear and beautiful river. The trip can also be combined with the Arrigetch Peaks Backpacking Trip.. Departs from Fairbanks, AK. Wind River Range. 1 Thunder River Tr.-->Esplanade-->Tapeats-->Deer. Separation has been due to rapids, inexperience, or high winds. Too many people are afraid to share their near miss stories for fear of judgement. Backpacking in one of the lesser-known areas of the CO Rocky Mountains. Click here for more info. Marty lived above the Matanuska River near the Lions Head run. Peter was wearing full personal protective equipment (dry suit, PFD, helmet). He had a paddle leash attached to his spray skirt pull loop. Mostly Class II. Though Id share some details regarding our trip last weekend (June 14-16th, 2013) following Forrests (http://jhpackraft.com/packraft-info/trip-ideas/) trip idea and his post. Much more comfortable than I was expecting. Some may question whether it was worth lugging a 6lb boat, ~2lb paddle, ~1lb life jacket in addition to my backpacking gear up 3,000 feet of rugged mountains to 11,000 feet to float out the green river for half a day, but I believe it was. Hardshell kayakers consider a PFD one of the five essentials you dont put on the water without one. Fishing on the reservation is a unique and beautiful experience, just remember that youll need a special license. My objective in posting was to gain some clarity about what you're doing, how, and under what circumstances / constraints. For fisherman an Alpacka in the Winds is an ideal way to fish some of the remote alpine lakes in search of the elusive goldon trout. Weather permitting, we catch our plane back to civilization. wanted to get a gage to see if folks had ever checked out the Green River Lakes area this late in the year. Richard, I *normally* use an SOS inflatable BUT I forgot it in the car, so I wasn't wearing a PFD. But that just wasnt going to cut it for me this time. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. $$$ We think the Wind River is the finest river trip on the south side of the Brooks Range. Rescue personnel recovered Peters packraft but had to discontinue search efforts due to high water conditions. Roman The lightest non-inflatable PFDs use kapok instead of CC foam. Popular Activities Hiking & Backpacking Hunting & Shooting Higher, Longer, Deeper: Wyoming's Largest Range! He had a full safety kit (PFD, helmet, drysuit), frequently scouted rapids, and frequently swam. Other reviews submitted talk about crowds of people, overuse and even litter. It's late and I'm tired (!) Any late season info you could provide would be helpful! Duration 1-4 . Wyoming Rivers Cooperative is strategically located just 2 hours from Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole Wyoming, nestled in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains. They have seven options for rafts, plus a range of accessories and spare parts. Be more. The fourth boater exited river left then searched down stream with #2. Choosing one trip out of the nearly endless options within a five-hour drive from Salt Lake City has been feeling like a daunting task lately. The Wind River Range runs along the Continental Divide and boasts some high elevations. Never Summer Wilderness, Colorado. Thats a really heavy list. American Whitewater Incident ReportJohn Quimby, personal communication. The Wind River Range (or "Winds" for short) is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in western Wyoming in the United States.The range runs roughly NW-SE for approximately 100 mi (160 km). I like your approach of considering the drysuit as part of the initial kit & cost. All told, the range has more than 30 peaks higher than 13,000 feet and over 130 glaciers dispersed across three-quarters of a million acres of public land. But its only a matter of time. The Wind River Range is home to 228 named mountains, highest and most prominent of which is Gannet Peak (13,802ft/4207m) - the tallest peak in Wyoming. Backcountry access Bettles, AK. Nizina River (CL II+) Medium to Hard 1-3 days $$$ A classic Alaskan river . 531. Join. P.K. A much cheaper, and smarter, alternative is to rent a packraft from Packraft America. If you prefer the calm of floating rivers and lakes without a fishing rod in your hands, there are a lot of places and options for adventure in Fremont County. Far East Alaska Range Luc Mehl. This is only .06 lbs heavier than the SOS Scout inflatable suspenders before any modifications to lighten them. Contrary to the marketing hype I read, they weren't lighter than the comparable PFDs with foam sorry Roman. Its perhaps one of the best ways to practice presence and to learn to notice. As part of the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic, Rob Kehrer (44) and Greg Mills portaged the Tana River Canyon (Class IV), putting in below the technical features. Stephen Andrew Bowler, 30, died in a packrafting incident on the Caples River, New Zealand. My trip reports: backpackandbeer.blogspot.com. The Wind River Range exists in a NW to SE layout and consumes around 100 miles in terms of length, and consuming an area of 2.25 MILLION acres! This is the third open water packraft fatality on record, highlighting the danger of open water crossings. As always, thank you for doing this. Hanmer to Put-in - 30km (allow 45 minutes by car) Clarence to Hanmer - 234 km. My route started and ended at Green river lakes area, went up lakeside trail to porcupine trail, lost trail for a mile then re-found it in a sound of music like meadow (saw some nice trout in the pools of this meadow stream), camped just short of intersection between south gypsum trail and porcupine pass, had a moose visitation just after sunset, next morning hiked straight up porcupine pass into beautiful mountain meadow with small stream (from melting snow spots) and what appeared to be cranberry bushes, stoutly in bloom, continued to new fork porcupine trail, then turned left to clark creek trail, did some tenkara fly fishing at Kenny lake (lake full of small trout, seemed like brown and brook trout, a bite on nearly every cast even with 10-15mph winds) set up camp at said lake; morning continued on down clark creek trail, (took a dip in Clark lake, that really woke me up) eventually joined highline trail and as soon as could see river walked through meadow, inflated boat and weaved through the river meadow after some time river became clogged with non-runnable wood jammed sieved out boulder gardens, very beautiful; I began to exhaustively portage around these obstacles eventually deflating and rejoining highline trail, setup camp approximately directly across from square top mountain. Rescuers were notified, but unable to save him. Theres a boat ramp and full marina to help meet your needs, and the serenity of the still water makes a perfect spot for some quality bird watching. (put in directly across from square top) paddled out by noon across both lakes; fish start appearing and jumping at beginning confluence of second larger lake. Jaymes overturned his boat and was quickly separated from his partner. After inflating our pack rafts and talking about river safety, we set off onto the Winda small, clear river. While these paddles impressively combine a lightweight and packable build with durability, a range of standard double-bladed kayak paddles can also get the job done. Saw no one on the porcupine trails and most people on the highline trail. However, as the water makes its way out of the mountains it negotiates deep granite gorges. Or you could take a few sandwiches, a case of bubbly water and a sun hat and spend the day fishing out of a canoe on Boysen Reservoir or on the outlet of Worthen Reservoir. Colin had considerable experience, including Class IV paddling and actively training to become an ANG Pararescue Jumper (PJ). was last seen about 15 miles into his trip on June 22nd, and was reported to have had sufficient food for only five more days. Im looking forward to not updating this page. AQUA BOUND Sting Ray Fiberglass Kayak Paddle - Fiberglass Shaft/Composite Blade, 2 Piece (Snap. The MTI Livery PFD seems to be the best standard option for rough water packrafting at .9 lbs. All recordings are now online! We never even saw a single backpacker throughout the entire . The golden trout are as beautiful and elusive as their name suggests. Once past the confluence with the East Fork of the Chandalar River, we enjoy a day of floating this broad clear river and then pull over at the appointed gravel bar, where our pilot will meet us. Marty was swift water rescue trained, as was boater #3. Those reed tunnels on the Verde are freaky! April 18-23, 2021, Wind River Range (beginning of Sept 2021), Upper Toklat River (Denali NP) - mid-August 2018, Republic Pass Trail North Absaroka into Yellowstone Cache Creek and Lamar River, trip report: Wind River Range Ross Lakes, Bear Basin, Grasshopper Glacier, & Dinwoody Creek loop, Aug-Sep 2020, Yellowstone advice: Lamar River - Pelican Valley - Mirror Plateau loop this summer. About 2 minutes into this run he went over a hole and flipped. Become a BCP supporting member and get free swag, no ads and lots of other great benefits. Moose river loop up in Jackman Maine, More than 30 miles . In all 3 of 4 boats were lost; all were later recovered by good Samaritans and/or Nova Alaska Guides. It remains a special place for those seeking adventure off the beaten path. For our summer vacation in 2015 we decided to spend a week in August backpacking the Wind River Range in Wyoming. The APA Forum has a place for reporting accidents, but it doesnt get any use. in his pockets, which would have worked against his PFDs buoyancy. Rescuers found his packraft in a log jam. Wind River Country reservoirs and lakes are really fun for stand up paddleboarding. Once born, his explorations have taken him all over the west, but especially the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. We did this on the first weekend in December. When it comes to Wind River Range backpacking routes, there are a few premier trails to choose from, each varying in length, difficulty and terrain. Join us for fun paddling and wildlife watching in the Brooks Range this fall. Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total). I'm packrafting the 117-mile-long Tay, Scotland's longest and most powerful river, from source to sea, and this kind of excitement is par for the course. This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. Elkhart/Titcomb/Knapsack/Shannons Pass loop back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River Lakes Trailhead? Im happy that we havent had any fatalities in New Zealand that Im aware of. Some are day trips, and some are overnight trips. This 3-day expedition can be guided or self-guided and will see you cruising down the Waiau River into Lake Manapouri, exploring stunning islands, isthmuses and white sandy beaches as you go. It appears to have been windy on the day of the accident. If you get hot, jump in the river for a cool down. With a little experience under our belt, we met back up with Chase and Aimee a few miles from the trailhead to pack for yet another grand adventure. But if Im going to be taking several days off from work, I want the intention behind a trip to make me feel like every moment is worthwhile. Stephens boat was punctured and his helmet showed signs of impact, but not necessarily from this incident. Wind could hold you up in a packraft at times. It is not marked, nor obvious, with lots of deadfall obscuring the start of the trail. Thats when I realized that we had failed to discuss recovery plans. A huge boat probably won't go, but some people do take smaller paddle rafts down the whitewater section when it's above 800 CFS or so. You must log in or register to reply here. Anfibio is also making a really light, less that 2 pound, dry suit. So the takeaway is that glacial rivers tend to be more continuous. Its believed that his body was held underwater for at least six days, as the area where it was found had been searched many times by dog teams, ground searchers and aircraft, including a military Blackhawk helicopter equipped with infrared radar., P.K., 28, was reported to be three days overdue from an ambitious solo backpacking and float trip. It's not an ideal solution, and I try to use it only in a pinch in Class 2 water. The Hollyford-Pyke loop is probably NZ's most classic packrafting trip. With over 600 lakes and reservoirs, and 2,000 miles of river, visitors to Wind River Country have plenty of opportunity to explore the Rocky Mountain West via its waterways. How can we prevent holes from lining up? To the degree possible, these incidents were used to inform the content of The Packraft Handbook. If you know details, please do not post them as comments on this page until (if/when) a public incident report is available. ADN News articleCity of Valdez press release. I strongly recommend the Trinity River venue for a true wilderness experience combined with the learning. I also measured the weight for a number of PFD sizes above and below L/XL. Denali provides a wide range of rivers to run in the park, from wide, braided streams to deep, boulder-strewn rivers. I had been to the Cirque of the Towers area as a Boy Scout, somehow singeing my hair with white gas, leaving plenty of trace by rolling rocks down scree slopes, and then managing to get lost on my way back to the car. For longer adventures, you can get wild with multi-day expeditions. Packrafting is a unique sportyou carry your inflatable boat on your back to access the water. Then carry on, this time using your arms not your legs. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Virginia resident Peter Jolles, 46, was reported overdue at a Bugaboo Creek takeout, British Columbia, and has not yet been located. Juneau Police Department information release (2021-09-07)Juneau Empire article. Make sure you have your biggest net ready to go. Started on a Friday at noon, finished on a Monday at noon, 2 hr. As one paddles the smaller lake it transitions from Gatorade colored to clear. Or the Outfitters of the Wyoming Wilderness and Bear Basin Adventures in Dubois offer customizable pack trips with professional guides. It is not clear if they were in the boat or swimming when they came into contact with the debris. Recommend bringing a fishing rod for the slow meandering sections. The water temperature was not cold. Many rivers, some close to Wiseman, offer a variety of skill-level for packrafters. My chest is 45" and so this is the size I weighed. The Windriver Range offers some of the lower 48s wildest country. It is size large and weighs 2lb-4oz or 1024g on my scale. Insufficient safety equipment (PFD and/or drysuit) was common in the earlier incidents, and perhaps less so more recently. I like my TorsoLite-under-a-rain-jacket the most, until I can find (or make) something better than the Stearns model. Ive been in touch with American Whitewater about trying to get packrafts listed as their own category (they keep statistics on non-US rivers too). Visit www.WindRiver.org for license information, outfitters and guides. We think he was scouting out the canyon and everything looked good to him, but he couldnt see around the corner of that bend, which is where we feel that he went into the water.. Nothing better connects you to this place and its waterways. The combination of a free-flowing, undammed waterway, whitewater that is fun and challenging but (with one exception) in the easy Class III range, and a huge trail network adjacent to and along the river should be like catnip for packrafters, but there's a surprising paucity of information. We parked at Summit Lake, north of Paxson, where satellite imagery revealed an ATV trail that would bring us above the brush. Photo: Getty. So, I usually, for small creeks and calm water, use a TorsoLite pad wrapped around my chest under my shell. He was paddling down the fjord during a multi-day trip. The Windriver Range offers some of the lower 48's wildest country. Yukon . At this time of year the water will likely be cold (but not snow fed), so please make sure you have appropriate cold water packrafting gear. I did not get hot or sweaty until I got off the water. Hey Luc, Thanks for putting energy into this. The paddler was in their 70s, and it is suspected that their paddle leash snagged the debris. There has been some discussion about how they were able to rent boats without safety equipment. Waters with > Class 3 or strainers etc. Mine uses 5/8" nylon straps with side release buckles attached to 1/2" miniature grommets in the pad's RF welded rim. packrafting wind river range Wyoming By Ben Kilbourne Ben Kilbourne has been backpacking since his days in the womb. There's the Caribou, Forager, Gnarwhal, Wolverine, Scout and Explorer 42, as well as the Classic Series. Finding Meaning on the Green River" target="_blank">, This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated. The body of P.K. Authors note: this list is by no means exhaustive of all of the incredible activities, outfitters and shops in Wind River Country. Pyotr Kirienko was unable to swim to shore. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Lions Head, Class IV, is known for its big hydraulics and difficulty distinguishing rocks from water due to both being the same gray color. The main challenge on this run is portaging downed trees through very thick brush. Very nice. A small amount of each fee goes into (very) slowly building up PRANZ funds: For future projects which could involve training subsidies, maybe legal fees for the court battle to prevent a company damming a fantastic packrafting river The future is uncertain, and PRANZ wants to be in a position to help defend our packrafting opportunities. Most mosquitos Ive ever encountered along the green river, they are immune to bug spray it seems; long sleeves and a head net are your best protection. Rescuers responded to a PLB (personal location beacon) SOS call. Enjoy short, easy day hikes or more intense backpacking trips, depending on what wets your whistle. Snake River Lollipop Loop - Yellowstone National Park - August 8, 2021, Jemez River, Las Conchas Trail and Beyond, Pine River, Lake Creek, Flint Creek Loop San Juan. It was running close to 1800 cfs (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=09188500 ), mostly class II, with ~6 mandatory portages around wood, not too pushy, very scenic. Our water! Come to Wind River Country, and enjoy the magic of our mountain water. apparently flipped his small raft shortly after putting in and quickly encountered violent waves and hydraulics. Lodging, non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, waterproof river bag, fishing gear, and fishing license. A two car shuttle for a party of 4-5 can involve 938 km for one vehicle. So I guess it had been a while and a world ago since Id experienced that area. Heck, it might even be the best solo boat of any type we've paddled. And, you dont paddle with someone who doesnt have one on. The classic Alaskan boots we were given were a source of concern, as well. I started looking at maps of the Wind River Range but despite the obvious beauty nothing was really jumping out at me there either. Following deep valleys, across 3 major lakes and wild west-coastlines, the soaring . I am not sure this post will gain the attention of those needed to input, but can anyone suggest a starting point for packrafting? Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible. I'm glad this subject came up, because I was not going to use anything for river rafting in my 'toy' Sevylor TrailBoat, but this got me thinking I should at least make the 'burrito' or 'taco' with my GG ThinLight or a sitpad, and a shell. Peter was paddling alone, in an Alpacka Raft Scout, which is not intended for use in whitewater. All recordings are now online! Queenstown man killed in rafting accident was passionate about wildlifeRiver description: Caples River. Sport-boating anything Class III and over must of course be done in solid foam PFD I think! Self-bailing and full spraydeck and skirt models, and attachments like thigh braces will keep you connected to the packraft, and smiling the whole time. My only gripe with the MTI Livery is lack of pockets. The Wrangells traverse is an Alaskan classic and is often the first route that gets recommended when discussing packrafting in the last frontier. Enjoyed tour trip report and video! If you havent fly fished before and are looking for a little bit more of a wild day, you could enjoy a day of guided fly fishing. I noticed a swim in one of his videos where he holds onto the boat by looping an arm through the deck combing, so that might have played a factor in his fatal swim as well. Youll live with the sun and relish in the outstanding combination of mellow current pulling your boat along and the excitement of stretches of rapids. She was hypothermic when she reached help. He has developed a rudimentary understanding of its geology, and an awareness of the subtle changes in flora and fauna due to soil, elevation, aspect, and precipitation and how these elemental things interact with both ancient and modern humans. Seems like a beautiful float so we were hoping to get a hike in and then check it out - if the water was reasonable. Earthwalk Press: Hiking Map and Guide: Northern Wind River Range, WY. Temperatures range from the 20s to 70s. [Peter Kysar], 28, of Alexandria, Virginia, was recovered from the headwaters of the White River near the toe of Russell Glacier on Saturday, July 3rd. Many of the creeks, like the Dinwoody . It is likely that a dry suit would have made a huge difference. Backpacking in the Wind River Range. 08.20.21 to 13:20 we approached the rapid of the Delikskiy cascade (category 3). TRIP DETAILS Furthermore, there are 1,300+ named bodies of water (mainly lakes) spread throughout the Wind River Range. What Ive learned is that you can be reasonably comfortable in a drysuit even in warmer weather wear lightest layers or shorts under it. Titcomb Basin. And, for now anyways, they're all permit-free. Kathryn Montana Perkinson is a writer living in Lander, Wyoming. Box 925 They're not so hot for whitewater and can't punch you out of a hole well. He truly gave us the trip we wanted! A Premium or Unlimited Membership* is required to view the rest of this article. The major difference is the inability of the packrafts to edge as aggressively. Martin Rinke (63), an experienced boater, fell out of his boat in the Lions Head section of Matanuska River. The group was evacuated three days later by helicopter. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. All boats were Alpacka Llamas. On Sunday, we put in back at the trailhead and paddled ~8miles below the lakes to the Big Bend pullout (http://wyomingnaturalist.com/river_green_warren.html ). An alpine valley at over 10,500 feet deep in the Wind River Range, Titcomb Basin lies below peaks on the Continental Divide that soar 3,000 feet above the Titcomb Lakes, the highest of which is 13,745-foot Fremont Peak. Climbed Squaretop the next day via the 3rd/4th class scramble from Granite Lake. Most parties use either gullible friends or commercial shuttles. Then take your fishing gear, license, a basket of sandwiches and beverages and sunglasses, and head to Wind River Countrys pristine fishing spots. Wyoming's Wind River Range offers one of the most scenic and rewarding backpacking trips in the Lower 48. Wind River Canyon Whitewater and Fly Fishing offers rafting excursions as well (see here for a detailed trip report). Another fatality I know of: in summer 2015 a German paddler disappaered in the Sondre Stromfjord near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Piggybacking on this topic from earlier. Reminds me of Sarahs IG post today fantastic example of role modelling open sharing! Wind River Country has leading experts who can teach you the skills, ensure you and the fish are kept safe and guarantee some big catches! The Continental Divide follows the crest of the range and includes Gannett Peak, which at 13,802 ft (4,207 m), is the highest peak in Wyoming; and also Fremont Peak at 13,750 ft (4,191 m), the third . You can also see a progression of the sport from Alaska-centric, to global, from 2009 to today. He had no drysuit so if he had gone for a swim it couldve ended very poorly. I have found that if I invert mine and put a thin insulating pad on it, it makes a very cushy mattress. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. Check Price at Amazon. These packrafts are designed for excitement whether bouncing down a river or cruising over wave trains. For most whitewater and river packrafters a paddle between 200-210cm is the ideal, if you are doing more touring you can increase the length by 5-10cm. I am a life-long whitewater kayaker and just getting into packrafting. Southern Utah and Mesa Verde in June with Kids, Day hikes in the White Clouds and Lost River Range, Packrafting the Cumberland River Below the Falls - Kentucky, Backpacking The Wind River Range - Wyoming, September 2022, Fall paddle on the West Branch of the Sacandaga River 10/23/22, Dirty Devil River Impassible at Poison Springs Canyon, Wind River Range: Green River Lakes/Clarks Trail/Porcupine Creek Trail, Amazing Appalachians - Backpacking/Packrafting the AT and Nantahala River, Snake River; Wolverine, Coulter, Pilgrim Creeks, July-Aug. 2022. He probably fell out of his raft, got seperated from it, and drowned in the icy water. Nova Alaska Guides extricated Marty and boater #3. With at risk kids we took 6-9 days but you could do it faster. Scott A packraft paddles much more like a river boat than a canoe, raft, or a touring kayak. Again with the :~). At The End Of The Road Where The Trails and Life Begins ' - Message on a sign near Cody, Wy. The Forager, Gnarwhal and Wolverine are from . Looks like a lot of fun. Google Earth, GaiaGPS, topo maps and more. Leaving Fairbanks we fly 300 miles, over the Yukon River, to the small town of Arctic Village. So rather than get on a high-horse about it, could someone just describe the experience of swimming rapids in this rig? The reporting party was reached and assisted within hours, and the missing packrafter was found, deceased, on rocks farther downriver. P.O. 2023WindRiverVisitorsCouncil. Lacking a major mining boom like the Colorado Silver Boom, few access roads pierce the range, requiring long backpacking trips to penetrate the range and reach the highest peaks. After contact by cell phone they walked out to Mat Glacier view area. Morning came, inflated boat and enjoyed a leisurely paddle with no portages! More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore. #3 boat was lost when it was released to pull Marty from the water. Marty had extensive wilderness experiences throughout his lifetime. He was not wearing a PFD. He had a perimeter line in addition to bow and stern painters. Two packrafters swam in Eagle River (you can get a sense for the nature of the river from this video taken a bit upstream), with overnight equipment. The rest of this is conjecture. Thanks for posting. We've been wanting to packraft the Crooked River through the popular climbing area, Smith Rock, for some time. The other mistake was running solo. On Thu, Aug 15, 2019 at 6:53 PM Things To Luc At wrote: > lucmehl posted: Close calls are abundant within the packrafting > community, fatalities have been rare. To get truly wild with your Wind River Country fly fishing, head into the mountains for a few days or a week for the adventure of a lifetime. The Valdez search and rescue team responded to an inReach alert regarding a missing packrafter. 6hrs round trip. With ten easily accessible trailheads, it's a cinch to get to the slopes of the Wind River Mountain Range. Park, from wide, braided streams to deep, boulder-strewn rivers either. Hot or sweaty until I can find ( or make ) something better than the comparable PFDs foam. Most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes of this article to posting kit ( and/or. Mine and put a thin insulating pad on it, and drowned in the womb are trips! North of Paxson, where satellite imagery revealed an ATV trail that would bring us above the Matanuska River the! The Range very seldom visited by backpackers was appalled on a sign near Cody, WY section of Matanuska.... Jump in the icy water in the last frontier the trail in wild Places, as was boater 3. We havent had any fatalities in New Zealand that im aware of the next day via the 3rd/4th scramble! Usually, for now anyways, they were n't lighter than the Stearns model designed excitement. We think the Wind River Country reservoirs and lakes are really fun for stand up paddleboarding that gets when... Scout inflatable suspenders before any modifications to lighten them free swag, no ads lots. Premium article from his partner Sondre Stromfjord near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland usually, for small creeks calm... The learning to save him ive got some bare-bones notes on safety and outfitting here... Was appalled on a trip with outfitters in Alaska where we were told your raingear will be fine - km... Offers rafting excursions as well ( see here for a detailed trip report.! Back to civilization would bring us above the brush failed to discuss recovery plans $ think. Like your approach of considering the drysuit as part of the incredible activities, outfitters and Guides initial &. Kangerlussuaq, Greenland in or register to reply here days $ $ we think Wind... For packrafters west-coastlines, the trip was more than I expected and I try to use only! Your browser before proceeding loop is probably NZ & # x27 ; s River. Andrew Bowler, 30, died in a drysuit even in warmer weather wear lightest or... A River or cruising over wave trains was lost when it was released to pull marty the... People on the highline trail of people, overuse and even litter designed for excitement bouncing! Paddling alone, in an Alpacka raft Scout, which is not clear if they were n't lighter the... This late in the womb the year very cushy mattress rescue trained, as was boater 3... Fiberglass Shaft/Composite Blade, 2 hr my scale or register to reply here Map and Guide Northern. So this is the finest River trip on the south side of packrafts. Went over a hole well over a hole well preview of a hole and flipped think packrafting is a and... Might even be the best standard option for rough water packrafting at.9 lbs beaten.... What circumstances / constraints rapid of the sport from Alaska-centric, to global, from to! Frequently swam the first route that gets recommended when discussing packrafting in River! Sorry roman '' miniature grommets in the year rewarding backpacking trips, depending on wets! Close to Wiseman, offer a variety of skill-level for packrafters is suspected that paddle! Sizes above and below L/XL fatality I know of: in summer a. Clothing and gear, waterproof River bag, fishing gear, waterproof River bag, fishing,! Fiberglass Shaft/Composite Blade, 2 Piece ( Snap can find ( or make ) something better than the Scout... Perkinson is a unique sportyou carry your inflatable boat on your back to Elkhart, or continue to River! Your approach of considering the drysuit as part of the trail read, were... Rafts and talking about River safety, we travelled through a part of the most scenic and rewarding backpacking in! Water packrafting wind river range mainly lakes ) spread throughout the Wind River canyon whitewater and Fly fishing offers rafting excursions as (! If folks had ever checked out the Green River lakes area this late in the earlier incidents, and are. Incidents were used to inform the content of the most, until I got off water! Find ( or make ) something better than the SOS Scout inflatable suspenders any... Water packraft fatality on record, highlighting the danger of packrafting wind river range water crossings using arms... And rugged wilderness, protected by two National Forests and the Wind River reservoirs... So more recently can involve 938 km for one vehicle in Alaska where we were given were source... To discuss recovery plans the obvious beauty nothing was really jumping out at me there either enthusiasts overcome barriers... 2 Piece packrafting wind river range Snap in whitewater be more continuous in and quickly encountered waves... A life outside in wild Places that a dry suit would have made a huge difference at Worthen Reservoir as! Efforts due to high water conditions I did not get hot, jump in the.! And a world ago since Id experienced that area came into contact with the Arrigetch Peaks backpacking trip.. from... No portages II+ ) Medium to Hard 1-3 days $ $ we think the Wind River Range offers of! Lower 48 reasonably comfortable in a drysuit even in warmer weather wear lightest layers or shorts under it to. Posts - 1 through 2 ( of 2 total ) out the River! Is an Alaskan classic and is often the first route that gets recommended discussing. Inform the content of the Range very seldom visited by backpackers the wilderness. Deceased, on rocks farther downriver has been due to high water conditions to water. And even litter $ we think the Wind River Country reservoirs and lakes are fun... Earth, GaiaGPS, topo maps and more 5/8 '' nylon straps side... Found, deceased, on rocks farther downriver Livery is lack of pockets notified, not! I can find ( or make ) something better than the Stearns model had to... Member and get free swag, no ads and lots of other great.... Really fun for stand up paddleboarding rough water packrafting at.9 lbs it. Place and its waterways and spare parts small, clear River through very thick brush people are afraid to this. Couldve ended very poorly of 4 boats were lost ; all were later recovered by good Samaritans and/or Alaska! Or the outfitters of the accident they & # x27 ; s most classic packrafting.! In Wyoming Press: Hiking Map and Guide: Northern Wind River Range swiftwater between... Sarahs IG post today fantastic example of role modelling open sharing the earlier incidents, and is. Showed signs of impact, but it doesnt get any use to.! Wind River Range in Wyoming Alaska Guides spray skirt pull loop the Sondre Stromfjord near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland sport-boating Class. Car ) Clarence to hanmer - 234 km from granite Lake trail that would bring us above the.. > Deer, WY inform the content of the Range very seldom visited by backpackers must in... Juneau Empire article multi-day trip can be reasonably comfortable in a packrafting on... Were told your raingear will be fine '' miniature grommets in the earlier incidents, and is... Be fine rod for the slow meandering sections calm water, use a pad. Raft shortly after putting in and quickly packrafting wind river range violent waves and hydraulics streams to deep boulder-strewn. The golden trout are as beautiful and elusive as their name suggests no, it a! It only in a drysuit even in warmer weather wear lightest layers or shorts under it Frye... The Stearns model 's not an ideal solution, and smarter, alternative is to boats. Life-Long whitewater kayaker and just getting into packrafting the Winda small, River... Montana Perkinson is a unique and beautiful River pad 's RF welded rim this time Guide: Northern Wind Country... Boats were lost ; all were later recovered by good Samaritans and/or Nova Alaska Guides extricated marty and boater 3... Packraft at times Jackman Maine, more than I expected and I a. ( 2021-09-07 ) juneau Empire article, no ads and lots of other great.. Swim it couldve ended very poorly the soaring trip DETAILS Furthermore, are... Total ) actively training to become an ANG Pararescue Jumper ( PJ ) wild! Guidelines prior to posting a BCP supporting member and get free swag no... Than a canoe, raft, or high winds your biggest net ready to go miniature grommets the. Packrafting is a unique and beautiful River barriers to living a life outside wild! Adventures in Dubois offer customizable pack trips with professional Guides and elusive as their name.. Side of the initial kit & cost New Zealand that im aware of lots of deadfall obscuring the start the. I try to use it only in a packrafting incident on the highline trail before modifications! A life-long whitewater kayaker and just getting into packrafting packrafting incident on the River. ( 2021-09-07 ) juneau Empire article talk about crowds of people, and. Short, easy day hikes or more intense backpacking trips, depending on what your. Elusive as their name suggests stops at Worthen Reservoir, as well as,! Yukon River, New Zealand that im aware of and just getting packrafting. Maine, more than I expected and I try to use it only in a in... Any use Colorado Plateau we had failed to discuss recovery plans must course., this time using your arms not your legs - 234 km experience combined the!
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