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WIN A NEW PACKRAFT at the “Sheri” film event T

WIN A NEW PACKRAFT at the “Sheri” film event Thursday April 6th at @beartooththeatre in Anchorage. @alpacka_raft founders Sheri & Thor Tingey & @dialroman (considered the “father” of packrafting) are will be there! This is more than just a film showing, but an opportunity to meet & hear stories from the original adventurers who inspired the sport.
Scroll in photo feed for film & speaker lineup deets. Then the best night cap ever: prize giveaways! Grand prize is a new Alpacka Refuge that Sheri made herself. At just 5.5lbs w/ whitewater deck & cargo fly, the Refuge is the ultimate landscape traverse packraft- ideal for Alaska!
There’s a pretty sweet pile of other swag to be won as well from sponsors
Come early to meet local packraft authors! Luc Mehl & I will have our books for sale. Luc’s “Packraft Handbook” has won awards- a “must have” for anyone curious about the sport, essential skills, considerations & approaching it all safely. The “Alaska Packraft Guidebook”- the first river guidebook-specific for packrafters, showcases 70 classic packraft runs throughout AK
Come early to connect w/Alaska Packraft Associations local AK chapter. APA advocates for stewardship of public lands while promoting community, safety & education for all who packraft.
There’s only 40 tickets left! Hope to see ya there!
#packrafting #alpackaraft

A few days late ( I was outta service)- Happy bela

A few days late ( I was outta service)- Happy belated International Women’s Day.
I’m constantly amazed & inspired by all the rad women in my life, doing what they love & pursuing their passions.
Adventure partners, business owners, loving mothers, travelers, artists, bitchin cooks, athletes, loyal friends, teachers… all of em. Crushing what they do, but with humility & authenticity.
I feel a profound support & connection with fellow ladies in the outdoor rec community in Alaska.
I love teaching river skills & getting anyone on the water, but get especially stoked to teach Women’s Specific Packraft Courses.
Packrafting is challenging and can be an intimidating sport to get into- especially in AK. Learning in an all female peer group creates an opportunity for women to work at their own pace in a supportive group setting. Our Women’s courses are opportunities to connect with other adventurous ladies in a friendly, empowering & more importantly- a really FUN & confidence building environment.
Level One Courses:
May 7 & May 10
Level 2: June 24-26
Check out www.alaskapackraft.com for the deets!
#thisispackrafting #cultureofsafety #packraft #packrafting #packraftingwomen #alaskapackraft #alaska #womensupportingwomen

Save the date: April 6th! Tickets go on sale Marc

Save the date: April 6th! Tickets go on sale March 7th!
@beartooththeatre is showing the @alpacka_raft documentary, “Sheri”
The mother/son story of how Sheri and Thor Tingey’s inspiration/innovation to create lightweight packable boats… opening up rivers & wilderness access in a different way is inspiring & amazing.
This’ll be the first AK showing! A few other outdoor films will be shown too (from @dsurn) & others.
@lucmehl @apa_alaska_chapter & @alaskapackraft will also be there
Let’s get together before paddling season starts!
#thisispackrafting #packrafting #packraft #sheri #beartooth

A big thanks to @jaymedittmar for making this reel

A big thanks to @jaymedittmar for making this reel🙏🙏
I just finished the Alaska Packraft School’s new website, we’re now taking registration for upcoming 2023 Courses
beginning in May!
#thisispackrafting #alpackaraft #packraft #packrafting #cultureofsafety
I love winter, but this is getting me pretty STOKED to go boating!
Get a hold of me directly if you’re interested in arranging custom courses, hiring a guide or small group/private skills coaching.

A few shots from my January Grand Canyon Colorado

A few shots from my January Grand Canyon Colorado trip, a mix of whitewater, scenery & the culture.
This was my seventh trip down over the last 12 years; it gets better every time.
Photos just don’t do justice or really show the scale of some of the rapids, the endless beauty in the canyon… or get remotely close to portraying how weird & silly people get when they unplug & let the river environment take over for 25 days. I think that’s what I love most about this place, & what keeps me coming back 🤪💫
#alpackaraft #rafttrip #river #riverculture #riverlife #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #riverfamily

SWIMMER!! So much snow in the Talkeetna mountains,

SWIMMER!! So much snow in the Talkeetna mountains, plenty of melt for the spring 2023 paddle season 🤟🏻
#letitsnow #winterwonderland #getoutside #keepitcoming #alaska #mountains #ski #skialaska #talkeetnamountains #hatcherpass

I’m honored & STOKED to be presenting at the Fai

I’m honored & STOKED to be presenting at the Fairbanks Paddlers Annual Meeting this Friday, December 2nd.
Schedule:
6:30 Doors open. Meet/ greet old friends & new.
7:00 Potluck Dinner. If your name starts between A -Z bring food!
7:30 Short Business Meeting
8pm @margaret.h.photo will share about the American Packrafting Association’s AK chapter before @pjhiggins84 talks about the 1ST EVER @acapaddlesports packraft instructor certification course in Alaska.
I’ll wrap up with a slideshow about packrafting in AK & how “The Alaska Packraft Guidebook” process unfolded.
I’ll have some for sale too!
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church, 4448 Pikes Landing Road
Any & all water enthusiasts are welcome to attend, members & non-members.
It’s dark & cold…come hang with us & start scheming for summer adventures!

Here we go LAVA! Guy Erickson @someregularguy nai

Here we go LAVA! Guy Erickson @someregularguy nails his line in his @alpacka_raft Wolverine e before assisting a fellow swimmer at the bottom.
Just got off my 6th Grand Canyon trip- a river experience worth repeating…over & over again.
16 whitewater (& party) enthusiasts spent 25 days paddling, playing & exploring the #grandcanyonnationalpark with 5 large rafts (thanks @moenkopi_riverworks for outfitting the shenanigans) 1 kayak & half a dozen #alpackaraft boats.
Would definitely repeat
#swimteam #grandcanyon #coloradoriver #lavarapid #thisispackrafting #packraft #packrafting #fullsend #river #whitewater #whitewaterismagic

Here we go! Heading down into the #grandcanyon fo

Here we go! Heading down into the #grandcanyon for some raft assisted kayaking. Feeling incredibly #grateful for my 6th opportunity in the ditch.
I’ve been craving some off the grid river time: whitewater, yoga, wilderness, desert magic…all in the presence of good people.
I’ll be back Nov 19th, cheers!
#raft #rafting #kaysking #riverfamily #unplugged #

#immeanttodothat @pbiskind showing off his cobra r

#immeanttodothat @pbiskind showing off his cobra roll (flipping mid falls)on Oregon’s Lower Wind River last week, gauge read 130 cfs.
(I followed suit in my @alpacka_raft downstream on the next falls- but sadly, no videos were taken

Im pretty fired up & was about to post some waterf

Im pretty fired up & was about to post some waterfall photos/steep creek shots of this week’s “tour of rivers” in the PNW… I sure do love technical & challenging whitewater- but my favorite day of the trip was actually a classic class III section of the #clackamas
While setting shuttle, Amy picked up a man in his mid 70s paddling by himself, kind of a local legend.
Meet Virgil: in 30 years, he’s logged over 1800 runs, he lives nearby & kayaks almost every day of the year.
I really hope I’m like Virgil 40 years from now- it’s so inspiring to see the river stoke & passion to paddle so ALIVE in him, despite old age.
Our crew adopted him, it felt like paddling with grandpa; the stories & memories he’d share about each wave or rapid or bend, etc through his full face prescription snorkel mask he had specially made for kayaking were 👍Classic!
Kind of crazy too, that 20 years ago, when Amy was a college student, learning how to paddle & new to the area she recalled Virgil being one of her first paddle partners. Good stuff, the universe made it a full circle 🤩🤣
Some of my favorite river days are impromptu, playful, silly, kind of noodley. Less about the objective, but more about the souls you get to share it with.
#riverlife #riverlifestyle #community #whitewaterismagic #ageisjustanumber #keepmoving #keepmotivating #respectelders #futureself #inspiration #kayaking #goboating #foreveryoung

Last weekends #rogueriver trip was one to remember

Last weekends #rogueriver trip was one to remember.
12 beautiful hooligans from all over the country assembled for 3 days of paddling. A gaggle of @alpacka_raft models, whitewater kayaks & large rafts.
….PLUS we showed up right in time for the cold weather😬🥶. Classic
@pbiskind @jolly_dolly_cail @onezzie @gregstaffordphotography @dsurn @connor.johnson @johnlloyd4 @mylisemb

WOW. Atlas is only 8 yrs old & less than 5ft tall

WOW. Atlas is only 8 yrs old & less than 5ft tall…but he has taken to packrafting like a duck in water.
I’ve been coaching Atlas throughout summer & fall- he can confidently edge his boat, ferry & catch eddies. He is super eager to learn & has the hugest smiles when he goes through wave trains. He had his first combat swim last week & held onto all of his gear. 👏
He told me he has been reading @lucmehl ‘s “Packraft Handbook” & asked, “When do we get to do a boof stroke?” 🤩
Kids like Atlas are inspiring- it’s so cool to see younger people identify a passion & then pursue it. (A big thanks to all of the supportive parents out there- outdoor sports ain’t cheap & certainly take a big time commitment on their end 🙏)
Teaching packrafting & river skills is certainly my #dreamjob. Watching the whitewater stoke grow among students is worth more than the $$ it makes.
I’m done teaching for the year and off to do some personal trips in the lower 48; I’m stoked to continue coaching, teaching & guiding next spring/summer 2023.
#packraft #packrafting #alaska #alaskapackraft

Got on Eagle Rivers Echo Bend yesterday using @alp

Got on Eagle Rivers Echo Bend yesterday using @alpackaraft wolverines with Austin Donnell & Butchy Fuego. Butchy got a short video of Austin in action- you can tell Austin has had lots of time in a hard shell kayak. His edge control & paddlestroke technique make paddling look easy.
With lower water levels, this section is a class III technical boulder garden, accessible after an easy 4 mile hike.
It’s covered in the “Alaska Packraft Guidebook” pages 15-19.
The ER gauge is currently out of commission; the water color was still a little gray (it’s been a warmer few weeks of fall) & slightly higher then the guidebook photos, but still a fun packraft level.
#packraft #packrafting #eagleriver #alpacka #alaska #thisispacktafting

Talkeetna River canyon with a weekend party posse

Talkeetna River canyon with a weekend party posse of 9? Yes please!
Having good friends when packrafting the Talkeetna at low flows is essential. The whitewater action is short lived- but the social dynamic, connection, laughter & water shenanigans during the calm sections were what made the trip so memorable.
The highly sought after canyon section w/technical whitewater lasts only 10 miles… while the other 43 miles remain in the class II range. About 10 hours of “flat” water & only 2 hours of rapids.
While the canyon is usually rated class IV during peak glacial melt, Lower levels (btwn 3000-8000 cfs) the canyon is class III + with a big water feel.
Low flows created an opportunity for a wide variety of friends with varied river experience to packraft the canyon.
As a larger group 9, we divided into three pods. Experienced paddlers led each pod so the “learning”/ lesser experienced boater could follow their lines, with the 3rd, also competent paddler, close behind.
Although there were a few swims, the skill distribution made rescues, group communication & traveling through rapids incredibly manageable.
Big smiles all around. For me, few things beat sharing the magic of whitewater & wilderness trips with those you ❤️
Thanks @talkeetnaair for the drop off & trip partners @charlieprocknow @frontierinfocus @k.k.d.s.p @pbiskind @benfullsends @gregstaffordphotography Khaleil Fields & Mike Myers

Shots from last weekend’s trip on Sheep River in

Shots from last weekend’s trip on Sheep River in the Talkeetnas. Sheep has limited beta; Andrew Embick wrote it “rages directly out of the snout of it’s glacier & drops very fast through boulders of various sizes before briefly entering the crux canyon, about 1/4 mile in length.” Yep, he nailed it!
Packrafters have accessed Sheep after a challenging 2-3 day route up Kings Valley. Most report walking the initial rapids, puting in somewhere below the canyon. We were dropped off via helicopter, thanks @talkeetnaair , to maximize our 3 day window for scouting and setting safety throughout whitewater stretches.
Sheep quickly became fast, steep, & continuous with constant class III+ “chunky” boulder garden style rapids with manky IV- moves salt & peppered in. Difficulty & gradient increase within 1/4 mile. Rapids become more technical, require linked moves w quick & aggressive decision making. Sheep’s glacial hue disguised barely submerged rocks, creating violent jolts along the way.
Although continuous, when low, “Alaska style” micro Eddie’s exist; we could boat scout & set safety when needed
Talkeetna gauge read 8700 cfs; area had a break in heavy rain few days prior. Attempting Sheep with peak flows would be terrifying.
Most of our group paddled 95% of Sheep; walking a few class IV rapids….lines existed- perhaps we’d re-considered if we could reliably roll our packrafts? Class IV wilderness swims w/ all your gear in your boat feels pretty scary vs day trips near roads
Matt Campo fired up most of the canyon, walking a few rapids.
Sheep is a class IV whitewater packrafting gem at low flows. I’d go back! However, after reflecting, I would have enjoyed myself more w/ a solid packraft roll- fear of swimming robbed some of the trip’s joy- I was noticeably more apprehensive/on edge, despite knowing I was well within my skill set. So it goes, the head game that goes with boating and managing wilderness risk
This winter I’m gonna finally learn to roll my packraft!
🙏Best trip partners: @appersondavid & @mattcamp0
#packrafting #packraft #alaska #alaskaadventure #whitewater #thisispackrafting #talkeetna

Yep 😂 😜 Just returning from Sheep River in

Yep 😂 😜
Just returning from Sheep River in the Talkeetna Mountains with @mattcamp0 & @appersondavid
Sheep River (not to be confused with the more commonly paddled Sheep Creek) has only been attempted a handful of times, with most parties forgoing the upper & portaging the canyon. It’s remote & it’s access requires either an arduous 2-3 day hike or a heli bump. With only a 3 day window, we chose the pricier latter & flew in.💰 ($335 per person)
At lower water levels, members of our group paddled most of both the upper section & parts of the canyon 🤘🏻👍
We fired up & checked out the upper stretch from the Sheep Glacier & parts of the canyon with @alpacka_raft boats.
A big thanks to Danielle with @talkeetnaair for the heli drop off 🙏🙏🙏
Stay tuned for more trip deets photos, & a river report tomorrow!
#thisispackrafting #alpackaraft #packraft #packrafting #talkeetna #talkeetnaalaska #talkeetnaairtaxi #alaska #alaskaadventure

LAST CALL- End of Season Whitewater Packraft Skill

LAST CALL- End of Season
Whitewater Packraft Skills Day, Sept 22nd 9-5pm.
2 spaces left
On the website, Alaska Packraft School’s last group course was August 5th- however, I’ve been teaching custom courses & coaching paddlers individually all month. I thought the interest for packraft skills & safety education was limited to early or mid season. YOWZA, WAS I WRONG!
While days are getting shorter, the packraft season is still going strong! I’m offering a “Last Chance/End of Season” Single Day River Skills Class in September.
It’s a compressed version of a 2.5 day Whitewater Essentials Course. The Level 2 course is for paddlers with previous packrafting experience wanting to strengthen their ability to read and paddle class II-III rivers.
We spend a half day on the lake followed by a half day on Eagle River. This “condensed soup” single day course will cover:
Paddle stroke refinement: forward, reverse, sweep, bracing & drawing
Self-rescue & boat re-entry techniques, Catching eddies & ferrying, Reading & navigating class II whitewater features, River safety: intro to throw rope use
DATE: Thursday, Sept 22nd, 9am-5pm
COST: $175. (Gear rental not included)
PRE-REQUISITES: This course is ideal for someone with previous packrafting experience & a desire to get more practical river experience & skills coaching (ie: not your first time ever in a boat or on moving water)
Email or msg me to register: alaskapackraftschool@gmail.com
#cultureofsafety #packraftsafety #packraftcourse #packrafting #packraft

Funny, last time I hiked into Sheep Creek, I said

Funny, last time I hiked into Sheep Creek, I said I wouldn’t go it again. I forgot!
Haha, the hike is very do-able, but the 15 miles of wet & muddy ATV trails before getting to the glorious alpine walking…..meh. I guess I’m just not that tough😜
@alaskafloatplane can fly you into nearby Crossover Lake for around $100 per person. The Alaska Packraft Guidebook includes waypoints & a good description of how to find the game trail from the lake down to the Creek. That approach is about 3 miles & takes under 2 hrs.
From there, the next 22 miles of Sheep Creek takes 5-7 hrs; about half of which is fun & engaging class III “gold,” a great day trip from the lake.
As always, stay cautious for wood- I noticed there were a lot of new trees in the water (seemed to have shifted after the high water rain event earlier this month). We only portaged 1x, but had to dodge & aggressively paddle away from wood frequently.
Thanks @mattcamp0 & @appersondavid for the company🙏🤘🏻
#thisispackrafting #hiking #hikingadventures #talkeetna #mountaintravel #packrafting #packraft

GUIDEBOOK AMMENDMENT: Moody Creek, Denali Region… since the book has been in print, I found a MUCH better approach than my previous trips.
An obvious setback to creating an actual printed book vs. a blog, forum, app or website is that information eventually becomes outdated…. Kinda difficult to update. This is true especially for rivers, but also for off trail overland routes in Alaska. Sure, I’ve noticed some minor edits in the guidebook, but this summer I’ve discovered better ways to access a few of the runs in addition to recent river updates/changes.
An ongoing project I’m beginning this fall is an online forum where I can share these changes, updates, discoveries with the community. I’m working with a web designer to include a “Guidebook Ammendment” forum page on my site, alaskapackraft.com.
I’ll be the moderator, but ideally, others can post/contribute & comment. I’m envisioning an organized platform where packrafters can access more current & up-to-date beta that supports the guidebook’s printed content.
For example, @charlieprocknow shared with me a social trail he & @frontierinfocus found to access Moody Creek (III+/IV-) near Denali.
One route the book covers involves walking up Dragonfly Gulch towards the southern ridge- after an arduously thick & steep bushwhack. WELL turns out there’s an unmarked social trail on the gulch’s northern side if you search for it. DAMN I wish I had known at the time!
AH, do it goes, the nature of adventure…misadventure….& Alaska 😉
I worked hard to gather, organize & share both hike & river descriptions to the best of my knowledge, but if you have suggestions or amendments (from changes in river rapids or other hike/route ideas)…I’M ALL EARS!!! Shoot me an email or msg sometime & we can chat alaskapackraftschool@gmail.com
Video: @dsurn in “Tunnel Rapid” at low water
Photos: @sammcvolk, @mattcamp0, @emelex
#packraft #packrafting #updates #guidebook #guidebooks #alaskalife #alwayslearning #alaskaadventure #alaskanadventures #denali #denalinationalpark

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