WOMEN'S Week of Rivers
Class II/III Want to explore more rivers in Alaska, but aren’t ready to do it on your own- need more guidance & instruction? Maybe you don’t know where to go, or are looking for new runs? Women's “Week of Rivers” offers a blend of exploration, skill progression & confidence building with a team of supportive female paddlers. Meet & connect with other adventurous women who love packrafting!
Join Jule Harle & special guest Lizzy Scully for a powerful week of skill building & Alaskan exploration. Learn from TWO leading female packraft educators- both are paddlesports business owners, authors & have years in the outdoor industry.
August 3-7th, 2026
DAY 1
We start off reviewing river safety as we refine paddling & boat control skills on Eagle River or Willow Creek. Day 1 is devoted to improving paddle technique & reviewing self & group rescue scenarios before attempting more technical rivers. This is also an opportunity for the instructors to assess group ability & plan the week accordingly.
DAY 2-5
Exact location depends on group ability & current water levels. Ideally, the week involves a progression, with rivers gradually increasing in difficulty. Days 1-2 are typically "road based runs" & do not require "raft-packing" or hiking mode to access the water. Days 3-5 can be more "exploratory" in nature, with a 2-3 hr hike to access a more remote run.... ADVENTURE!! :)
An example of a common river itinerary/progression:
Day 1-2 Venues: “Red Gate”on Willow Creek, “Bridge to Bridge” on Eagle River, Sixmile (between 1st & 2nd canyon), or "Guardrail" on Willow Creek
Day 3-5 Venues: Matanuska River, Caribou Creek, Chickaloon River, Bench Creek or Lower Canyon Creek
Our exact location depends largely on water levels & instructor discretion. 1-2 weeks before the course we’ll have a better idea & communicate the anticipated itinerary with participants. Note that the "Week of Rivers" tour requires a “go with the flow” attitude and willingness to modify the original plan as necessary. The Alaska Factor is REAL- water levels & weather events frequently force you to modify plans. Jule has been paddling in this area for 20 years & a great resource to guide the team & find the ideal venues for a rad week exploring AK's best day trips.
What’s included:
- 5 days of exceptional paddling instruction & guidance
- Supportive & FUN all female environment
- A mix of "roadside" & hike in day trips
- Video analysis opportunities
- 3:1 paddler to coach ratio
- Pre-Trip Google Meeting: meet your guides & the other ladies
Participants must provide their own food, gear, accommodation & transportation each day. Many women end up carpooling, camping & sharing meals together when off the water.... it's a FUN VIBE :) (BUT if you need more alone or post paddle recharge time- you're welcome to do your own thing & meet up with us the next day)
Jule can help with "where to go" camping wise, travel support, food, & "off the water" trip logistics during the Google Pre-Trip Meeting.
Prerequisites
Level 2 or 3 course with APS or equivalent training &/or previous experience packrafting class III rivers. Swiftwater rescue training HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Participants should have recent experience with river rescue & safety basics (through a formal course or personal practice). You should be able to reliably & confidently catch eddies, ferry & identify hazards in all class II environments with desire to strengthen these skills & apply them to class III environments by the end of the week.
Participants need to be proficient in self-rescue methods & comfortable whitewater swimming.
This is also a hiking trip! Some days may involve hiking off trail up to 3-4 hrs with a 20-30 lb backpack before paddling.
Get to Know Your Guides: Jule Harle
APS Founder & Executive Director, ACA L4 Whitewater Packraft Instructor Trainer, ACA Kayak Instructor, ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, International Packraft Film Festival Founder
Jule has been whitewater kayaking, packrafting, and rafting Alaskan rivers since 2007. She’s passionate about being in the mountains while using packrafts for wilderness exploration & whitewater access. Rivers have transformed her life- she loves sharing it with others & helping them enjoy wild places.
She wrote & published The Alaska Packraft Guidebook: Premier Rivers & Creeks in the 49th State- the 1st ever packraft specific whitewater guidebook highlighting 70 of AK’s best runs ranging from Class I-IV.
"My work is my life- I love being on the water!" She founded, owns & operates the Alaska Packraft School. Jule became the 1st female ACA Packraft Instructor Trainer. She's invested in the development of river sports and supporting the water community worldwide- serving as a ACA Safety, Education & Instruction Council & volunteering with the American Packrafting Association- she's the 2023 recipient of the "Golden Paddle Award." Inspired to celebrate the diversity of the sport & spread the STOKE, she helped start the International Packraft Film Festival in 2025.
Follow Jule on Instagram: @alaskapackraft @packraftfilmfest
Get to Know Your Guides: Lizzy Scully
Four Corners Guides Founder/CEO, ACA Packraft Instructor, WFR & SSI Certified
Lizzy owns & operates Four Corners Guides with her husband, Doom Fassbinder, in Colorado. A dedicated & passionate adventurer well before she started her own guiding operation, she spent over 2 decades climbing big walls internationally before discovering the power of packrafting. She’s best known for her for her 1st free ascent with Heidi Wirtz of “Bad Hair Day” (5.12-) on the South Howser Minaret, Bugaboos, Canada and her 3rd ascent of “Inshallah,” Shipton Spire (19,700’) in Pakistan.
Lizzy focuses now on cycling & packrafting primarily. Her background in journalism & commitment to "Packraft Life" is evident in her work when she's off the water: Check out "Beginners Guide to Packrafting Podcast" & her book: "The Bike Raft Guide" "The Ultimate How-To Guide, History Of & Wild Adventures Stories About Bikerafting" by Lizzy Scully & Doom Fassbinder came out in 2021.
Learn more about her “Success Story” & Four Corners Guides. Follow Lizzy on Instagram: @scullbinderranch & @fourcornersguides
River Difficulty: Class II/III
Dates
August 3-7th, 2026
Length
5 days
$1395
Group Max
6
Locations TBD
Eagle River, Willow Creek, Six Mile Creek, Matanuska River, Canyon Creek, Bench Creek, Chickaloon River, Caribou Creek
FAQ
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