Two packrafters were paddling the Class I+ section of the Tama River (western Tokyo) when one paddler snagged on submerged or partly-submerged river debrismetal wire or a loop. This photo might be from this section of the river. Bjrns empty raft and pack were found on the southern shore of the lake, ~12 km away from where he camped the night before (northern shore). Enjoyed tour trip report and video! I also measured the weight for a number of PFD sizes above and below L/XL. I will soon own one of those Kokatats. 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. Trip Highlights The Brooks Range, packrafting, mountain scenery and true wilderness.. Trip Options We can sort up near the headwaters for a longer journey or midway down river for a shorter option. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. I was more used to Appalachian rivers, which tend to have big rapids separated by flatwater pools. Standard technique: feet down, chest up. The crux of the route was finding the trail to Granite Lake. From Beaver Park down to the lakes is an enjoyable Class II float with a couple small drops and some wood. Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Queenstown man killed in rafting accident was passionate about wildlifeRiver description: Caples River. Visit www.WindRiver.org for license information, outfitters and guides. 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. The AW incident report mentions an IK and kayak, but Martin was in a packraft. For spectacular river fly fishing, check out the North or the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie, the Green River or the Little Popo Agie. 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. Lander, WY 82520. Sounds like a good decision! This range also plays home to the biggest glacier in all of the American Rocky Mountains. We have been up to Green River Lakes a couple of times, most recently fall 2015, and I packrafted out to the lakes on the upper stretch of the green in Sept. 2014. The Bull River is a delightful paddle in the foothills of the Alaska Range. 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. The average packraft falls somewhere in the $800-$1000 range, which is a pretty penny for people just looking to get into the sport. 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. 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. Sat comm options, principles of self-rescue, Lobbying for the Arctic Refuge, Washington DC, Queenstown man killed in rafting accident was passionate about wildlife, Juneau Police Department information release (2021-09-07), https://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/20200120/20200120, https://www.terracestandard.com/news/search-called-off-for-nass-river-kayaker/, https://www.haidagwaiiobserver.com/news/belgian-man-linked-as-possible-missing-kayaker-in-nass-river/, Wrangell / St. Elias NPS Incident reports, https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/should-it-stay-or-should-it-go/, Risk Assessment for Rivers and Avalanches Things To Luc At, May 2021: Promoting the packrafting Culture of Safety Things To Luc At, The Packraft Handbook by Luc Mehl chicagobackpacker.com, If my book were a playlist Things To Luc At, The American Whitewater Accident Database Things To Luc At, How To Stay Safe When You're Packrafting - Jacksons MMA, One Boot for All: Backcountry Ski Boots For Everything, Improper equipment (packraft not intended for whitewater), Wood hazards were present and the boat was damaged, but nobody really knows what happened, Presumed flush drowning (difficult swim through rocks), Significant experience, but considerable discomfort with water. All recordings are now online! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. From the toe of the glacier, the river leaves the lake and heads through a windy mini . Have you used one? after a looong drive today but couldn't resist posting this photo, taken this morning during a packrafting descent of Boulder Creek in WY's Wind Rivers: Thanks to my partner, Joel Walthall (BPL Sales Mgr) for taking a GREAT shot for me! P.K. Packraft ForumFairbanks Daily News Miner, page 1 and 6. I have some friends with some gnarly stories. I capsized in Iceland. Wow, Richard, awesome data! Rescue personnel recovered Peters packraft but had to discontinue search efforts due to high water conditions. They offer waded fishing trips and free evening casting lessons. ADN News articleCity of Valdez press release. Fishing is magical. I've posted more photos and comments from this trip here: Packrafting in the Winds @ RyanJordan.com. 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. Wind River Canyon Whitewater and Fly Fishing offers rafting excursions as well (see here for a detailed trip report). Sometime I will get down to this country. Richard, I *normally* use an SOS inflatable BUT I forgot it in the car, so I wasn't wearing a PFD. He truly gave us the trip we wanted! Or you can rent a canoe or kayak at Louis Lake Lodge and have a fun overnight stay. Aidan Don (22) and a friend were dropped off by airplane at Nizina Lake, intending to float the Nizina back down to McCarthy. We camped next to the car and woke to find snow blowing horizontally. in his pockets, which would have worked against his PFDs buoyancy. The Wind River Range is protected by 750,000 acres of public land in western Wyoming. High peaks flank the valley on three sides. Regarding price it's the perfect packraft for beginners but . Thanks to Konstantin Gridnevskiy and Taras Popov for sharing this information. Join the mailing list Receive emails with resources & training opportunities "Start and End at Home" Online trip and emergency planning course "Paddle Up a Level" Online packrafting course "Wild Ice" Online ice safety course River safety & rescue Packraft-specific rescue and skill instruction; Mind & Mountain My wife Sarah's awesome fitness programs: Ski . I didnt fish on that trip, but can tell you that we did catch numerous fish in the streams between the upper and lower lakes the next summer. Ryan In the photo Packraftingboulder8 the pack rafts are outside the shelters. I am not sure this post will gain the attention of those needed to input, but can anyone suggest a starting point for packrafting? I have done several backpacking trips in the Winds, but I had never started from Green River Lakes (GRL)and Tracy had never been to Titcomb . 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. Titcomb Basin. Wind River Range North: Beartooth Publishing; USGS 7.5 minute topographical Maps: New Fork Lakes; Squaretop Mountain; and Gannett Peak available at www.store.usgs.gov; Books: Ron Adkison, Hiking Wyoming's Wind River Range. Nahuel Huapi took them by surprise with violent waves, hit their boats and threw them into the water. A second boater was able to recover her boat, presumably re-enter, and paddle to shore. No intent to chide. ago. I have worn my Kokatat Swift Entry Dry Suit while running <50 degree water on the Animas with air temps around 85 degrees and the Gunnison with air temps of 95 degrees. This is only .06 lbs heavier than the SOS Scout inflatable suspenders before any modifications to lighten them. Wondering if this is true or if maybe there are a few lurking in there? We've been wanting to packraft the Crooked River through the popular climbing area, Smith Rock, for some time. The Wrangells traverse is an Alaskan classic and is often the first route that gets recommended when discussing packrafting in the last frontier. 2022 Dates July 17-21 (1 space left) 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. I assume that you've looked at "squirt vests" that pull on over the head no zipper weight? 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 then catch a smaller plane for a spectacular flight to the Wind River. A Membership is required to post in the forums. More info The Hollyford-Pyke Expedition Beginner / Intermediate Every boater, even those with backpacks, need some sort of PFD at some level of risk. Im sure youll have a blast anywhere in the wind river range however. The Wind River Range offers some breathtaking views and is teeming with wildlife of all kinds. The Sndre Strmfjord is an almost linear, 170 km fjord which can funnel strong winds from the ice sheet. For longer adventures, you can get wild with multi-day expeditions. we offer plenty of courses that include rafting, canoeing, kayaking, packrafting and rescue. Jeff worked in the boating safety sector of the Coast Guard (a competent swimmer) and had assisted/completed swiftwater training in May of this year. They are a truly wild and rugged wilderness, protected by two National Forests and the Wind River Reservation. 02:45. 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. Double Drop Hutt Gorge ( Dan Clearwater) is Class III due to the size of the drops and the holes that develop at higher flows. On average, there is about a .1 lb difference per size. A wonderful adventure and I would like to return next year for a longer, more challenging trip. I took one swim in it (so far) and stayed totally dry and warm. The adventure range of packrafts are versatile and varied. This is exactly the reason I keep coming back to this site. The Continental Divide crests the Wind River Range's entire length. Looks like a lot of fun. Life on the river is sensational. The Windriver Range offers some of the lower 48's wildest country. Juneau Police Department information release (2021-09-07)Juneau Empire article. Saw another packraft on the lower lake with a fisherman inside, excellent fishing on the Green R. too. Topographically, Broad Pass is a fascinating area. To the degree possible, these incidents were used to inform the content of The Packraft Handbook. Insufficient safety equipment (PFD and/or drysuit) was common in the earlier incidents, and perhaps less so more recently. The water was high, estimated at three times median flow. Starting on the open tundra, it flows beneath limestone spires, past glacial lakes, and through the boreal forests of northern Alaska. Is there a publication that lays out the basics? 12 day backpacking and packrafting in Gates of the Arctic, Alaska. All scouted and ran the first rapid as planned then pulling over river right. He was seen to make 3 attempts to reenter his boat then appeared to rest. I am not aware of any publication that teaches the basics of packrafting but, there are many that teach river kayaking. Thanks for the video, I was having a hard time wrapping my head around reeds and strainers, but seeing what you were dealing with makes it very clear. It has a scenic and brushless hike in, fun Class II to III whitewater, and sweeping views of the Alaska Range and Talkeetnas. Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light! [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. Alpacka made an incredibly light suit for several years, but I think the lightest option currently on the market is something like the Kokatak Swift Entry, 2 lbs. Im looking forward to not updating this page. Nisutlin River Family Tour Ruby Range Adventure. I can give a personal account of the Lions Head/Rinke incident. In fact, a $15 "Walmart special" PFD will likely have the exact same amount of flotation rating as a $200 boutique sea kayaking vest. Plays home to the lakes is an enjoyable Class II float with fisherman... The pack rafts are outside the shelters public land in western Wyoming offer fishing. Into the water was high, estimated at three times median flow any publication teaches... 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