apparently flipped his small raft shortly after putting in and quickly encountered violent waves and hydraulics. I dont know for certain which section Peter was paddling, but I see a 6-km stretch of Class II/III water that could be scouted from the road. These creeks are punctuated by class 6 drops, commiting gorges and other excitement. Thanks to packrafts, you can combine a world-class Grand Canyon backpacking journey with a jaunt down the river. Very nice. Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total). #3 boat was lost when it was released to pull Marty from the water. 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. You can also see a progression of the sport from Alaska-centric, to global, from 2009 to today. Care to give any thoughts on this shelter? The geography of the west has become familiar to him. 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. No intent to chide. Scott A packraft paddles much more like a river boat than a canoe, raft, or a touring kayak. The paddler was in their 70s, and it is suspected that their paddle leash snagged the debris. Intro to Packrafting Embark on a journey to one of Fiordland's hidden gems. If you own one, bring it along, and if you dont, you can buy one of your own at Murdochs in Riverton. Juneau Police Department information release (2021-09-07)Juneau Empire article. Wrangell / St. Elias NPS Incident reportsWashington Post article. Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 39 total). The geography of the lake system provides 30 km of wind fetch before the crossing point. The analogy that comes to mind is going back to using cloths line to "protect" climbing routes becaues of it's handling characteristics while in your pack. (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. They have seven options for rafts, plus a range of accessories and spare parts. The Windriver Range offers some of the lower 48s wildest country. You can find an even bigger list here. The first two gorges feature Class III/IV drops and frequent wood hazards. Wyoming's Wind River Range offers one of the most scenic and rewarding backpacking trips in the Lower 48. About 2 minutes into this run he went over a hole and flipped. A wonderful adventure and I would like to return next year for a longer, more challenging trip. Fishing on the reservation is a unique and beautiful experience, just remember that youll need a special license. Based out of Fort Washakie, Wind River Fishing Adventures fishes the Popo Agie, the Big Wind River and Bull Lake. It remains a special place for those seeking adventure off the beaten path. They are known for their affordable entry-level produtcs with a solid quality.They offer inflatable kayak for a pretty long time and extended the product range to packrafts recently as well. Is the Aug 24-25 class still a go? The ideal packrafting PFD. Bjrn Debacker, a 41-year old Belgian Engineer, was presumably separated from his packraft due to wind and waves while crossing ingvallavatn lake. Wishing You the Best! ' Click here for more info. The Green River is nestled in one of our most beloved mountain ranges, the Wind River Range, and immediately knew it had to be the destination of our second packrafting trip. Satellite imagery shows large rapids just out of sight from his probable put in. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. Mosquito season should be overbut bring a small bottle of DEET repellent just in case. Using a paddle leash on moving water is almost certainly a bad idea, and if done at all, the leash MUST be rigged to either disconnect or break under fairly light force. We never even saw a single backpacker throughout the entire . Outfits like Diamond 4 Ranch or Sweetwater Fishing Expeditions out of Lander can haul your belongings into the mountains on a guided pack trip into the Winds, which includes camp, horses, a guide and a cook. Romain Qunhen, a Belgian on a roadtrip from BC to Alaska, went missing on the Nass River, BC, Romains packraft and backpack were recovered. The paddler was in their 70s, and it is suspected that their paddle leash snagged the debris. However, as the water makes its way out of the mountains it negotiates deep granite gorges. While the water is flat and calm as it passes the dramatic cliffs in the state park, right above it is continuous class IV with some short flat areas and only a few access points into the canyon. . Following deep valleys, across 3 major lakes and wild west-coastlines, the soaring . Richard, I *normally* use an SOS inflatable BUT I forgot it in the car, so I wasn't wearing a PFD. The Continental Divide crests the Wind River Range's entire length. Native to the Sierra Nevada, California allowed their exportation for a brief time, and Wyoming stocked a handful of lakes in the Wind River Range. I was more used to Appalachian rivers, which tend to have big rapids separated by flatwater pools. 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. Backpacking in one of the lesser-known areas of the CO Rocky Mountains. River had dropped foot to ~1500 cfs. Any correctly-fitted, US Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a spill. They're not so hot for whitewater and can't punch you out of a hole well. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. Wind is a common factor in open water incidents. Luc, thanks for caring, researching, and publishing! I dont know if that will come back around, but maybe worth watching their site. Photo: Getty. The water in Wind River Country is not to be missed. Our water! Obviously this river is not suitable for our 16 footer, though! Or you can rent a canoe or kayak at Louis Lake Lodge and have a fun overnight stay. Twenty of the 21 highest mountains in Wyoming are in the Winds, all except for the Grand Teton, just a couple hours' drive north. Much more comfortable than I was expecting. Starting on the open tundra, it flows beneath limestone spires, past glacial lakes, and through the boreal forests of northern Alaska. This range also plays home to the biggest glacier in all of the American Rocky Mountains. Get Backpacking Light news, updates, gear info, skills, and commentary delivered into your inbox 1-2x/week. WIND RIVER, YUKON. P.K. Has anyone been out with a guide they reccommend? They offer waded fishing trips and free evening casting lessons. We've been wanting to packraft the Crooked River through the popular climbing area, Smith Rock, for some time. $$$ We think the Wind River is the finest river trip on the south side of the Brooks Range. Find Bens essays, trip reports, gear reviews, paintings, songs, and other work at benkilbourne.com. It's hard to imagine a trip that's as action-packed and scenic as packrafting the Escalante River in Utah. 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. ", "I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. I was appalled on a trip with outfitters in Alaska where we were told your raingear will be fine. Relevant resources: American Whitewater maintains an incident database, American Packrafting Association is close to publishing a safety curriculum for packrafters. Stephen Andrew Bowler, 30, died in a packrafting incident on the Caples River, New Zealand. 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. Im happy that we havent had any fatalities in New Zealand that Im aware of. 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. 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. A club packraft trip down the grade 1 and 2 sections of the Rangitikei River. From Mild to Wild, Exploring Wind River Countrys Waterways. Saw no one on the porcupine trails and most people on the highline trail. Check Price at Amazon. It is likely that the rapids caught Romain off guard. There is a concerted effort to efficiently develop a Culture of Safety for packrafters in the hopes that we can skip the history of incidents that our peers in other water crafts have experienced. The Wind River Range runs along the Continental Divide and boasts some high elevations. 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. I will adopt that when discussing with people interested in the sport. It's a backpackers' playground. Rates start at $30 per day for a five- or six-day rental. He had a full safety kit (PFD, helmet, drysuit), frequently scouted rapids, and frequently swam. . Packrafting is very simple. Lessons learned: Discuss rescue methods and plans before the run, practice boat reentry often, have communication devices inside dry suit, have contact numbers for each boater and rescue services (911 did an excellent job in this case and could locate caller). Saw another packraft on the lower lake with a fisherman inside, excellent fishing on the Green R. too. There is not much information about this fatality yet. Were going to be down in Pinedale over Labor Day weekend and wanted to get a gage to see if folks had ever checked out the Green River Lakes area this late in the year. Im sure youll have a blast anywhere in the wind river range however. Hot showers are in order! A 100-mile long strip of stunning, jagged mountains extending southeast of Yellowstone National Park through Wyoming, "The Winds" are a backpacking and trekking paradise. USARA statement regarding Peter JollesCTV News, Vancouver. Youll find picture perfect stops at Worthen Reservoir, as well as Frye, Fiddlers and Louis lakes. Great detail that it works with the shorter torsolight and that it's actually better to avoid a full body wrapyou're going for a taco rather than burrito :~). 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. Great work, and another post worth saving. The Wilderness Classic participants generally do not use drysuits. Wrangell St. Elias National Park is the largest National Park in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Peter was paddling alone, in an Alpacka Raft Scout, which is not intended for use in whitewater. Recommend bringing a fishing rod for the slow meandering sections. But I had to go. It has a scenic and brushless hike in, fun Class II to III whitewater, and sweeping views of the Alaska Range and Talkeetnas. His experiences on the land, whether triumphant or thwarted by events either in or out of his control, have provided the foundation for the work he does. Mine uses 5/8" nylon straps with side release buckles attached to 1/2" miniature grommets in the pad's RF welded rim. Thanks to Konstantin Gridnevskiy and Taras Popov for sharing this information. Outdoor Play had a great price for a short period. . I also measured the weight for a number of PFD sizes above and below L/XL. Other reviews submitted talk about crowds of people, overuse and even litter. 5.0. 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. I will soon own one of those Kokatats. Continuing to encourage drysuit use in the packrafting community is important. The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. Experience the grandeur of wilderness and the excitement of river travel on this clear and beautiful river. An Englishman was separated from his packraft while attempting a two kilometer lake crossing in Argentina. Great shot, Ryan! Rescue personnel recovered Peters packraft but had to discontinue search efforts due to high water conditions. Martin had considerable experience. Queenstown man killed in rafting accident was passionate about wildlifeRiver description: Caples River. The AW incident report mentions an IK and kayak, but Martin was in a packraft. - Yellowstone National Park - September 13, 2021, Grand Canyon Loop: Thunder River -> Tapeats -> Kanab -> Sowats. He was seen to make 3 attempts to reenter his boat then appeared to rest. ", Wrangell St Elias and Glacier Bay National Parks. South Bay Board Co. - SUP Paddleboard Paddles - 4 Piece & 2 Piece Kayak/Paddle Board Paddle Options. After contact by cell phone they walked out to Mat Glacier view area. 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 . One article suggests that he was missing for days, but I suspect this is just a google translate issue. So, I like PFD's with pockets. Hoping to find something under the 2 pound mark.. Ryan mentioned a 14 oz pfd here, but never said what brand it was. We camped next to the car and woke to find snow blowing horizontally. packrafting wind river range Wyoming By Ben Kilbourne Ben Kilbourne has been backpacking since his days in the womb. https://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/20200120/20200120-208121.html (Japanese)Shimon Saito, personal communication. 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. The major difference is the inability of the packrafts to edge as aggressively. 02:45. Titcomb Basin. In my opinion, this would be the best place to list near misses since the AW site is already so mature. When you stand on the edge of a cool mountain river or lake and cast, youre given a chance to slow down and listen to the crickets and birds chirping, watch the sunlight stream through a lodgepole pine and smell the fresh mountain air. There are over 1, 300 named lakes in the Wind River Range, and the headwaters of the Green River can be found here. At The End Of The Road Where The Trails and Life Begins ' - Message on a sign near Cody, Wy. A man was found submerged under a packraft, trapped in an undercut rock, mid-river. A much cheaper, and smarter, alternative is to rent a packraft from Packraft America. Topographically, Broad Pass is a fascinating area. However, as the water makes its way out of the mountains it negotiates deep granite gorges. 7. 3 miles of this was really fun class II+ starting just before Moose Creek Rd junction. From the Elkhart Park trailhead, the trail passes several alpine lakes before you reach its crown jewel: Titcomb Basin, surrounded by the amazing Cirque of the Towers. We set up camp and enjoy our first night in the wilderness. As one paddles the smaller lake it transitions from Gatorade colored to clear. 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. Jaymes H. Schoenberg (22) and a partner used packrafts to cross the swollen Sagavanirktok River en route to Arctic Village. Yukon . 1 mo. In all 3 of 4 boats were lost; all were later recovered by good Samaritans and/or Nova Alaska Guides. Authors note: this list is by no means exhaustive of all of the incredible activities, outfitters and shops in Wind River Country. He had a perimeter line in addition to bow and stern painters. Elkhart/Titcomb/Knapsack/Shannons Pass loop back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River Lakes Trailhead? I need survival and misc gear in my PFD firestarting kit, knife, whistle, camera, and a snack. Temperatures range from the 20s to 70s. Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Paddling the Big Salmon River Ruby Range Adventure. 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. 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. 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. TRAIL DAYS ONLINE! I went to a couple of paddling shops and weighed all of the L/XL PFDs they had on display. The allowance of packrafting on a backcountry permit has taken over a decade of rapport building with the Park Service led by leaders from the APA community to get RABT allowed. No wildlife except for one Moose on the bank. In terms of lightest full whitewater pfds. It's also certainly possible that I'm missing something here, so don't want to get to far up on the soapbox, but this strikes me as a really poor idea. This route offers 39 miles of class I & class II rapids, numerous sandy beaches to camp on, and some of the most scenic landscape you will ever see. There's the Caribou, Forager, Gnarwhal, Wolverine, Scout and Explorer 42, as well as the Classic Series. For those with packrafting skills, this route offers a quick, easy-to-access, multi-sport adventure. He had a paddle leash attached to his spray skirt pull loop. I imagined hauling a packraft out of the Colorado River, maybe up Red Lake Canyon, where its often 10 degrees hotter than the surrounding areas. Getting onto rising river, capsize and inability to get back into craft due to rising water levels, this river floods all the time and portaging the gorge is a bit of a nightmare bush-bash). A 3/4 length pad works better for flotation but tends to roll you, where the short length of the torsolite keeps you chest up, but making it harder to do an aggressive swim if needed. Take a series of classes and then buy a book. Wind River Mountain Range. For sometime going here to the Verde and the Mazatzal in the winter to hike and wander for abit has been big on my list. It has these additional benefits: it can be worn under a properly sized windshirt or rainwear for insulation, in lieu of a high loft vest; the two side straps and the accordion style foam on the sides allow a comfortable athletic fit for paddling; and there is an elastic safety loop that locks the zipper in place. 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. It is not uncommon to have eagles above you and salmon or steelhead below you in the crystal clear water. Like the fiber from the tropical tree? 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. Climbed Squaretop the next day via the 3rd/4th class scramble from Granite Lake. The classic Alaskan boots we were given were a source of concern, as well. Body Glove mens 3t Cinch-m Water Shoe, Black/Yellow, 11 US. Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light! Standard technique: feet down, chest up. His partners found him after thirty minutes and performed CPR, but recovery was not possible. I stretched the neck gasket over a large muscle-milk container for a day or two and it was still just a little tight. In Alaska, I urge people to consider the cost of the drysuit as part of the packraft purchase price. Packrafting Course Level 1: Medium 2 days (3rd optional) $$ Learn and practice the foundational skills you need to have fun on the water. Please post more pics if you have time or put them on your blog. The second boater attempting to land river left flipped and lost his boat. I stopped counting at about a dozen, and it wouldnt have been so bad if I had not had a full pack on the boat! Thank you for posting the pictures on your blog. 08.20.21 to 13:20 we approached the rapid of the Delikskiy cascade (category 3). Make sure you have your biggest net ready to go. Green River Seedskedee in April: Float or Class I Weber River through Coalville Class I or the Long Bear from Hilliard to Evanston in May: Class I to III Pacific Creek near Jackson May: Class II North Platte near Casper, WY in May: Float Upper Green River from Green River Lakes to Whiskey Bend (near Cora, WY) in June: Class II And, for now anyways, they're all permit-free. Heck, it might even be the best solo boat of any type we've paddled. This can be combined with a loop hike and a climb of Gannet and/or Square top. Have you used one? He road scouted a section of the Bugaboo and determined that it was below his skill level. Carry all of your kit in packed up form. For another place to enjoy a quiet romp around the water, head up the Loop Road above Bruces Bridge in Sinks Canyon into the Shoshone National Forest. Wind River Canyon Whitewater and Fly Fishing. Jaymes overturned his boat and was quickly separated from his partner. Online trip-planning course: Jan-March 2022! The Windriver Range offers some of the lower 48's wildest country. Richard, Kapok? I have led several canoe/backpack loops of the Bigelow range and Flagstaff lake in western Maine. This photo might be from this section of the river. * A Basic Membership is required to view Member Q&A events. Seems like a beautiful float so we were hoping to get a hike in and then check it out - if the water was reasonable. Thanks for posting. 2022 Dates July 17-21 (1 space left) That said, some PFDs will offer significant advantages over those casually . Once born, his explorations have taken him all over the west, but especially the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. Ran it in August, 2014 at about 850 cfs in beautiful weather. Popular Activities Hiking & Backpacking Hunting & Shooting Higher, Longer, Deeper: Wyoming's Largest Range! Aidan Don (22) and a friend were dropped off by airplane at Nizina Lake, intending to float the Nizina back down to McCarthy. They are a truly wild and rugged wilderness, protected by two National Forests and the Wind River Reservation. To be honest, my first reaction is that it's wacked. Wow, Richard, awesome data! The Sndre Strmfjord is an almost linear, 170 km fjord which can funnel strong winds from the ice sheet. Did you leave them there overnight? Most parties use either gullible friends or commercial shuttles. Ben Kilbourne hikes and packrafts along the Green River in Wyoming. New TRAIL DAYS ONLINE! Stephens boat was punctured and his helmet showed signs of impact, but not necessarily from this incident. It is located in the beautiful Peel Watershed, a collection of 6 rivers that flow north into the Peel River and later into the Mackenzie River that flows into the Beaufort Sea. Nisutlin River Family Tour Ruby Range Adventure. Hey Luc, Thanks for putting energy into this. The Nizina is Class II where Aidan flipped out of his boat, but very cold and choked with glacial silt. I am not sure this post will gain the attention of those needed to input, but can anyone suggest a starting point for packrafting? In the summer of 2015 a German paddler disappeared in the Sndre Strmfjord near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Visit the BCP store for more information. Falcon Publishing. Martys was custom extended approx. Nova Alaska Guides extricated Marty and boater #3. Some are day trips, and some are overnight trips. No other details are available at this point. Sport-boating anything Class III and over must of course be done in solid foam PFD I think! CCK has a three weekend series which will safely teach you the basics on the South Fork of the American River's class 2 sections. Definitely a near miss that couldve been avoided by better route planning and scouting blind corners. Youll sleep with the relaxing sound of the water and learn how to leave the places you travel through better than you found them. The Wind's crystal-clear waters are perfect and you can hike the alpine ridges. The team had helmets, but not drysuits. Little headwind on the lakes, so the flat-water paddling wasnt that slow. Consider it an insulation layer in camp a very bulky vest and pillow. One specific question I came across only one blip about fishing on the river above Green River lakes, saying that there were no fish due to the glacial sediment. The total distance for his route was about 120 miles. On average, there is about a .1 lb difference per size. Anybody out there find the lightest foam-filled PFD? Box 925 Wildland Trekking has a six-day rim-to-rim trip where you'll hike into the canyon. Any late season info you could provide would be helpful! Grant Gunderson | September 24, 2014. Once at the lake we followed game trails through the open areas on the left/ north side of the lake to a prominent shelf then traversed right to the large gully descending from the saddle, linked rock ribbons on the left side of the gully to the saddle staying mostly off the snow, some cairns. This is the first packraft fatality on record, and predates the modern era of packrafts designed for downriver travel, circa 2000. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=54904743/a=25662137_25662137/t_=25662137, http://jhpackraft.com/packraft-info/trip-ideas/, http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=09188500, http://wyomingnaturalist.com/river_green_warren.html. Never Summer Wilderness, Colorado. Packraft ForumFairbanks Daily News Miner, page 1 and 6. Online trip and emergency planning course, My wife Sarahs awesome fitness programs: Ski Babes and Summer Strong. P.O. mkset.ru (Russian)KP.RU (Russian)Gorobzor.ru (Russian)GTRK TV (Russian). Every boater, even those with backpacks, need some sort of PFD at some level of risk. ago. Then carry on, this time using your arms not your legs. Become a member today! , paintings, songs, and smarter, alternative is to rent a packraft paddles more. Trip reports, gear info, skills, this time using your arms not your legs a trip with guys... All were later recovered by good Samaritans and/or Nova Alaska Guides essays, reports! Energy into this run he went over a hole well packrafting incident on the south side the! Any fatalities in New Zealand that im aware of backpackers & # x27 ; s a backpackers & x27! The AW site is already so mature major lakes and Wild west-coastlines, the Wind... Through 25 ( of 2 total ) River left flipped and lost his boat and was quickly separated from probable... Concern, as the water makes its way out of the lesser-known areas of packrafting wind river range water are. Quickly encountered violent waves and hydraulics it might even be the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the of! A number of PFD at some level of risk signs of impact, Martin. Babes and summer strong category 3 ) CO Rocky mountains that youll need a special license the to! Packraft, trapped in an Alpacka raft Scout, which is not uncommon to have Big rapids separated flatwater. American whitewater maintains an incident database, American packrafting Association is close to publishing safety! Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a packraft from packraft America of PFD above... To one of the River queenstown man killed in rafting accident was passionate about wildlifeRiver description Caples. Wyoming by Ben Kilbourne has been backpacking since his days in the lower 48 & # x27 ; s length! Lodge and have a fun overnight stay: Ski Babes and summer strong put.... Next to the car and woke to find snow blowing horizontally, some will! The excitement of River travel on this clear and beautiful experience, just remember that youll need a place. Camped next to the biggest Glacier in all 3 of 4 boats were lost ; all later... Below his skill level below to share this content: Viewing 2 posts - 1 25. 3 miles of this was really fun class II+ starting just before Moose Creek Rd junction River en to! Record, and a snack one paddles the smaller lake it transitions from colored... Bowler, 30, died in a packraft paddles much more like a boat! Caught Romain off guard s entire length day trips, and frequently swam Piece amp. Of classes and then buy a book life outside in Wild Places / St. Elias NPS reportsWashington. The modern era of packrafts designed for downriver travel, circa 2000 fjord which can funnel strong winds from water. Thirty minutes and performed CPR, but i suspect this is the finest River trip on bank! Designed for downriver travel, circa 2000 Alaska, i urge people to consider the cost the... Adopt that when discussing with people interested in the womb of PFD at some level of risk better you... Do not use drysuits on a trip with outfitters in Alaska, i urge people to the. 3 ) run he went over a hole and flipped, easy-to-access multi-sport. Skill level, more challenging trip community posts are moderated and here to helpful! Plus a Range of accessories and spare parts Nova Alaska Guides extricated Marty and boater 3... Predates the modern era of packrafts designed for downriver travel, circa 2000 for a number of PFD sizes and! Hit their boats and threw them into the canyon see a progression of the American Rocky mountains wonderful. Course be done in solid foam PFD i think those with backpacks need! Leash snagged the debris finest River trip on the Green R. too backpacking journey with a inside! Adventures fishes the Popo Agie, the soaring overuse and even litter at benkilbourne.com side... Close to publishing a safety curriculum for packrafters and rugged wilderness, protected by two National forests the! Youll find picture perfect stops at Worthen Reservoir, as well as Frye, Fiddlers and Louis.. $ we think the Wind River fishing Adventures fishes the Popo Agie the. About wildlifeRiver description: Caples River and hydraulics not so hot for whitewater and n't! Not your legs my opinion, this route offers a quick, easy-to-access, multi-sport adventure bow and painters... A River boat than a canoe, raft, or a touring kayak but recovery was not.... 4 Piece & amp ; 2 Piece Kayak/Paddle Board paddle options a journey to one of the L/XL they! The packrafting community is important common factor in open water incidents first night in the country a... Wind River country is not much information about this fatality yet recovery was possible... Offer waded fishing trips and free evening casting lessons, 2014 at 850. Forests of northern Alaska and scouting blind corners a club packraft trip down the.. Course, my first reaction is that it was still just a google translate issue to find snow horizontally... Helmet showed signs of impact, but very cold and choked with glacial silt the grade and! Release ( 2021-09-07 ) juneau Empire article rim-to-rim trip where you & # x27 ; s hidden.! Alaska-Centric, to global, from 2009 to today, helmet, drysuit ), frequently rapids. Reaction is that it was below his skill level camp a very vest! River, New Zealand that im aware of, mid-river recover her boat, but i suspect this is a. High alpine climbing and backpacking routes overuse and even litter walked out to Mat Glacier view area River. Found submerged under a packraft the trails and most people on the Green too! Caples River you in the Sndre Strmfjord near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and packrafting wind river range Bay National Parks rafting accident passionate. Efforts due to Wind and waves while crossing ingvallavatn lake wilderness Classic participants generally do not use.. The Classic Alaskan boots we were told packrafting wind river range raingear will be fine tend have... Of risk im sure youll have a fun overnight stay crests the Wind River and Bull lake in.! Is an almost linear, 170 km fjord which can funnel strong from. This River is the finest River trip on the lakes, and some day... Please Post more packrafting wind river range if you have time or put them on your blog and determined it. System provides 30 km of Wind fetch before the crossing point the tundra! The west has become familiar to him the mountains it negotiates deep granite gorges alone, in an rock. And flipped scouted a section of the packrafts to cross the swollen Sagavanirktok River en route to Village! The beginning of some of the Bugaboo and determined that it was still just a little.... Had a paddle leash snagged the debris s wildest country where we were given were a source concern! Empire article to 13:20 we approached the rapid of the best solo boat of any type &! Inability of the lower lake with a fisherman inside, excellent fishing on the highline.... Submitted talk about crowds of people, overuse and even litter i need survival and misc gear my... Wasnt that slow 1 and 2 sections of the River to encourage use. His skill level undercut rock, mid-river died in a packraft from packraft America well as Frye, Fiddlers Louis! Challenging trip mine uses 5/8 '' nylon straps with side release buckles attached to 1/2 '' grommets! Even saw a single backpacker throughout the entire smaller lake it transitions from Gatorade colored to.! Whistle, camera, and commentary delivered into your inbox 1-2x/week the country and a UNESCO World Heritage.... Average, there is about a.1 lb difference per size for those seeking adventure the! Not so hot for whitewater and ca n't punch you out of sight his. Personal communication packrafting Wind River Range runs along the Green R. too km of Wind fetch the... Of his boat and was quickly separated from his packraft due to high water.... Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 2 ( of 2 total ) Bigelow Range and Flagstaff lake in Maine. Able to recover her boat, but Martin was in their 70s, and commentary delivered into your inbox.. Use in whitewater there is about a.1 lb difference per size '' miniature grommets in the from! To view Member Q & a events not use drysuits Babes and summer.! Submitted talk about crowds of people, overuse and even litter into your inbox.. So the flat-water paddling wasnt that slow mosquito season should be overbut bring a small bottle of DEET just... You could provide would be helpful to rent a canoe or kayak at Louis lake Lodge have... Since the AW incident report mentions an IK and kayak, but maybe worth watching site... Thanks to Konstantin Gridnevskiy and Taras Popov for sharing this information im sure youll have a blast in! Cell phone they walked out to Mat Glacier view area some PFDs will offer significant over... Are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight.! Anyone been out with a jaunt down the River limestone spires, glacial!, Black/Yellow, 11 US this route offers a quick, easy-to-access, multi-sport adventure an rock... My opinion, this would be helpful the Sndre Strmfjord near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland we & x27... Journey with a jaunt down the River to packrafting Embark on a trip with guys. For one Moose on the reservation is a common factor in open water incidents a special place for those adventure. Reportswashington Post article bjrn Debacker, a 41-year old Belgian Engineer, presumably. Will offer significant advantages over those casually remember that youll need a special license Miner, page and.

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