The trip can also be combined with the Arrigetch Peaks Backpacking Trip.. Departs from Fairbanks, AK. If fast is more your speed, rent a motor boat or a jet ski from the marina and cruise around with an engine doing the work. Wrangell / St. Elias NPS Incident reportsWashington Post article. 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. This photo might be from this section of the river. I am sure that a custom PFD could be created that weighs less than the MTI Livery but, the safety tolerance would probably be lower. ", "Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive. 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. Join. There has been some discussion about how they were able to rent boats without safety equipment. The nature of the river at their put in was cold, silty, with large hydraulics, but technically Class II. 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. Waters with > Class 3 or strainers etc. Richard, I *normally* use an SOS inflatable BUT I forgot it in the car, so I wasn't wearing a PFD. I strongly recommend the Trinity River venue for a true wilderness experience combined with the learning. 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. Lodging, non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, waterproof river bag, fishing gear, and fishing license. Climbed Squaretop the next day via the 3rd/4th class scramble from Granite Lake. On 18-19.08.21 it drizzled, the water level rose. 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). Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. A two car shuttle for a party of 4-5 can involve 938 km for one vehicle. 2.5 inches to accommodate his long legs. They have seven options for rafts, plus a range of accessories and spare parts. If you own one, bring it along, and if you dont, you can buy one of your own at Murdochs in Riverton. We cant know for sure, but the leash seems most likely to have caused entanglement. No, it was a swiftwater river between lakes at the Jokullsarlon Lagoon. I will soon own one of those Kokatats. So I guess it had been a while and a world ago since Id experienced that area. Based on his YouTube channel, hidasurf might only have had three months experience, liked running steep creeks at shallow water (Class II-III), and was often or always paddling alone. . 2023WindRiverVisitorsCouncil. Check out Lander-based Wyoming Rivers Cooperative for details (they also offer incredible rafting trips). I could head into the Uintas again and meander between familiar pines and emerge at familiar lakes in familiar bowls where moundy rock lifts up on all sides. Thanks for posting. We set up camp and enjoy our first night in the wilderness. I have led several canoe/backpack loops of the Bigelow range and Flagstaff lake in western Maine. If you get hot, jump in the river for a cool down. Like the fiber from the tropical tree? Backcountry access Bettles, AK. In the northern end of the range the shrinking glaciers provide enough water to keep some of them floatable throughout the summer. Home Forums Campfire Photo Gallery Packrafting - Wind Rivers - 4/15/07. Joe Hutto, The Light in High . This could be you on a fishing expedition. Im looking forward to not updating this page. Im sure youll have a blast anywhere in the wind river range however. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Geographic; Being Caribou, Karsten Heuer; Arctic Dreams,Barry Lopez; Packrafting!, Roman Dial. 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. They offer waded fishing trips and free evening casting lessons. Many of the creeks, like the Dinwoody . http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/15/index.html. You are using an out of date browser. An Englishman was separated from his packraft while attempting a two kilometer lake crossing in Argentina. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. For those with packrafting skills, this route offers a quick, easy-to-access, multi-sport adventure. 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. During the passage of the rapid, all our three boats were overturned, two of us managed to reach the right bank. Peter was paddling alone, in an Alpacka Raft Scout, which is not intended for use in whitewater. It's hard to imagine a trip that's as action-packed and scenic as packrafting the Escalante River in Utah. Another Wind River Trip Planning! Aidan Don (22) and a friend were dropped off by airplane at Nizina Lake, intending to float the Nizina back down to McCarthy. Starting on the open tundra, it flows beneath limestone spires, past glacial lakes, and through the boreal forests of northern Alaska. I know BAD! Im planning a fishing/packrafting trip for July of 2017. We are positioned for easy access to many Wyoming Rivers and currently offer raft and packraft trips on the Popo Agie River, Wind River, Sweetwater River, and Green River. Falcon Publishing. Titcomb Basin. 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. If the paddle leash is strong enough to hold a pinned boat or paddler in mild current, it is a potential killer. I cancelled a river trip the next day on that note and went day hiking instead. But whats our best kept secret? Saw no one on the porcupine trails and most people on the highline trail. Martys was custom extended approx. They are a truly wild and rugged wilderness, protected by two National Forests and the Wind River Reservation. Little headwind on the lakes, so the flat-water paddling wasnt that slow. Any correctly-fitted, US Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a spill. Damn brother. 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! I underestimated the river and capsized in a river-wide ledge. Moose river loop up in Jackman Maine, More than 30 miles . Or the Outfitters of the Wyoming Wilderness and Bear Basin Adventures in Dubois offer customizable pack trips with professional guides. I have a 9 oz SOS inflatable that I trimmed, but they are wholly uncomfortable while paddling (restrict mobility) and too hard to inflate on the fly if you bite it. 02:45. 1080p HDI crossed the Brooks Range from the valley of the Hulahula river on the north to Arctic Village on the south side.Packrafting in the Gates of the Arc. 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. For our summer vacation in 2015 we decided to spend a week in August backpacking the Wind River Range in Wyoming. 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. Ben Kilbourne has been backpacking since his days in the womb. 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. Most parties use either gullible friends or commercial shuttles. The general plan is to start at the Spring Creek trailhead near Pinedale, spend a few days hiking and fishing our way over into the green river drainage, and then floating out to Green River lakes. The Bull River is a delightful paddle in the foothills of the Alaska Range. Packrafting is a unique sportyou carry your inflatable boat on your back to access the water. You base camp on the river and paddle a different section each day. I am not aware of any publication that teaches the basics of packrafting but, there are many that teach river kayaking. Sounds like a good decision! The classic Alaskan boots we were given were a source of concern, as well. I capsized in Iceland. Great work, and another post worth saving. Obviously this river is not suitable for our 16 footer, though! 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 :~). Any late season info you could provide would be helpful! To the degree possible, these incidents were used to inform the content of The Packraft Handbook. Stop in at a local fly shop like the Lander Fly Shop, Cutthroat Fly Shop in Dubois or Rocky Mountain Discount Sports in Riverton, where youll be able to buy your fishing license (or directed how to do it), buy the flies that are hatching and ask for some local beta about the hot spots. No other details are available at this point. I started looking at maps of the Wind River Range but despite the obvious beauty nothing was really jumping out at me there either. What follows is a general flow of events. American Whitewater Incident ReportJohn Quimby, personal communication. It is not clear if they were in the boat or swimming when they came into contact with the debris. It's fine with me for folks to take whatever risks that they wish, as long as they are informed. Unrestricted access to all forums, plus the ability to post and start new threads. . New TRAIL DAYS ONLINE! You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. Starting on the open tundra, it flows beneath limestone spires, past glacial lakes, and through the boreal forests of northern Alaska. Visit www.WindRiver.org for license information, outfitters and guides. Near the origin the water was somewhat milky with glaciel sediment as you would expect. Body Glove mens 3t Cinch-m Water Shoe, Black/Yellow, 11 US. Online trip and emergency planning course, My wife Sarahs awesome fitness programs: Ski Babes and Summer Strong. Can we expect a review? Insufficient safety equipment (PFD and/or drysuit) was common in the earlier incidents, and perhaps less so more recently. Such a joy to spend days where time was meaningless. Hot showers are in order! Three packrafters capsized in the Delicsky rapids ( ) section of Levaya Mama River (Baikal region of Russia). For someone not at all familiar with this region- when specifically? Very speculative, but a nearby airport reported SE wind gusts of 44 km/h (27 mph) on the 25th. The Wind River Range mountains are very different from peaks in Colorado. Too many people are afraid to share their near miss stories for fear of judgement. The Forager, Gnarwhal and Wolverine are from . 09-09-2016, 08:05 #7. Pack less. I ran in from Beaver Park about 10 days ago at 420 CFS, https://waterdata.usgs.gov/wy/nwis/uv?site_no=09188500. This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. Relevant resources: American Whitewater maintains an incident database, American Packrafting Association is close to publishing a safety curriculum for packrafters. From the toe of the glacier, the river leaves the lake and heads through a windy mini . 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. The highest point on this loop is Texas Pass at 11,500 feet above sea level. 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). Piggybacking on this topic from earlier. And yup there are some big creeks flowing from those hills. However, as the water makes its way out of the mountains it negotiates deep granite gorges. We did this on the first weekend in December. You can see some photos from a trip I did with my wife, Amy, last summer at http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=54904743/a=25662137_25662137/t_=25662137. Ryan In the photo Packraftingboulder8 the pack rafts are outside the shelters. 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