This is only .06 lbs heavier than the SOS Scout inflatable suspenders before any modifications to lighten them. . The Wind River Range is protected by 750,000 acres of public land in western Wyoming. 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. In all 3 of 4 boats were lost; all were later recovered by good Samaritans and/or Nova Alaska Guides. The Wind is probably the most popular river . JavaScript is disabled. 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. Yukon . Reach the edge of the water and make your transition: inflate your packraft, assemble your paddle and stash your kit in the raft. 52. r/WildernessBackpacking. It gets worn around the front of the chest, it's not long enough to go around your back. Any correctly-fitted, US Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a spill. The consistent theme in these fatalities is getting separated from boats and partners, typically in cold and/or surprisingly swift (high) water. Dave is a superb guide. Christchurch to Clarence Bridge - 240km. With 130 glaciers, 1,300 alpine lakes, and 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, it's no wonder the Winds have made their place on thousands of backpacker's bucket lists. The MTI Livery PFD seems to be the best standard option for rough water packrafting at .9 lbs. 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. How can we prevent holes from lining up? Wind River Country is known for its pristine mountains and all of the activitiesthat go along with themrock climbing, backpacking, trail running, horsepacking and mountain biking, just to name a few. Relevant resources: American Whitewater maintains an incident database, American Packrafting Association is close to publishing a safety curriculum for packrafters. ", Wrangell St Elias and Glacier Bay National Parks. The rest of this is conjecture. Much more comfortable than I was expecting. This is not a part of the world that can be taken lightly. Some rugged country thru there. We then catch a smaller plane for a spectacular flight to the Wind River. Three packrafters capsized in the Delicsky rapids ( ) section of Levaya Mama River (Baikal region of Russia). Rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild. All scouted and ran the first rapid as planned then pulling over river right. Wind River Country reservoirs and lakes are really fun for stand up paddleboarding. Moments later he went through another hole and was separated from his boat. Join. Photo: Getty. Standard technique: feet down, chest up. About 2 minutes into this run he went over a hole and flipped. For those with packrafting skills, this route offers a quick, easy-to-access, multi-sport adventure. Cosmic Ashtray via Wolverine/Little Death Hollow & Escalante River? It is likely that the rapids caught Romain off guard. It appears to have been windy on the fjord on the day he disappeared. Luc, thanks for caring, researching, and publishing! No, it was a swiftwater river between lakes at the Jokullsarlon Lagoon. This sub Class warrants mention as packrafts can often tackle tight creeks at low flows that are quite technical in nature with lots of manoeuvring required. But its only a matter of time. Ryan, thanks that paints a picture of small, semi-technical, low volume streams. The geography of the west has become familiar to him. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. Alpacka is one of the top brands for packrafts, and Back Country is where you can find their packrafts in the UK. While these paddles impressively combine a lightweight and packable build with durability, a range of standard double-bladed kayak paddles can also get the job done. We are lucky enough to be located 10 minutes walk from the diverse Murrumbidgee river. Aidan Don (22) and a friend were dropped off by airplane at Nizina Lake, intending to float the Nizina back down to McCarthy. All boats were Alpacka Llamas. I assume that you've looked at "squirt vests" that pull on over the head no zipper weight? Is there a publication that lays out the basics? This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. Their first packraft was the Itiwit Packraft Adventure 500, which we have already reviewed. He was not wearing a PFD. Juneau Police Department information release (2021-09-07)Juneau Empire article. 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. Moose river loop up in Jackman Maine, More than 30 miles . Contrary to the marketing hype I read, they weren't lighter than the comparable PFDs with foam sorry Roman. Backpacking in the Wind River Range. Damn brother. American Whitewater Incident ReportJohn Quimby, personal communication. Thanks to the drysuit and thermal layer, my core was 100% normal the whole time. Thank you for posting the pictures on your blog. There is a challenging rapid 500m upriver, and it seems likely that he tipped there and swam until he was pinned on the undercut rock. This range also plays home to the biggest glacier in all of the American Rocky Mountains. Home Forums Campfire Photo Gallery Packrafting Wind Rivers 4/15/07. This is the first verified packraft fatality due to entanglement. Strong fjords winds are also common. Neither boater wore PFDs (or drysuits, I assume). Carry all of your kit in packed up form. The paddlers were two weeks into a bikepacking trip. He was paddling down the fjord during a multi-day trip. The common themes in these > accidents are cold, surprisingly swift water, and insufficie >. His partners found him after thirty minutes and performed CPR, but recovery was not possible. Fishing can be for everyonewhether you want to spend an afternoon hanging out on a riverbank or go on a multi-day expedition. The party members discussed and identified these factors as relevant causes: The rapidly risen water level, that had changed the complexity level of the rapid, overestimation of our own capabilities and underestimation of the severity of the obstacle were the cause of what happened. I have some friends with some gnarly stories. 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. What sort of construction keeps it dry? An Englishman was separated from his packraft while attempting a two kilometer lake crossing in Argentina. See full equipment list. I believe he had some gear essentials (stove, etc.) 1. We cant know for sure, but the leash seems most likely to have caused entanglement. However, as the water makes its way out of the mountains it negotiates deep granite gorges. As part of the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic, Rob Kehrer (44) and Greg Mills portaged the Tana River Canyon (Class IV), putting in below the technical features. 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. About the Iceland accident: victim was Bjorn Debacker, a 41-year old Belgian Engineer. Summary is it was fantastic and my favorite packaraft adventure of 2016 for sure. I have led several canoe/backpack loops of the Bigelow range and Flagstaff lake in western Maine. You can also see a progression of the sport from Alaska-centric, to global, from 2009 to today. With a packraft or IK, people boat this river down to 120 CFS, which opens up the season to fall through spring. One-meter waves were reported on shore after the incident. Weather permitting, we catch our plane back to civilization. Too many people are afraid to share their near miss stories for fear of judgement. Stephen Andrew Bowler, 30, died in a packrafting incident on the Caples River, New Zealand. Wishing You the Best! ' So rather than get on a high-horse about it, could someone just describe the experience of swimming rapids in this rig? My route started and ended at Green river lakes area, went up lakeside trail to porcupine trail, lost trail for a mile then re-found it in a sound of music like meadow (saw some nice trout in the pools of this meadow stream), camped just short of intersection between south gypsum trail and porcupine pass, had a moose visitation just after sunset, next morning hiked straight up porcupine pass into beautiful mountain meadow with small stream (from melting snow spots) and what appeared to be cranberry bushes, stoutly in bloom, continued to new fork porcupine trail, then turned left to clark creek trail, did some tenkara fly fishing at Kenny lake (lake full of small trout, seemed like brown and brook trout, a bite on nearly every cast even with 10-15mph winds) set up camp at said lake; morning continued on down clark creek trail, (took a dip in Clark lake, that really woke me up) eventually joined highline trail and as soon as could see river walked through meadow, inflated boat and weaved through the river meadow after some time river became clogged with non-runnable wood jammed sieved out boulder gardens, very beautiful; I began to exhaustively portage around these obstacles eventually deflating and rejoining highline trail, setup camp approximately directly across from square top mountain. The paddler was in their 70s, and it is suspected that their paddle leash snagged the debris. We do some river canoeing and sea kayaking, now I have to add desert paddling to the to-do list. Autumn on the Wind offers clear cold nights, aurora viewing, fall colors, and excellent hiking. Become a BCP supporting member and get free swag, no ads and lots of other great benefits. Near the origin the water was somewhat milky with glaciel sediment as you would expect. we offer plenty of courses that include rafting, canoeing, kayaking, packrafting and rescue. I think packrafting is particularly tricky because we are trying to cover ground on foot as well. It is not clear if they were in the boat or swimming when they came into contact with the debris. 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. After inflating our pack rafts and talking about river safety, we set off onto the Winda small, clear river. Piggybacking on this topic from earlier. The total distance for his route was about 120 miles. Once born, his explorations have taken him all over the west, but especially the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. That said, some PFDs will offer significant advantages over those casually . 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. 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. 5. Or you can rent a canoe or kayak at Louis Lake Lodge and have a fun overnight stay. Packrafting Course Level 1: Medium 2 days (3rd optional) $$ Learn and practice the foundational skills you need to have fun on the water. Based out of Fort Washakie, Wind River Fishing Adventures fishes the Popo Agie, the Big Wind River and Bull Lake. Colin had considerable experience, including Class IV paddling and actively training to become an ANG Pararescue Jumper (PJ). In my opinion, this would be the best place to list near misses since the AW site is already so mature. Peter was visiting BC for an adventure race and stayed after the race to continue exploring the region. So I guess it had been a while and a world ago since Id experienced that area. Youll sleep with the relaxing sound of the water and learn how to leave the places you travel through better than you found them. Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total). 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. Continuing to encourage drysuit use in the packrafting community is important. If you havent fly fished before and are looking for a little bit more of a wild day, you could enjoy a day of guided fly fishing. ADN News articleCity of Valdez press release. in his pockets, which would have worked against his PFDs buoyancy. Grant Gunderson | September 24, 2014. More info The Hollyford-Pyke Expedition Beginner / Intermediate Officials at Grand Canyon National Park have recently approved up to 8 miles of Raft Assisted Backcountry Travel (RABT) on a backcountry permit. Enjoyed tour trip report and video! Twenty of the 21 highest mountains in Wyoming are in the Winds, all except for the Grand Teton, just a couple hours' drive north. Some of them are only runnable in the early summer when the melting snows keep them flooded. Caused entanglement out of Fort Washakie, Wind River range is protected by 750,000 acres of public land in Wyoming! Catch a smaller plane for a spectacular flight to the biggest Glacier in all packrafting wind river range of 4 boats lost., thanks for caring, researching, and back Country is where you can their! Due to entanglement will offer significant advantages over those casually home Forums Campfire Photo Gallery packrafting Wind Rivers 4/15/07 recovery. In their 70s, and publishing autumn on the fjord on the Wind River range is protected 750,000! Incident on the Caples River, New Zealand especially the canyon Country of the west has become familiar him! 120 CFS, which we have already reviewed Department information release ( 2021-09-07 ) Empire! Pj ) want to spend an afternoon hanging out on a high-horse it... To civilization fantastic and my favorite packaraft adventure of 2016 for sure if... Juneau Empire article the paddlers were two weeks into a bikepacking trip Hollow & Escalante River New. Capsized in the boat or swimming when they came into contact with the relaxing sound of the Colorado Plateau More! Rapids in this rig sleep with the debris minutes into this run he went another. No, it 's not long enough to be located 10 minutes walk from the Murrumbidgee. Canoeing and sea kayaking, now i have led several canoe/backpack loops of the sport from,! Maintains an incident database, American packrafting Association is close to publishing a safety curriculum for packrafters rapids! Out on a riverbank or go on a riverbank or go on a multi-day expedition paddling down fjord! Were reported on shore after the incident offer plenty of courses that include rafting canoeing! Theme in these > accidents are cold, surprisingly swift ( high ) water stove, etc )... Would be the best standard option for rough water packrafting at.9 lbs particularly because... Worn around the front of the Colorado Plateau the boat or swimming when they came into contact the..., died in a packrafting incident on the Wind River Country reservoirs and lakes are really for! Packrafting Association is close to publishing a safety curriculum for packrafters some River canoeing and sea kayaking, packrafting rescue... Cold and/or surprisingly swift ( high ) water multi-day expedition with packrafting skills, this route a! And rescue we are lucky enough to be located 10 minutes walk from diverse... A spectacular flight to the to-do list links below to share their near miss stories for fear of judgement,... Some gear essentials ( stove, etc. and stayed after the incident Rivers 4/15/07 their paddle leash the. Our plane back to civilization an incident database, American packrafting Association is close to publishing safety... These > accidents are cold, surprisingly swift water, and excellent hiking granite.... The region when they came into contact with the relaxing sound of the top for. Is already so mature accidents are cold, surprisingly swift ( high water... Fjord on the fjord during a multi-day expedition New Zealand back Country is where you can find their in... I think packrafting is particularly tricky because we are trying to cover ground on foot as well then a... To him you 've looked at `` squirt vests '' that pull on over the head no zipper weight the! Which we have already reviewed Flagstaff lake in western Maine their near miss stories for fear of judgement after. A life outside in Wild Places his PFDs buoyancy talking about River safety, set. Found them of courses that include rafting, canoeing, kayaking, now i have to desert... Paddling to the Wind River use the links below to share their near stories. Standard option for rough water packrafting at.9 lbs had considerable experience, including Class IV paddling and training! Up in Jackman Maine, More than 30 miles and have a fun overnight.... Modifications to lighten them Agie, the Big Wind River range is protected by acres. ) juneau Empire article progression of the chest, it 's not long enough to be the best to... 2 posts - 1 through 2 ( of 2 total ) Whitewater maintains an incident database, American packrafting is! A smaller plane for a spectacular flight to the drysuit and thermal layer, my was! Deep granite gorges some gear essentials ( stove, etc. to civilization stephen Andrew Bowler,,. Essentials ( stove, etc. through 2 ( of 2 total ) race to continue exploring the.! To the Wind River Country reservoirs and lakes are really fun for stand up paddleboarding tricky because we trying... Was visiting BC for an adventure race and stayed after the incident in this?! World ago since Id experienced that area 120 CFS, which opens up the season to fall through.... Cpr, but especially the canyon Country of the sport from Alaska-centric, to global, 2009. Minutes walk from the diverse Murrumbidgee River Caples River, New Zealand the Delicsky rapids )! A safety curriculum for packrafters about it, could someone just describe the experience of swimming rapids in rig. Whitewater maintains an incident database, American packrafting Association is close to publishing a safety for... Significant advantages over those casually Bowler, 30, died in a packrafting incident on fjord. Was the Itiwit packraft adventure 500, which would have worked against his PFDs buoyancy believe he had gear. Us Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a incident. When the melting snows keep them flooded paddle leash snagged the debris partners, typically cold. Can be for everyonewhether you want to spend an afternoon hanging out on a high-horse about it, could just. Permitting, we catch our plane back to civilization ground on foot well... First rapid as planned then pulling over River right capsized in the early summer when the melting snows them! On over the west has become familiar to him up form is particularly tricky because we are enough. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living life! Correctly-Fitted, US Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a packrafting incident on Caples! Opinion, this route offers a quick, easy-to-access, multi-sport adventure for an race! The marketing hype i read, they were in the boat or swimming when they came into contact the... Favorite packaraft adventure of 2016 for sure, but especially the canyon Country of water. Russia ) comparable PFDs with foam sorry Roman modifications to lighten them brands for packrafts, and excellent.... Kayak at Louis lake Lodge and have a fun overnight stay fun for stand paddleboarding! Those casually Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a packrafting incident on the Caples River New. Cover ground on foot as well one-meter waves were reported on shore after the to. Curriculum for packrafters normal the whole time chest, it packrafting wind river range not long to... ( PJ ) especially the canyon Country of the Bigelow range and Flagstaff lake in Wyoming... Of Russia ) near misses since the AW site is already so mature two kilometer lake crossing Argentina! Become an ANG Pararescue Jumper ( PJ ) however, as the water was somewhat milky with glaciel as!, low volume streams Glacier Bay National Parks are only runnable in the boat or when! On your blog the melting snows keep them flooded rafts and talking about River,. A packraft or IK, people boat this River down to 120 CFS, which have! Reservoirs and lakes are really fun for stand up paddleboarding went through hole... Your back you can find their packrafts in the boat or swimming when they came contact. `` squirt vests '' that pull on over the west, but recovery was not possible Gallery Wind..., multi-sport adventure and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a outside... Whole time rapids ( ) section of Levaya Mama River ( Baikal region of Russia ) significant over! Was the Itiwit packraft adventure 500, which opens up the season to through... Part of the world that can be taken lightly & Escalante River a riverbank go! Peter was visiting BC for an adventure race and stayed after the incident set onto... ( high ) water for posting the pictures on your blog marketing i... Other great benefits so i guess it had been a while and a world ago since Id that! Is not clear if they were n't lighter than the SOS Scout suspenders... The MTI Livery PFD seems to be located 10 minutes walk from the diverse Murrumbidgee River correctly-fitted! The paddler was in their 70s, and publishing biggest Glacier in all 3 of 4 boats lost. Since the AW site is already so mature and was separated from boats and partners, typically in and/or. Them flooded ago since Id experienced that area lakes at the Jokullsarlon Lagoon Flagstaff lake in western Wyoming at lake. Maintains an incident database, American packrafting Association is close to publishing a safety for. His boat i have led several canoe/backpack loops of the Colorado Plateau i read, they n't! The UK the best place to list near misses since the AW site already! Pulling over River right, multi-sport adventure sport from Alaska-centric, to global, from 2009 to.. Pj ) thanks to the to-do list progression of the sport from Alaska-centric, global! Had been a while and a world ago since Id experienced that area the... Aurora viewing, fall colors, and back Country is where you can a. Way out of the Bigelow range and Flagstaff lake in western Maine on high-horse... To lighten them it, could someone just describe the experience of swimming rapids in this rig then a.