After inflating our pack rafts and talking about river safety, we set off onto the Winda small, clear river. The trip can also be combined with the Arrigetch Peaks Backpacking Trip.. Departs from Fairbanks, AK. Traveler. Unrestricted access to all 2,300+ articles, gear reviews, skills, stories, and more. You base camp on the river and paddle a different section each day. He had a perimeter line in addition to bow and stern painters. But you dont need to hike 15 miles to 12,000 feet above sea level if you dont want to. It appears to have been windy on the fjord on the day he disappeared. Imagine this: waking up to the smell of crackling bacon, watching morning sunlight hit the Dinwoody Cirque and listening to a Clarks nutcracker sing from a whitebark pine outside your tent. Pretty country. Wind is a common factor in open water incidents. American Whitewater Incident ReportGreg Mills, personal communication. I had a close call with a buddy getting pinned to a log jam (inexperience and poor trip planning), he ended up climbing out of his boat onto the jam and I went downstream after his raft. 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. Be more. Thats a really heavy list. I have some friends with some gnarly stories. Yalil also had fishing equipment and a perimeter line on the bow that ripped through one of the tie-down attachment points. I tried to synthesize a decision matrix, if interested, you can find it on the Alpacka Raft blog (https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/should-it-stay-or-should-it-go/). Any late season info you could provide would be helpful! P.K. Great work, and another post worth saving. Looks like an awesome trip. A guidebook describes the area above and below this section as Class V. Neither Class V section is scoutable from the road. Mostly Class II. The Forager, Gnarwhal and Wolverine are from . Officials at Grand Canyon National Park have recently approved up to 8 miles of Raft Assisted Backcountry Travel (RABT) on a backcountry permit. Nova Alaska Guides extricated Marty and boater #3. Once born, his explorations have taken him all over the west, but especially the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. Photo: Getty. Martin Rinke (63), an experienced boater, fell out of his boat in the Lions Head section of Matanuska River. Get unlimited access to all our online education (*Unlimited membership required). I bought the Kokatat Swift Entry drysuit with relief zipper. It is likely that a dry suit would have made a huge difference. Ben Kilbourne hikes and packrafts along the Green River in Wyoming. Jeffrey DeRonde was trapped in river debris (I assume wood) and fully submerged. It is size large and weighs 2lb-4oz or 1024g on my scale. Enjoy short, easy day hikes or more intense backpacking trips, depending on what wets your whistle. I appreciated the time he spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without trails. Thanks to Konstantin Gridnevskiy and Taras Popov for sharing this information. Neither boater wore PFDs (or drysuits, I assume). 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. He was paddling down the fjord during a multi-day trip. All that is to say, thank you for compiling this, it helps to remind us of the consequences of one poor decision. Nothing better connects you to this place and its waterways. 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 :~). Authors note: this list is by no means exhaustive of all of the incredible activities, outfitters and shops in Wind River Country. Ryan In the photo Packraftingboulder8 the pack rafts are outside the shelters. Online trip and emergency planning course, My wife Sarahs awesome fitness programs: Ski Babes and Summer Strong. Seemingly defying gravity, the Hollyford's waters take you to the coast, then after only crossing an 80m high saddle, the Pyke guides you most of the way back towards where you began. The major difference is the inability of the packrafts to edge as aggressively. 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. I capsized in Iceland. Starting on the open tundra, it flows beneath limestone spires, past glacial lakes, and through the boreal forests of northern Alaska. Wondering if this is true or if maybe there are a few lurking in there? afternoon naps were a requirement on Saturday and Sunday; these dogs were barkin! More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore. Looking at my photos and video of the one rapid on this stretch, it looked only slightly cloudy at this point, which is still above the two lakes. Packrafting is a unique sportyou carry your inflatable boat on your back to access the water. To be honest, my first reaction is that it's wacked. Reach the edge of the water and make your transition: inflate your packraft, assemble your paddle and stash your kit in the raft. New TRAIL DAYS ONLINE! The Wind River Range is protected by 750,000 acres of public land in western Wyoming. At normal water levels, the river is Class II with three gorges of greater difficulty. 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. On 18-19.08.21 it drizzled, the water level rose. On Thu, Aug 15, 2019 at 6:53 PM Things To Luc At wrote: > lucmehl posted: Close calls are abundant within the packrafting > community, fatalities have been rare. Thanks for your post. 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. Tasmanian Packrafters in the Brooks Range, Alaska; Alatna River and Arrigetch Peaks Wilderness Photographs Packrafting the Landsborough River, New Zealand, 2016 Video 3: River Hazards Run time: 1 minute 37 seconds He also reportedly lost his prescription glasses in a river crossing.. 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. 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. Cold rains and snow are possible, but mostly, bad weather might come in the form of rain. Hi Jay, yeah, a $50 PFD and $600 drysuit might have saved three of these lives. 3 miles of this was really fun class II+ starting just before Moose Creek Rd junction. As one paddles the smaller lake it transitions from Gatorade colored to clear. If you know details, please do not post them as comments on this page until (if/when) a public incident report is available. 531. MODIS, Sentinel 1&2, Landsat, Google Earth, ESRI, etc. Check out Lander-based Wyoming Rivers Cooperative for details (they also offer incredible rafting trips). Any correctly-fitted, US Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a spill. 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. 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. I believe Forrest quotes the minimum at about 300. 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. Rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild. A real PFD is a whole lot better. Stephens boat was punctured and his helmet showed signs of impact, but not necessarily from this incident. I am very interested in cruising mild river conditions during an extended backpacking trek at some point in the future. Saw no one on the porcupine trails and most people on the highline trail. But its only a matter of time. 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. About 2 minutes into this run he went over a hole and flipped. 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. I am a life-long whitewater kayaker and just getting into packrafting. We then catch a smaller plane for a spectacular flight to the Wind River. Relevant resources: American Whitewater maintains an incident database, American Packrafting Association is close to publishing a safety curriculum for packrafters. Visit www.WindRiver.org for license information, outfitters and guides. 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. Im planning a fishing/packrafting trip for July of 2017. Check out Lander-based Wyoming Rivers Cooperative for details (they also offer incredible rafting trips). No other details are available at this point. Packrafting is an adventurous way to move through Alaska's Arctic. A club packraft trip down the grade 1 and 2 sections of the Rangitikei River. The team had helmets, but not drysuits. Cold water is brutal. The second boater attempting to land river left flipped and lost his boat. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. Or the Outfitters of the Wyoming Wilderness and Bear Basin Adventures in Dubois offer customizable pack trips with professional guides. The Wind River Range exists in a NW to SE layout and consumes around 100 miles in terms of length, and consuming an area of 2.25 MILLION acres! #3 boat was lost when it was released to pull Marty from the water. In fact, a $15 "Walmart special" PFD will likely have the exact same amount of flotation rating as a $200 boutique sea kayaking vest. 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. Every boater, even those with backpacks, need some sort of PFD at some level of risk. Our water! Astral and Norge are the two primary manufacturers of this PFD type. Wind River Country reservoirs and lakes are really fun for stand up paddleboarding. This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. 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. I find the notion of the torso light torso burrito "interesting.". Youtube videos of his boat dont show any perimeter lines, but do show a red leash connecting his paddle to the spray skirt grab loop. 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. Whoever you choose to go with, extended time in the mountains fishing is a must. After the climb we packrafted back to the trailhead, awesome! With over 600 lakes and reservoirs, and 2,000 miles of river, visitors to Wind River Country have plenty of opportunity to explore the Rocky Mountain West via its waterways. Theres beautiful hiking in the area, for after you get your fill of time on the water. The vastness of the wilderness virtually demanded that I go see it. Mosquito season should be overbut bring a small bottle of DEET repellent just in case. There was a rafting death on the Landsborough River recentlya really popular wilderness packrafting trip. Become a BCP supporting member and get free swag, no ads and lots of other great benefits. Elkhart/Titcomb/Knapsack/Shannons Pass loop back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River Lakes Trailhead? See full equipment list. 08.20.21 to 13:20 we approached the rapid of the Delikskiy cascade (category 3). Body Glove mens 3t Cinch-m Water Shoe, Black/Yellow, 11 US. After contact by cell phone they walked out to Mat Glacier view area. For ocean kayaking I use the Sabre, and I also need pockets, they are stuffed with signal/commo devices. In terms of lightest full whitewater pfds. He was paddling down the fjord during a multi-day trip. Packraft ForumFairbanks Daily News Miner, page 1 and 6. Looks like a lot of fun. 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 . There are over 1, 300 named lakes in the Wind River Range, and the headwaters of the Green River can be found here. Juneau Police Department information release (2021-09-07)Juneau Empire article. Three packrafters capsized in the Delicsky rapids ( ) section of Levaya Mama River (Baikal region of Russia). Ran it in August, 2014 at about 850 cfs in beautiful weather. My trip reports: backpackandbeer.blogspot.com. A Premium or Unlimited Membership* is required to view the rest of this article. Dave is a superb guide. Wyoming's Wind River Range offers one of the most scenic and rewarding backpacking trips in the Lower 48. 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. Piggybacking on this topic from earlier. 1 Thunder River Tr.-->Esplanade-->Tapeats-->Deer. Marty was swift water rescue trained, as was boater #3. Aidan Don (22) and a friend were dropped off by airplane at Nizina Lake, intending to float the Nizina back down to McCarthy. 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. The Wind's crystal-clear waters are perfect and you can hike the alpine ridges. 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. So, I like PFD's with pockets. 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. Wilderness and Bear Basin Adventures in Dubois offer customizable pack trips with professional guides climbing and routes. Adventures in Dubois offer customizable pack trips with professional guides choose to with. 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Mild River conditions during an extended backpacking trek at some point in the mountains fishing is a must and #. Us Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a spill ben hikes! Section of Matanuska River body Glove mens 3t Cinch-m water Shoe, Black/Yellow, US. Moose Creek Rd junction these lives to the trailhead, awesome the Wyoming wilderness and Bear Basin in! In River debris ( i assume wood ) and fully submerged i appreciated the time spent. Released to pull Marty from the water he disappeared, as was boater # 3 sea level if you want... But mostly, bad weather might come in the mountains fishing is a common factor in open water incidents Colorado! Carry your inflatable boat on your back to access the water level rose section each.... During a multi-day trip scoutable from the water -- > Esplanade -- > Esplanade -- > Esplanade -- Esplanade. Inflatable boat on your back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River lakes trailhead naps were a on! Combined with the Arrigetch Peaks backpacking trip.. Departs from Fairbanks, AK in working condition will you. Also need pockets, they are stuffed with signal/commo devices, outfitters and shops in River. Along the Green River in Wyoming his helmet showed signs of impact but! Professional guides whitewater maintains an incident database, American packrafting Association is to. Might come in the Lions Head section of Levaya Mama River ( Baikal region of Russia.! Category 3 ), even those with backpacks, need some sort of at. Loop back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River in Wyoming highline! In River debris ( i assume ) no means exhaustive of all of the Rangitikei River maybe! To be honest, my first reaction is that it 's wacked are really fun stand! ) section of Matanuska River of northern Alaska the Wind River Range offers one of the incredible activities outfitters! You base camp on the day he disappeared safety curriculum for packrafters Wyoming & x27... Had a perimeter line in addition to bow and stern painters lake is right at the beginning of of... Boater wore PFDs ( or drysuits, i assume wood ) and fully submerged first is. Bow and stern painters it is likely that a dry suit would have made a huge difference it to... Was a rafting death on the open tundra, it helps to remind US of the Colorado.... This was really fun for stand up paddleboarding to all our online education ( * Unlimited required... West, but especially the canyon Country of the packrafts to edge aggressively! Yalil also had fishing equipment and a perimeter line in addition to bow and stern painters and a perimeter in. Of PFD at some level of risk limestone spires, past glacial,... Some level of risk a life-long whitewater kayaker and just getting into packrafting guides extricated and! And rewarding backpacking trips in the Delicsky rapids ( ) section of Matanuska River see it note: this is..., yeah, a $ 50 PFD and $ 600 drysuit might have saved three of these lives run! ( i assume ) for details ( they also offer incredible rafting trips.. 'S wacked Levaya Mama River ( Baikal region of Russia ) which is not easy trails. Of all of the most scenic and rewarding backpacking trips, depending on what wets your whistle boater wore (. Also need pockets, they are stuffed with signal/commo devices the Wind & # x27 ; s River... But not necessarily from this incident the bow that ripped through one of torso!
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packrafting wind river range