Packraft

Does anyone packraft? I've been eying them for a while now. And thinking of pulling the trigger.

Any help will be appreciated. And if you do packraft what adventures have you gone on?

Thanks
Edsel

 

Is it like an inflatable kayak? I looked at an inflatable kayak and wasn’t sure if it would hold up. But I’m considering one again. A lot easier than putting them on top of the truck.

 

Its similar. Looking at alpaca rafts.

 

I’ve got two Alpaca pack kayaks. Not cheap. It made in USA (Colorado) by hand and definitely portable. I’ve used mine in AK on rivers; nothing above Class II/III but I have seen dudes do >10’ waterfalls in them. You can’t beat the portability and they’re really tough.

 

Thats exactly what I want to do! It's a bucket list item to go over a waterfall.

Which alpaca raft do you have? Have you done any overnight camping or multi day trips?

 

I would love to have one but man they are so expensive. Just can't justify it right now.

 

I've got the Classic with Cargo Fly addition. Crazy that you can stuff sacks into the inflated tube! Just 1 overnight's worth of gear unless you've got some other folks to spread the logistics footprint.

 

Alpacka's are nice. Beyond my budget. currently. Alpacka started in AK then moved production here to Mancos, CO. A group buy would catch my interest!

 

A friend of mine did a multi day moose hunt with his. I know another guy who did a week float in the Bob Marshall Wilderness with them.

 

… so easy an 18 month old can do it!

 

Great pic!!

 

Thanks—little tyke is Alaskan Native (Yupik Indian) so it’s cool to see how much he loved the water. A natural kayaker!

 

Side bar>>>I've got a very rare first print black & white photo of a Yupik man in a seal skin kayak in full winter fur/caribou skin clothing just after the turn of the last century. The man that took the pic was the architect of the famous Sears Tower. He vacationed with his family in AK back in the day. I have more first prints. All have personal notes on the back of each pic by him. Quite a rare glimpse into AK history during the Victorian Era. The mounted prints are in my storage unit. I've been clearing the unit out. I finally spotted the box with the prints. I'll post up pics on my Venom thread. I have a lot of 100+ year old AK pics and more. Cost me a small fortune....

 

Very cool! Our little guy came to be with us at 3 days of age; we adopted him 6 months later. Total fluke that we were able to adopt a Native child—total God thing. He’s now 6, has a 28” waist and weighs 77lbs. Playing tackle football for the first time this fall and he’s STOKED!

 

God bless you for that! My grandson that I'm taking care of is 6 and weights 55! A little fart. I don't need to tell you how important it is for you to understand 1st Nation history up there with a native son. How great that is. I'm so happy for you! I met several native folks up there. The most wonderful people you ever will meet! I was there for a short time. 10 months in 2012. I don't mean to sidetrack this thread but not the first time for me. Ha!
Have to ask.....You and wife plan on adopting a sister for him? PM me if you want. I've derailed this thread enough! I would like one of those Alpacka's.

 

I was thinking of getting a canoe but I've wanted a alpaca raft for a while and they are easier to store. A few friends and I are thinking of canoeing/rafting from Columbia, SC to Charleston, SC. It will be a multi day trip.

 

… mosquitoes

 

True but science can help with that

 

So I think I narrowed it down to either the Mule or Explorer 42. I will be using it for a couple multiple day camping trips a year with my dog and friends. Just concerned that it will be too big for day adventures on rivers and lakes. I’m leaning more toward the Mule.