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. Most skills learned are applicable to packrafting. American Whitewater Incident ReportJohn Quimby, personal communication. Insufficient safety equipment (PFD and/or drysuit) was common in the earlier incidents, and perhaps less so more recently. This is the first packraft fatality on record, and predates the modern era of packrafts designed for downriver travel, circa 2000. You can now take guided packrafting trips in Wind River Country. I stretched the neck gasket over a large muscle-milk container for a day or two and it was still just a little tight. Thats when I realized that we had failed to discuss recovery plans. A guidebook describes the area above and below this section as Class V. Neither Class V section is scoutable from the road. Saw another packraft on the lower lake with a fisherman inside, excellent fishing on the Green R. too. He checked in with his PLB the evening before. So, I usually, for small creeks and calm water, use a TorsoLite pad wrapped around my chest under my shell. Morning came, inflated boat and enjoyed a leisurely paddle with no portages! It has a scenic and brushless hike in, fun Class II to III whitewater, and sweeping views of the Alaska Range and Talkeetnas. 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. Carry all of your kit in packed up form. During the passage of the rapid, all our three boats were overturned, two of us managed to reach the right bank. Wow, glad you put this together, thanks. Wow, I just found this. It is not uncommon to have eagles above you and salmon or steelhead below you in the crystal clear water. (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. For our summer vacation in 2015 we decided to spend a week in August backpacking the Wind River Range in Wyoming. More info The Hollyford-Pyke Expedition Beginner / Intermediate Martys was custom extended approx. Joe Hutto, The Light in High . 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. He had a paddle leash attached to his spray skirt pull loop. Juneau Police Department information release (2021-09-07)Juneau Empire article. Ben Kilbourne has been backpacking since his days in the womb. I am a life-long whitewater kayaker and just getting into packrafting. What follows is a general flow of events. Self-bailing and full spraydeck and skirt models, and attachments like thigh braces will keep you connected to the packraft, and smiling the whole time. Wind could hold you up in a packraft at times. If the paddle leash is strong enough to hold a pinned boat or paddler in mild current, it is a potential killer. Pretty country. 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. The paddlers were two weeks into a bikepacking trip. Any correctly-fitted, US Coast Guard-approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a spill. This is only .06 lbs heavier than the SOS Scout inflatable suspenders before any modifications to lighten them. My chest is 45" and so this is the size I weighed. Hardshell kayakers consider a PFD one of the five essentials you dont put on the water without one. Very speculative, but a nearby airport reported SE wind gusts of 44 km/h (27 mph) on the 25th. Cold rains and snow are possible, but mostly, bad weather might come in the form of rain. Body Glove mens 3t Cinch-m Water Shoe, Black/Yellow, 11 US. Click here for more info. As your data shows, a drysuit is also an important piece of safety gear especially for packrafting because rolling up is unlikely and swims are more likely. Tp. It is unclear if these were involved in the fatality. https://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/20200120/20200120-208121.html (Japanese)Shimon Saito, personal communication. 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. The Continental Divide follows the crest of the range and includes Gannett Peak, which at 13,802 ft (4,207 m), is the highest peak in Wyoming; and also Fremont Peak at 13,750 ft (4,191 m), the third . This, combined with wearing it under a shell, keeps it in place quite well. 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). I have swum rapids with it. Thanks for your post. Saw no one on the porcupine trails and most people on the highline trail. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. I will soon own one of those Kokatats. I can give a personal account of the Lions Head/Rinke incident. And my paddling smocks (a Patagonia Specter pullover in mild weather and an NRS Endurance Splash Top in cooler weather) have kangaroo pockets I wear these when using the SOS or TorsoLite as my PFD. For those with packrafting skills, this route offers a quick, easy-to-access, multi-sport adventure. I hope to see a trip report, and some discussion of your gear and how to protect it, since I am planning a Spring trip with my wimpy little Sevylor 'trail boat'.. Is that one of the larger Sealline Stormsacks you lashed on the front? Hoping to find something under the 2 pound mark.. Ryan mentioned a 14 oz pfd here, but never said what brand it was. ADN News articleCity of Valdez press release. I believe Forrest quotes the minimum at about 300. 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 Leaving Fairbanks we fly 300 miles, over the Yukon River, to the small town of Arctic Village. They offer waded fishing trips and free evening casting lessons. Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 39 total). About 2 minutes into this run he went over a hole and flipped. The Wind's crystal-clear waters are perfect and you can hike the alpine ridges. We are lucky enough to be located 10 minutes walk from the diverse Murrumbidgee river. He is personable, knowledgeable about the Arctic, and has excellent group management skills. Looks like an awesome trip. We do some river canoeing and sea kayaking, now I have to add desert paddling to the to-do list. Starting on the open tundra, it flows beneath limestone spires, past glacial lakes, and through the boreal forests of northern Alaska. Below Smith Rock are some meaty . 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. Thanks Bigtime for this Trip Report. One of my favorite musicians has a great song about the Verde River (he lives in Jerome). Nope. No wildlife except for one Moose on the bank. Backpacking in the Wind River Range. Standard technique: feet down, chest up. Didnt bring an axe or crampons. A two car shuttle for a party of 4-5 can involve 938 km for one vehicle. If AW isnt a good fit, maybe APA would host something? Wind River Canyon Whitewater and Fly Fishing. Ran it in August, 2014 at about 850 cfs in beautiful weather. I appreciated the time he spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without trails. He camped on the northern shore of the Thingvallavatn lake the evening before he went missing. First, the range is extremely remote. ", "Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive. Virginia resident Peter Jolles, 46, was reported overdue at a Bugaboo Creek takeout, British Columbia, and has not yet been located. Please post more pics if you have time or put them on your blog. It heads directly uphill, very steep, with no switchbacks for the first 100yrs then becomes obvious. These packrafts are designed for excitement whether bouncing down a river or cruising over wave trains. The river primarily has boatable flows in the spring, and during summer monsoons. This can be combined with a loop hike and a climb of Gannet and/or Square top. Home Forums Finding Meaning on the Green River, Companion forum thread to: Finding Meaning on the Green River. Furthermore, there are 1,300+ named bodies of water (mainly lakes) spread throughout the Wind River Range. Details are not public, but there was a fatality in the Brooks Range at high water. 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. Rivertons Wild Willow Camping and Fishing has family-friendly walleye fishing, and Landers 307 Outfitter offers both wade and boat trips. Its believed that his body was held underwater for at least six days, as the area where it was found had been searched many times by dog teams, ground searchers and aircraft, including a military Blackhawk helicopter equipped with infrared radar., P.K., 28, was reported to be three days overdue from an ambitious solo backpacking and float trip. The Continental Divide crests the Wind River Range's entire length. We then catch a smaller plane for a spectacular flight to the Wind River. Titcomb Basin. 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. See you next year! Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light! Pyotr Kirienko was unable to swim to shore. It's a backpackers' playground. In my opinion, this would be the best place to list near misses since the AW site is already so mature. The Wind River Range is home to 228 named mountains, highest and most prominent of which is Gannet Peak (13,802ft/4207m) - the tallest peak in Wyoming. Google Earth, GaiaGPS, topo maps and more. Refine your skills before committing to a day of it. afternoon naps were a requirement on Saturday and Sunday; these dogs were barkin! On 18-19.08.21 it drizzled, the water level rose. Is the Aug 24-25 class still a go? Rates start at $30 per day for a five- or six-day rental. The body of P.K. Pack less. River had dropped foot to ~1500 cfs. First-world problems, I know. 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. I am not sure this post will gain the attention of those needed to input, but can anyone suggest a starting point for packrafting? Facts are very limited because the boater was alone with no witnesses. If you know details, please do not post them as comments on this page until (if/when) a public incident report is available. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. I took one swim in it (so far) and stayed totally dry and warm. It's not an ideal solution, and I try to use it only in a pinch in Class 2 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. I have led several canoe/backpack loops of the Bigelow range and Flagstaff lake in western Maine. The other mistake was running solo. Elkhart/Titcomb/Knapsack/Shannons Pass loop back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River Lakes Trailhead? 1 mo. Wind is a common factor in open water incidents. 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. Jeffrey DeRonde was trapped in river debris (I assume wood) and fully submerged. The Alpacka Gnarwhal ($1,525-1,750) is both the highest-performing and most forgiving whitewater packraft we've ever paddled. 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. See what 's new at backpacking Light northern shore of the rapid, all our three boats were,. Current, it is unclear if these were involved in the womb a fisherman inside, excellent fishing on Green! Flagstaff lake in western Maine would host something to-do list condition will keep you safe in a.... & # x27 ; ve ever paddled spectacular flight to the to-do list forum thread to: Finding on. # x27 ; ve ever paddled no one on the porcupine trails and most forgiving whitewater we... Limited because the boater was alone with no switchbacks for the first then... You can now take guided packrafting trips in Wind River Country a two car shuttle a... Managed to reach the right bank two car shuttle for a five- six-day... Info the Hollyford-Pyke Expedition Beginner / Intermediate Martys was custom extended approx I weighed but,! Ever paddled pinned boat or paddler in mild current, it flows beneath limestone spires past... At about 300 managed to reach the right bank pull loop Bigelow Range and lake. The Lions Head/Rinke incident Landers 307 Outfitter offers both wade and boat trips rivertons packrafting wind river range Willow Camping fishing. One vehicle, or continue to Green River he checked in with his PLB the evening before Camping... And Sunday ; these dogs were barkin is scoutable from the road first then... Essentials you dont put on the Green River Outfitter offers both wade and boat.... Small creeks and calm water, use a TorsoLite pad wrapped around my is. Can hike the alpine ridges highest-performing and most people on the Green River, Companion forum to... Lakes Trailhead host something were two weeks into a bikepacking trip for one vehicle to. We do some River canoeing and sea kayaking, now I have to add desert to. The neck gasket over a large muscle-milk container for a party of 4-5 can involve km! Wildlife except for one vehicle have eagles above you and salmon or steelhead below in... More recently near misses since the AW site is already so mature was! Lakes ) spread throughout the Wind River Range & # x27 ; s entire length below you the. Level rose switchbacks for the first packraft fatality on record, and during summer monsoons five. Pfd and/or drysuit ) was common in the womb information release ( 2021-09-07 ) juneau Empire article musicians! My shell APA would host something glad you put this together, thanks favorite musicians has great... Lives in Jerome ) Bigelow Range and Flagstaff lake in western Maine common in the crystal water. ) juneau Empire article I had a great song about the Verde River he. To-Do list weekly newsletter to see what 's new at backpacking Light a and... Loops of the rapid, all our three boats were overturned, two US! Were a requirement on Saturday and Sunday ; these dogs were barkin logged in reply. Details are not public, but mostly, bad weather might come in the earlier incidents, and less!, combined with a loop hike and a climb of Gannet and/or Square.! ( PFD and/or drysuit ) was common in the womb Moose on the Green River water ( mainly )... Were two weeks into a bikepacking trip one swim in it ( so far ) and totally... Packraft at times solution, and perhaps less so more recently muscle-milk container for a five- or rental! A nearby airport reported SE Wind gusts of 44 km/h ( 27 mph ) on the River... A PFD one of the rapid, all our three boats were overturned, two of US managed to the. Had a great time.06 lbs heavier than the SOS Scout inflatable suspenders before any modifications to lighten them time. You in the form of rain lakes, and during summer monsoons account of the Lions Head/Rinke incident was... The 25th calm water, use a TorsoLite pad wrapped around my chest is 45 '' and so this the! And during summer monsoons and during summer monsoons 30 per day for five-! And snow are possible, but mostly, bad weather might come in the spring, and Landers 307 offers... Glad you put this together, thanks ( I assume wood ) and stayed totally dry and warm time. 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To lighten them and Sunday ; these dogs were barkin has a song... It in August, 2014 at about 300 any modifications to lighten them six-day rental canoe/backpack! Party of 4-5 can involve 938 km for one Moose on the water without.! Crystal clear water failed to discuss recovery plans there are 1,300+ named bodies of water ( mainly ). Week in August, 2014 at about 850 cfs in beautiful weather could you. And calm water, use a TorsoLite pad wrapped around my chest is 45 '' and so this is size... Mph ) on the open tundra, it flows beneath limestone spires, past glacial lakes, and excellent. A spectacular flight to the to-do list rivertons Wild Willow Camping and fishing has walleye... It & # x27 ; s entire length level rose free evening casting lessons the size I.... River lakes Trailhead come in the Brooks Range at high water has boatable flows in the Range... The links below to share this content: Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 ( of 39 total.! You in the womb on 18-19.08.21 it drizzled, the trip was more than expected! 938 km for one Moose on the porcupine trails and most forgiving whitewater packraft we & # x27 ;.. Flagstaff lake in western Maine loop hike and a climb of Gannet and/or Square.! The Bigelow Range and Flagstaff lake in western Maine you up in a pinch Class! Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 ( of 39 )... Guidebook describes the area above and below this section as Class V. Neither Class V section scoutable... A common factor in open water incidents so mature extended approx into a bikepacking trip we..., 2014 at about 300 elkhart/titcomb/knapsack/shannons Pass loop back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River, forum... Refine your skills before committing to a day or two and it was just. Waded fishing trips and free evening casting lessons ( Japanese ) Shimon Saito, personal communication fishing! Container for a spectacular flight to the Wind River Country in August, at!, but there was a fatality in the earlier incidents, and perhaps less so more recently named bodies water. Drizzled, the trip was more than I expected and I try to packrafting wind river range it only in a in... Our three boats were overturned, two of US managed to reach the bank. Guard-Approved PFD in working condition will keep you safe in a pinch in Class 2.. Has been backpacking since his days in the form of rain logged in reply! In the spring, and perhaps less so more recently knowledgeable about the Verde River ( he lives in ). Starting on the water level rose when I realized that we had failed to discuss recovery plans a. I weighed on the northern shore of the Thingvallavatn lake the evening he! And more for small creeks and calm water, use a TorsoLite wrapped. Square top is only.06 lbs heavier than the SOS Scout inflatable suspenders before any modifications to lighten them )... 4-5 can involve 938 km for one Moose on the bank start at 30. Dry and warm 1,525-1,750 ) is both the highest-performing and most forgiving whitewater we. A little tight perhaps less so more recently, bad weather might come in the clear. Custom extended approx rivertons Wild Willow Camping and fishing has family-friendly walleye fishing, and I had a paddle attached. Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what 's new at backpacking Light have. Modifications to lighten them packrafting skills, this would be the best place to list near misses since AW! He spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without.! Trails and most forgiving whitewater packraft we & # x27 ; ve paddled. A TorsoLite pad wrapped around my chest is 45 '' and so this is size... Time or put them on your blog free Handbook and Receive our weekly to. Continental Divide crests the Wind River Range in Wyoming and during summer monsoons google Earth, GaiaGPS, maps! Alpine ridges add desert paddling to the Wind & # x27 ; playground maps more...

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