On Monday, we start off reviewing river safety, brush up on paddling & boat control skills on Portage River, South of Girdwood. This is an opportunity for the instructor to assess group ability, goals & make a plan for the week. This is a non-hiking day focusing on river skills & a safety basics (in a beautiful glacial valley!)
DAYS 2-5
Exact river venue depends on group ability & current water levels. All of our venues are within 2 separate regions: "Southern" Hope/Girdwood area & a "Northern" Mat-Su Valley area. Tuesday-Friday will be a mix of "road side" & exploratory "hike in" packraft runs: AKA "Raft-Packing!" The longest we would hike is 3 hrs to get to the river.
These "South" & "North" regions are about 3 hours apart from each other, the first 1-3 days we’ll paddle in the Girdwood/Hope area before driving North to a different zone. Possible "Southern" runs near Hope/Girdwood include Lower Bench Creek, Granite Creek, Six Mile Creek & Glacier Creek. Up "Northern" options are in the Mat-Su Valley: Eagle River, Willow Creek, East Fork Matanuska & the main Matanuska River. Exploring 2 different regions allows us to get on different characters & "styles" of river environments.
Participants must provide their own gear, food, transportation & accommodations each day. Many participants car pool, camp or share dinner together- depending on the itinerary, many chose to camp out near the following day's river venue. Jule can help with "where to go" camping wise, travel support, food, & logistics during the Google Pre-Trip Meeting.
What’s included:
5 days of exceptional paddling instruction, skills coaching & guidance
Supportive & FUN environment
A mix of "roadside" & hike in day trips- explore a new river each day!
Video analysis opportunities
4:1 paddler to instructor ratio
Pre-Trip Google Meeting: meet your guides, other participants & ask questions (attendance optional)
Level II course and/or previous experience packrafting class II rivers. This is also a hiking trip! Participants must be able to hike off trail with a 20-30 lb backpack for up to 3-4 hrs.
