Description: Whereas flat water lake environments are ideal for refining paddle stroke techniques & self rescue methods, most packrafters utilize them as multi-sport tools, enhancing both land travel & water exploration.  In this ½ day course, you’ll learn “raft-packing” basics, hiking your paddle kit to a beginner friendly river environment.  The river session highlights hazard identification, reading moving water & shares considerations for boat control & group management in class I river environments.

Curriculum

• Gear 101: Equipment & terminology (boat, paddle, PFD, drysuit, clothes), maintenance & care
• Land Travel & Transport 101: packing, hiking, carrying & boat inflation
• Packing, Stowing & Rigging Gear for river environments
• Entry Level Paddle Strokes: Forward, backward & sweep strokes
• Trip Plans: Executing day trips on class I moving water
• Alaska Specific Considerations
• Itinerary
• Meet at trailhead parking lot for group introductions & course expectations. Here we discuss land travel & gear packing basics, answering questions before packing it all up & hiking to the put-in. (45 min-1 hr)
• The 2 mile hike is relatively flat with a trail the entire way; the trail may be wet with mud or snow, especially in May courses.  (1 hr)
• At the put-in beach, you’ll practice inflation techniques & tips/tricks for stowing gear as you rig your boat (& yourself!) for river paddling. (30-45 min)
• We review paddle stroke techniques & safety concerns/situational hazards for moving water before launching. Then the river becomes our classroom: paddling 3.2 miles of class I while refining boat control & paddle strokes along the way. (1.5-2 hrs)
• Course ends at the trailhead. Final Q & A, debrief and course wrap up before departure.

NOT COVERED IN LEVEL 1 “RAFT-PACKING & RIVER SKILLS”

Self or group rescue, swimming or rescue scenarios, throw rope use, intermediate/advanced paddle strokes, multi-day/overnight trips, reading class II (or higher) rivers and safety considerations.

NOTE: If water levels are too high on Eagle River; you will be notified if location changes to Portage Creek.

Gear Requirements

•     Packraft
•     PFD
•     Paddle (under 205 cm)
•     Drysuit
•     Backpack (60L min)
•     Hiking clothing
•     Base layers for drysuit
•     2 pairs socks (trail is often wet = 1 for hike, 1 for paddle)
•     Footwear (running shoes/neoprene paddling booties, no crocs, rubber boots, open toes shoes/sandals)
•     Dry bag for personal gear (must attach to boat, carabiners must be locking)
•     Water bottle, lunch/snacks
•     Paddling pogies/gloves (optional)
•     State Parks Decal or day parking pass (Eagle River courses)

Alaska Packraft School Terms & Conditions