When it comes to Wind River Range backpacking routes, there are a few premier trails to choose from, each varying in length, difficulty and terrain. Wow, I just found this. Some may question whether it was worth lugging a 6lb boat, ~2lb paddle, ~1lb life jacket in addition to my backpacking gear up 3,000 feet of rugged mountains to 11,000 feet to float out the green river for half a day, but I believe it was. On average, there is about a .1 lb difference per size. Wind could hold you up in a packraft at times. Below Smith Rock are some meaty . Aidan Don (22) and a friend were dropped off by airplane at Nizina Lake, intending to float the Nizina back down to McCarthy. Virginia resident Peter Jolles, 46, was reported overdue at a Bugaboo Creek takeout, British Columbia, and has not yet been located. You are using an out of date browser. It has a scenic and brushless hike in, fun Class II to III whitewater, and sweeping views of the Alaska Range and Talkeetnas. Topographically, Broad Pass is a fascinating area. With a packraft or IK, people boat this river down to 120 CFS, which opens up the season to fall through spring. He allowed Adrian and me to hike at our own pace and he encouraged all of us to explore the area surrounding our campsites. Can you swim strongly and with confidence to affect a self-rescue? On Sunday, we put in back at the trailhead and paddled ~8miles below the lakes to the Big Bend pullout (http://wyomingnaturalist.com/river_green_warren.html ). The group was evacuated three days later by helicopter. The AW incident report mentions an IK and kayak, but Martin was in a packraft. Check Price at Amazon. The geography of the lake system provides 30 km of wind fetch before the crossing point. Awesome. Fishing can be for everyonewhether you want to spend an afternoon hanging out on a riverbank or go on a multi-day expedition. WRHR - Day 7: Beaver Park to Green River Lakes, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area Packraft/Backpack Loop (TN), Red River Gorge/Red Byrd Arch Packraft Trip - Kentucky, Gila River - Gila Wilderness, New Mexico - April 18, 2022, Application Period Open For 2023 Private River Trips Through Grand Canyon National Park, Northern Wind River Traverse - September 2021, North Pitchstone Trail, Headwaters of Ouzel Creek, Bechler River and Mr. Obviously this river is not suitable for our 16 footer, though! 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. A post shared by Tom Mckendrick (@thomas.mckendrick). They're not so hot for whitewater and can't punch you out of a hole well. Take a series of classes and then buy a book. So, I usually, for small creeks and calm water, use a TorsoLite pad wrapped around my chest under my shell. 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. I believe he had some gear essentials (stove, etc.) Life on the river is sensational. Though Id share some details regarding our trip last weekend (June 14-16th, 2013) following Forrests (http://jhpackraft.com/packraft-info/trip-ideas/) trip idea and his post. 12 day backpacking and packrafting in Gates of the Arctic, Alaska. Weather permitting, we catch our plane back to civilization. You can expect to learn about local fauna, see magical sights and catch some really big fish! The main challenge on this run is portaging downed trees through very thick brush. Be more. About the Iceland accident: victim was Bjorn Debacker, a 41-year old Belgian Engineer. Enjoyed tour trip report and video! 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. It is not uncommon to have eagles above you and salmon or steelhead below you in the crystal clear water. For those with packrafting skills, this route offers a quick, easy-to-access, multi-sport adventure. No intent to chide. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. A Membership is required to post in the forums. Double Drop Hutt Gorge ( Dan Clearwater) is Class III due to the size of the drops and the holes that develop at higher flows. Tasmanian Packrafters in the Brooks Range, Alaska; Alatna River and Arrigetch Peaks Wilderness Photographs Packrafting the Landsborough River, New Zealand, 2016 He was not wearing a PFD. Separation has been due to rapids, inexperience, or high winds. The water in Wind River Country is not to be missed. Autumn on the Wind offers clear cold nights, aurora viewing, fall colors, and excellent hiking. Packraft ForumFairbanks Daily News Miner, page 1 and 6. Best way to do this run would be to camp or stash equipment at the head of the second lake or at the rapid visible from the trail (there was even a tree in the rapid), and walk in the rest of the way to the put-in with only the boat. Regarding price it's the perfect packraft for beginners but . (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. Become a BCP supporting member and get free swag, no ads and lots of other great benefits. Packrafting is a unique sportyou carry your inflatable boat on your back to access the water. It is likely that a dry suit would have made a huge difference. Nope. Winner Creek to 20 Mile Packraft. It ended up being a two minute swim. - Yellowstone National Park - September 13, 2021, Grand Canyon Loop: Thunder River -> Tapeats -> Kanab -> Sowats. Such a joy to spend days where time was meaningless. Recommend bringing a fishing rod for the slow meandering sections. I'm glad this subject came up, because I was not going to use anything for river rafting in my 'toy' Sevylor TrailBoat, but this got me thinking I should at least make the 'burrito' or 'taco' with my GG ThinLight or a sitpad, and a shell. It can be found at the south end of Beaver Park. There has been some discussion about how they were able to rent boats without safety equipment. If you are into adventures, you must raft the Escalante River. The Wind River Range is one of America's great wilderness areas! The paddler was in their 70s, and it is suspected that their paddle leash snagged the debris. See you next year! The Alpacka Gnarwhal ($1,525-1,750) is both the highest-performing and most forgiving whitewater packraft we've ever paddled. 7/3-7/5, Horse Ridge to Mount Febbas (Wind River Range) - July 2021, Lamar River, Pelican Valley, & Speciman Ridge loop - Yellowstone, Jun 29 to Jul 3, 2021, Grand Canyon NP Backpack Pt. Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. The party members discussed and identified these factors as relevant causes: The rapidly risen water level, that had changed the complexity level of the rapid, overestimation of our own capabilities and underestimation of the severity of the obstacle were the cause of what happened. April 18-23, 2021, Wind River Range (beginning of Sept 2021), Upper Toklat River (Denali NP) - mid-August 2018, Republic Pass Trail North Absaroka into Yellowstone Cache Creek and Lamar River, trip report: Wind River Range Ross Lakes, Bear Basin, Grasshopper Glacier, & Dinwoody Creek loop, Aug-Sep 2020, Yellowstone advice: Lamar River - Pelican Valley - Mirror Plateau loop this summer. 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). It is unclear if these were involved in the fatality. Satellite imagery shows large rapids just out of sight from his probable put in. Tp. I cancelled a river trip the next day on that note and went day hiking instead. Enjoy short, easy day hikes or more intense backpacking trips, depending on what wets your whistle. And yup there are some big creeks flowing from those hills. All recordings are now online! Routes. Packrafting is an adventurous way to move through Alaska's Arctic. The Wind River Range runs along the Continental Divide and boasts some high elevations. But its only a matter of time. TRIP DETAILS You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Wind River Country reservoirs and lakes are really fun for stand up paddleboarding. Courses Instruction. Or you can rent a canoe or kayak at Louis Lake Lodge and have a fun overnight stay. We set up camp and enjoy our first night in the wilderness. WIND RIVER, YUKON. The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. One of the most sought after activities in the Wyoming water is fishing, and its an incredible way to experience the landscape. I appreciated the time he spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without trails. Far East Alaska Range Luc Mehl. Bike rafters can be superior and have no shuttle. Lodging, non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, waterproof river bag, fishing gear, and fishing license. So rather than get on a high-horse about it, could someone just describe the experience of swimming rapids in this rig? Hardshell kayakers consider a PFD one of the five essentials you dont put on the water without one. Youll sleep with the relaxing sound of the water and learn how to leave the places you travel through better than you found them. ago. I have done several backpacking trips in the Winds, but I had never started from Green River Lakes (GRL)and Tracy had never been to Titcomb . Those reed tunnels on the Verde are freaky! I like your approach of considering the drysuit as part of the initial kit & cost. I stretched the neck gasket over a large muscle-milk container for a day or two and it was still just a little tight. we offer plenty of courses that include rafting, canoeing, kayaking, packrafting and rescue. This run is indeed a packrafting classic. Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 39 total). First-world problems, I know. Native to the Sierra Nevada, California allowed their exportation for a brief time, and Wyoming stocked a handful of lakes in the Wind River Range. The second boater attempting to land river left flipped and lost his boat. The Wind River Range offers some breathtaking views and is teeming with wildlife of all kinds. Don't like ads? Peter was visiting BC for an adventure race and stayed after the race to continue exploring the region. 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 . In all 3 of 4 boats were lost; all were later recovered by good Samaritans and/or Nova Alaska Guides. High peaks flank the valley on three sides. Fishing is magical. Is there a publication that lays out the basics? American Whitewater Incident ReportGreg Mills, personal communication. These are the fatalities Im familiar > with; all but one have occurred in Alaska. Care to give any thoughts on this shelter? I need survival and misc gear in my PFD firestarting kit, knife, whistle, camera, and a snack. One specific question I came across only one blip about fishing on the river above Green River lakes, saying that there were no fish due to the glacial sediment. The Continental Divide crests the Wind River Range's entire length. Falcon Publishing. I dont recommend trimming the neck gasket as you can easily ruin it stretch it over a form and check it regularly so you dont over stretch it. Temperatures range from the 20s to 70s. First, the range is extremely remote. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. 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. He is personable, knowledgeable about the Arctic, and has excellent group management skills. Furthermore, there are 1,300+ named bodies of water (mainly lakes) spread throughout the Wind River Range. #3 boat was lost when it was released to pull Marty from the water. This is the third open water packraft fatality on record, highlighting the danger of open water crossings. The Winner Creek to 20 Mile River loop is a great first packrafting trip. We are lucky enough to be located 10 minutes walk from the diverse Murrumbidgee river. There are incredible opportunities in town or just a short hike away. The Wilderness Classic participants generally do not use drysuits. Rob was wearing rain gear and a PFD. So the takeaway is that glacial rivers tend to be more continuous. A real PFD is a whole lot better. The vastness of the wilderness virtually demanded that I go see it. was last seen about 15 miles into his trip on June 22nd, and was reported to have had sufficient food for only five more days. How can we prevent holes from lining up? The water was high, estimated at three times median flow. It was initially (wrongly) reported in the news as a packrafting fatality. The next day, his empty raft and backpack were found on the southern shore, about 12km away. From the toe of the glacier, the river leaves the lake and heads through a windy mini . Heck, it might even be the best solo boat of any type we've paddled. So, I like PFD's with pockets. Check out Lander-based Wyoming Rivers Cooperative for details (they also offer incredible rafting trips). Another fatality I know of: in summer 2015 a German paddler disappaered in the Sondre Stromfjord near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. * A Basic Membership is required to view Member Q&A events. Ive been in touch with American Whitewater about trying to get packrafts listed as their own category (they keep statistics on non-US rivers too). Looks like a lot of fun. Ran it in August, 2014 at about 850 cfs in beautiful weather. 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. Once past the confluence with the East Fork of the Chandalar River, we enjoy a day of floating this broad clear river and then pull over at the appointed gravel bar, where our pilot will meet us. New TRAIL DAYS ONLINE! P.K. Did you leave them there overnight? https://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/20200120/20200120-208121.html (Japanese)Shimon Saito, personal communication. The river primarily has boatable flows in the spring, and during summer monsoons. As one paddles the smaller lake it transitions from Gatorade colored to clear. 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