packraft… Boat control: Why it matters and how to get it 8 May 202310 May 2023 There is a frequent debate within the rescue/instruction community about what really matters in swiftwater safety. The conflict is that we can spend a lot of time practicing technical systems…
packraft Big water, little boat: Tatshenshini River to Yakutat 8 May 2023 My shared birthday buddy Jeremy Wood invited Sarah and me on a Tatshenshini float trip, Southeast Alaska, in August. Sarah was excited about the scenery and I was excited to…
blog… So that’s what varsity trip planning looks like! 19 Oct 202219 Oct 2022 I want to share a highlight from last year’s Start and End at Home trip planning course. Christian Appel sent a report after a paddling trip he planned during the…
packraft… Good Walking and Clear Water in the Baird Mountains 24 Jul 202225 Jul 2022 https://youtu.be/b5kQZs5gWoY In August of 2015, Sarah and I traveled to the villages of Noatak and Kivalina, northwestern Alaska, as part of the Skiku / NanaNordic volunteer program. These programs provide…
equipment… River Rescue Knives 5 Jul 20226 Jul 2022 One thing I appreciate as a swiftwater safety instructor is that I get to witness patterns with equipment successes and failures. River knives are a popular topic for discussion! Do…
blog… South Fork Matanuska Loop 24 Sep 20219 Feb 2022 This has got to be a candidate for the best true packraft loop around, especially during the autumn. The loop is best done in two nights: 18 mile hike, 16…
blog… The American Whitewater Accident Database 24 Sep 202124 Sep 2021 In September of 2021, American Whitewater (AW) updated their accident database to include "packraft" as an available boat type. Why is this exciting? This update allows us an unprecedented tool…
packraft The Whale’s Tail 13 Aug 202119 Aug 2021 The "Whale's Tail" is a unique mountain peninsula in Denali National Park. The Tail is bounded by massive glaciers in the Alaska Range. Can you see it? Most people access…
blog… May 2021: Promoting the packrafting “Culture of Safety” 27 Apr 202113 Aug 2021 What is the "Culture of Safety"? The packrafting Culture of Safety is an effort to normalize safety. We want it to be normal to wear a life vest, paddle at…
