I wanted to put together a system that will allow the use of canals, rivers, lakes, sea, any body of water really, and researched for equipment which is small and light enough to be packed with the rest of my gear, quick and easy to set up and pack up, but has the capability and endurance to safely cope with hard use, sea crossings and prolonged use in winter.
This is what I found and bought, if I appear enthusiastic, its because I am, my enthusiasm did not hinder my objectivity however!
Alpacka Raft Packrafts are small and light enough to be carried with the rest of one's gear, yet provide the ability to cross or follow any body of water encountered. Water travel is generally quicker and less labour intensive than hiking. There are seven models to choose, depending on your specific requirements.
Alpacka Rafts are also very popular with cross country mountain bikers as they can load their packs and bikes onto their Raft, and pack their Raft onto their packs. I even found that two (unrelated) people use their bikes (a Brompton folder and a mountain bike) to cycle to the river, Packraft, then complete their commute to work by bike!
A young American couple have recently completed an expedition from Seattle to Alaska using Packrafts, ski's and hiking. A genuine wilderness craft for sure, at under 5lbs!
I've listed some sites including Alpacka Raft's, the photo's of the little Rafts are amazing, as are the details of the Seattle - Alaska Expedition and the Lost Coast Bike Expedition.
Alpacka Raft website, here.
Ground Truth Trekking (Seattle to Alaska Expedition) Packrafting page, here. Amazing expedition, stunning photo's and video of nature, up close!
Backpacking Light. Com, Packrafting Articles, Gear, Safety, Training, Podcasts & Video page, here.
Epic Designs website, Bike - Rafting Gear, here.
Alpacka Scandinavia website, here.
A Packrafting and mountain biking expedition, bikes, packs and paddler carried by Alpacka Rafts, here. Bike - Rafting video's here.
Lost Coast Bike Expedition.
Credit: Eric Parsons.
The Denali Llama, Sawyer/Alpacka Packraft Paddle and the Stormy Seas EXP100-Expedition PFD (here) make for a very compact, lightweight system. Bic pen illustrates the Denali Llama's small packed size!
The Denali Llama is used to ferry passengers across water one at a time, having carried the packs already. That's why expedition groups carry this model, as one Packraft ferries all people and packs. They carry a huge volume and weight of gear given their size and weight.
Credit: Expemag.com, Alpacka Raft, Stormy Seas & Alpacka Scandinavia.
A caver rappelling to the put in!
Credit: Alpacka Raft & Tom Evans.
From up high, to down low........... And everywhere in between!
Credit: Alpacka Raft & Bryan Palmintier.
No other craft goes with you, or takes you, gear, mountain bike, passenger (human or canine) so far ~ The Ultimate Personal Craft!
An Alpacka Packraft photo compilation, created by Laurie T.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9tqhj-nsYw
I have no connection with Alpacka Raft other than as a customer whom bought a Packraft following extensive research, their help with custom aspects has been invaluable, I have no hesitation in recommending this Company.
This is what I found and bought, if I appear enthusiastic, its because I am, my enthusiasm did not hinder my objectivity however!
Alpacka Raft Packrafts are small and light enough to be carried with the rest of one's gear, yet provide the ability to cross or follow any body of water encountered. Water travel is generally quicker and less labour intensive than hiking. There are seven models to choose, depending on your specific requirements.
Alpacka Rafts are also very popular with cross country mountain bikers as they can load their packs and bikes onto their Raft, and pack their Raft onto their packs. I even found that two (unrelated) people use their bikes (a Brompton folder and a mountain bike) to cycle to the river, Packraft, then complete their commute to work by bike!
A young American couple have recently completed an expedition from Seattle to Alaska using Packrafts, ski's and hiking. A genuine wilderness craft for sure, at under 5lbs!
I've listed some sites including Alpacka Raft's, the photo's of the little Rafts are amazing, as are the details of the Seattle - Alaska Expedition and the Lost Coast Bike Expedition.
Alpacka Raft website, here.
Ground Truth Trekking (Seattle to Alaska Expedition) Packrafting page, here. Amazing expedition, stunning photo's and video of nature, up close!
Backpacking Light. Com, Packrafting Articles, Gear, Safety, Training, Podcasts & Video page, here.
Epic Designs website, Bike - Rafting Gear, here.
Alpacka Scandinavia website, here.
A Packrafting and mountain biking expedition, bikes, packs and paddler carried by Alpacka Rafts, here. Bike - Rafting video's here.
Lost Coast Bike Expedition.

Credit: Eric Parsons.
The Denali Llama, Sawyer/Alpacka Packraft Paddle and the Stormy Seas EXP100-Expedition PFD (here) make for a very compact, lightweight system. Bic pen illustrates the Denali Llama's small packed size!



The Denali Llama is used to ferry passengers across water one at a time, having carried the packs already. That's why expedition groups carry this model, as one Packraft ferries all people and packs. They carry a huge volume and weight of gear given their size and weight.


Credit: Expemag.com, Alpacka Raft, Stormy Seas & Alpacka Scandinavia.
A caver rappelling to the put in!

Credit: Alpacka Raft & Tom Evans.
From up high, to down low........... And everywhere in between!


Credit: Alpacka Raft & Bryan Palmintier.
No other craft goes with you, or takes you, gear, mountain bike, passenger (human or canine) so far ~ The Ultimate Personal Craft!
An Alpacka Packraft photo compilation, created by Laurie T.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9tqhj-nsYw
I have no connection with Alpacka Raft other than as a customer whom bought a Packraft following extensive research, their help with custom aspects has been invaluable, I have no hesitation in recommending this Company.
