Last weekend I finally managed to get away on my first trip since Vålådalen, and it included a couple of firsts: I slept the first time this year not under a tarp but in a Lightheart Gear Solo tent, I used a ULA Epic backpack, and I paddled a part of the trip with my Alpaca raft. I'll deal with most of the other gear in a separate article, in this one I want to look more at the trip and the packraft. Finally, instead of my DSLR I used a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10,a fine little camera which geo-tags all photos automatically, and has a Full HD video function, as you'll see!
The idea was to walk 25 km from Kuru to the Helvetinjärvi Nationalpark, camp at the Heinälahti campsite, and in the morning paddle the 24 km Haukkajoen Reitti back to Kuru. The first part of the plan, walking from Kuru to Heinälahti, was pretty uneventful. It was cloudy and rained a bit every now and then, and I was happy about that - the six weeks of heat we had here in Finland are completely unbearable; and anyone who tells me there is no such thing as climate change I tell to wake up.
Passed by some fields as I left Kuru.
Bumblebee enjoying sweet nectar.
I've walked this stretch so often that I didn't even bother with a map anymore, I know it so well by now that I just enjoyed the scenery along the trail and was happy to pick nature's offerings where they presented themselves.
Raspberries.
Lingonberries.
Forest strawberries.
Even if I wasn't super quick and made a few detours (one spring was completely dry so I asked some people who just arrived at their Mökki [Finnish for summer cottage] if I could get some water from their spring, and I took a one kilometer detour as I went to check out a place where I would come by the next day) I arrived at Heinälahti at 19.30 o'clock.
Ants using a man-made bridge to cross the river.
Early evening at camp.
By the time I arrived the sun came out once in a while, so I stripped down naked and took a swim in the lake. There was no one around, and knowing that most Finns won't arrive too late at camp, I had no worries. I then walked to the woodshed to pick up two logs, grabbed my Gränsfors Bruks Mini Hatchet and started to chop wood for my Bushbuddy Ultra. It was great fun, and because I "forgot" to take pegs I looked for some dead wood which, with the help of hatchet and puukko, were transformed into kickass pegs for my tent. I had it pitched in a couple of minutes, and started to roll out my mat and let my quilt loft, while I continued to chop wood and brew water for my cacao.
Home, Sweet Mosquito-free Home!
Outdoor Pyrotechnics.
I slept OK. I tried a new mat, which was great though if you roll it out over some tree roots (somehow at the campsite there was not a single spot found to be rootless) you'll only get so much sleep. At about 4.30 o'clock in the morning the sun started to rise, so I got up to take a good look at it, listen to the bird calls and enjoy the tranquility.
What's The Story, Morning Glory.
After half an hour I decided to catch a bit more sleep, and around eight I got up to enjoy the new day, eat breakfast and drink coffee before I set out to packraft.
Delicious breakfast.
After breakfast I set out to inflate the packraft, pack up, and start paddling. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't use my time to to share with you my first strokes (OK, not really my first strokes, as I was paddling a few times before on lakes at home & in Helsinki, but it was the first time out backpacking!) in a packraft. Thus lean back and enjoy the video.
I was fairly optimistic with my estimation of speed in the packraft. Now, six weeks of heat meant the lake, and hence the river, was about 50 cm lower than usual, and so I needed to walk all the "white water" sections as they were too low to float through. Add in an unbelievable amount of beaver dams (I recall at least six, and plenty of downed trees which obstructed the river) and my speed must have been something like 2 km per hour - I was calculating at least with four, if not five.
Ready!
My last bus back to Tampere went at 17.05 o'clock, and with a speed of 2 km per hour I won't make it before ten to Kuru - far to late even for hitchhiking. So, after 8 km of packrafting I sadly packed up the raft and paddle, and started the walk back to Kuru. I decided to walk the road and not the trail, as I was hoping to be able to hitch a ride to Kuru - because 17 km in two and half hours were just too much. Happily a young boy on a Quad gave me a short lift, and a friendly lady gave me another short lift to the bus stop; but I still walked 14 km in two and half hours - something that I felt as soon as I arrived at home.
Paddling.
So in conclusion, my thoughts on packrafting: It's awesome and opens up completely new possibilities to enjoy the outdoors and go new routes. For me, who has been enjoying Roman Dial's adventures, was happy to see that Jörgen from Fjäderlätt also packrafts in Sweden, and looked as Phil and Colin introduced packrafting to the UK last year, I knew that I will get one for this summer.
I got the Alpaca raft, with a Spraydeck. The weight is 2513 g, and the Sawyer paddle is 860 g, which is 3373 g together. As you see in the video, I did not bother with a life vest. That might be for some a strict no-go, but I don't have one and also didn't find a light enough life vest. I also knew where I was going and what was to be expected, and therefore knew that a life vest won't be necessary. If you're more security conscious than me, and will paddle in proper white water, take a vest. Back to the raft. I intend to go to Lapland and paddle in some decent rivers this rest-of-summer or autumn, depending on my time (We remember: Hendrik does a Wilderness Guide education and works as well). I think I prefer the white water, fast flowing rivers overs the lakes, so a trip to Lapland seems in order; I'm thinking about the Karhunkierros or going down the river along the Finnish-Swedish border...
The packraft is of course ideally suited to go paddling on the lake - it is what I do in the evenings after work, the lake being 150 m from my front door. But rivers mean you can lean back a bit more, paddle a bit less, be lazy & enjoy the landscape. As you saw, I went barefoot in the raft, but later, as the carrying increased, put the shoes back on. I didn't mind the wet shoes or pants, it was quite hot and thus a good way of cooling down. Thanks to the Spraydeck there was not much water in the raft, and once I improve my paddling style there shouldn't be too much water on top of it either. I also realized that speed will (likely) only be high on fast flowing rivers. If you have to paddle, calculate with two or three kilometers per hour, likely less.
Well, that are my initial thoughts after my first trip. I enjoyed myself immensely, and am looking forward to more packrafting in the future, it really is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and see nature from a very different perspective. I hope this was a good first look into packrafting for those interested, and shows that with the help of a little raft and some willingness to try something new, one can experience the outdoors in new ways!
Last weekend I finally managed to get away on my first trip since Vålådalen, and it included a couple of firsts: I slept the first time this year not under a tarp but in a Lightheart Gear Solo tent, I used a ULA Epic backpack, and I paddled a part of the trip with my Alpaca raft. I'll deal with most of the other gear in a separate article, in this one I want to look more at the trip and the packraft. Finally, instead of my DSLR I used a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10,a fine little camera which geo-tags all photos automatically, and has a Full HD video function, as you'll see!
The idea was to walk 25 km from Kuru to the Helvetinjärvi Nationalpark, camp at the Heinälahti campsite, and in the morning paddle the 24 km Haukkajoen Reitti back to Kuru. The first part of the plan, walking from Kuru to Heinälahti, was pretty uneventful. It was cloudy and rained a bit every now and then, and I was happy about that - the six weeks of heat we had here in Finland are completely unbearable; and anyone who tells me there is no such thing as climate change I tell to wake up.
Passed by some fields as I left Kuru.
Bumblebee enjoying sweet nectar.
I've walked this stretch so often that I didn't even bother with a map anymore, I know it so well by now that I just enjoyed the scenery along the trail and was happy to pick nature's offerings where they presented themselves.
Raspberries.
Lingonberries.
Forest strawberries.
Even if I wasn't super quick and made a few detours (one spring was completely dry so I asked some people who just arrived at their Mökki [Finnish for summer cottage] if I could get some water from their spring, and I took a one kilometer detour as I went to check out a place where I would come by the next day) I arrived at Heinälahti at 19.30 o'clock.
Ants using a man-made bridge to cross the river.
Early evening at camp.
By the time I arrived the sun came out once in a while, so I stripped down naked and took a swim in the lake. There was no one around, and knowing that most Finns won't arrive too late at camp, I had no worries. I then walked to the woodshed to pick up two logs, grabbed my Gränsfors Bruks Mini Hatchet and started to chop wood for my Bushbuddy Ultra. It was great fun, and because I "forgot" to take pegs I looked for some dead wood which, with the help of hatchet and puukko, were transformed into kickass pegs for my tent. I had it pitched in a couple of minutes, and started to roll out my mat and let my quilt loft, while I continued to chop wood and brew water for my cacao.
Home, Sweet Mosquito-free Home!
Outdoor Pyrotechnics.
I slept OK. I tried a new mat, which was great though if you roll it out over some tree roots (somehow at the campsite there was not a single spot found to be rootless) you'll only get so much sleep. At about 4.30 o'clock in the morning the sun started to rise, so I got up to take a good look at it, listen to the bird calls and enjoy the tranquility.
What's The Story, Morning Glory.
After half an hour I decided to catch a bit more sleep, and around eight I got up to enjoy the new day, eat breakfast and drink coffee before I set out to packraft.
Delicious breakfast.
After breakfast I set out to inflate the packraft, pack up, and start paddling. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't use my time to to share with you my first strokes (OK, not really my first strokes, as I was paddling a few times before on lakes at home & in Helsinki, but it was the first time out backpacking!) in a packraft. Thus lean back and enjoy the video.
I was fairly optimistic with my estimation of speed in the packraft. Now, six weeks of heat meant the lake, and hence the river, was about 50 cm lower than usual, and so I needed to walk all the "white water" sections as they were too low to float through. Add in an unbelievable amount of beaver dams (I recall at least six, and plenty of downed trees which obstructed the river) and my speed must have been something like 2 km per hour - I was calculating at least with four, if not five.
Ready!
My last bus back to Tampere went at 17.05 o'clock, and with a speed of 2 km per hour I won't make it before ten to Kuru - far to late even for hitchhiking. So, after 8 km of packrafting I sadly packed up the raft and paddle, and started the walk back to Kuru. I decided to walk the road and not the trail, as I was hoping to be able to hitch a ride to Kuru - because 17 km in two and half hours were just too much. Happily a young boy on a Quad gave me a short lift, and a friendly lady gave me another short lift to the bus stop; but I still walked 14 km in two and half hours - something that I felt as soon as I arrived at home.
Paddling.
So in conclusion, my thoughts on packrafting: It's awesome and opens up completely new possibilities to enjoy the outdoors and go new routes. For me, who has been enjoying Roman Dial's adventures, was happy to see that Jörgen from Fjäderlätt also packrafts in Sweden, and looked as Phil and Colin introduced packrafting to the UK last year, I knew that I will get one for this summer.
I got the Alpaca raft, with a Spraydeck. The weight is 2513 g, and the Sawyer paddle is 860 g, which is 3373 g together. As you see in the video, I did not bother with a life vest. That might be for some a strict no-go, but I don't have one and also didn't find a light enough life vest. I also knew where I was going and what was to be expected, and therefore knew that a life vest won't be necessary. If you're more security conscious than me, and will paddle in proper white water, take a vest. Back to the raft. I intend to go to Lapland and paddle in some decent rivers this rest-of-summer or autumn, depending on my time (We remember: Hendrik does a Wilderness Guide education and works as well). I think I prefer the white water, fast flowing rivers overs the lakes, so a trip to Lapland seems in order; I'm thinking about the Karhunkierros or going down the river along the Finnish-Swedish border...
The packraft is of course ideally suited to go paddling on the lake - it is what I do in the evenings after work, the lake being 150 m from my front door. But rivers mean you can lean back a bit more, paddle a bit less, be lazy & enjoy the landscape. As you saw, I went barefoot in the raft, but later, as the carrying increased, put the shoes back on. I didn't mind the wet shoes or pants, it was quite hot and thus a good way of cooling down. Thanks to the Spraydeck there was not much water in the raft, and once I improve my paddling style there shouldn't be too much water on top of it either. I also realized that speed will (likely) only be high on fast flowing rivers. If you have to paddle, calculate with two or three kilometers per hour, likely less.
Well, that are my initial thoughts after my first trip. I enjoyed myself immensely, and am looking forward to more packrafting in the future, it really is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and see nature from a very different perspective. I hope this was a good first look into packrafting for those interested, and shows that with the help of a little raft and some willingness to try something new, one can experience the outdoors in new ways!
This looks like a lot of fun, not least because you hike on almost nothing... maybe I should give that a try ... time to cut down to the bare essentials
Sweet thing the packraft is. Wish I could afford one. but you seem to hold the oar a bit wrong or at least when I learned to kayak then they taught me that one should hold the longer side of the blade upwards. Could be different with this one.
Yet ANOTHER excellent report Hendrik. I look forward to the other gear reviews too. The Packraft appears to be a useful addition to the 'backpacking' passtime. :))
Damn! I am so jeallous! I'd really, really, really like to have a packraft (but I have to buy a serious pulka, I think...). I have already planned quite a trip for packrafting (maybe with inflatable kayak also but that would mean really heavy start for 3-4 days...)
But a really nice report!
There was an article about kayaking the river in the border of Finland and Sweden in some of the Retki magazines of this summer. There was some information I believe you'll find usefull. You can find the one likely from your local library.
Andy, give it a try (UL backpacking) and if you have the opportunity, try packrafting. It is a lot of fun =)
Hi Janek, yes, the costs are the major obstacle in packrafting :/ Thanks for pointing out my mistake in holding the oar, you're right - it should be the longer side which is up!
Hei Yeti, kiitos! Yeah, I think in Lapland where the trails cross rivers a packraft could be a good tool to have in your box!
Beni, paddling is actually quite easy once you have the knack for it. I catch fish with my normal fishing gear...
Thanks Robin! I think the other gear reviews will follow in a week or two, as I leave on holidays tomorrow =)
Lightening up, want to share that trip you've planned with me? I will look up the article in Retki, I usually read them in the library (I don't think the magazine is worth buying). Xavier also has a packraft now, a bigger one, though, maybe he stops by sometime and comments as well =)
Glad you've gotten your feet wet :-) Yes, packrafts mean that you can plan some new and different trips even in areas that you know well. I've done some whitewater practising this summer, which is really fun and more to compare with downhill skiing. But for late August I am planning to use my packraft to get into a really inaccessible area. Looking forward to that. By the way, you can use the packrafts inflatable seat as a life vest and sit on your pad. That's what I did on my slightly illfated packraftingtrip last year: http://www.fjaderlatt.se/2009/09/packrafting-from-abisko-to-nikkaluokta.html
Karl, that video is EPIC! Thanks so much for sharing! I think there are some very good opportunities to go packrafting in Switzerland, I remember that a member of the trekking-ultraleicht.de forum posted some of his trips reports and photos there - you should try to check them out!
Maz, I took all photos and video except the last photo, which my girlfriend took on the lake in front of our house.
Hei Jörgen, thanks for the useful info, I will try that out (even if I am not certain that a life vest is needed!). Where are you headed in late August, something you already can talk about? I will add your link to the text above, I somehow must have missed you - you were also one of the inspirations to try packrafting!
Packrafting in Switzerland :) Hendrik is right, there are fewer places where this is less fun. Packrafing emerged from wilderness trekking, however, given the excellent train swiss system (nearly every tiny town is accessible) packrafts open up the joy of a true mix of means of transfers: http://picasaweb.google.de/sven.schellin/Schweiz# See the whole gallery for (packrafting) trips in Europe (beyond Switzerland). Also, there is a wiki article in German to cover the European specific perception :) http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packraft
Hendrik, if Skurka is classified "the walking man" by NatGeo, you are "the blogging man" Maybe you get the same honour one time. Where do you take the time and drive for the stream of writing? It is intriguing how you produce these reports out of the tiniest occasion. Write on.
Yes - I agree. I think it's important to say thanks to Hendrik - he must put in so much work doing this blog and it really is the definitive start point for researching other blogs and UL/SUL trekking, tramping, hillwalking and hiking.
Thanks Hendrik and I hope you enjoy your wilderness guide course. You'll be blogging on that during the course I hope? Telling us what you're being taught and how you're finding it?
I'm not really tempted at this point to try packrafting, but it's interesting to see others having a go. I'm not real big on watersports myself, although having said that I might be going canoeing at the end of the month for a couple of days. Maybe the bug will bite.
Wow, this was a really good post. I've been an avid reader of your site for a while, but this is the first time I felt I should say something. Now I want to start packrafting. I never considered it before, but what a fantastic way to add some adventure to my hikes here in Indiana.
Ok, after now having spent much too much time (at work) looking through Sven's pictures, I can only agree that packrafting definitely looks like a lot of fun in Switzerland as well as everywhere else. Interesting is that I've already done a fair bit of Sven's Swiss journey, only I've done the bits separately. And with an inflatable canoe instead of a packraft. Now to see what the Event Manager at home would say about (yet another) outdoors investment and suggested holiday and/or weekend plans... ;-)
I am still reading :) Indeed, I do have a boat as well now. Very fun to use indeed. However, river routes are a bit difficult to find at the moment in Southern Finland. All interesting rivers are flowing quite low... Hopefully this weekend will be better after this week's rains. I would be interested in sharing a canoe trip with you guys. However, at the moment, I'm only available at weekends. So no Northern Finland and week-long trips for me at the moment... :(
At least canooing and kayaking are great ways to spend time in the nature so why not packraft? And being able to carry it easyly to aras that are hard to reach otherwise open reeeally interesting possibilities.
Hendrik: The trip plan is still forming in my head (maybe next year?) but to get an hint of the idea you could watch the Finnish Erämaajoki movie/document: http://loimumedia.fi/eramaajoki.html And somehow include hiking to Halti fjell to that...
And for Hendrik and Xavier 8and anyone else interested): I should have an acces to some canoes and accessories here where I live and would be interested in a trip to Saimaa. Not too much white water here but nice lake area. And I'd love to try a packraft! ;)
Actually, we have planned with Anita to spend one weekend on the Eastern part of Finland some time before the winter. We would like to visit the Astuvansalmi rock paintings on lake Yövesi, part of Saimaa. I can let you know, if ever you're interested... It can be easily combined with an overnight backpacking/canoeing trip.
Great report. For me packrafts have so much to offer if you have good access to good rivers. Hiking in and running rapids would be great and floating for three days down a river in a wilderness area would be just amazing. You have all that in Scandinavia. I would not carry one just to cross a lake or river - spending a long time on the water would be part of the experience. Go play.
Sven, thank you for stopping by and providing first hand info on packrafting in Switzerland for Karl! Time and drive for writing I just seem to have, and thus use - thank you for the kind words!
Fraser, maybe after you have tried canoeing you get curious to try it. And you always could meet up with Phil and give it a try ;)
Matt, glad I was able to tempt you to comment after such a long while! Being in Indiana I am sure there are some fine rivers to add a totally new perspective to your hikes, so if you have a chance, give it a try!
Thank you Jolly Green Giant, always a pleasure to get appreciation from you!
Xavier, lets try to get together some time and plan a packrafting trip together.
Thank you Roman, I'll do my best to find some decently fast flowing water to try my white water skills!
Lightening up, thanks for the link, will check it out and let myself be inspired. Lets plan something for the autumn, hopefully we find a time that suits us (Xavier + gf + us)!
Thank you Martin! My thinking as well, just to cross a lake or river it might not be worth the trouble to carry it, but to combine it with a hike in + out is the way to go. I am sure you have great opportunities for packrafting in the UK as well!?
ps - I thought you might be willing to share my recent packrafting expedition across Iceland with your readers? http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/adventures/transiceland/ Thank you, Alastair
Not quite sure how I missed this post but I guess I'm still ploughing through an overflowing RSS reader that seem to afflict all of us who!
Fantastic report and photos. Really sad that I didn't get to experience packrafting this year but we'll make up for it next summer I hope! We live in the perfect part of the world for it.
Not quite sure how I missed this post but I guess I'm still ploughing through an overflowing RSS reader that seem to afflict all of us who!
Fantastic report and photos. Really sad that I didn't get to experience packrafting this year but we'll make up for it next summer I hope! We live in the perfect part of the world for it.
Sven, thank you for stopping by and providing first hand info on packrafting in Switzerland for Karl! Time and drive for writing I just seem to have, and thus use - thank you for the kind words!
Fraser, maybe after you have tried canoeing you get curious to try it. And you always could meet up with Phil and give it a try ;)
Matt, glad I was able to tempt you to comment after such a long while! Being in Indiana I am sure there are some fine rivers to add a totally new perspective to your hikes, so if you have a chance, give it a try!
Thank you Jolly Green Giant, always a pleasure to get appreciation from you!
Xavier, lets try to get together some time and plan a packrafting trip together.
Thank you Roman, I'll do my best to find some decently fast flowing water to try my white water skills!
Lightening up, thanks for the link, will check it out and let myself be inspired. Lets plan something for the autumn, hopefully we find a time that suits us (Xavier + gf + us)!
Thank you Martin! My thinking as well, just to cross a lake or river it might not be worth the trouble to carry it, but to combine it with a hike in + out is the way to go. I am sure you have great opportunities for packrafting in the UK as well!?
ps - I thought you might be willing to share my recent packrafting expedition across Iceland with your readers? http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/adventures/transiceland/ Thank you, Alastair
Have you considered trying a Walker Bay Inflatable Kayak. No offense, but your gal is a pig in the water;) These walker bay's are much quicker, but are not means as quick as a hard bottomed boat. I bet your packing light enough to use one instead of a white water rafting style kayak.
Hiking in Finland is licensed under a Creative Commons license. If you want to use or reference anything you see here, please contact me.
You're going out on your own responsibility. If you try out something that I write about here, and it goes horribly wrong, don't come crying to me. Know your limits. Use common sense.
a fine little camera which geo-tags all photos automatically, and has a Full HD video function, as you'll see!
Oh, and before someone asks: I did fish with my tenkara rod, but wasn't lucky =)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a lot of fun, not least because you hike on almost nothing... maybe I should give that a try ... time to cut down to the bare essentials
ReplyDeleteSweet thing the packraft is. Wish I could afford one.
ReplyDeletebut you seem to hold the oar a bit wrong or at least when I learned to kayak then they taught me that one should hold the longer side of the blade upwards. Could be different with this one.
Nice writeup. Packrafting seems like a good idea for some places in Finland.
ReplyDeleteVery nice impressions of your Alpacka packraft. Padling looks a bit tricky but it works.
ReplyDeleteWas your fishing ever successfully??
Yet ANOTHER excellent report Hendrik. I look forward to the other gear reviews too. The Packraft appears to be a useful addition to the 'backpacking' passtime. :))
ReplyDeleteDamn! I am so jeallous! I'd really, really, really like to have a packraft (but I have to buy a serious pulka, I think...). I have already planned quite a trip for packrafting (maybe with inflatable kayak also but that would mean really heavy start for 3-4 days...)
ReplyDeleteBut a really nice report!
There was an article about kayaking the river in the border of Finland and Sweden in some of the Retki magazines of this summer. There was some information I believe you'll find usefull. You can find the one likely from your local library.
Andy, give it a try (UL backpacking) and if you have the opportunity, try packrafting. It is a lot of fun =)
ReplyDeleteHi Janek, yes, the costs are the major obstacle in packrafting :/ Thanks for pointing out my mistake in holding the oar, you're right - it should be the longer side which is up!
Hei Yeti, kiitos! Yeah, I think in Lapland where the trails cross rivers a packraft could be a good tool to have in your box!
Beni, paddling is actually quite easy once you have the knack for it. I catch fish with my normal fishing gear...
Thanks Robin! I think the other gear reviews will follow in a week or two, as I leave on holidays tomorrow =)
Lightening up, want to share that trip you've planned with me? I will look up the article in Retki, I usually read them in the library (I don't think the magazine is worth buying). Xavier also has a packraft now, a bigger one, though, maybe he stops by sometime and comments as well =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVizp1emx7A
ReplyDeleteSuperb report as always. Almost a bit jealous that pack-rafting really isn't suited for Switzerland (where I am).
/ Karl
I don't want to ruin the magic, but who took the photos...?
ReplyDeleteGlad you've gotten your feet wet :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, packrafts mean that you can plan some new and different trips even in areas that you know well. I've done some whitewater practising this summer, which is really fun and more to compare with downhill skiing. But for late August I am planning to use my packraft to get into a really inaccessible area. Looking forward to that.
By the way, you can use the packrafts inflatable seat as a life vest and sit on your pad. That's what I did on my slightly illfated packraftingtrip last year:
http://www.fjaderlatt.se/2009/09/packrafting-from-abisko-to-nikkaluokta.html
Karl, that video is EPIC! Thanks so much for sharing! I think there are some very good opportunities to go packrafting in Switzerland, I remember that a member of the trekking-ultraleicht.de forum posted some of his trips reports and photos there - you should try to check them out!
ReplyDeleteMaz, I took all photos and video except the last photo, which my girlfriend took on the lake in front of our house.
Hei Jörgen, thanks for the useful info, I will try that out (even if I am not certain that a life vest is needed!). Where are you headed in late August, something you already can talk about? I will add your link to the text above, I somehow must have missed you - you were also one of the inspirations to try packrafting!
Packrafting in Switzerland :) Hendrik is right, there are fewer places where this is less fun. Packrafing emerged from wilderness trekking, however, given the excellent train swiss system (nearly every tiny town is accessible) packrafts open up the joy of a true mix of means of transfers: http://picasaweb.google.de/sven.schellin/Schweiz#
ReplyDeleteSee the whole gallery for (packrafting) trips in Europe (beyond Switzerland).
Also, there is a wiki article in German to cover the European specific perception :) http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packraft
Hendrik, if Skurka is classified "the walking man" by NatGeo, you are "the blogging man" Maybe you get the same honour one time. Where do you take the time and drive for the stream of writing? It is intriguing how you produce these reports out of the tiniest occasion. Write on.
Yes - I agree. I think it's important to say thanks to Hendrik - he must put in so much work doing this blog and it really is the definitive start point for researching other blogs and UL/SUL trekking, tramping, hillwalking and hiking.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hendrik and I hope you enjoy your wilderness guide course. You'll be blogging on that during the course I hope? Telling us what you're being taught and how you're finding it?
I'm not really tempted at this point to try packrafting, but it's interesting to see others having a go. I'm not real big on watersports myself, although having said that I might be going canoeing at the end of the month for a couple of days. Maybe the bug will bite.
ReplyDeleteThat tent looks like alien technology.
Wow, this was a really good post. I've been an avid reader of your site for a while, but this is the first time I felt I should say something. Now I want to start packrafting. I never considered it before, but what a fantastic way to add some adventure to my hikes here in Indiana.
ReplyDeleteGreat great job!
Ok, after now having spent much too much time (at work) looking through Sven's pictures, I can only agree that packrafting definitely looks like a lot of fun in Switzerland as well as everywhere else.
ReplyDeleteInteresting is that I've already done a fair bit of Sven's Swiss journey, only I've done the bits separately. And with an inflatable canoe instead of a packraft.
Now to see what the Event Manager at home would say about (yet another) outdoors investment and suggested holiday and/or weekend plans... ;-)
/ Karl
Great report.
ReplyDeleteYes,
ReplyDeleteI am still reading :)
Indeed, I do have a boat as well now. Very fun to use indeed. However, river routes are a bit difficult to find at the moment in Southern Finland. All interesting rivers are flowing quite low... Hopefully this weekend will be better after this week's rains.
I would be interested in sharing a canoe trip with you guys. However, at the moment, I'm only available at weekends. So no Northern Finland and week-long trips for me at the moment... :(
Nice report, Hendrik, but you really need some moving water!
ReplyDeleteAt least canooing and kayaking are great ways to spend time in the nature so why not packraft? And being able to carry it easyly to aras that are hard to reach otherwise open reeeally interesting possibilities.
ReplyDeleteHendrik: The trip plan is still forming in my head (maybe next year?) but to get an hint of the idea you could watch the Finnish Erämaajoki movie/document: http://loimumedia.fi/eramaajoki.html And somehow include hiking to Halti fjell to that...
And for Hendrik and Xavier 8and anyone else interested): I should have an acces to some canoes and accessories here where I live and would be interested in a trip to Saimaa. Not too much white water here but nice lake area. And I'd love to try a packraft! ;)
Actually, we have planned with Anita to spend one weekend on the Eastern part of Finland some time before the winter. We would like to visit the Astuvansalmi rock paintings on lake Yövesi, part of Saimaa.
ReplyDeleteI can let you know, if ever you're interested... It can be easily combined with an overnight backpacking/canoeing trip.
Great report. For me packrafts have so much to offer if you have good access to good rivers. Hiking in and running rapids would be great and floating for three days down a river in a wilderness area would be just amazing. You have all that in Scandinavia. I would not carry one just to cross a lake or river - spending a long time on the water would be part of the experience. Go play.
ReplyDeleteBack from Amsterdam, time to answer!
ReplyDeleteSven, thank you for stopping by and providing first hand info on packrafting in Switzerland for Karl! Time and drive for writing I just seem to have, and thus use - thank you for the kind words!
Fraser, maybe after you have tried canoeing you get curious to try it. And you always could meet up with Phil and give it a try ;)
Matt, glad I was able to tempt you to comment after such a long while! Being in Indiana I am sure there are some fine rivers to add a totally new perspective to your hikes, so if you have a chance, give it a try!
Thank you Jolly Green Giant, always a pleasure to get appreciation from you!
Xavier, lets try to get together some time and plan a packrafting trip together.
Thank you Roman, I'll do my best to find some decently fast flowing water to try my white water skills!
Lightening up, thanks for the link, will check it out and let myself be inspired. Lets plan something for the autumn, hopefully we find a time that suits us (Xavier + gf + us)!
Thank you Martin! My thinking as well, just to cross a lake or river it might not be worth the trouble to carry it, but to combine it with a hike in + out is the way to go. I am sure you have great opportunities for packrafting in the UK as well!?
I love your coffee cup!
ReplyDeleteps - I thought you might be willing to share my recent packrafting expedition across Iceland with your readers? http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/adventures/transiceland/
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Alastair
Not quite sure how I missed this post but I guess I'm still ploughing through an overflowing RSS reader that seem to afflict all of us who!
ReplyDeleteFantastic report and photos. Really sad that I didn't get to experience packrafting this year but we'll make up for it next summer I hope! We live in the perfect part of the world for it.
Not quite sure how I missed this post but I guess I'm still ploughing through an overflowing RSS reader that seem to afflict all of us who!
ReplyDeleteFantastic report and photos. Really sad that I didn't get to experience packrafting this year but we'll make up for it next summer I hope! We live in the perfect part of the world for it.
Back from Amsterdam, time to answer!
ReplyDeleteSven, thank you for stopping by and providing first hand info on packrafting in Switzerland for Karl! Time and drive for writing I just seem to have, and thus use - thank you for the kind words!
Fraser, maybe after you have tried canoeing you get curious to try it. And you always could meet up with Phil and give it a try ;)
Matt, glad I was able to tempt you to comment after such a long while! Being in Indiana I am sure there are some fine rivers to add a totally new perspective to your hikes, so if you have a chance, give it a try!
Thank you Jolly Green Giant, always a pleasure to get appreciation from you!
Xavier, lets try to get together some time and plan a packrafting trip together.
Thank you Roman, I'll do my best to find some decently fast flowing water to try my white water skills!
Lightening up, thanks for the link, will check it out and let myself be inspired. Lets plan something for the autumn, hopefully we find a time that suits us (Xavier + gf + us)!
Thank you Martin! My thinking as well, just to cross a lake or river it might not be worth the trouble to carry it, but to combine it with a hike in + out is the way to go. I am sure you have great opportunities for packrafting in the UK as well!?
Nice report, Hendrik, but you really need some moving water!
ReplyDeleteps - I thought you might be willing to share my recent packrafting expedition across Iceland with your readers? http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/adventures/transiceland/
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Alastair
Hendrik,
ReplyDeleteHave you considered trying a Walker Bay Inflatable Kayak. No offense, but your gal is a pig in the water;) These walker bay's are much quicker, but are not means as quick as a hard bottomed boat. I bet your packing light enough to use one instead of a white water rafting style kayak.
http://www.walkerbay.com/airis-kayaks
Awesome @512dda7ee2ead82500f649168f815a2b The Tenkara is a nice touch too! Have you tried fishing from the raft?
ReplyDeleteThanks Errin! Haven't tried tenkara from the raft yet - maybe in the next two weeks, when I will be on the water!
ReplyDelete