Here is a summary of my paddling, training, racing and lifestyle changing activities in 2011:

Paddling

I paddled and trained on the South Platte River in winter and then on my local lakes in northern Colorado: Horsetooth Reservoir, Boyd Lake, Lonetree, Boedecker and Beaver Pond.

Racing

No ultra marathon races in 2011. I couldn’t participate in the Missouri River 340 Race postponed till October. I paddled only in the 10 mile Colorado River Race in Glenwood Canyon dominated by stand-up paddlers. For me, it was a very intense workout in my Sea Wind canoe.

Packrafting

I started packrafting with Alpacka Yukon packraft. After initial testing on Riverbend Ponds I did a few trips on the South Platte. I use inline skates or bike for a road shuttle.

JKK Supernova

In October I started to paddle JKK Supernova, multisport sea kayak, which I bought from Jeremy Rodgers. Supernova is a strong candidate for my self supported 2012 MR340 Race if I manage to make a seat more comfortable.

June biking and packrafting trip on the South Platte River

In my last visit to the South Platte River I used Alpacka Yukon packraft combined with inline skating between Kersey and Kuner. The river has a good flow again after heavy rains, so I did another packrafting trip (May 22, 2011) – a classic run from Evans to Kersey. This time I used my mountain bike for a shuttle.

Biking leg

9.11 miles from Kersey bridge to Evans Riverside Park, 50 minutes. It was a typical car shuttle route. The road from the river bridge to Kersey is narrow and with high traffic, the highway 34 is also very busy but has a wide shoulder lane, the rest of the course had almost no traffic. The folded packraft traveled on bike racks and all other stuff including my big camera and tripod went to backpack. It got quite heavy!

Transition

10:17 minutes. Inflating the Alpacka Yukon packraft. I left my bike at Evans.

Paddling leg

9.13 miles downriver to Kersey, 2:30 hours with a long photography stop at the first dam. Cruising speed: 5.5-6 mph with the river flow ~2200 cfs. I could easily float over the first dam. The second portage was more difficult because of dense weeds.

Wildlife

Eagles are gone, now it is a pelican time on the South Platte in addition to resident geese and ducks. Beavers were very noisy and had a good time in a small pond next to the Kersey bridge.

Kuner, CO, April 16, 2011. Alpacka Yukon packraft in a backpack together with a life jacket, chota boots, Epic take apart paddle, water, and some other essentials, together about 24lb.

It took me about 40 minutes to ride 5.5 miles on inline skates to Kersey. I chose back roads (county roads 61 and 388) on the left shore of the South Platte River – light traffic and smooth asphalt. I was riding on the left side facing the traffic ready to jump to shoulder if necessary. Everybody gave me plenty of room including big farm trucks. The main road along the South Platte, highway 34, has a wide shoulder, but covered with sand and gravel. My route was almost avoiding the very busy county road 37 leading from Kersey to the river.

There was a lot of wild turkey around Kuner.

Kersey. Time to change gears. It took me only 5 minutes to inflate my packraft with an inflation bag. However, I used next 15 or 20 minutes to attach my backpack and launch the packraft. I need a better system …

The South Platte River was running very low during last month, but it got more water after a recent day of rain and snow. I caught a decreasing flow of 400 cfs at Kersey. My cruising speed downriver was between 4.5 and 5 mph, so after just 1 hour and 20 minutes I returned back to Kuner.

The river leg was quite relaxing while the road part was much more difficult and exhausting. I started too late (~10am) when it was getting pretty hot on the road and I didn’t have a hydration system accessible when skating. I have still original wheels on my new skates (K2 Mach 100) which are pretty soft. My old skates with smaller, but harder racing wheels are faster. So, there is some room for improvements in my road transport. I would like to extend my range up to 20 miles.

My second test of Alpacka Yukon packraft took place still on lakes (April 9, 2011), but with high winds and some chop.

I used a heavier load on a bow of my pacraft – a drybag containing my photo geart inlcuding Canon DSLR camera, a tripod and flash. The packraft was tracking much better. And, it seems to be not a big problem to paddle against 20 mph wind with some stronger gusts.

I explored 3 of 3 7 lakes within Fort Collins’ Riverbend Ponds Natural Area covering about 3 miles. Because of wind I didn’t unpack my big camera. The above snapshot was made with Pentax Optio W30, a waterproof camera on duty in all my paddling.

Related post:
Speed Test of Alpacka Yukon Packraft

Some packrafting resources:
PACKRAFTING! An Introduction and How-To Guide by Roman Dial
Tips & Technique from Alpacka Raft
Tips for your first Packrafting trip by Alastair Humphreys

I am entering a new water sport activity: packrafting. Yesterday, I performed first test with Alpacka Yukon packraft in Fort Collins’ Riverbend Ponds Natural Area.

I am not thinking about any big expeditions with my packraft at this time. My plans are just to explore short river segments combined with land transportation by inline skates or a bike. And, more opportunities for photography.

First observations:
- A fully inflated Alpacka raft fits inside my Subaru Outback. So, it will be easy to explore some local small lakes and ponds where dragging my expedition canoe would be an overkill.
- This packraft tracts surprisingly well. It is a new 2011 model with an extended stern.
- A comfortable cruising speed on a calm lake was around 2.5 mph. I was able to reach 3 mph. However, an efficient paddle stroke may be restricted with a big backpack or bike placed across raft bow.
- Seating and foot room is pretty tight. Well, I like to have some foot support for paddling – probably not a typical position for river floating.
- I didn’t use a spray deck. It could be useful in that rainy evening.

I am ready for a river test.

Some packrafting resources:
PACKRAFTING! An Introduction and How-To Guide by Roman Dial
Tips & Technique from Alpacka Raft
Tips for your first Packrafting trip by Alastair Humphreys