Alpacka Yukon packraft – micro expeditions and photography in Colorado

By /

Packrafting, in its simplest form, is the act of traveling through waterways using a lightweight inflatable raft that can be easily packed and carried on your back or your bike. Combining elements of backpacking, paddling, and adventure, packrafting offers a unique way to explore remote and inaccessible wilderness areas. With a packraft, you have the freedom to traverse lakes, rivers, and even whitewater, opening up a world of possibilities for outdoor enthusiasts.

I have got my solo Yukon packraft in 2011 from lpacka RaftKopelli packrafts. I visit their exhibition every year in Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, CO. In my early years with Yukon packraft I did a series of micro expeditions on rivers in northern Colorado including South Platte, Poudre and St Vrain combining packrafting with biking and inline skating. In recent years I am using the packraft more for photography and to explore some smaller lakes with a difficult access for other paddling boats.

  • a blue pacraft (one-person light raft used for expedition or adventure racing) with a kayak paddle on a lake shore in spring scenery
  • a blue packraft (one-person light raft used for expedition or adventure racing) with a kayak paddle on a lake shore in spring scenery
  • a blue packraft (one-person light raft used for expedition or adventure racing) with a kayak paddle against a shallow river
  • a senior male with a blue pacraft (one-person light raft used for expedition or adventure racing) on a lake shore in spring scenery
  • senior male carrying a packraft
  • senior male carrying a packraft(one-person light raft used for expedition or adventure racing) on a lake shore in Colorado in springtime scenery
  • senior male paddling a packraft (one-person light raft used for expedition or adventure racing) on the Cache la Poudre River in Fort Collins, Colorado, winter or early spring
  • paddler with packraft on mountain river
  • inflatable packraft on a mountain river
  • inflatable whitewater kayak and packraft in snowstorm
  • kayak, packraft and paddler aerial view
  • paddler in packraft on mountain river
  • senior male paddler is adding air to an inflatable packraft
  • inflatable kayak and packraft on a river - aerial view
  • inflatable whitewater kayak and packraft in snowstorm
  • packraft paddling in snowstorm
  • inflatable packraft with paddle on a lake shore
  • senior male is paddling an inflatable packraft
  • senior male paddler is launching his inflatable packraft
  • inflatable packraft with paddle on a lake shore
  • senior male paddler with an inflatable packraft
  • happy senior male paddler with an inflatable packraft
  • senior male is paddling an inflatable packraft

In the past I was analyzing chances to complete the Missouri River 340 race in a packraft. It would be definitely the slowest and shortest boat in that endurance race. I resisted temptation and limited myself to 20 mile river floating trips. I always have plans for more micro expeditions, perhaps, with a folding Dahon Mariner bike.

Related posts:

Scroll to Top