Grand Canyon Packrafting - March 2021 

Awesome! You're going to love it!

Thank you!

Thanks! We had a blast. You can read more about our trip on the Alpacka Raft blog... www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/packrafting-the-grand-canyon-in-the-forager/ We packed roughly 120 lbs of gear, used poop tubes for solid waste, and used the MSR MiniWorks filter and Aquatabs for water filtration/treatment. The park service allowed a smaller first aid kit, and in general, did not give us pushback. When we flip the raft, we try to hold on to the grab line but it is pretty easy to retrieve on a drop-pool river. Hope this helps!

Thanks! We carry a packraft repair kit for holes/tears but have not used it. Over the past year, we have covered about 500 river miles and completed multiple wilderness trips with the packraft. Fortunately, the only maintenance required has been rinsing with freshwater and cleaning/lubricating the cargo fly. The Forager is especially durable because the hull is made with 420-denier nylon while the other Alpacka models are made with 210-denier nylon.

Thank you! I'm sure you will enjoy your Forager. When I paddle solo, I use the AB Shred Apart in kayak paddle mode because it allows me to be faster and better balanced. The Forager is certainly more stable than a kayak and it performs well in big water. However, it is much less nimble which forces you to punch through features that you may be able to avoid in a kayak. Hard to say whether the Forager is easier to paddle in big water, but my opinion is that it's more fun. The disadvantage of the Forager is that when you flip, you are committed to the swim, whereas a reasonably competent kayaker would have a chance at rolling back upright. For this reason, I don't recommend the Forager for technical water above class IV.

Yeah, that makes sense. I don’t go above class IV In any boat anyway. It would obviously be a lot harder to eddy out to scout or whatever too in this boat, but it looks fun. You don’t do the duct tape over the drainage holes thing if you are paddling it on flat water, do you? I would be afraid of leaving a sticky residue. I’ll bet it was quite a load to pack up with also your share of the camping gear up either Bright Angel or North Kaibab (couldn’t tell which way you went)? Beast mode engaged!

Interesting idea, but no, I don't duct tape the bailing holes when padding flat water. I doubt the benefit would be worth the effort and potential mess. It certainly was a tough hike up the Bright Angel trail with all of our gear! Of course, I would do it again in a heartbeat if we won another permit. @@kentwilliams13

@@Renman78 No regrets! It’s a great boat.

Unfortunately, the same permit is required either way. Best of luck in the lottery!

Thanks! Yes, you can get back into the boat mid river. It takes some upper body strength and a good kick but it is definitely doable. Also, the floor is self-bailing, so once you flip the boat upright and get back in your seat, you can continue paddling.

Yes, we had to get a noncommercial river permit through the lottery system.

Sorry follow up question.. Are you sitting on a seat or the boat during these rapids?

Aqua-Bound Shred Apart Carbon 4-Piece Packraft Paddle (240 cm)

We kneel on the floor of the boat and sit back on our heels during the rapids.

Congrats on your purchase. Enjoy!

Any advice or must do mods? We are taking it on a Buffalo river hike/ float soon first time pack rafting with the wife.

Alpacka Forager