Alaska - Packrafting down the Eagle River

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Join me for a private packrafting trip in the Chugach National Forest & Chugach State Park. Packrafting combines hiking and rafting for a unique adventure through the Alaskan wilderness. This is an exploratory trip to see about taking groups in the future. Group size is a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 people. The tentative itinerary is below.

Dates: August 10 - 14, 2023 (not including travel to/from Anchorage)
Cost: $2590 (land only - dependent on the number of participants)
Steep grade: 5/5 - must be able to hike 10 miles while carrying a backpack weighing up to 50 lbs

DAY ONE:

Arrive in Anchorage, AK.

DAY TWO:

8am: Guides arrive in the morning; team “meet & greet.” Travel to Eagle River (20 minutes).

10am-6pm: River skills & paddle training on Eagle River, Alaska.

  • Gear Basics: Equipment & terminology (boat, paddle, PFD, drysuit, clothes), maintenance & care

  • Land Travel & Transport Basics: packing, hiking, carrying & boat inflation

  • Stowing Gear & Rigging for the Water

  • Entry Level Paddle Strokes for Basic Boat Control: Forward, backward & sweep strokes

  • Trip Plans: Executing day trips on class I-II moving water

DAY THREE:

Morning: Review group & personal gear before departing Anchorage. Packing instruction & support (opportunity for last minute needs/purchases)

Afternoon:

Travel from Anchorage to Girdwood (1 hr drive).

Begin Crow Pass Trail, goal is to camp at Crow Pass. (4 miles hiking, 3500 ft elevation gain. Approx 3-4 hrs). Wilderness camping in alpine.

DAY FOUR:

Morning/early afternoon: Hike 8 miles on Crow Pass Trail. (500 ft elevation gain, 2500 ft loss. Approx 4-5 hrs)

Afternoon/early evening: Transition into “packraft mode” for river travel. Paddle 1-3 miles downstream, before making camp along river bar.

DAY FIVE:

Morning: Downstream packraft travel for 8 miles. (3-5 hrs)

Afternoon: Transition to hiking mode, to portage/walk around class IV whitewater section of river. Continue hiking out to Eagle River Nature Center Trailhead, 4 miles (approx. 2 hrs)

***Route finish time/arrival at Eagle River Nature Center, approx. 6pm

***Return to Anchorage approx. 7-8pm


To register or for more details, use the link below to email to start the process.

Includes:
Lodging (3 nights in hotel or lodge and 2 nights camping)
Meals while pack rafting
Transportation to the river
Two professional & experienced guides
Whitewater/river instruction
All packraft related & river safety gear
Group gear: tents, kitchen
Logistics management

Does not include:
Airport transfer
Airfare to/from Anchorage
Transportation from airport to group lodging
Personal backpack gear: backpack, sleeping bag & pad, etc (refer to gear list)
Meals/food when in Anchorage