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Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course - Spring 2023

Packrafting Course

Basic Whitewater Packrafting Course

This course provides a basic introduction to the gear and skills needed to navigate and safely paddle down Class II rivers. Topics covered include river navigation, reading whitewater, basic whitewater paddling strokes and maneuvers, self and partner rescue, team boating, trip preparation and self care.

Contacts

Tom Unger
Tom Unger
Leader

Applications Closed

Applications are closed but there is no one on the wait list.  It is still possible that some of the people who applied won't complete registration.  If you wish to join, please write the course administrators.

ACTIVITIES

  • An evening lecture to introduce gear and a course overview
  • An evening lecture to introduce river hazards and safety skills
  • A river outing to practice swimming safety and rescue 
  • An evening lecture to introduce river navigation and reading whitewater
  • A river outing to practice various paddling techniques
  • A river outing focused on river navigation and team boating

For students who have taken the Introduction to Flatwater Packrafting Course the gear lecture is optional.  The second lecture and all three field trips are required of all students.  

For students who have successfully attended the 5 activities associated with the course, participation in one additional class II river trip post course is required to obtain the Basic Whitewater Course Badge.  

APPLICATION

Because of our small committee size and field trip party size of 12, we have space for only 9 people.  We will accept people by application, prioritizing people who are willing and able to help our committee grow.  

APPLICATIONS OPEN:  DEC 10, 2022

the class will be posted to the mountaineers website and we will begin taking applications.  To apply, follow the application link, fill out the questions, and submit.  

APPLICATIONS CLOSE:  DEC 23, 2022, 11:59PM

At the end of the day on Dec 22 we will close applications and begin reviewing.

REGISTRATION OFFERED:  JAN 5, 2022

Spaces will be offered to the selected students.  Each student will have 5 days to complete registration. 

Books

The Packrafting Handbook by Luc Mehl is required reading.  This is a very good handbook for packrafting from beginner to expert levels skills.  Reading this book will provide and alternate, experienced voice, more details than we can give in class, and serve as a good reference through your packrafting carrier. 

SKILLS

river Swimming

  • Execute a flat jump into whitewater
  • Swim down a class II rapid in the safety position
  • Transition into an aggressive swim, catch an eddy
  • Exit a river in a seal crawl
  • Ferry swim across a class II river
  • Aggressive swim to a rope and hold in the position for rescue

BOAT RIGGING AND GEAR KNOWLEDGE

  • Packraft inflation, rigging, deflation and care
  • Drysuit and other things you wear and their use and care
  • Perform a mock boat repair

SELF RESCUE SKILLS

  • Re-enter a stabilized boat in deep water
  • Swim 50 feet (15m) with a paddle in a class II current 
  • Self-reentry from deep water in 90 seconds
  • Capsize while holding on to paddle and boat

PARTNER RESCUE

  • Stabilize a swimmer's boat while they reenter
  • Tow a swimmer 30ft (10m) to their boat
  • Right a capsized boat and boat bump 30ft (10m) to a swimmer
  • Paddle with two paddles 50ft (15m)
  • Throw a rope to a swimmer and belay them to shore

PADDLING SKILLS

  • Launch into current
  • Back-ferry across a class II current
  • Downstream ferry through a boulder garden
  • Catch and exit from an onshore eddy
  • Catch and exit from a mid-stream eddy
  • Paddle through a small hole
  • Paddle through a class II wave train
  • Manage boat speed by backpaddling and sideways slowing 

reading whiteWATER

  • Current, eddies, boulders, holes, wave trains
  • Wood hazards, strainers
  • Mid-stream and onshore eddies
  • Sieves, siphons, whirlpools
  • Channels and cobble bars

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Students will need to provide the following equipment.  

If you wish to order an Alpacka, that should be done after getting into the class in January.  Other pieces of gear are more readily available and can be purchased after the gear meeting.

Whitewater packraft.  This means a boat with a deck or self bailing so that it does not fill with water.  Should be made out of “rugged” material.  Largely, that disqualifies any “light weight” rafts.  It must be rigged with bow and stern grab lines.  We have mostly chosen Alpacka Rafts, and can attest to their quality.  Other manufacturers make suitable rafts.  Thigh straps are not required, but many people like having them.

Dry suit.  Goretex does breath better, but is more expensive and heavier.  See the Kayak Academy's Buyer's Guide

Whitewater Helmet.  Fit is most important.  Allow space for a hat or balaclava.  Consider how sunglasses fit. Bicycle helmets or climbing helmets are not acceptable. 

PFD.  A wide range of options are suitable.  You might choose a light weight PFD if you anticipate carrying it.  Or choose a rescue PFD if you’re goal is more difficult rapids.

Paddle.  Single piece paddles are light and strong, but awkward to transport.  4 piece paddles are easy to transport but weigh more.  Two part paddles are the most common, reasonably light and easy to transport.  A two part paddle can be carried inside most rafts.  However, on a backpack, two part paddles are awkward. 

River shoes.  Any shoe you can get wet.  Soft neoprene boots can work but will be uncomfortable for walking on river rocks. 

  • Good protection from rocks
  • Oversized to allow extra socks.  
  • Drains water easily.
  • Do not have loose laces or other features that may catch on something.

Whistle.  If you don’t own one, The Storm Whistle is effectively loud

Warm Layers:  The outdoor layers that you use for other sports likely work well.  

Deck Bag / Dry bags:  For storage of equipment on and in the boat.  We find the expedition bow bag to be super useful and recommend it.  You can make due with several dry bags.

Repair Kit:  An adequate repair kit comes with Alpacka Rafts.  If your raft does not come with such a kit, anticipate putting one together.

Hand Protection:  Some combination of warm paddling gloves, pogies, and blister protection.

Course Materials

You must register for this course to see course materials.