Introduction to Packrafting
1-Credit
Instructor-Edward Plumb, Owner, Northern Alaska Packrafts, LLC
Contact: 687-5544; edward@alaskapackrafts.com
June 1st-8th, 2015
Field trip fee: $295
Course MeetingsClassroom- Outdoor Adventures office at 519 Copper Lane
Monday 6/1/15 6pm-9pm
Topics: Introduction to packrafts, history, basic hydrology, navigation skills, trip
planning, whitewater rating system.
Classroom- Outdoor Adventures Office at 519 Copper Lane
Tuesday 6/2/15 6pm-9pm
Topics: Ultralight equipment, multi-use gear, packraft maintenance and care, repairs.
Field Trip- Tanana Lakes Recreation Area on South Cushman Street
Wednesday 6/3/15 6pm-9pm
Topics: Inflation and loading packrafts, basic maneuvering and paddling, safety on the
water, practice wet exit/entry and self rescue, cleaning and packing boats.
Field Trip- Granite Tors Campground in the Chena River Recreation Area
Thursday 6/4/15 9am-5pm
Topics: Continue to strengthen skills on moving water, including basic maneuvering and
paddling, safety on the water, practice wet exit/entry, self rescue, and throw rope rescue.
Field Trip- Nugget Creek/South Fork Chena River in the Chena River Recreation Area
Friday 6/5/15 8am-6pm
Topics: Day trip including hiking and floating, techniques for packing and loading boats,
understanding and dealing with river hazards, and continue to build paddling skills.
Classroom- Outdoor Adventures Office at 519 Copper Lane
Saturday 6/6/15 10am-4pm
Topics: Trip preparation and logistics, packing food and gear, etc.
Field Trip- Alaska Range Packrafting
Sunday 6/7/2015- Monday 6/8/2015
Topics: Apply and strengthen all skills learned in previous meetings and field trips, in
addition to route finding, river crossings, and low impact camping.
Course Description
This is the ideal class for those curious about packrafts and interested in planning a
summer adventure in a packraft. In this course we will start with the basics and go over
trip planning using Google Earth and topographic maps, understanding stream gradients
and how this relates to the river class rating system, river and weather data sources,
packing techniques and tricks, ultra-light equipment and clothing to stay warm, learning
about multiple uses for a single piece of gear, maintenance and repairs, inflation of the
boat, loading your boat, basic maneuvering and paddling, wet exit/entry, self rescue, and
emergency preparedness and safety on the water. We will then head out for two
individual day trips on the Upper Chena River to practice and build our skills, and then
combine everything we have learned in an overnight packrafting trip in the Alaska
Range. This environment will provide many opportunities for instruction and learning
moments.
Course Goals
The students should leave this course with a good understanding of packrafting in Alaska.
This class will provide students with a background in trip planning, the types of multi-use
gear needed for packrafting and its correct use in the field, and the necessary skills for
safe travel on rivers and lakes. This class will help develop a good sense of judgment for
future packrafting trips. In addition, students will experience firsthand how packrafting
has revolutionized backcountry travel and will be eager to continuing exploring Alaska
on their own in a packraft.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to plan a route, estimate whitewater class rating if unknown, and
put together the logistics of their own packrafting trips. After this course students should
be able to navigate in the wilderness with a map and compass, learn to recognize
obstacles in the river, when to scout or portage, and understand their own personal level
of comfort on the water. Students will know and be able to follow the Leave No Trace
wilderness principles. Students will be able minimize their risk of a negative bear
encounter by practicing bear safe procedures.
Appropriate Student Background
There are no prerequisites for this course; however, enrollees must be in adequate
physical condition to carry a 30+ pound pack over uneven surfaces and be comfortable on
the water and swimming in moving water. Students must be willing to: travel in
inclement weather, bushwhack, have wet feet, do river crossings, deal with lots of bugs,
and travel over steep and unstable terrain.
Instructional Methods
The course will use both classroom discussion and field learning. The classroom
discussion will be prior to the field trips. During the field trips, the instructor will discuss
potential situations and challenges as well as demonstrate skills to be mastered by the
students. The students will then have time to learn/practice those skills through
application by active participation in packrafting. The students will have a final scenario
based on the skills learned in the class.
Grading
This is a pass/fail course.
Trip Preparation 25%
Field Scenarios (navigation, campsite selection, route finding, etc.) 25%
Field Notebooks 25%
Participation in the expedition experience 25%
70%- will be considered a passing grade
Grading Rubric for Intro to Packrafting
Trip Preparation
Field Scenarios
Field Notebook
Participation in the
Expedition
Experience
5 (Excellent)
Student has their personal
gear kit for the trip
together, organized and
complete. Student works
hard to make sure that the
food, logistics and group
gear are thoroughly
prepared
4 (Good)
Student has most of
their personal gear
together. Student
actively participants in
food shopping,
logistics and group gear
participation
2-3 (Fair)
Student has an
incomplete or
unorganized personal
gear kit. They don’t
do their share of the
pre-trip preparations
with the group food
and gear.
Student fully grasps the
concepts presented in
LNT, navigation, route
finding and other field
lessons and can then
implement them on their
own
Student fully utilizes the
field note book for taking
notes and checking lists
before the trip, thoughts
and reflections in the
field and also has notes
taken during the field
scenarios
Student engages with the
group in a positive
manner. They pitch in
and do more than their
share of the camp chores.
They also are
encouraging and patient
with other members of
the group
Student has a good
grasp of the field
concepts that are
presented and can
demonstrate these
concepts with a little
help
Student takes some
notes in the notebook
about the trip prep and
lesson and also writes
some reflections while
out on the trip.
Student has a partial
understanding of the
different field scenarios
and has trouble
demonstrating any of
those lessons.
0-1 (Poor)
Student has not taken
the necessary steps to
get any of their gear
together. They are
absent from the trip
preparation or don’t do
anything to make the
logistics for the trip
happen
Student has no grasp of
the field concept lesson
that are presented and
can’t demonstrate any
of them without
significant help
Student has a notebook
but doesn’t use it much
Student doesn’t have a
field notebook
Students are positive
and helpful most of the
time. They do their
share of the camp
chores and participate
in the decisions that the
group makes
Student is sometimes
unengaged or negative
with other members of
the group. They only
participate in some of
the group discussions
and mainly do camp
chores that benefit
themselves directly.
Student is not engaged
with the group at all.
Never does any camp
chores and is negative,
sullen and makes no
effort to resolve any
issues within the group
Equipment
Outdoor Adventures will provide: drysuits, PFD’s, throw ropes, dry bags, tents,
backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, stoves, and pots. Northern Alaska Packrafts
will provide: packrafts, paddles, and boat inflation bags. Students will need to have
clothing that is appropriate for being outside in the summer environment of Alaska.
Course Material
There is no text book. Students will need to have a field notebook and pencil for the
course.
Course Assignments
Students will be expected use the notebook to create a future reference for safe
packrafting and backcountry travel. This should include: documenting river levels at the
start/end of the trip, the type of water encountered at that water level, relationship of
stream gradients to the whitewater rating class, location of any hazards observed on the
river for future reference, types of multi-use gear, notes about food choices including
likes/dislikes and amounts, daily distances and times, route hints and reminders for next
time, general reminder notes, and reflections about the trip (I.E. why you are there?).
Risk Tolerance
Due to the nature of outdoor travel there are certain risks in this class. Acceptable risks
include: hazards in the river such as sweepers/strainers, rocks or other obstacles in the
water, rapids, submersion in cold water, swimming, hiking up steep hills with a backpack
of 30+ pounds for many miles of rough terrain, doing stream crossings, camping out in
Alaska weather, dealing with wildlife, snowstorms, wind, ice and mud. Driving risks may
include slick and snowy roads, poor visibility, and wildlife.
Students with Disabilities
The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), and insures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course
materials. The instructor will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203 WHIT,
474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities. Please
inform the instructor of any disabilities during the first class session.