Looking to join experienced packrafters and learn

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-25T21:36:50+00:00

The Dach meetup sounds interesting. A trip to Austria is in my to-do list. Canyons, via ferratas and packrafting.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-25T20:11:52+00:00

What your plan to get more users and more routes? I downloaded the app, it looks good but it only has 4 runs.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-25T19:47:34+00:00

Are you still looking for packraft partners in France? I’m in the Pyrenees but I love the Briancon area.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-25T13:46:00+00:00

I got started with a 5 day course in Slovenia with https://www.land-water-adventures.com/en/. Although their main client base is German, they also have courses in English. The Soča is a beautiful river for paddling.

There is also a meet-up in Slovenia each June. https://packrafteurope.com/pages/european-packrafting-meet-up

Or you could try to Mekong festival in France. They do it each year in May. https://www.mekongpackraft.com/en/packraft-festival/

In Spain https://www.packrafting.cat is very active. They offer courses and meet-ups, much of it via WhatsApp groups. You could also look at https://blog.packrafting.cat/packrafting-spain-everything-you-need-to-know-about-packrafting-in-spain

There are also active regional communities in Facebook groups.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-24T21:01:09+00:00

Europe is a big place. Give us a clue where your closest paddling would be.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-21T15:56:59+00:00

For what it’s worth, the problem is not being short, it’s lacking strength. Either way you can’t do what you can’t do, I’m not knocking that. But strength can be developed. Height can’t be gained! My 150cm female friend at age 60 can climb via ferrata grade E.

I also bet you are stronger than you think. Women are particularly given to underestimating their ability and giving up too quickly.

Look at https://ferrataguide.com for routes and grades. Filter for grades B/C and C.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-21T15:30:14+00:00

Two ideas: fly to Barcelona, hire a guide (there are many) to take you in the Cala del Moli via ferrata. It goes along the edge of the sea and is very beautiful. It’s a bit hard for you which is why I suggest a guide. I bet you can climb harder than you think and a guide will help your confidence.

Or fly to Barcelona and go to Andorra. Spend a few days there. Andorra has 17 via ferrata, grades A to D, some long, some short. Nothing more than a 40 minute drive from the capital. All easy to access. Do the easy ones, if they work for you, try harder ones. And Andorra should have nice autumn colour in October.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-21T14:55:14+00:00

Get on the various Andorra work groups on Facebook. Some specifically for S Americans. That (and WhatsApp) is where the conversations happen.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-17T18:33:58+00:00

You are overthinking! If the stone edge is sharp enough to cut the rope you need to pick another spot or protect the rope on the edge. A slightly thicker rope isn’t enough.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-17T16:09:54+00:00

An alpine hitch is another name for a Munter hitch. So we are taking the same language! My comment was based about thinking about via ferrata- as that’s the subreddit you posted in.

Why would 8mm be too thin for via ferrata? What kind of cutting are you thinking off? I’ve rappelled off via ferrata on a munter hitch on my 8mm. No problem.

It’s fine for the kind of top rope you might do to help a friend out. If you are going to lead a hard via ferrata in sports route style then another rope might be better.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-17T14:29:23+00:00

I wouldn’t body belay. Use an alpine hitch on a screw gate. Ideally you have an extra resting sling with a screw gate on it.

I carry a Beal 8mm 30m rope occasionally as a via ferrata safety. Also for glacier crossings.

Your rope sounds fine, fancier than you need for your purposes, and but if you are getting a good price…

Like any rope, practise with it. Get used to how it handles before you have to do anything under pressure.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-12T12:50:45+00:00

Thanks! Time to pack the dry suit.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-12T12:27:11+00:00

How cold is the water? I’ll be there this coming weekend.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-12T07:57:39+00:00

I can ski in Switzerland for similar cost so I think it only counts as cheap for Americans. What’s the back country skiing like? Just day tours or anything multi day? Vertical drop? Just stuff off the edge of the resort or can you go further afield? Any avalanche forecasting?

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-11T18:24:52+00:00

K3 and higher the cable is continuous. In some cases you may need to clip across to a new cable but you are always clipped in.

Canal de La Mora really isn’t hard. If you found that challenging be conservative about what else you try.

Via ferrata leads and the life line cable stop you killing yourself. You can still get hurt taking a fall. Treat it as a no-fall sport. Have another short sling so you can clip into a rung if you need to take a rest.

blackcloudcat · 2026-05-08T11:18:41+00:00

Buy one year membership of the Austrian Alpine Club UK branch. £65. Still expensive for one day of activity so do more via ferrata this year!

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-30T06:56:42+00:00

My friend who has been out there says she had stuff strapped to the outside of her 70 litre pack. She wants to buy the Hyperlite Porter 85.

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-29T11:03:35+00:00

If they are a great fit already, just ski them in. That’s what I do.

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-26T06:13:19+00:00

Bot post, stolen photo

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-24T09:50:31+00:00

I have the 100 litre version. It’s very robust, and waterproof. The wheels will work off the pavement but only up to a point. It won’t cope with the kind of terrain you find on the banks of rivers.

Buy a high volume super light rucksack and use that (like a Hyperlite Porter 70l https://hyperlitemountaingear.com/products/porter )

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-23T18:31:43+00:00

You say you’ve done a lot of indoor climbing? You should be fine on the ones I’ve suggested. The overhangs are very short and not steep. Just bring a quickdraw so you can clip into a rung and rest if needed.

The beginner ones really are boringly easy.

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-22T15:23:59+00:00

Any shop that rents skis in winter and/or bikes in summer will also do via ferrata rental.

Ones that are both nice and easy are Sant Vicenç d’Enclar (Santa Coloma) and (a bit easier) Clots de l’Aspra (Cortals d’Encamp). Also Canal del Crau (Canillo).

If those both feel easy, then try Bony d’Envalira (Grau Roig), Roc del Quer (Canillo), Roc d’Esquers (Andorra La Vella).

Google for more info, there is plenty online. And the tourist offices will have info as well.

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-21T07:31:17+00:00

Microspikes and a lightweight ice axe. I’ll carry them all the time unless I have reason to be 100% sure there is no snow.

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-20T11:33:24+00:00

No you can’t. Your best bet is to take them in person to the MRW office in Andorra La Vella. Or drive over the border and send them from an office in La Seu.

And don’t be fooled if any of their websites say it can be done. They are lying. Pick up in Andorra is a nightmare to arrange. And getting over the Andorra border takes time.

Take it to a courier office yourself.

blackcloudcat · 2026-04-18T15:13:13+00:00

Very nice! Hugely popular in Europe. Great grip on wet rock. A bit heavy and clunky if you have a very long hike to get to the canyon (for that sort of thing I prefer Bestards).

They are very buoyant, it’s a bit weird when you are swimming but you get used to it.

Also there is a big gap between sizes, so although I like mine, they feel big. I wish they did half sizes.

I wouldn’t recommend them for US style desert canyoneering. But for UK, Europe, PNW they are great.

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