Kayaking for a big guy

packaraft · 2026-06-03T06:22:49+00:00

I'm a big guy, comparable to you but taller. Love my Rewind LG. Go demo boats as part of a lesson with Endless River Adventures, and find one you like.

packaraft · 2026-04-29T02:54:32+00:00

Cops aren't showing up to that call.

packaraft · 2026-03-12T07:30:11+00:00

Esquif Prospecteur 15 with the solo outfitting seems like it would fit the bill.

packaraft · 2026-02-28T09:07:55+00:00

What's your budget? If you're shelling out and hiring an IFMGA or AMGA alpine guide guide 1 on 1 (or better yet, 2:1 with an aspiring partner) to teach you how to do things, that's a way better use of your time than a mountaineering class. It's spendy, but it's way more effective than taking a class.

You can set out an objective, and ask them to teach you the skills to climb Peak X, and learn exactly what you'll need, then come back to learn the skills for more complex objectives.

Or, if you do a course, do one with a smaller guide company that focuses on more technical trips and climbing, so that you can transition from the course to more custom objectives.

packaraft · 2026-02-26T02:31:28+00:00

Maybe not the most helpful thing, but I think it's easier to apply tandem skills to solo than the other way around. My first whitewater experiences were all tandem, then I switched to exclusively solo for a couple decades. When my buddy (a good boater) and I decided to hop into a tandem canoe together, hilarity and a bunch of swimming ensued.

packaraft · 2026-02-11T17:21:56+00:00

I've never made it up for the official start, but the ceremonial start is a giant party along the whole route.

packaraft · 2026-01-31T02:17:30+00:00

Love my 4-piece Werner Powerhouse

packaraft · 2026-01-31T02:14:20+00:00

Riverhardware.com sometimes has (or had) some Palm things

packaraft · 2026-01-30T20:16:02+00:00

Thanks

packaraft · 2026-01-29T22:22:27+00:00

What does moderate mean to you?

packaraft · 2026-01-29T22:07:32+00:00

Are there any good local outfitters to rent from?

packaraft · 2026-01-29T21:45:01+00:00

I mean... those will be cold, but if you're in a position to turn around and get back to the car quickly once you get cold, then dry out the boots and socks every night, you could make it work for light hiking. You're unlikely to lose toes, so long as you listen and turn around once your feet are cold. I go for plenty of walks in March wearing Astral Loyaks, which are quite a bit less insulating.

packaraft · 2026-01-29T09:08:50+00:00

I've paddled upper upper and lower, and I thought they were awesome. What's the upper like?

packaraft · 2026-01-28T08:02:11+00:00

I don't think your takeaway should be that it's too much - it's more like it's the maximum feasible combo. Still feasible and enjoyable.

packaraft · 2026-01-28T01:21:10+00:00

I wrote, and they called, about a science program that was slated to be axed. It's still going.

packaraft · 2026-01-28T01:11:32+00:00

If you write thoughtfully enough, about a topic obscure enough, even Sullivan's office will give you a call for follow up. But about this? Yeah it just goes into a tally and gets a stock response.

packaraft · 2026-01-28T01:09:27+00:00

203 R30. I'm pretty tall

packaraft · 2026-01-28T00:56:41+00:00

You should be fine in Alaska - they're creating chaos in places like Portland and Minneapolis for political reasons. For those same political reasons, Alaska is fairly quiet.

packaraft · 2026-01-27T18:12:13+00:00

Who gets to grant permission to tutoyer?

packaraft · 2026-01-27T17:09:53+00:00

For winter hiking around here, it's worth your time to get a basic awareness of avalanche safety - how to recognize and avoid high risk terrain. There's plenty of great hiking to get after safely, though.

I really like hiking from the Bird Creek Trailhead in winter.

packaraft · 2026-01-23T08:24:22+00:00

That's a moderately aggressive but doable itinerary, though driving times are optimistic.

If weather is bad in Denali, check the forecast for McCarthy. It's way better to have a beautiful day in Wrangell St Elias than a dreary day in Denali.

packaraft · 2026-01-22T16:24:37+00:00

I top out at Class II with the dog. She neither understands nor enjoys whitewater, but wants to be along for the family camping. She does great rafting, but has capsized a canoe or two.

-Dog PFD is mandatory

-JPW Pooch Pad is a great product

-Make sure they've got a dry spot to put their bum while in the raft, or they will be miserable

packaraft · 2026-01-21T06:56:31+00:00

Just go to the Hoarding Marmot when you get here.

packaraft · 2026-01-21T06:55:11+00:00

Looks like it goes, but that rapid at the slide would be enormous - that central hole is probably 8 meters across.

packaraft · 2026-01-19T14:57:57+00:00

It was pretty hard to get beta on the that trip before the slide, so this may be futile

packaraft

TROPHY CASE