Hello All,
I’m new to the concept of packrafting and would like some advice:
My GF and I have done a few Grand Canyon backpacking trips in recent years and were considering adding a packraft into the mix for this year. We were awarded a permit (use of packraft included) for the middle of April '16. Our itinerary is the following (for those who are familiar): Head down Tanner Trail to Colorado River, hike up-river on the Beamer Trail to the confluence of the Little Colorado River, return to the Tanner Trail, and hike out the way we came. Since this is an out and back itinerary, we’d like to hike up-river to the confluence, put in at the LCR, and exit 5 miles down river (maximum allowed by backcountry permit) which ends up being about 2 miles up-river from Tanner Rapid. We’d be concerned primarily with 65-mile rapid and Lava Canyon rapid (https://www.riverbrain.com/river_rapid/show/236). Since this appears to be a relatively calm section of the river, we were looking at purchasing an Explorer 42 outfitted with a cargo fly, and using the shred-apart paddle option since this appears to be the lightest weight option -adding about 10lbs to our pack(s). I have the following concerns, however:
Alpacka says that the Explorer 42 is capable of Class III whitewater; it’s also an open boat…How wet should we plan on getting in this stretch? Would it be possible to wear regular backpacking attire with PFD’s and not have the added weight of wet/dry suits in mid-April? Figuring an average speed of 4mph (average CO river speed) we’d be at our take-out point in a little over an hour (where we’re planning on staying the night anyhow) and could change into dry clothing and warm up if need be. Are there any other concerns/considerations that any of you might have? Have any of you done the CO river through the Grand Canyon and remember this stretch? I don’t want to be doing anything too foolish, and this itinerary can be hiked the whole way through as well if weather/water conditions appear like they won’t cooperate before we set out. Overall we’re looking to try something new without having to push the ‘SOS’ button on our SPOT. Thanks in advance. -Bob