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... Meagher County, Montana. A packraft is a light inflatable boat that can be carried on your back and yet is durable enough for backcountry rivers and creeks. Youngs is small, clean, fairly technical, and absolutely gorgeous. Montana Packraft Forum . Montana Packraft Forum. Backpacking Light and the Yellowstone River. After a good night’s sleep (aside from a few too many mosquitos buzzing in my ear), we put on the river at 7 a.m. The South Fork of the Flathead River in Montana is one of those classic packrafting trips my husband and I had been scheming about for years. This page is all about packrafting in Montana! The rafts are designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, but also capable of tackling major rapids. “I came to this from a backpacking background,” he said. South Fork of the Flathead Meadow Creek Gorge Report . While the rafts are great for backcountry trips, they have other uses as well. 192 likes. Backcountry Packraft Rentals rents ultra-light, highly-performance packrafts to you so you can make your dream trips happen! Based in Salt Lake City, we are a bunch of outdoor enthusiasts who want to provide packrafts to fellow outdoor adventurers! Six Montana paddlers took a five day backpacking and packrafting trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to float about 56 miles of the South Fork of the Flathead River in mid-July. As the mercury rose late morning last Wednesday on an unseasonably mild December day, so, too, did the traffic on Mark Sather Trail, a popular public path with sweeping views of White Bear Lake. “I just seems like it’s been the best new invention/ technology for wilderness travel that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” White said. Montana Packrafts in Whitefish will rent you a setup for $200 a week. Blackfoot Divide Trail #278. Latitude, Longitude: 46.2938272°, -110.7182596° Elevation. Trail. Tweet Share Email. He was hooked instantly. With so many waterways to explore, we realized a need existed in Montana for packraft rentals. “We are conservationists,” he said. Successful maiden packrafting voyage on the South Fork of the Flathead river in Montana. 1: Youngs Creek, from Hahn Creek to the South Fork. BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS, Montana — As Scott Bosse launched his packraft in Youngs Creek, it felt as if gravity disappeared. “Who thought you could ever have a boat in your pack that weighed less than five pounds,” Meiklejohn said. Packrafters hike up Youngs Creek Pass on a packrafting trip through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. These little boats are a fantastic way to explore hard to access rivers. then {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}} per month. “Once upon a time, I couldn’t find anyone to packraft with,” he said. The deep green water and the canyons make for some great pictures. For most backpackers, lakes and creeks are barriers, said Bosse, who works as Northern Rockies director for American Rivers in Bozeman. 594 likes. We are lucky enough to be surrounded by some of the best fly fishing rivers in the country. “A roadside river can be a great thing to do in a packraft after work,” he said. 2 log jams on the South Fork. Since starting Alpacka Rafts, the business has grown steadily. Small inflatable rafts expand hikersâ horizons.Â. “I find it tremendously liberating,” Bosse said of packrafting. Montana Packraft Forum. With the abundance of Montana water and wilderness, what adventure will you come up with. Jared White paddles his packraft through a rapid on the South Fork Flathead River in July. - As Scott Bosse launched his packraft in Youngs Creek, it felt as if gravity disappeared. Backcountry Packraft Rentals, South Browning, Montana. We have decided to close Northern Alaska Packrafts for the 2020 season. BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS, Mont. With the addition of a paddle, helmet and flotation device, the whole set up adds about 10 pounds to a person’s pack. “I just needed some way to get across rivers.”. Introduced to packrafting as a young man in 1982, John participated in the legendary effort to protect Tasmania’s Franklin River from damming. What it is is a wonderful addition to a quiver of boats.”. Everybody in the world does not need a packraft. These successful efforts included a floating human blockade and several packrafting films that alerted Australians to the wilderness and whitewater at stake. “I find it tremendously liberating,” Bosse said of packrafting. Youngs is small, clean, fairly technical, and absolutely gorgeous. The South Fork of the Flat­head Riv­er is home to the wildest cut­throat trout fish­ing in the Amer­i­can West. “It’s just been a slow, steady movement,” she said. (AP) - As Scott Bosse launched his packraft in Youngs Creek, it felt as if gravity disappeared. GPS Coordinates. “I find it tremendously liberating,” Bosse said of packrafting. Packraft and trail boat are colloquial terms for a small, portable inflatable boat designed for use in all bodies of water, including technical whitewater and ocean bays and fjords. Rafters stop for a breather on the South Fork Flathead River. Packrafts also allow adventurers to float wilderness rivers without needing a pack string to carry a full-sized raft, said Jared White, the Wilderness Society’s regional communications manager in Bozeman. Connects To. The rise in the number of packrafters accessing wilderness is something the American Packrafting Association is keeping an eye on. Some land managers are also apprehensive about this growing sport and are struggling with how to regulate packraft use. 2 log jams on the South Fork. A packraft allows you to get off the beaten path or road and take your floating or fishing adventure into the wilderness. An ideal packrafting level is between 2000 and 4000 cfs at West Glacier, higher if you’re skilled, lower if you’re less so. And he now gets fewer questions when floating in his bright blue, toy-looking, small boat. We are a locally owned and operated manufacturing shop in the heart of Montana trout country. South Fork of the Flathead Meadow Creek Gorge Report . Our products come from years of guiding and floating experience. “If I treated it really carefully I might milk it through a whole trip,” he said. View fullsize. 07/12/2018 Montana Packraft Forum . The following summer, a different raft didn’t hold up any better. “It’s sort of the artery of the land.”. Packrafts are a light inflatable boat that can be carried on your back and durable enough for your adventure. The only approach is the narrow ledge along the far side abutting a vertical rock face. “That’s what’s particularly appealing about these boats is they really open up entire landscapes,” he added. The opposite is true for rafters and kayakers, for whom land is a barrier. Hahn Creek Trail #125. “With a packraft, you can do both.”. Artistic, playful, and inspiring, those videos likely encouraged As Scott Bosse launched his packraft in Youngs Creek, it felt as if gravity disappeared. Little did I know that my first packraft in the Bob would be the best around. As Scott Bosse launched his packraft in Youngs Creek, it felt as if gravity disappeared. I wander upriver to fish alone and come upon a narrow run so deep that the water is indigo. “You can roll it up and put it in the overhead bin and fly anywhere in the world,” Meiklejohn said. S. Fork Flathead River, Montana – Youngs Creek to Mid Creek (50+ miles) @ 660cfs to 550cfs 660-550cfs Class I-II Creeks were almost too low, Flathead was low at beginning. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Fossil Creek, Arizona; Canyonlands; Stories. But when photographer Jacob Moon and his wife Natasha invited me to go packrafting on the South Fork of the Flathead, one of the world’s premier rivers, I couldn’t say no. Alpacka Packrafts. “I find it tremendously liberating,” Bosse said of packrafting. Packrafters have done first descents of rivers that otherwise would be pretty hard to get to, he said. Search. 20.08.2014 - BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS, Montana — As Scott Bosse launched his packraft in Youngs Creek, it felt as if gravity disappeared. Moccasin Creek – Another 8 … Six Montana paddlers took a five day backpacking and packrafting trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to float about 56 miles of the South Fork of the Flathead River in A new survey of Montanans shows positive attitudes toward grizzly bears and support for the presence of grizzly bears within the state, however acceptance of bear presence in areas closer to residential and agricultural areas is lower than in remote public land areas. Several manufacturers have cropped up making packrafts. The first couple of years, 90 percent of the boats Tingey made were sold in Alaska. BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS – As Scott Bosse launched his packraft in Youngs Creek, it felt as if gravity disappeared. Along with tents, sleeping bags, food and other typical backpacking gear, each person in the group also carried a packraft, a small, packable, inflatable single-person raft. BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS, Mont. The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of the most commonly used topographic maps of the U.S. … Introduction; APA-KWG Wrangell Circuit; Meetups. The mediafeliz videos show young indestructible kids in indestructible boats (actually they popped seats and blew out spray decks). Packrafting, in and of itself, is a sport for White and Bosse. "I find it tremendously liberating," Bosse said of packrafting. We know packrafting is a great form of social distancing, however, a substantial portion of our customers come from out-of-state and with the expected decline in visitors to Alaska this year it … 2 log jams on the South Fork. The biggest-hit packrafting video of all time is the "Alpacka Creek Descent" (above) by mediafeliz. "I dare you!" Now she sells packrafts all over the world. We camped at the junction of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek, where the river doubles in size and becomes the South Fork of the Flathead, and where the river’s Wild and Scenic designation begins. You can pick up your packraft rental in person or we can ship your rental to your location! Packrafters hike up Youngs Creek Pass on a packrafting trip through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Holst said he launched the old raft on this trip just below the confluence of Youngs and Danaher creeks because he had always wanted to float the entire river at least one time. Originally, people bought packrafts merely as a way to get across rivers. For the previous day and a half, Bosse and a group of five other packrafters had been lugging 50-pound backpacks up and over Youngs … Initially, Meiklejohn’s solution was kiddie pool toys. “I find it tremendously liberating,” Bosse said of packrafting. With that said, we have some of the best fishing guides in the country working these waters. After a good night’s sleep (aside from a few too many mosquitos buzzing in my ear), we put on the river at 7 a.m. Trail. Montana Packrafts was born from a personal desire to explore the Bob Marshall Wilderness using packrafts. Adventure Travel // Camp // Clymb Life // Explore // Out There // Paddle. Packrafting offers a different way to look at backcountry travel. "Brown Stain" rapid just upstream from final takeout is running strong pushing hard into a small gap in the rock- tipped some rafters The South Fork of the Flathead in Montana is perhaps the best packraft … Boulder Creek Trail #148. ABOUT US. “It’s never going to be a giant niche. “People are using these boats in Class IV and V whitewater,” Meiklejohn said. Like and Share. Packrafting Montana’s Wild Flathead River. (AP) - As Scott Bosse launched his packraft in Youngs Creek, it felt as if gravity disappeared. When White started packrafting three years ago, the sport was fairly unknown in Montana. With few roads in the state and a lot of rivers, backpackers inevitably will run into a big body of water. For White, packrafting is another way to experience wilderness. “Here in Alaska, they’re ideal for our. 198 likes. Our two-day packrafting courses will blend foundational paddling skills and river navigation as well as safety and rescue you would need to create your own packraft trips. Join us as we discuss the Montana Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. This is of an 8 day backpacking/packrafting trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness starting 7/23/16 at Lodgepole Trailhead. There were certainly some class 4 features thrown in for good measure. Jun 6, 2012 - Explore Tiny House Blog's board "Packrafting", followed by 28311 people on Pinterest. Latest info from rafter regarding Meadow Creek Gorge: "Please provide a word of caution for those running Meadow Ck Gorge: I am a regular Class V kayaker and rock climber. With so many waterways to explore, we realized a need existed in Montana for packraft rentals. Free printable topographic map of Youngs Creek in Meagher County, MT including photos, elevation & GPS coordinates. BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS, Mont. A packraft allows for adventure and freedom! BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS, Mont. We camped at the junction of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek, where the river doubles in size and becomes the South Fork of the Flathead, and where the river’s Wild and Scenic designation begins. Little did I know that my first packraft in the Bob would be the best around. “We want people to be respectful users when they’re in wild places.”, The original story can be found on the Great Falls Tribune’s website: http://gftrib.com/1q1iqu9, Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com. “When he got back from that trip, he said, ‘Can you build me a boat that works,’ and like a fool, I said, ‘Yeah, I can do that.”‘. "Brown Stain" rapid just upstream from final takeout is running strong pushing hard into a small gap in the rock- tipped some rafters The South Fork of the Flathead in Montana is perhaps the best packraft river in the lower-48. An ideal packrafting level is between 2000 and 4000 cfs at West Glacier, higher if you’re skilled, lower if you’re less so. our expertise. See more ideas about Packraft, Rafting, Kayaking. Aug 11, 2015 - Explore Kerry Nehil's board "Packrafting" on Pinterest. Packrafters Erin Madison, Bill Cunningham and Jared White float past the Big Prairie pack bridge on the South Fork of the Flathead River. BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS, Mont. A packraft allows you to get off the beaten path or road and take your floating or fishing adventure into the wilderness. You have permission to edit this article. Packrafting Courses, West Glacier Montana. When they reached a spot on Youngs Creek where the water began to look high enough to float, they all set down their packs, rolled out their rafts, inflated them and began their 45-mile float that would take them down the South Fork to Meadow Creek Gorge. White got started in the sport three years ago after a friend talked him into trying it. Trail. In the morning we paddled out of the lake and into Black Wolf Creek. The APA has more than 1,000 members. Our Bob Marshall trips are operated in partnership with long time packer and permit holder Rich McAtee. … Today's Paper, also known as the e-Edition, is an online replica of the printed newspaper. Our group of five hiked in fifteen miles and launched on Youngs Creek, a tributary of the Flathead. Tingey, who worked making ski clothes and other outdoor gear, spent that winter designing a light-weight packable boat made to float a whitewater river. We know packrafting is a great form of social distancing, however, a substantial portion of our customers come from out-of-state and with the expected decline in visitors to Alaska this year it doesn't make sense for us to operate this summer. About a year ago, its membership was half that. The Yellowstone River is a special place for us. sings the river and the wall, and the inner little kid accepts the siren's challenge. 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