I see there is a new alternative pack raft on the market: ‘The Hornet-Lite is the lightest packraft in Kokopelli’s fleet weighing in at 4.9 pounds (2223 grams) including the seat. Kokopelli has designed the Hornet-lite packraft to be functional while reducing weight and maximizing compactness. This packraft is ideal for crossing rivers, high alpine […]
For those who don’t sew – or who don’t need to sew: You can use these wonderful little Clam Cleat Lineloks and some eg 2mm Spectra/Dyneema to lash your excess gear to your pack. I always use these lineloks on my tents and tarps: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-perfect-guy-line-for-a-hiking-tenttarp/ Here is my Klymit pack raft (http://www.theultralighthiker.com/klymit-packraft/) attached to my
(As Robbie Burns opined) “o’ Mice an’ Men. Gang aft agley, An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain” (‘To a Mouse’: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/43816). The photo of Spot and I testing out the new Klymit packraft (http://www.theultralighthiker.com/klymit-packraft/) on the farm dam give no hint of this. I need to inflate it some more I think. I
Now under $169.95 yet currently on Massdrop for $99 – snap one up! I did and I already have an Alpacka, which this is not, but it is much lighter and will get you across that difficult river which lies in your path – or many other uses: ‘The LiteWater Dinghy is a game changer.
Not exactly ultralight, but an inflatable hammock/raft @ 1200 grams. What a neat idea: https://vimeo.com/160150388?from=outro-embed & https://en.laybag.com/collections/frontpage/products/lay-bag-green-2?variant=16884098881 US$79! PS: I see these are going for A$46 on eBay at the moment! http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Fast-Inflatable-Air-Bag-Sofa-Travel-Camping-Beach-Lazy-Lounger-Sleeping-Bed-SHI/272248762981?_trksid=p5713.c100041.m2061&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140131132314%26meid%3D4a284c81e6e64d51b741c794527fcb36%26pid%3D100041%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D34%26sd%3D172141280403 Now available Aliexpress from US$30: http://www.aliexpress.com/premium/laybag.html?ltype=wholesale&d=y&origin=y&isViewCP=y&catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20160615150200&SearchText=laybag Update: Those ‘Laybags’ are getting ridiculously cheap. US6.79! (Sept 2018) See also: https://gearjunkie.com/koze-no-tree-hammock https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kaisr-original-the-ultimate-inflatable-air-lounge#/ Other hammock related posts:
I have canoed this wonderful river so many times over more than thirty years, from the Thomson Dam to Cowwarr Weir. Much of the water in the section from the dam to the Walhalla Rd Bridge was stolen by Melbourne Water nearly twenty years ago, so it is rare nowadays to be able to canoe
Canoeing the Thomson River, Gippsland, Victoria: Read More »
This demonstration leads me more and more to the inescapable conclusion that it would be possible to make a canoe using a poncho as the skin. More about that later: http://willowhavenoutdoor.com/general-survival/improvised-tarp-boat/
You are going to want one of these modular jet-powered canoes with a draft of 100mm (4”) powered by a Subaru engine. 8-10 hours cruising at 15-20 knots. US$5,400. That would have to get you effortlessly to some interesting places, up or downriver (over 100 km round trip; some great places await!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=48&v=HfmWzP_FSqk & http://www.mokai.com/the-mokai-es-kape/
Having nearly lost one of my Siemens Aquaris Waterproof Hearing Aids during my recent walk (http://www.theultralighthiker.com/spots-hunting-adventures-mystery-river-3/) I have had some feedback from a reader who has managed over time to lose three of them, all covered by insurance at the time, but he has now been refused insurance, as the bastards do! Given that
I have been thinking about this for a long time, but have got only as far as http://www.theultralighthiker.com/home-made-pack-raft/ whilst others have ACTED: This girl is seriously clever (and patient): http://www.instructables.com/id/Backyard-Duct-Tape-Kayak/ here is another variation: http://www.instructables.com/id/Duct-Tape-and-PVC-Kayak/ and http://www.shelter-systems.com/kayak.html and a coracle: http://thehomesteadsurvival.com/build-coracle-person-boat-twigs/ or https://books.google.com.au/books?id=RQUETx6ha48C&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=tarp+coracle&source=bl&ots=tLN_3AyKJU&sig=2Sd_eiIyMaRThg2I3bd0Woj9jWU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CC4Q6AEwA2oVChMI-ObshLuRxwIVJiqmCh3xhgjC#v=onepage&q=tarp%20coracle&f=false This is probably the next step up: http://gaboats.com/ or this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Skin-on-Frame-Canoe/
