Canoeing the Thomson River
Spent a pleasant day yesterday white-water canoeing on the Thomson River with Simon Schutte testing out the new back and the new and old Alpacka (TM) pack rafts: definitely recommended gear, company, leisure activity…
Spent a pleasant day yesterday white-water canoeing on the Thomson River with Simon Schutte testing out the new back and the new and old Alpacka (TM) pack rafts: definitely recommended gear, company, leisure activity…
My new (fortieth anniversary) Alpacka pack raft has arrived. I am very keen to try it out. Perhaps this Saturday, weather and back permitting… Here it is much later on the Seaforth River Fiordland New Zealand. See: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/dusky-track-canoeing-the-seaforth/ https://www.alpackaraft.com/index.cfm/store.catalog?CategoryID=53&ProductID=66
I now need one of these devices to aid me in my solo pack rafting: http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Trailer-Carrier-Hauler-Towing/dp/B005XDM0XO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361789812&sr=8-1&keywords=Motorcycle+Towing+Cradle PS: I did buy one and I have used it many times. Nonetheless I am going to make a better one of my own.
I was going to treat myself to a new canoe to celebrate my successful back operation this Saturday (you have to be optimistic) and so was going to purchase an Alpacka raft (https://www.alpackaraft.com/index.cfm/store.catalog?CategoryID=53&ProductID=66) with which I plan to tackle the Snowy as soon as I am recovered – probably alone, as Della’s eyesight won’t let
In answer to a comment: The best canoe shop undoubtedly is ‘Capacity Sports’ in Bay Rd near Westfield Southland. No-one locally has much. There are many to chose from, but also many that are not very good. I think you should borrow a couple of ours first (we have a variety). No-one much has improved
Only 13 Kilograms! Now available in Oz: Velcro on a silnylon skirt and THIS could be just about the perfect one-person touring white water canoe: http://www.oldtowncanoe.com.au/canoes/packangler.html, and now that Della needs to be paddled http://www.theultralighthiker.com/pack-raft-saves-the-day/ THIS could be our new two-person touring canoe for flat water and moderate rapids. Can easily see us spending a leisurely
Well, we have tried our faux packraft against our Alpacka raft on a four hour Grade 2+ section of the Wonnangatta River on an overnight trip (during which we saw 9 deer!) and apart from some slight abrasion to the lamination of the poly tarp (nappy) the $40 raft stood up splendidly. I found a
I bought a $40 raft (Intex) from Clark Rubber and reinforced it with a layer of poly tarp which can be attached to it with polyethylene tape (from greenhouse suppliers), ‘Gaffer’ or ‘Duct’ tape. You could also use tarp clips if you prefer. This makes it well-nigh indestructible. The tarps come in three weights: 100grams/square
We have the ‘Fiord Explorer’ which is a bit heavy but takes two. I took it down the Seaforth River in Fiordland afer a 3.5 day hike in! For a one person boat you could try the ‘Alpacka‘ or the ‘Scout’ (if you are as small as Della). These boats will handle any water you
Hiking Fishermen: This is good: http://penfishingrods.com/shop/product_details.php?category_id=13&item_id=126 and so is this: http://www.moontrail.com/accessrs/a-misc/handline.html