Today marks a new era in UK lightweight backpacking. It is the day when the latest US trend finally take root in the UK. What am I talking about? Packrafting.
Packrafts are (relatively) lightweight, inflatable, personal boat/dinghy thingies. The idea is that you can carry them in your pack and then use them for navigating rivers and difficult waterways.
Both Colin Ibbotson and Phil Turner have now got their packrafts and this weekend they are off to the Cairngorms to play with them. Yes I know it’s cold out there but there’s no accounting for taste! Colin’s idea is to ‘drift’ down the Spey and back to the coast where he is based.
This morning I’ve had a little trickle of emails — Colin is running late and had forgotten Phil’s mobile number. But he also tells me that he still has no valve for the raft! No doubt there is some Ibbo-designed bit of improvisation designed to keep the thing afloat. And, he tells me, the water is really cold.
I have demanded a full report with photos. I think we all need to know what all of this is about.
Here is a little video that gives you the idea!
I’m eagerly awaiting Phil and Colin’s report as well. I ordered the PACKRAFTING! book for starters, should be here next week, and then maybe a bit later a packraft will follow. Already thinking about routes for trips =)
I’m another one looking forward to giving this malarkey a try next year. Not sure I fancy trying it at this time of year over here. Looking forward to hearing how they both got on.
We’re also looking forward to the report here, on the other side of the pond! I’m planning for a short packraft excursion in Canyonlands National Park in Utah before the end of this month, and if it works out I’ll see about giving you a report on it, as well.
It’s been snowing in the Cairngorms, so the water should be lovely and warm!
Sounds like great fun.
Knockando seemed meaty in summer to me in a Microbat so could be interesting now for anyone new to packrafting. Good luck to all concerned!
HD video uploading (it’s hardly Touching the Void), just got some words to write now… However, I have also never been so cold. I was actually worried for my toes at one point.
What state was Colin in — there’s nothing of him!