MO: Intro to Packrafting (30 miles)

This is shamelessly copied from Savage and my previous trip with some updates. The most important fact is if you don't have a Kokopelli or Alpaca style raft (or a way to beg, borrow steal one), you cannot come on this trip. I will be attempting to borrow the rafts I know other DCULers have if they are not signed up for the trip, so feel free to RSVP while we source rafts.

Water levels dictate everything, so if levels are too low or suicidally high we will punt to a to another waterway. This has included driving as far as Pine Creek in PA.

The broad outline: Walk most of our miles on Sat, then camp out on a small site on the Habron Gap trail. Sun, we walk down to the Shenandoah, inflate our rafts, then hit the water. Sunscreen and full coverage clothing is your friend. Sunburns on the water are easy to come by.

Route Map: http://files.meetup.com/1502009/MT%20-%20Shenandoah%20Packraft%20Loop.pdf

The details:

We'll meet at the Bentonville boat ramp at 10am. You will lose cell phone service as you head south from Front Royal.

We'll park then head north along the blue blazed TT (starting with a bit of road walking), then hang a left on the oranged blazed Massanutten Trail. We'll walk the 11-ish miles to Habron Gap, hang another left, walk a quarter mile more then camp at an established site. This entire section is dry, dry, dry, including camp. There is water nearby, but plan on hiking further than you want downhill to access it (~.5mi).

Sunday morning, we'll make the easy downhill 2 mile cruise to Page Valley Road. Roughly a .25 mile or so from the road we'll cross our one and only water source. We'll fill up there (you don't want to drink the Shenandoah), then head to the boat ramp to deploy our inflatable flotilla.

It'll be a 17 mile float back to the 613 bridge, where I'll be standing American Gladiator style ready to knock over anyone who tries to paddle past the takeout.

What you'll need:

Packraft, Paddle, and PFD
Optional: Helmet, dry bags, dry jacket, paddling gloves.

The Klymit Flat Water Dingy is NOT acceptable for this trip; it is way too slow, even when powered by a strong paddler. Beg, borrow or steal for a real packraft.

The only real challenge should be Compton Rapids (Class II). This time of year the rest of the Shenandoah will be practically flat water. You will be scraping over rocks however. Likewise there is little need for a helmet, except possibly at Compton Rapids.

There is a possibility of renting packrafts--I will not be organizing it. You can get it done on your own, but forming a group to rent may produce cost savings. (https://www.packraftingadventures.com/rentals) rents packrafts and is semi local. Rentals can easily fall through or be expensive. I have two packrafts, Savage has several as well. He may be feeling generous or may be willing to rent them. Let me know if you don't have a packraft, and I'll try and find you one.

If you do wish to purchase, Alpacka is the gold standard. But there are other makers like Feathercraft and Kokopelli. Packrafting isn't a cheap investment.

Final notes: Expect roughly a 2.5-3 mph pace on the water. We won't see much (if any) white water as the goal is to keep this beginner friendly. We will be paddling all day, so you will need some upper body stamina. Of course you can also stop and rest and enjoy the float!

Video from a previous trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhugQ4o087w (Shoutout Luis!)

DC UL COVID-19 Guidelines:

· Stay home if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, if you have been in close contact with anyone who has displayed such symptoms, or otherwise believe that you might have been exposed.

· We will follow state and local rules/recommendations and check for updates continually.

More information on the club's COVID-19 policy: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/

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