Lakina River Packrafting Trip

Not on my trip.

If you’re a novice paddler but feeling confident, we can do a day or two packrafting course in McCarthy, on Kennicott Lake and Kennicott River and see how that goes.

Obviously #1 = drowning.

We’ll go through a comprehensive river safety talk before the trip, as well as before get on the river, and then discuss more details as we go down the canyon.

There are usually no sketchy features on the river other than wood in the river. Sweepers and strainers that can fall across the river.

“Eddy out now” in Alaska waters means “get out of the river right now”.

Either/or. Possibly both.

We can hike in from Kennicott Glacier (4-5 days). Folks not packrafting out will then fly back to McCarthy. We’ll also have the packrafting gear flown in to Lakina River at that point. Hence we don’t have to backpack with packrafting gear. And we can fly out some of our backpacking gear as well.

Adventurous hikers looking for something a little more challenging can start the hike over west of here at Kuskulana River. It’s a similar length hike (4 days or s0 for good hikers), but much more challenging. Talk to me about it.

You sure can.

Fully outfitting your trip is a small additional fee. The exact amount will depend on your trip length, as well as what stuff you need.

For single individual items, contact me and we’ll see what you need and work that out.

A tent (1, 2 or 3 person) is $50.00 per person for the trip. If you just want us to handle food and you have all your own gear (tent, etc) we can do that as well.

Longer trips (5+ days) the food costs go up. But most basecamps are not longer.

We do NOT provide sleeping bags or sleeping pads or backpacks (except for the scheduled photo tours we include sleeping pad). If you’re doing a basepack, you’ll need your own (or rented) backpack. We do NOT rent backpacks, sleeping bags or sleeping pads, but we can point you toward some places that do.

Expeditions Alaska will outfit your packrafting trip. That includes packraft, spray skirt and boat deck, dry suit or splash wear (trip dependent), neoprene paddling gloves and booties. Whitewater trips include helmets. All paddlers are provided with an approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device).

Dry bags are included for you as well.

Your guide will also carry a tow strap, throw bag and line, plus the usual backcountry safety equipment of sat phones, first aid kits, etc.

If you have your own equipment, you’re welcome to use that instead. Let’s talk about it first and make sure your rig is appropriate for this trip.

That is trip dependent.

For backpacking trips, a fully outfitted option includes your tent (one or two person tent), all your kitchenware, food and cooking by Expeditions Alaska. A typical trip, up to 12 days long, costs an additional $450.00 per person for the fully outfitted option ($350 for 4 day trips or shorter).

Available “á la carte” options are (per person)

Tent $50.00/tent
Food/cooking $325.00 (up to 4 day trip duration)
Food/cooking $425 (any trip 5 days or longer)

For personal items such as a backpack, or sleeping pad, talk to me prior to your trip and we’ll see if we can possibly arrange something. If you need a pack I recommend you rent a backpack from a reputable local outfitter. They can find and fit a pack to you rather than “making do” with one of mine that may or may not be a good fit for you.

Items such as BRFC, bear spray, fuel, hiking poles are included gratis with Expeditions Alaska trips. See What’s Included? for more info.

I know you do. I do as well.

I recommend starting with the General Trip FAQ page

More questions? Email me or call me  and we’ll go through them.

Upon your reservation I’ll also send out a comprehensive trip information packet that covers just about everything and more you might imagine about your trip.