A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting & Bikerafting

In Episode 12 of The Packrafting Life (aka A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting), Lizzy talks with Dan Thurber, primarily about leveling up in packrafting, but also about his paddling life and various other fun things. Dan was one of Lizzy’s first mentors in packrafting, teaching her much in various courses and also on a 14-day trip on the Grand Canyon. She continues to look to him for advice and guidance.

At the end of 2024 we snagged an interview with Alpacka Raft Design Engineer Dustin Partridge before he left for three months of packrafting in Patagonia, Chile. We're super stoked on Episode #11, the first full episode of 2025. Dustin is Alpacka Raft founder/owner Sheri Tingey’s right hand man, and a long-time employee at Alpacka. He came on board as the 15th or 16th employee and worked his way from flooring boats to...

Please note this is a non-technical look at the Mage, where I compare how it *feels* compared to the Wolverine and the Gnarwhal. On January 6th, we’re publishing Episode #11 of, A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting, featuring one of Alpacka Raft’s designers, Dustin Partridge. In it, Dustin offers a more technical description of the Mage versus the Valykyrie. You can also find out more technical specs about the boat on launch day on th...

In Episode #10 of, A Beginner's Guide to Packrafting & Bikerafting, we talk with Alpacka Raft co-owner, Thor Tingey, about the hunt packrafting and packraft fly fishing scene. We start by discussing his background in those two activities and how Alpacka Raft’s hunt and fish boats developed along with changing hunting trends generally, along with Alaskan trends toward minimalism and packrafts as a part of the float...

In Episode #9 we dive into packraft fly fishing with guide Thad Ferrell. Thad was an early adopter of packrafts, and a longtime cyclist, rock climber and fly fisherman. He recently packrafted the Kongakut River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to fly fish for char. In this episode we talk about how Thad got started with fly fishing and guiding, his multi-sport adventures, his new venture to teach packraft fly fishin...

In Episode #8 of, "A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting & Bikerafting," Deane Parker talks about how he got into pairing bikes and packrafts on pretty hardcore whitewater from the get-go, in addition to his history kayaking and rafting Class V rapids, his raft guiding business in the 90s, his mountain bike adventures, his filming projects through Deane Parker Adventure Channel, and his family farm. One of the most re...

Episode #7, A Beginner's Guide to Packrafting & Bikerafting

Starting today and through fall we’ll be sharing stories, podcasts, videos and photos focusing on international packrafting adventures. We'll explore places we guide or will be guiding, such as La Venta River in Chiapas, Mexico, and Chilean Patagonia. But also some places we are not guiding, such as Tajikistan and beyond.

February 2025, we’re heading over to New Zealan...

For Episode #6 of A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafing & Bikerafing, we did interview with Julia Yanker, a long-time packrafter, life coach and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, aka trauma resolution specialist. My primary goal with chatting with Julia was to really find out what can be done for adventurers who experienced trauma that now affects the other adventures they partake in. 

I had a terrible climbing accident 6 years ago...

Today, for our fourth episode, we’re bringing you an interview with Jeff Creamer, a Swiftwater Safety Institute Instructor and a boat tester and boat maker at Alpacka Raft. Jeff is one of America’s top packrafters, having done numerous remote, challenging expeditions on up to Class V whitewater in the mountains, along with some creative trips pairing boats and skis. We are stoked this year, as Jeff is teaching a Level...

In the third episode of our Podcast, A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting, Four Corners Guides owner Lizzy Scully talks with renowned Packraft Instructor Jule Harle. A long-time kayaker and packrafter and owner of Alaska Packraft School, Jule has been instrumental in legitimizing packrafting as a sport through her work as a guide and her work with others to get the American Canoe Association packrafting curriculum in place to accredit...

In this episode, Four Corners Guides Head Guide Steve Fassbinder discusses his packrafting history, how he gained experience & his packrafting kit (boats, PFDs, helmets & drysuits, etc). Doom offers tips for beginners, emphasizing the importance of honesty & communication when paddling with others, plus advice on choosing appropriate rivers & trips based on skill level, the benefits of seeking guidance & trainin...