CONSTRUCTION/DESIGNĪlpacka Rafts are inflatables and therefore have some vulnerability to abuse. It can be called into use during a flood, fishing trip or survival field exercise. The survival-savvy person can learn from the experience of others and add an Alpacka Raft to their fleet.

National Geographic Channel’s Ultimate Survival Alaska featured them prominently, because teams raced down rivers with them.

“Comparing the Alpacka Raft to early generations of boats is relatively simple: the Alpacka Raft is a much more capable craft with better performance all around.”įoreign travelers know the frustration of excessive luggage fees and the difficulty of taking large parcels in rental cars, let alone via public transportation. Explorers and scientists have hauled pack rafts to remote bodies of water to inflate and use to reach their ultimate destination. When there is no road, an over-water, straight-line route is going to be faster than traveling the circumference of a lake. Look to the backcountry hunters in Alaska who regularly use pack rafts to access remote areas. Sometimes, the water route is the better route. Pack rafts are already in use in various circles. The author found the Alpacka Raft tracked well in open water. Backcountry travel far from emergency services can be dangerous adding additional miles to a trip means more chances of sprained ankles, accidental falls or encounters with dangerous game. How about, There’s no easy way around this lake. Water obstacles exist, and for those who travel into remote parts of the backcountry, it is likely travel will be impeded by a river, pond or lake. PURPOSE/NEEDĭid you ever think, If I could just get out to where the fish are biting. Alone, the Alpacka XL Kayak weighs only 5 pounds, 6 ounces and is an ideal addition to any loadout where water obstacles and travel are possibilities. This featherweight water transportation is a perfect package for backpacking, a home in a flood zone or to throw in the suitcase for adventure travel. For perspective, 8.4 pounds is the average weight of a gallon of water. Let that sink in for a minute-the idea, not the watercraft. The total combined weight of the Alpacka Raft Mule XL Inflatable Kayak, Astral Sea Wolf PFD and Werner Kalliste Paddle featured in this article is a mere 8.3 pounds.

Raft survival guide