New to packrafting (need recommendations)

I just want to thank everyone again for the advice. I never guessed I would love packrafting as much as I do! Here is a video from the most recent trip. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H05BYtnRU4k

Maggie, thanks for sharing, and I'm glad you're having fun!

Yeah, that’s pretty sweet. I did that same run earlier in July. Looks like the levels went down a bit by October. It was all big wave trains and 8ft water when I went. I want to go back and sign up for a guided trip on the Lower River next year.

http://danhag3n.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/packrafting-the-new-river-gorge-2/

I have some curiosity about packrafting.
As a starting point (and possibly and ending point)… Can you tell me approximately how much weight are we talking about above and beyond my regular backpacking gear? I mean, are we talking an additional 5, 10, 15 or 20 pounds additional in order to be able to do a combined backpack/packraft trip?

thanks, … it does indeed look like fun…

Bill D…

It is so, so very fun. :)

My summer setup weighs in close to 10 lbs even. This is
packraft plus accessories (cruiser deck, thigh straps, booster seat),
paddle,
pfd,
inflation bag and repair kit.

My paddle weighs about 2 lbs, the pfd about 1, the boat about 5, and sundries make up the rest.

Shoulder season kit I have not weighed b/c I haven't settled on one yet. Dry suits or wetsuits weigh much more than rain gear but can be necessary (or simply worth the weight for the warmth).

My boat is a 'Paca, so add some ounces if you're average height and need a Yak, or subtract if you want a Scout. Yaks seem to be the most popular. MYOG pfds can be well under a pound, and more expensive paddles can save weight too.

Total weight depends on what sort of water you want to paddle and when, honestly. Serious whitewater setups will weigh 15 lbs or more, with all the basics plus a whitewater deck, throw bag, helmet, and other equipment. Summertime class I-II floats could be well under 10 lbs–check out Dave C.'s blog for a review of the Alpacka Scout, which is a fine option for many uses.

spelt… that sounds doable…

Nothing particularly ambitions, but I thought it might be fun to be able to hike down Escalante canyons and then maybe paddle along Lake Powel to other canyons, etc… Warm weather, flat water… or, at least, easy water…

Maybe I'll look into this before my spring trip to Utah…

Bill D.