Ultralight Packrafting
- This topic is empty.
-
I recently received the Klymit LiteWater Dinghy and, although I’ve had a chance to try it out a few times, I only recently had a chance to use it for it’s intended purpose: hiking in to some remote location and setting off where no one else can go. I’ve often dreamt about going places that no one else can see and this raft allows me to do just that. Not only that, but I wanted to do so as light as possible. I got a few startled looks in the parking lot the next day when they saw me with paddles. It was definitely fun to tell people I had a boat in my tiny pack with me. I hoped to break the 10 lb base weight barrier, with boat, but I was just shy. My gear list is provided. The trip was definitely a blast.
The location was in the Mantario Wilderness on the border of Manitoba and Ontario in Canada. It is a perfect location to use this raft because the area is simply covered in small lakes. The weather was beautiful and, surprisingly, I barely saw anyone else on the trail. My plan was to hike to the first established campsite on a well used trail, then set off in the raft on the lake. I hoped to reach an island and see if it was suitable for camping.
The hike was wonderful. It was the first time I was using a new homemade pack weighing only 4.4 oz, and it was the first time I was going without a hip belt. The pack performed better than expected. I made the shoulder straps especially wide and my shoulders never got sore. It has a simple draw cord and strap closure and one pocket on the front. I actually used the stuff sack from the raft as my pack liner. It is likely too small to be used like this for most people, but my pack was very small. I was able to stuff all my gear into the stuff sack while paddling to keep it dry. I would have liked to have a paddle that folded smaller and weighed less, but I’ll find something more suitable eventually.
Once I hit the first campsite, I set off down the lake. It was definitely fun to set off after a day of hiking. It feels like such a change of pace. The raft paddles pretty well. It has a habit of wobbling back and forth a bit with each paddle stroke, but with practice it’s manageable. The raft has lashing points to secure your pack but I didn’t bother because my pack was small enough to fit under my knees. It’s certainly comfortable to sit in. After a while, I began to realize that the island I saw on the map was further away than I had expected. I decided not to bother and found a place to camp on the shore.
Dinner was a simple freeze dried meal. I tried out the Klymit Cush for the first time as a camp seat as I ate and enjoyed the view. I also used the Klymit X-Frame. Mine weighs less than the specs, which is nice, and it’s definitely the most comfortable pad you’ll get for the weight. The weather was very warm so I didn’t worry about the lack of insulation. I’ve augmented it in the past with either a windshield reflector or a thermarest in the winter. One neat thing I figured out was wrapping the Cush around the X-Frame. I sometimes loose inflatable pillows in the night but wrapping the pillow around the pad kept it in place the whole night. It also kept me centred on the pad the whole night too.
The bivy sack was less than successful for me. The mosquitoes can be described as an epidemic in Manitoba. I have a theory that they hunt in packs. Not having a safe haven to move around in just isn’t worth the weight savings if the bugs are bad. And they were bad that night!
All in all, the trip was a great getaway. I really enjoy getting some time to myself once and a while and the raft certainly helps me do that. I will be using it whenever I get the chance. I would encourage anyone to try to get out more, go farther, go places no one else goes, and go as light as (reasonably) possible.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
