14 Day Alaska Group Trip

Several months ago I received an email expressing interest in the DIY Packraft kits from TJ Miller, Director of the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation at the University of Alaska Anchorage. TJ had grand plans of getting his senior students to build packrafts and use them on an ambitious trip through Alaska’s wilderness.

At first I was a bit skeptical – usually this type of email leads to nothing because everyone has big dreams, but few of us have the skills, resources, and motivation to turn our dreams into reality. Clearly TJ is not just a dreamer, but a doer. Soon after we began corresponding he was off to Fairbanks, Alaska, DIY Packraft kit in hand, to attend one of Bruce C’s packraft making workshops. Taking the skills he learned from Bruce back to Anchorage, he then passed them on to his students.

So how did that part of the plan work out? “Most students really enjoyed building, others got frustrated, some did not even try.” I think this is a valuable lesson for anyone considering a group-based project: the DIY approach is not for everyone, so make sure each participant understands what is involved before you begin, and have other options available for those who don’t have the patience to make their own gear.

In the end, the packrafts were finished, and the group set out on a fourteen-day backpacking and paddling trip through Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (Alaska), from Nabesna Road to Chisana, around Nutzoni mountain and back to Nabesna Road. According to TJ, “The boats performed awesome.” The group certainly got some awesome photographs!

I’m sure TJ would have some valuable advice for anyone contemplating a group-based packraft-making project, and he said he’s happy to chat with people about the experience. He must have enjoyed making the packrafts, because TJ plans to host a packraft-making workshop in Anchorage this fall, so keep an eye out for that if you’re in the area. In the meantime, check out the photos he sent!