Discovering Packrafting
One evening, as Rachel and I were engrossed in our favourite TV show, she casually asked me if I fancied a packrafting trip. Without hesitation, I replied with an enthusiastic "Yes!" A little while after, I realised I knew very little about packrafting, so I decided to do some research. As we delved into the world of packrafting, maps sprawled across our living room floor, the excitement grew. We began planning our upcoming adventure, eager to explore from a unique perspective.
What is Packrafting?
Packrafting, simply put, involves using a lightweight, portable kayak on longer journeys where everything needs to be carried in a bag. These lightweight and fold-able rafts can be easily transported in an expedition bag, allowing adventurers to access remote waterways and experience the thrill of paddling through serene landscapes.
Our Journey
Our packrafting journey unfolded in unexpected ways over the course of a month. Initially we planned a route in North Wales due to its close proximity to home. This route changed several times, and then at the last minute, we planned a route in the Lake District instead! We had this sudden change of heart when the weather turned out to be exceptionally beautiful for our dates in the Lakes. The rivers we looked at were too low for paddling, so we decided on a lake route. Thanks to Andy's familiarity with the Lake District, we settled on Buttermere as our destination. Our route involved paddling across Crummock Water, hiking up to Red Pike, following the ridge line to the end of Buttermere, and paddling back across Buttermere to our starting point.
When packing, we were unsure how wet out packrafts would get (turns out they dry really quickly!). We decided to keep both packrafts in the same bag, in case they got really wet, and it also made sense in terms of packing and unpacking at the lakes. Rachel carried all of the sleeping stuff and the tent, again to keep packing and unpacking to a minimum. This did mean that one bag was heavier than the other- Andy's weighed 17kg (he also carried the spare water) and Rachel's weighed 12kg. This worked really well for us as Andy is capable of carrying more weight.
Day 1:
Our adventure commenced with breathtaking views of Crummock Water. Armed with our inflation bags, we inflated our packrafts and set off. Rachel, a natural on the water, made it seem effortless, while Andy, a novice, struggled initially but quickly found his rhythm. Surprisingly, we completed the 2.5-kilometer paddle in just an hour and a half, faster than expected. With time to spare, we basked in the sun, drying off our boats, and Rachel even had time for a quick swim. After packing up, we started our hike to Red Pike. The valley we took in offered an easy walk, until we got higher
and ended up using a path with knee-deep heather and bilberry bushes. Eventually, we discovered a more pleasant path to the summit, and some flowing water to top up our bottles for the night. Near the top of Red Pike Andy's mood dropped due to being hungry. Luckily Rachel was on hand to cheer him up with a flapjack. At the summit, we decided to alter our camping spot, moving it to just beyond the next summit, High Stile. With a 17kg bag for Andy and a 12kg bag for Rachel, we were more than happy to set up camp earlier than planned.
Day 2:
As the morning sun greeted us, we marvelled at the breathtaking views, although the breeze carried a slight chill. We packed away our tent and checked the area to ensure we followed the wild camping code of leave no trace. We ascended to the next summit, High Crag, and continued our journey to Seat, an optional peak that caught Rachel's eye. Descending into
Scarth Gap Pass, we reached the end of Buttermere water. Once again, we unpacked our trusty packrafts, inflated them, and embarked on the final paddle to our finish line. The favourable wind made this leg of our journey considerably easier (though not for recording drone footage!).
Summary
Our packrafting adventure allowed us to traverse the full length of two beautiful bodies of water-
Crummock Water
Buttermere.
Additionally, we conquered three peaks-
Red Pike (755m)
High Stile (806m)
High Crag (744m)
It was a total distance of 28 kilometres in glorious sunshine and the trip was a fantastic experience. Another packrafting adventure is definitely on our list for the future- next time with a tandem!
Our packrafts were the MRS Ponto Solo- hired from Tri Wetsuit Hire. Tri Wetsuit Hire offer a variety of packrafts, available to hire for 3, 7, 10 or 20 days, making a variety of trips possible. Check them out here: Packraft Hire – Tri Wetsuit Hire
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