2022 Review 2023 Preview
Hello,
As the year comes to an end, I wanted to share some highlights from Packraft Maine’s first season and share some exciting updates for 2023. Most importantly thanks for being a part of our story!
2022- Car-free adventures
One of the main reasons I started Packraft Maine was to promote car-free adventure in Maine. Over the summer I have been able to do several day trips in the Bangor area this way. I was excited when Ian and Julia joined me this September for a car-free bikerafting trip. They took the bus from Portland. We met at the bus station and biked through Walden Parke and The Bangor City Forest and then paddled to a Penobscot River Paddling Trail campsite for the night. The next day we paddled to Veazie Riverside Park and biked into Bangor with a stop at West Market Square Coffee where we had some snacks before saying goodbye. Ian and Julia headed back to the bus station for their return trip to Portland and I biked home.
Ian made a great video of the trip that you can watch here: Car-free
2022- So much whitewater
It is hard for people to believe how capable packrafts are. Most people are concerned about how well a lightweight inflatable will paddle. We have put this concern to the test this summer with countless days on the Penobscot River, Kenduskeag Stream, Marsh Stream, East Branch of the Penobscot and East Outlet of the Kennebec. Over the summer I have taken beginners and experienced boaters out, and all have been impressed with how the boats paddle. For beginners the self-bailing boats offer a predictable and stable craft, that doesn’t fill with water even after going through big waves. For experienced boaters the rafts were fun to surf, roll, and play around in.
2022- Katahdin Woods and Waters loop
Although many of our trips where in the Bangor area, we also made it up to Katahdin Woods and Waters for a 2 night backpacking and packrafting trip. Tyler and I hiked North on the International Appalachian trail eventually meeting up with the East Branch of the Penobscot to paddle back down. Our trip was a loop that allowed us to skip the usual shuttle of a river trip. I’m hoping to repeat this trip next summer!
This is only a small sampling from many great days on the water in 2022. If I was a little less lazy of an emailer I would include more. Now a look ahead to the future. 2023 is looking like it will be a busy year of paddling, biking, and backpacking. My schedule is already starting to fill, with most of May already filled up, and July not far behind.
2023- 3 Day Passes
Just like last year, I am offering a limited number of 3-Day discounted passes. For $400 you will get 3 days of paddling, tshirt, stickers, other Packraft Maine merchandise, and help planning personal packrafting trips. You can use these for workshops and custom trips. If you have already scheduled a trip with me, you can still use the pass to cover those days. Passes help me prepare for the season ahead.
Last winter John bought a couple of passes. He was excited about getting into packrafting and wanted some help getting ready for a personal bikerafting trip he had planned for the Fall. The pass gave us the flexibility to plan out several trips over the summer to help him get ready for his trip. With a mix of single day and overnight adventures we were able to practice the basic skills of bikerafting, overnight bikepacking, whitewater paddling, and paddling safety. In addition to our time on the water John and I emailed and talked as he planned his personal trip. It was fun to see the pictures come in this Fall of him biking and paddling around Switzerland.
Find out more about passes: Pass Info
2023- Workshops
New next year, I will be offering several whitewater workshops. Workshops will cover whitewater rescue and whitewater paddling in packrafts. Most of the workshops will be in May and June, but I will likely be adding more dates as these fill.
Find out more about workshops: Workshops
2023- Apeiron Expeditions
My previous guide service Apeiron Expeditions partnered with artists and authors to lead creative themed canoe trips. I put a pause on these trips in 2020, but plan to bring back a few Apeiron style packraft trips in 2023. I am still looking for collaborators, but am having exciting conversations about cooking, drawing, and other themes.
Hope to see you on the water in 2023!
