Learn to Prepare for Your Own Backcountry Adventure!

There are two spots left on this course. Email us for details.Visit our Instructional Course – Packrafting page for details on what you will learn.

Course

On this 5-day beginner / intermediate Colorado packrafting course, you’ll get the benefit of off-the-water expedition planning and round-table discussions in addition to more focused attention on skills building. Or participate on the 3-day backcountry portion. To participate in the 3-day only you must have some previous paddling experience in easy whitewater, whether in a kayak, duckie or packraft.

Are you more than a beginner, but don’t quite read eddies like a pro? Do you need to work on your self and partner rescue skills? Can you run rapids, but you feel like you just barely make it through without flipping? Learn the basics and more on this 5-day skills course. Spend two days on the Animas and the Dolores River (above town) acquiring skills such as equipment use and care, self rescue techniques, paddle techniques, how to read the river and how to catch eddies, among other things. Then do a 3-day overnight adventure on the San Miguel River and the Dolores River (below town in canyon country) to practice all that you learned the first two days. You’ll spend Wednesday and Thursday nights at Scullbinder Ranch in a glamping tent, eating dinner by the fire pit and telling stories about your adventures.

Price: $1925, includes open packraft, PFD, paddle, helmet, all food in the backcountry, permits, wag bags, sanitizing kits, camping, shuttling when necessary. All front and backcountry meals included for the duration of the course (except breakfast the first morning and dinner the final night). Adult beverages not included. We have showers, a kitchen and hang out area for guests. We do not provide whitewater boats, drysuits, river knives, whistles or throw bags. You will need a drysuit for this trip. You may rent one at 4CornersRiversports.com. If you rent your gear from Backcountrypackrafts.com, let them know we sent you and they’ll give you a 15% discount.

Can’t make this Colorado packrafting course? Check out our Intermediate Packraft Course June 8-12.

Email us for details or to sign up!

Price: $1925

Instructors: Steve “Doom” Fassbinder & Thad Ferrell