5-Day Beginner/Intermediate Whitewater Packrafting

More than the Basics: Become an Intermediate Whitewater Packrafter

This intensive instructional whitewater packraft course is for boaters with some whitewater experience in a single-person craft who want to learn more than just the basics. Plan to work hard and learn a lot!

Whitewater Packraft Course

Join us the night before this packraft instructional course for orientation at Scullbinder Ranch. There, we’ll get to know each other, share packrafting stories and enjoy some packrafting slide shows by the instructors. While at the Ranch, you’ll glamp in style in the cabin or one of our canvas tents and eat gourmet dinners and hearty breakfasts.

On course, you’ll spend the first two days learning a wide variety of packrafting and rescue skills on the Animas River. And then you’ll practice those skills in the backcountry on a two-night, three-day excursion on the San Miguel and/or Dolores rivers. This is NOT a swiftwater rescue course. However, some basic rescue techniques will be covered. Packrafting experience preferred. But we will consider you if you have river rafting experience in a small craft (kayak, whitewater canoe, duckie). Reasonable upper body fitness and stamina required as you’ll be packrafting 60+ miles. Basic backcountry skills are necessary. Can you cook your own food and set up your own tent? Email us for details on or to sign up for this whitewater packraft course!

What’s Included

This course includes an open packraft, PFD, paddle, helmet, all food in the backcountry, permits, wag bags, sanitizing kits, camping, shuttling when necessary. Includes three nights in a glamping tent or the cabin at Scullbinder Ranch, plus front-country breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for day trips. We have showers at the Ranch, a kitchen and hang out area for guests.

What’s Not Included

We do not provide whitewater boats, drysuits, river knives, whistles or throw bags. You will need a drysuit for this trip. Rentals are available at 4CornersRiversports.com. Or get a discount through FCG at BackcountryPackrafts.com (we will send you the discount code once you pay your deposit). Adult beverages not included.

Price: $2250

A 25% deposit is required to secure your space. Another 25% deposit is required within 90 days of the course. And we will need the remaining balance 30 days prior to your course. If you are registering inside of the 30 day window, the remaining balance is due immediately.

Instructors: Steve Fassbinder is one of the country’s first Level 3 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructors, as well as a Level 3 Kayak Instructor. He is also certified in Advanced Swiftwater Safety and Wilderness First Responder. An early adopter of packrafting, he has guided for three years and done remote packrafting expeditions around the world for over a dozen years.

Expect to learn:

✓How to pack light for backcountry packraft adventures
✓Equipment (use and care)
✓Basic field repair-tips & tricks
✓Swimming and general water confidence
✓Self-rescue & buddy assistance
✓Dealing with currents
✓Aggressive & defensive swimming position
✓Decision making
✓Hazards & river dynamics
✓Basic paddle strokes
✓Using eddies

About The Animas River

Most of the intensive training for this course will take place on up to Class III on the Animas River. We spend a lot of time spent on the Animas City Kayak Play Park. And we’ll do various sections of the Animas to and from the play park.
Length of Play Park: 1.25 miles
Length of Daily Adventures: 5 to 8 miles
Gradient: 30ft/mile
Difficulty: Class II III at 500-2000 CFS
Class III to IV 2,000 CFS and up.
High Water Flows: May-July
Flow: below 500cfs is low; 1,000-2,000cfs ideal for this course. Water Flow please see water levels
Length of Play Park: 1.25 miles
Length of Daily Adventures: 5 to 8 miles
Gradient: 30ft/mile
Difficulty: Class II+ III at 500-2000 CFS. Class III to IV 2,000 CFS and up.
High Water Flows: May-July
Flow: below 500cfs is low; 1,000-2,000cfs ideal for this course. Water Flow please see water levels

Full 2023 Packraft Course Schedule:

✓April 15-16—2-Day Learn Basic Packrafting Skills – Course is Full
✓April 21-23—3-Day Learn Basic Packrafting Skills – No Frills
✓April 28-30—From Paddle Strokes to Multi-Day Adventures: 3-Day Learn to Packraft – No Frills
✓May 5-7—2-Day Intermediate Packrafting (includes night of the 5th at the Ranch)
✓May 13-14—2-Day Learn Basic Packrafting Skills – No Frills
✓May 25-29—5-Day Beginner/Intermediate Whitewater Packrafting Course
✓June 2-4—3-Day Learn Basic Whitewater Packrafting Skills
✓June 3-4—2-Day Learn Basic Packrafting Skills – No Frills
✓June 6-11—5-Day Packraft Expedition Training & Advanced Paddling Skills Course
✓June 14-18—5-Day Beginning/Intermediate Whitewater Packrafting
✓June 24-25—2-Day Intermediate Packrafting Course