Learn packrafting and bikepacking skills and then how to put the two together for a successful river adventure with other women! Women learn differently from men. “Whether you call it ‘girl power’ or ‘feminine energy,'” says Jule Harle of Alaska Packrafting School, ladies have a different learning style. And women’s courses can offer a distinct environment where they can talk through concepts and issues more thoroughly than might happen in a mixed class or class with just men.

“There’s a part of the brain that’s twice as big in a female that processes new experiences or manages fear through talking,” Jule says.

This 4-day women’s bikerafting course will take place on the Animas River and/or the San Miguel and Dolores rivers. Day 1 of this trip will be a bikeraft training day, so you can learn how to put your bike on your boat and your boat on your bike. You should have basic paddling skills already to join this course. Where you go for the three-day portion of the trip depends on river levels. You’ll do one of these trip options.

TRIP ITINERARY

We have two options for this course, depending on river levels.

#1: We’ll do one packraft training day on the Animas River, and then spend 1.5 days on the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers, and then 1.5 days riding back on the Rim Rocker Trail.

#2: We’ll do one packraft training day on the Animas River, and then spend 1.5 days riding up over the La Platas on the Morrison Trail, down to Colorado State Highway 141, and then to the Dolores River. We’ll spend 1.5 days on the Dolores River to the town of Rico

Our Mission!

Our goal is to teach you the skills you need to embark on safer, more fun cycling and packrafting adventures. So you’ll learn how to lash your bike to your boat, pack your boat on your bike and more. And you’ll paddle/pedal 40-60 miles. These multi-day adventures are perfect for beginners, though you must have some bike riding skills. No boating skills required.

Want to read more about how women learn differently from men? Check out our, “A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting & Bikerafting” podcast with Jule. You’ll find it on our website or on Spotify. 

A 50% deposit is required when you sign up. The remaining balance will need to be received through 90 days prior to your course. The remaining balance is due immediately if you are registering inside of the 90 day window.

Please review our cancellation policy, which you will find on our Terms, Conditions & Cancellation Policy Page.

An open Alpacka Classic packraft, PFD, paddle and helmet. Bike bags if you need them. We have six sets.

All food for the duration of the backcountry portion of the trip, plus sanitation kit, camping, etc. 

Food and lodging on the days of the trip where you are not in the backcountry. However, you may stay at Scullbinder Ranch for 1-3 nights @ $135 per night, which includes dinners and breakfasts.

Also not included: a working, tuned-up bicycle, transportation. You must have your own transportation.

We base our learn basic river bikerafting and packrafting skills instructional courses on confidence and skill progression. We start slow and push you a little harder as we go, tailoring the experience to your own personal abilities.

For Beginner to Intermediate courses, you’ll learn a wide variety of skills, from the basics to more advanced river reading techniques. This is a list of some of the things you will learn:

• ✔️How to pack your gear in your boat or on your bike for multi-day adventures

• ✔️How to ride with a loaded bike

• ✔️Basic paddle strokes with a bike on your boat

• ✔️How to lash your bike to your boat and vice versa

• ✔️Transitioning from bikes to boats and vice versa

Lizzy Scully (Guide)

Lizzy is a Level 2 American Canoe Association Packraft Instructor. She additionally has advanced Swiftwater Safety training and he is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Lizzy started packrafting in 2017, after started as the marketing maven for Alpacka Raft. She spent most of her adult life rock climbing around the world, doing first ascents and major expeditions to Pakistan, India and elsewhere. But now, in her 50s, she prefers more horizontal terrain on rivers and mountain bike trails. Lizzy occasionally teaches women’s courses and assists when needed on other courses, but primarily runs all logistics for Four Corners Guides.

Sarah Carr (Trip Bike Mechanic)

Sarah grew up in the Sierra, and found home in the Pacific Northwest and Appalachia before rocks and wilderness drew her to Colorado in 2010.  She lives in Mancos with her dog Modus, and thrives on exploring new landscapes and disappearing into the mountains, the desert, or a good book. Due to an allergy to paying for things, a few too many formative experiences with mansplainy bro-dudes at bike shops, and a general fear of getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, she has developed DIY bike tinkering skills.  She is a certified Wilderness First Responder and a Wilderness First Aid instructor, and teaches literature, writing and outdoor education to high school students.

You should be fit and know how to ride a bicycle to do this course. You also need general backcountry skills–can you set up a tent and cook your own food. Some boating skills would be beneficial, but if you are comfortable on water, swimming and a go-getter, you’ll be fine as you’ll be spending the first day learning basic packrafting skills. 

This is a Level 2 course because of the cycling terrain you’ll be covering and the mileage you’ll be doing. You’ll be gaining a lot of elevation, pedaling in the mountains, and then packrafting some fun rapids.