Packrafting

Packrafting combines hiking and paddling into one trip — you hike to a remote river, inflate a 2-5 lb raft from your backpack, and paddle out through terrain that's inaccessible any other way. The gear has matured dramatically: modern packrafts handle Class III whitewater and weigh less than a tent. Alaska's backcountry is the spiritual home of packrafting, but Patagonia, New Zealand, and the Colorado Plateau offer world-class routes. No prior paddling experience required for flatwater trips.