Minimalist Alpine Lake Exploration With an Ultralight Packraft

My legs burned as I stepped from boulder to boulder on a granite-strewn path in Idaho’s Payette Nationwide Forest, nevertheless it wasn’t from the burden I used to be carrying in my pack. I’d completed the McCall-based IMTUF 100-mile path operating race 3 days earlier than, after which caught round to discover the realm at a extra relaxed tempo.

Gradual hikes and paddling round alpine lakes within the Alpacka Ghost let me savor the panorama I’d simply run by whereas additionally giving my legs a break. And because the ultralight packraft weighs solely 2.3 kilos, it had the best fun-per-ounce ratio.

Over the course of a number of weeks from mid-September by October, I examined the Alpacka Ghost on alpine lakes and flat water round Idaho and Oregon. My goal on this primary outing was Boulder Lake, which I’d run by twice in the course of the IMTUF race.

This time, I used to be in a position to entry the lake through a simple 2.5-mile route that progressively ascends Boulder Lake Path #105. In my pack, I carried the Ghost, a light-weight four-piece paddle, a liter of water and a water filter, a sandwich and snacks, and some additional layers for the autumn temperature swings.

In brief: The Alpacka Ghost ($750) is an ultralight packraft that packs all the way down to the dimensions of a sleeping pad you’d use for backpacking. It’s straightforward to inflate utilizing the included inflation bag and takes solely minutes till it’s able to go. Since it is a specialised packraft that was designed for actions like operating, canyoneering, and fastpacking, the Ghost’s decreased weight comes at the price of sturdiness, and to a point, consolation. If the burden restrict and minimalist type packraft is a match for you, there’s additionally one other bonus: this packraft is a very nice worth, beneath $800. Typical packrafts can run anyplace from $1,000 to $1,900.

• Size
  84″ (213 cm)
• Width
  34″ (86 cm)
• Inside size
  44″ (112 cm)
• Inside width
  14.25″ (36.2 cm)
• Packed dimension
  14″ x 4.5″ (36 x 11 cm)
• Supplies
  Proprietary ultralight 70D nylon hull, 200D nylon flooring
• Claimed weight
  2.25 lbs./1kg
• Verified weight
  2.3 lbs./ (1,042 grams)
• Max capability
  225 lbs.
• Consists of inflation bag, stuff sack, and restore package. Paddle not included.

• 
  Extremely light-weight
• 
  Fast and straightforward to inflate/deflate
• 
  Intuitive to make use of
• 
  Tracks nicely
• 
  Packs down small

• 
  Would not embrace an ultralight paddle
• 
  No seat
• 
  Ultralight weight comes at the price of sturdiness
• 
  Necessity of paddle makes operating with this setup barely awkward

Alpacka Rafts Ghost Packraft Evaluation

Supplies and Construct High quality

With the Ghost, Alpacka sought to create the lightest packraft attainable for actions like operating and canyoneering, and was keen to compromise sturdiness to take action. In consequence, this packraft has a proprietary 70-denier nylon hull and a 200-denier nylon flooring.

For comparability, different packrafts generally have 210-denier materials (similar to nylon, polyester, or TPU) within the hull and 420- to 840-denier materials within the flooring. (The stability of weight to sturdiness to efficiency is a vital issue to bear in mind.)

Denier refers back to the thickness of threads woven into textiles or materials. Greater denier means extra power, sturdiness, sturdiness — and weight. The distinction between 70- and 210-denier is important, and the Ghost’s low-denier construct requires a delicate hand. A greater choice for on a regular basis and onerous use is Alpacka’s Scout, which has an identical design however makes use of higher-denier supplies and weighs a couple of pound and a half extra.   

So what does that weight-shave get you? The Ghost is a minimalist packraft with 10-inch tubes, an open construct, and two seize loops on the strict. It isn’t obtainable with Alpacka’s standard customization or add-on choices just like the cargo fly, spray deck, or self-bailing configurations.

The truth is, this packraft doesn’t even include a seat, which I grew to become aware of after I sat down within the raft on a frigid alpine lake in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains. Word, the seat included with Alpacka’s Scout (and bought individually for $50) can even match within the Ghost, however there isn’t any attachment. Sitting in your pack or a jacket can even present some additional insulation and luxury.

Inflating and Deflating the Ghost

This packraft is straightforward and intuitive to inflate and deflate, and the method is fast. The Ghost has the identical system as Alpacka’s different rafts, utilizing a single valve and an included inflation bag. Earlier than inflating the raft, flip the valve stopper counter-clockwise all the best way to the left. This may be sure that the valve stops air from releasing again out throughout inflation. 

Subsequent, thread the inflation bag onto the valve, and shake out any twists within the bag. To seize air, shake the inflation bag or scoop air after which both bunch the highest of the bag in your hand or fold it collectively to seal the air inside. From there, you may roll the highest down or use no matter methodology you prefer to push the air into the raft.

It took me just a few rounds to get proficient at this, however finally I used to be in a position to seize a bag filled with air on every repetition. The Ghost solely wants about 5 – 6 rounds of capturing air till it’s full. As soon as the packraft appeared absolutely inflated, I topped it off with just a few breaths immediately into the valve. 

One factor I seen when launching the Ghost onto very chilly water was that it might lose a bit little bit of air strain after a couple of minutes. To counter this, I inflated the packraft and let it float on the water for a couple of minutes, after which topped it off once more earlier than pushing off the shore. Alternatively, I paddled for a couple of minutes close to the shore, after which pulled over and added a few breaths of air to high it off.

As a beginner packrafter, it’s totally attainable that I wasn’t absolutely inflating it on my first try. Nevertheless, it’s regular for inflatables to lose some air strain when going from the shore onto very chilly water (such because the Deschutes River in Oregon, which measured 37 levels F in late October). As soon as I knew what to anticipate, it was no large deal. 

Deflating and repacking the Ghost is simple and takes only some minutes. Merely flip the valve stopper clockwise to the best, after which fold it collectively whereas rolling it up. I made certain to brush any particles off the raft as I folded and rolled it up, so the fragile materials wouldn’t abrade whereas in its stuff sack. 

Weight and Packability 

The Ghost is specifically designed to be so light-weight that even runners received’t discover the additional weight they’re carrying, so it’s no surprise that its ultralight weight is its major function. Moreover, this raft packs all the way down to about 14 x 4.5 inches, which is corresponding to the dimensions of a backpacking sleeping pad.

With a bit persistence and centered consideration, the Ghost is simple to pack right into a compact dimension. I used the identical approach on this packraft that I take advantage of for my inflatable sleeping pad — utilizing my physique weight to totally deflate it whereas fastidiously folding it in on itself and likewise tightly rolling it. I discovered that if I don’t rush the method, the packraft suits simply again into its mesh stuff sack.

On multiple event, the packraft was moist and muddy, and I didn’t need to pack it tightly like that. As a substitute of placing it again into its stuff sack, I loosely packed it into my daypack (a 30L fastpack for reference). This labored nicely, and I nonetheless had loads of room for my water bottle, hat, and additional layer. After I bought residence, I used to be in a position to shake it out and clear it completely earlier than storing it.

Efficiency on Water and Path

On water, the Ghost is simple to maneuver, and it tracks higher than I anticipated contemplating its minimal weight. I had no points directing the packraft the place I needed it to go on alpine lakes and flat rivers. And, I used to be in a position to glide round easily, although I needed to put some muscle into my paddle strokes after I changed into a headwind on one blustery afternoon on Idaho’s Bull Trout Lake. Regardless of the shortage of a seat, I by no means bought uncomfortable whereas sitting within the boat, and I may simply shift my place for higher positioning or paddling effectivity. 

The Ghost has a listed most capability of 225 kilos. Whereas this doesn’t appear to be so much — and I wouldn’t need to max out a packraft that’s much less sturdy than others — it’s greater than sufficient for my physique weight plus an in a single day backpack. On the identical time, there’s not a ton of room on the ground of the packraft (the inside size is 44 inches), so that might be one thing for very tall individuals to contemplate.  

On the path, I may have forgotten I used to be carrying a packraft in any respect — apart from the paddle. Though it solely weighs 26 ounces, the paddle made operating with this setup barely awkward.

I used to be in a position to cinch down the paddle items within the facet pockets of my fastpack in order that they didn’t bounce round. However, I’m not certain how I’d connect the paddle to a operating hydration vest, particularly one which isn’t outfitted with trekking pole attachments.

As well as, it might be difficult to suit the packraft itself (irrespective of how compact) into the standard operating hydration vest. In consequence, I’ve most well-liked climbing and fastpacking with the Ghost over operating. 

Conclusion

The Alpacka Ghost packs a ton of enjoyable into an ultralight, 2.3-pound, compact design. This packraft evokes me to combine a bit extra journey into common backpacking, fastpacking, bikepacking, or climbing outings. And, after I’m not operating 100-mile races, to plan leisurely run routes that take me to as many alpine lakes as I can.

That stated, this packraft’s predominant limitation is that it’s made with lower-denier supplies than typical packrafts. Whereas this retains the Ghost tremendous light-weight, it additionally implies that it’s much less sturdy than others. Due to this fact, it’s essential to be light with the Ghost and hold it on clean water that doesn’t have rocks or different obstacles close to the floor. Whereas testing this packraft, I used to be additionally cautious to not drag it over a rocky shoreline — a sight you’ll often see within the alpine.

Though I’d add the Ghost to my gear listing for a lot of actions, I don’t see myself bringing this packraft on path runs. Primarily as a result of operating with even a light-weight, four-piece paddle begins to really feel unwieldy fairly rapidly.

That stated, the Ghost and the paddle have been comfy and secure whereas utilizing a fastpack. Better of all, this setup sparks my creativity about extra methods to journey by mountainous or backcountry terrain with a packraft in tow.

For diehard minimalists who love water and the alpine, this packraft is probably going a win.