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Packraft Expedition Paddler
5 days of packrafting set on the wild west coast of Scotland! A fully immersive course that is simply jam packed with skills and info! It'll set you up to plan and undertake your own amazing adevntures with a packraft in the UK and overseas!
Course Structure
Pre Course Preparation: 5 days is not a lot of time to cover the huge range of factors that will underpin you gaining the skills to undertake multi-day Packraft Expeditions in the UK and beyond. To this end, the Course is designed to allow you to understand and demonstrate a number of key elements that will allow you to develop your expedition skills. To get the most from the time on the course we will assign each candidate a number of tasks in the months prior. These tasks are designed to be interesting and not odious. They are designed to match what you would normally do prior to embarking on any expedition and will complement the Course Learning Outcomes and will ensure you gain the most from our time together.
The Pre Course tasks are as follows:
- Equipment (Ensuring you bring the rigth gear!): Needs vs Wants. Utility and Safety.
- Nutrition (Eating well on the course!): Eating nutritious food, easily.
- Route Selection and Planning (Planning the adventure): Your route ideas and itinerary.
You will be supported by us and your fellow candidates throughout the process, via online meets, discussions, etc. As you can see, these will naturally form your build-up for attending the course and therefore should not take much additional time to undertake.
We ask that these tasks are completed and submitted prior to the Course.
Outline Plan
The Course will be split into the following phases:
- Pre-Course preparation. Preparation tasks and online meetings.
- Water Skills recap. Paddling and rescue skills.
- Lectures and discussion. On relevant topics to underpin your experience.
- Planning. Group activity to plan your expedition.
- Expedition. In the remote and rugged, “rough bounds” of Morvern and Moidart.
- Debriefs and action plans. Individual discussion to identify your strengths and areas you want to develop.
Location
The course will meet at a predetermined bunk house near Fort William where we will conduct the skills recap and evening lectures. You can choose to arrange to stay at the bunk house or close by - what ever you prefer.
From there we will head out on our expedition, exactly where we go will depend on what the team (you) have come up with in the preparation phase.
Packraft Expedition Paddler Course
Packrafting and Safety Equipment.
This is a more advanced course designed for people who already posess some skills and packrafting equipment. So thsi list is just a guide - we'll discuss and agree you gear list in the build up to the expedition.
Equipment A list of equipment is included below. The environment in the UK can change quickly and so you must prepare accordingly. We assume that you will have most of packrafting gear - dont worry if you're missing items, as we have a huge store of expedition ready gear for you to hire at reduced rates - we've got your back!
- Packraft. (Can be hired - £10 per day)
- Paddle. (Can be hired - £5 per day - free with packraft)
- Drybags
- Water rescue knife, saw.
You will need to bring / wear:
- A warm fleece top or insulated jacket.
- A base-layer (a non-cotton t-shirt).
- ‘Outdoor’ type trousers (Not denim - synthetic track suit bottoms are fine).
- Thermals
- Warm hat and some gloves
- Waterproof Jacket. (Essential – even on warm sunny days).
- Waterproof trousers. (Essential – even on warm sunny days).
- Walking shoes or boots.
- Water shoes (these will get wet! An old pair of trainers is perfect)
- A rucksack to carry your gear (it will need to carry your safety gear and boat too – so make sure its has plenty of space! 50l rucksacks are normally more than adequate.
- A watertight liner or dry bag for inside your rucksack.
- A spare change of clothes (carried) x 2.
- Food and drink for the day. (A hot sweet drink in a small flask is a good idea, especially if it’s a bit chilly out.)
- Sunglasses, sun hat, sun screen (as required).
- Personal medication. You must take any medication you may require with you and show it to us at the start of your adventure, so we know where it is if you need it!
- Wash kit including a small towel.
- Tent - (2 person superlight weight tents can be hired for £30 per Tent)
- Sleeping bag suitable for the season.
- Sleeping mat.
- Cooking Stove and fuel.
- Cooking pots and eating implements.
- Food and drink for evening meal and breakfast.
- Torch and spare set of batteries. (Not mobile phone torch!)
- A small bag for rubbish.
- Sufficient toilet paper and sanitary products.
- Lighter or matches.
Please do not wear cotton tops or bottoms as the material stays cold and heavy when wet.