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Packrafting History

March 5, 2018

A Brief History of Bikerafting (aka “Nature Biking,” aka “Hell Biking,” aka Anything But “Bikepacking,” please)

Adventure Stories, Bikerafting, Packrafting History

Biking & Rafting (aka Bikerafting): An Early History of Two Human-Powered Travel Methods From the Perspective of Some Legendary Adventurers By Lizzy Scully, with significant help from Steve “Doom” Fassbinder and Roman Dial “Bikes and rafts are a really cool combination, one that will make you feel clever, especially when […]

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August 15, 2018

Packraft Innovation: Sheri Tingey & A Brief History of the Cargo Fly

Packrafting History

Alpacka Raft’s Head Designer & Co-Founder, Sheri Tingey, on How, When, & Why She Figured Out How to Put Those Nifty Waterproof TIZIP® Zippers on All Packrafts & How That Packraft Innovation Changed the Game. “It was 2004 or 2005, when I was on a trip to the Copper Canyon […]

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May 8, 2018

Thor & Sarah Tingey Featured in Two Podcasts

News, Events, Reviews, Packrafting History

Two Podcasters Catch up with Sarah & Thor Tingey to Discuss Everything from Conservation to the Origins of Packrafts DIY Alaska caught up with our busy owners Sarah and Thor Tingey at the 2018 Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Rendezvous. Topics of discussion include the birth of Alpacka Raft, the contrast […]

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March 12, 2019

The Alpacka Classic – From the “Stubby” to Streamlined in 2019

News, Events, Reviews, Packrafting History

The Alpacka Series Story – Early History & The Golden Age of Packrafting Story by Thor Tingey, photos by Bjorn Olson and from the Sheri Tingey historical archives. Welcome to the best backcountry adventure boats on the planet and our new Alpacka Series lineup! The Classic is our iconic original packraft and […]

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June 13, 2018

Born From Necessity: The Invention of the Modern Day Inflation Bag

Packrafting History

Alpacka Raft’s Sheri Tingey and the Invention of the Modern Day Inflation Bag The original packraft inflation bag (for modern-day packrafts) was like an accordion, cylindrical and held open with metal stiffeners (stays) that Sheri Tingey found on the floor of Home Depot; bailing wire that used to hold bags […]

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May 17, 2018

Caught in the Current: Riding Alaska’s Whitewater Packrafting Revolution

Packrafting History

Pro Team Athlete Luc Mehl Documents the Beginning of the Whitewater Packrafting Revolution   — A 5000 Miles of Wild Story Share Your Packrafting Story for the Chance to Win a Werner Sherpa Paddle! Story & photos by Luc Mehl Like most people buying packrafts 10 years ago, I wanted […]

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July 8, 2019

Summertime Packrafting on the East Coast

Adventure Stories, Packrafting History

Darren Kazemi Showcases the Waterways of the Eastern United States An adventurer and conservationist, Darren Kazemi grew up on Long Island paddling narrow inlets, tidal rivers, and saltwater bays. When he got his first packraft, an Alpacka Explorer 42, he expected to take it on exploratory missions. Searching for solitude […]

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