Bryan Hansel

I broke in the packraft yesterday on Lake Superior. The ice formations are really wild right now.

Note: I was dressed for immersion, etc. This isn't something that you should try without training, skills, and experience in paddling in these conditions.

#packraft #backpacking #minnesota

Mar 15 at 5:04pmWeb
Show threadMountain VisionsMar 15
Is this a current photo? I'm suprised the lake is that open. People underestimate cold water. Even if paddling close to shore you can die from cold shock/gasp reflex entering water basically 10ft from shore. Dress for the water temp!
Show threadBryan HanselMar 15

@Pico23 it was yesterday. The big lake seldom freezes.

I'm well aware of the dangers of cold water paddling. Would you like to read the multiple articles that I've written about it for various magazines?

Show threadMountain VisionsMar 15
That's amazing. Ontario doesn't usually fully freeze either but I guess I was expecting a little ice somewhere out there. After all, someone biked across all 5 great lakes. Erie on the other hand, it can almost fully freeze in a cold winter.
Show threadMountain VisionsMar 16

My friend. You definitely took it the wrong way.

I'm not sure what specifically I said to trigger you but I apologize.

No one was questioning your expertise and now I wonder if the photo was just to get us to recognize your expertise.

All I did was agree with you and was greeted by you proclaiming you are an expert. Generally that isn't necessary for experts to do.

Show threadBobMar 15
@bryanhansel Stunning, really.
Show threadEllenInEdmonton Mar 15
@bryanhansel
How was the packraft for navigation? I can no longer manage hauling my own canoe or kayak on a car, and I'm curious about how a packraft compares for handling.
#canoeing
Show threadBryan HanselMar 15
@EllenInEdmonton do you mean like navigation map and compass? Or handling?
Show threadEllenInEdmonton Mar 16
@bryanhansel
I mean handling. Does it handle more like a raft, or like a canoe or kayak? Is it easy to turn, or to keep straight?
Show threadBryan HanselMar 17

@EllenInEdmonton it's slow compared to a canoe or kayak. It's not directionally stable — meaning that it either requires forward paddling to keep tracking or other strokes to keep from spinning when not paddling. I only had it on 1-foot waves, but it flexes with them like you'd expect from a raft.

This packraft is designed to haul a bike on the front and to pack small and light to carry on the bike, which is why I got this one. Alpaka makes kayak replacement versions.

Show threadEllenInEdmonton Mar 17
@bryanhansel Thanks, that’s pretty much what I suspected. I don’t see myself biking down to the river and back to paddle solo there, and maintaining direction would probably be more challenging than I’d enjoy. I’m probably better off saving my money to rent canoes at lakes where that’s an option.
Show threadBryan HanselMar 17
@EllenInEdmonton or you could look at one of their other models that do track and offer a removable skeg. This is just one model out of many.