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Friday Q+A: Packrafting

November 22, 2019

Q&A with Teacher, Packrafter, and Alaskan Adventurer Tony Perelli
In 2019 Traverse Alaska partnered with Teacher, Packrafter, and Alaskan Adventurer Tony Perelli to provide Packrafting 101 courses in the Denali area. Traverse Alaska sat down with Tony to chat about his packrafting experience, and advice for people new to the sport.

TA: What made you want to get into packrafting?
Tony: Back in 2005 or so, my friend & trip partner, J.T. Lindholm started insisting I get a packraft. We had done tons of climbing and hiking trips together and had established a great partnership. I trusted him when he said I had to get a boat, that I wouldn’t regret it or look back.
I had also been to a couple of Roman Dial’s slideshows during that time, hearing about his adventures in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Hike-boat-hike-boat…to me these trips are still the best.
Finally, I was invited to go on a Packraft date with a real cute adventure girl…So many reasons to get a packraft!

TA: Who were your mentors?
Tony: Most of my first packraft adventures were me just trying to keep up with J.T. and Brad Meiklejohn. Both of these guys already had a huge depth of experience in the wilderness, and it was a real gift to learn how to travel in the wilderness and packraft with them. I’m still learning from both of them today.
The circle of mentors and trip partnerships expanded to include Roman Dial, Luc Mehl, Timmy Johnson, Eric Parsons, Matt Rafferty, Becky King and others. I’ve always felt lucky to learn with and simply be a part of this crew.

TA: How has the sport evolved in the last decade?
Tony: The scope of what you can do in these boats has expanded hugely and it’s generally become much safer. There was a period of time when we began to turn up the amplitude, learn from the kayak community, boat more whitewater and even modify the equipment. Alpacka Raft, at that very same time, was also evolving and upgrading their boat designs to increase their performance. These days, experienced packrafters are routinely running rivers and doing trips, safely and skillfully, that a little more than a decade ago felt anomalous.

TA: What is the most important thing to understand if someone wants to get into packrafting?
Tony: The access and fun packrafts provide is awesome, but the risks associated with it can be real as well. Acquiring a foundation of knowledge, experience and skills is wise. Then, use that foundation to bend the rules later, if needed.

TA: What is a common mistake you see new packrafters making?
Tony: Maybe the assumption that skills will just show-up and the boats will automatically keep them out of trouble, but I really think this is changing for the better.
More technically speaking, I would like to see new packrafters being more intentional with their moves on the river. Sometimes when approaching a hazard, I see people freeze up, grip their paddle, and wait to see what happens.

TA: New packrafters can enroll in a Packraft course, what additional resources are available in Alaska?
Tony: There are some awesome people, blogs & books out there.

People: I love the concept of mentorship in life. If you are among quality experienced people (friends, instructors etc.), it’s good to be honest, quiet and open to learning.

Blogs: I think it’s natural to use the experience of others to learn from and be inspired by. However, I don’t think it’s the right idea to treat blogs like standard routes or trails. They often are not. Be inspired, learn a little and then plan your own trip to match your preference, style and abilities.

Books: there are tons out there, but these are the ones I have on my bookshelf:
Packrafting! by Roman Dial
Fast & Cold by Andrew Embick
Alaska Whitewater by Tim Johnson
Alaska River Guide by Karen Jettmar
Packrafting by Molley Absolon
Most importantly, The Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer

TA: What are some ways for new boaters to experiment with the sport?
Tony:
I suggest getting in a lake or slow-moving river if you’re brand new, just get to know your boat. Flat water, class I water, class II if you have some guidance, and begin to progress. As you gain real skills and comfort you may want to look at more demanding stuff if that’s your interest.

TA: Anything else new boaters should know?
Tony:
I never am tired of the good words that the Water Rat said:
“There is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

To learn more about upcoming Packraft Classes and Trips, contact Traverse Alaska.

Filed Under: Blog

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Traverse Alaska Philosophy

We are dedicated to providing experiences that build meaningful connections with Alaska. Our team works diligently to immerse clients in educational exploration. Each and every adventure is personalized to challenge clients while discovering the last frontier at their own unique pace.

Traverse Alaska

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We’ve recruited Luc Mehl and the Swiftwater Safe We’ve recruited Luc Mehl and the Swiftwater Safety Institute for our 5th annual Packraft-specific certified Swift Water Rescue Training for our staff in Denali.
We have 1 spot left for the course this weekend! 

The certified training course is scheduled for May 27, 28, 29 (all day) in Denali. 
#cultureofsafety #thisispackrafting #swiftwatersafety
We are dedicated to supporting organizations that We are dedicated to supporting organizations that keep Alaska wild.
✨
We recently submitted donations to a few of our non-profit partners that are doing valuable work for Alaska lands, wildlife, and people.
Follow these organizations to stay connected on important Alaska issues:
@keepalaskawild
@thenortherncenter
@alaskatrails 
@greatlandtrust
NPS photo
We are so fortunate to have a wonderful team of pr We are so fortunate to have a wonderful team of professional, local guides. We’d like you to meet our team. We’ll kick it off with Justin La Vigne, who has been a guide with Traverse Alaska since 2021. @patricejustin 
🏔️
Where are you from? 
I was born in Fort Hood Texas, but grew up in northern New Jersey.  I went to college in Pennsylvania and graduate school in Arizona.  I have lived in 14 different states.  I have lived in 4 camper vans/subarus for about 10 years. 

How long have you been in Alaska? 
I came here in 2003 for my graduate research and worked in Kantishna.  Then back in 2006 to work in the cruise industry.  Then here in 2018 and 2019 working for Leave No Trace with the Zero Landfill Initiative.  Bought our cabin in 2019 and have lived here full time since. 

What do you love about guiding? 
I love introducing the guests to the wonders of Alaska.  I love meeting new people.  I love showing off my home.  Being outside and immersed in nature. 

What are you most passionate about sharing when it comes to Alaska?
Denali and climbing, the history of the NP, life in the winter, animals.

What type of trips are you looking forward to guiding this summer? 
I love all the various trips we offer.  Every day is something new with new people.
✨
#traversealaskaguides
Appreciation post: We want to recognize Joe for hi Appreciation post: We want to recognize Joe for his hard work and dedication to the Iditarod Sled Dog Race for the 5th year in a row. He operates all the checkpoint logistics for the race. 
✨
The Iditarod is a 1,000-mile sled dog race across Alaska, with 22 checkpoints traveling through extremely remote areas of the state. The logistics consistently present challenges, however he handles each obstacle in a calm, laid-back demeanor. 
✨
Needless to say, we are fortunate to have Joe’s expertise and dedication on the Traverse Alaska team!
(Swipe for videos/photos from the Iditarod trail…)
#workwiththosewhoinspireyou
We’re getting pumped for our summer season, and We’re getting pumped for our summer season, and going on day hikes with views like this. 😍
Are you excited for hiking season?
#traversealaska #privatepersonalcustom
Denali received another recent dumping of snow thi Denali received another recent dumping of snow this week. There’s a really good chance we will be able to get in great sliding on the snow, during our hikes in the early season!
🏔
This photo is from June a couple years ago, on a Private, Custom full-day hike. We had a blast hiking in the tundra, we were lucky not to see any other humans, and the main attraction—that big mountain in the background—Denali. 
😍
Second photo from this morning. 
#traversealaska #privatepersonalcustom #tagalaskaresponsibly

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