First packraft

 You heard "you have to do something stupid, at least one a year". Well I guess I did it. Suddenly out on nowhere I decided to get a packraft. I was looking for a packraft for a long time but I never took it seriously until the last week. Probably 10% off and a small cashback on my card was the main trigger to get the lightest and cheapest packraft in Kokopelli collection. Kokopelli hornet lite is very good deal but it is overshadowed by more serious models like Rouge because Hornet is not rated for a real whitewater. Looking at the features, it is very similar to other models in all aspects but the wall material is not as durable as those heavy duty models. It should serve the purpose for me and Twyla. It was supposed to arrive today but it was delayed as many other postal services during last few weeks. Finally it was delivered at 9:30 pm!

I don't have any experience with water except one canyoneering trip many years ago, and many other safe sea trips. So I am looking for more information. I have to admit I hate to see those recommendation pages people write on "the best destinations"! Most of the time when I check it is just a beginner weekend warrior getting excited about the first hill they see. They make sure it is an easy recommendation so no one will call the editor, complaining about the rainy and mud or whatever. I always end up diving into all maps and designing my own route/trail. Google Earth doesn't have a good information on rivers, but this is good database:

Streamer 

I wish they had wilderness area overlay as well. The best thing I love about this is the upstream/downstream tracing.

I was mostly in preparation mode last few weeks. It is like you want to get out and you don't want to get out at the same time. I got a few nice books from the library yesterday and today. A few of them look very inspiring and well written.

Personally I am in love  with Colin Fletcher's book, River. I also learned about the pioneering work of the Harvey Butchart. Such inspiring people.