Expedition Packrafting Fundamentals course
Packraft Expedition Fundamentals is a practical three-day, two-night course introducing the skills, equipment and judgement needed for self-supported packraft travel. Available in the Scottish Highlands and the Lake District, each course follows an overnight journey across sheltered and moving water, with everything carried in or attached to the boats. You will develop your paddling, rescue and expedition skills while learning about campcraft, water purification, repairs, first aid and emergency decision-making. You will also have the opportunity to try a range of packrafts and equipment designed for different types of journey.
COST : £650
DAYS : 3
Scottish Highlands
Loch Maree, the River Ewe and Loch Ewe
A varied, continuous journey through the Northwest Highlands, linking open-loch travel, island exploration, mountain terrain, moving water and a short section of sea-loch paddling into a single expedition.
Loch Maree is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lochs in the UK, with clear water, ancient Caledonian pinewoods and a remarkable collection of islands. It is home to rare birdlife, including species such as black-throated divers and white-tailed eagles, and has a rich cultural history centred around Isle Maree, once a place of pilgrimage and healing rituals. Uniquely, Loch Maree contains an island with its own loch, which itself contains an island — a rare geographical feature not found elsewhere in the UK.
The route begins on Loch Maree, travels through its island groups, continues downstream via the River Ewe and finishes on Loch Ewe, creating a coherent journey that reflects how packrafting is used in real expedition settings.
The course includes minibus transport from Inverness, two nights of camping and return transport to Inverness on Sunday evening.
LEVEL : 0.5
Distance covered Foot/Packraft : 30-50kms
Available departures
Highlands 18 - 20th September - New date!
Lake District 18 - 20th September - New date!
Highlands 13 - 15th November - New date!
Lake District 13 - 15th November - New date!
Skills Overview
This is an expedition-based course, with skills taught as part of a real, continuous journey rather than through isolated sessions at a single venue. You will carry everything needed for the course in or attached to your packraft, camp along the route and make decisions in changing open-water, river and expedition environments.
Across both locations, the course covers:
Preparing, packing and loading a packraft for an overnight journey
Comparing different packrafts, paddles, buoyancy aids and storage systems
Flat-water, open-water and introductory moving-water paddling
Reading wind, waves, river flow and common hazards
Group communication, positioning and journey management
Capsize recovery, river swimming, throwline use and simple rescues
Inspecting and portaging obstacles
Campcraft, water purification and expedition routines
Packraft maintenance, repair kits and field repairs
Expedition first aid, cold-water incidents and emergency scenarios
Emergency communication and evacuation planning
Route choice, changing plans and expedition decision-making
An introduction to fishing and foraging opportunities on expedition, including responsible practices and how these can complement your food planning
The emphasis is not simply on learning individual paddling techniques. It is on understanding how the equipment, safety skills, camp systems and decision-making come together during a genuine self-supported packraft expedition.
Choose Your Location
Lake District and Eden Valley
Ullswater, the River Eamont and the River Eden
A classic Lakeland journey through some of the most iconic scenery in England, combining large open lakes, varied rivers and a true sense of expedition travel.
Beginning on the expansive waters of Ullswater, you are immediately exposed to a large, deep and open lake environment. Surrounded by steep side valleys, the lake often generates complex and shifting wind patterns, creating a challenging and dynamic start to the journey. Wide views stretch across the water, with changing light and conditions shaping the experience from the outset. The route then flows into the River Eamont, where the character shifts noticeably to a more enclosed, tree-lined river, offering a sheltered and intimate feel as you move downstream.
Continuing on to the River Eden, the landscape opens out again before gradually becoming more dramatic, particularly as you approach Armathwaite. Here the river cuts through striking red sandstone cliffs, creating a sense of remoteness and a very different atmosphere to the earlier sections of the journey.
Along the way there is a strong chance of spotting wildlife such as otters, osprey and trout, all set against dramatic fells and wide valley landscapes.
The journey finishes at Armathwaite, with expedition camping along the route and a return by train completing the experience.
Time to delve into the detail!
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Highlands - Itinerary & Price Overview
Deeper dive into your options for the crossings as well as your departure specifics, how to get there, where to fly etc etc
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Lake District - Itinerary & Price Overview
Description goes here -
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Kit advice
Sometimes equipment lists can be daunting and full of jargon. Here is a video breaking down every elements of the list!
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Insurance Advice
User guide for getting yourself covered for the expedition asap once booked on.
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General Preparation for your expedition
Hints, tips and advise on everything to get you ready for your Expedition. FAQ section.
