Tonsina River

6/7/24

22 mi, Class III+

9.5 ft – 9.6 ft
(Tonsina @ Richardson HWY Bridge)

Big consistent Class III with lots of wood in the river commanded respect from the moment we spoke of packrafting the Tonsina River. Having done it in a big boat the year prior, I was nervous to packraft it, but 5 rafts and 3 other packrafters providing safety helped inspire confidence.

• First 5 miles provided good warm up paddling with sparse but splashy waves
• Continuous rapids pick up. Most bends include waves big enough to fully obscure the paddler in front of you. A few massive holes are skirted, but the wave trains coming off of them were mandatory. Hard to recall specifics as the whitewater was so consistent.
• Partner took a swim about midway through the continuous rapids, but after the biggest rapid. As the water was swift and nonstop, the swim was long and scary; it involved going into a hole while attempting a wet reentry. Eddied out after a successful wet reentry.
• After the main rapids were behind us, us packrafters enjoyed the smaller waves while the rafters remarked at the lack of excitement the same waves were providing them.
• Last 10 miles involved small class II sections with lots of strainer dodging. A scary braided out section took us through nonstop sweepers for over 100 yards. Being in a small boat, I felt very vulnerable to being snagged in this section.
• Took out at the bridge before confluencing with the Copper River after 6 hours on the water.

Drove back to McCarthy after the paddle. Beautiful weather gave us great views on the river and on the road back into town.