Mountaineers Host Canning River Packrafting Presentation About Arctic Refuge Jan. 27

Jonathon Creel and Nell Larson walked Los Alamos residents through their 15-day packrafting descent of the Canning River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, describing logistics, wildlife viewing and extreme river conditions such as aufeis. The program, presented by the Los Alamos Mountaineers at the Los Alamos Nature Center, blended trip storytelling with practical safety takeaways for local outdoor users.

The meeting began with a social hour that offered cookies at 6:45 p.m., and the presentation started at 7:00 p.m. It was held in person at the Nature Center and streamed on Zoom; registration was required for the Zoom stream and recommended for in-person attendance, and organizers provided a registration link. Creel and Larson explained that packrafts are ultralight inflatable boats that can be carried on a hiker’s back, enabling long-distance travel in remote river systems where motorized support is limited.

Their account of river logistics emphasized backcountry self-sufficiency: route planning, food caching, gear packing and redundancy for cold-water emergencies. The presenters described wildlife viewing along the Canning River and the navigational hazards created by aufeis - layered river ice that can block channels and create unexpected obstacles. Those conditions underscore the risks of hypothermia, cold-weather injuries and prolonged evacuations when trips are far from medical facilities.

The presentation carries local public health implications. Outdoor recreation on the Pajarito Plateau shares many of the same risk-management principles as Arctic travel: training in cold exposure management, carrying appropriate first-aid and signaling gear, and knowing when to call for professional rescue. For Los Alamos County, where volunteer search-and-rescue and emergency medical services operate under rural constraints, community education on prevention and self-rescue reduces strain on local responders and improves outcomes for injured outdoorists.

Beyond safety, the event raised questions of access and equity. Packrafting and multi-day expeditions require specialized equipment and wilderness skills that are not equally available to all residents. Local clubs and the Nature Center serve as points of entry for people who lack gear or experience, but gaps remain in making extended backcountry travel inclusive. Increasing low-cost training opportunities, gear libraries and multilingual outreach would help broaden access to outdoor benefits that improve physical and mental health.

For Los Alamos residents, the Mountaineers’ presentation offered both adventure inspiration and a reminder: ultralight gear opens new possibilities, but responsible planning and community supports are essential. Organizers encourage registration for future talks at the Los Alamos Nature Center and continued investment in local outdoor safety training and resources.