Gnar nana
50
Map of the Gnarnana 50 race route with black and white satellite imagery and the route in bright yellow with a neon glow effect

The Race

The Gnarnana 50 main event is a packraft race from Mile 117 of the Denali Highway to Kingfisher Creek near the Denali Park entrance on the Nenana River. This Class II-III stretch through the middle of the Alaska Range offers a mix of everything from challenging rapids to scenic flat water. See the River Info section for a detailed description.

Racers must:

  • Travel in a team of two or more
  • Paddle single-person packraft
  • Carry at least one satellite communication device (e.g., sat phone, inReach), one first aid kit, and one repair kit per team
  • Possess the skill to safely paddle high-volume Class III whitewater

Ready to race? Fill out the registration form and the waiver. In-person registration will also be available on August 15. See the event schedule for details.

Register Now!

Event Schedule

Friday, Aug 15

Saturday, Aug 16

Sunday, Aug 17

9 packrafters on a wide, flat section of the Nenana River posing for a group photo

Logistics

Camping

Camping at the Longhorn Saloon is $25 per person per night. Plan to be self-sufficient with your own water and food, and pack out your trash.

If you wish to camp somewhere else, please still stop by one of the 2 locations for registration and check-in. Online registration is also available, however, you will still need to come by one of the 2 registration/check-in locations to get race numbers, verify payment of $50 for the race, and get your team number.

Race Details

The Race will begin at 7am at Mile 117 of the Denali Highway. Teams should be ready with all required gear at the start. Race participants are encouraged to carpool to Mile 117 of the Denali Highway for the start of the race.

The Race will conclude no later than 7pm at the Kingfisher Creek wayside, just north of the Denali National Park entrance. Any team that has not reached the Crossing bridge at the Denali Park Village by 5pm will have to exit the race.

Race Shuttle

New Wave Adventures will shuttle race participants from the race finish at Kingfisher Creek, back to the Denali Highway/Longhorn Saloon once the race finishes around 7pm. Teams are welcome to set up their own shuttle for the race, but need to check in once they are off the water.

Questions?

Contact Russ at 907-687-0466 or Denalipackraft@gmail.com

A kayaker and a packrafter looking at the camera as they get ready to put in on a large glacial river. The kayaker is giving finger guns to the camera.

Want To Volunteer ?

This community-building event will require the help of many. If you want to lend a hand, give us a shout at denalipackraft@gmail.com. We're looking for volunteers for:

  • Registration
  • Race start help and sweep boaters
  • Setting safety at challenging rapids
  • Staffing checkpoint/aid stations

River Info

Race Start -> Cantwell Bridge No. 1

This scenic stretch through the Reindeer Hills is Class II, the perfect warm-up to set your race pace! Occasional braids are a choose-your-own-adventure affair.

Cantwell Bridge No. 1 -> Grassy Gnoll (Mile Marker 222)

Class II with one Class III- rapid, Panorama. This rapid can be portaged. Stay left and ride the wave train to avoid wood, rocks, and large hydraulics on the right or portage on the right.

Grassy Gnoll -> Denali Park Village

Class II+ section with one Class III rapid, Elizabeth. You know you are approaching this rapid when you see cabins a couple hundred feet above the river on the hillside directly in front of you. This long rapid can be portaged via a trail on the right bank. The sneak line is on river left.

two packrafters on the Nenana River with Mount Fellows in the background and an ochre cliff on the right with a brilliant blue sky above

Denali Park Village -> Kingfisher Creek

Class III- section with two class 3 rapids, Yanert and Terror Corner. Power lines on river right are the marker indicating Yanert rapid is around the corner. This is a river wide rapid with a ledge hole from center to center right. The sneak line is far left, but beware of the large hole at the bottom of rapid on the this side. The rapid can be portaged on the left.

Terror Corner contains numerous large holes and breaking waves that can generally be avoided with good boat control. Sections of this rapid and be portaged on river left, staying below the mean high water mark to avoid National Park Service Land, however it is long and portaging the whole rapid would be arduous.

Finish

The finish line is the put-in at Kingfisher Creek before the "Canyon" section of the Nenana. You will cross underneath the Parks Highway for a second time as the Terror Corner rapid peters out. Immediately following the bridge, you will see a large ramp where the oar boats put-in for commercial trips. Take out here and revel in the glory of finishing the race!

It is the paddlers responsibility to research and know where these rapids are. If you are not familiar with these sections, please look at the Alaska Packraft guidebook, the AK River Forum, or come paddle these sections before the race. You can also download a GeoJSON file or a KML file of notable rapids and convenient places to exit the river.