It turns out that water isn’t really about how much of it flows or how loudly the rapids roar. It’s more about how the fire blazes and who’s sitting by it.

And that’s exactly what the first meetup in May at Salza was all about.

There was just enough water that it didn't reek of adrenaline, but rather of a lovely, gentle cruise along the pale blue waters of the Teacher River.

The packrafting students, along with their semi-guides and a group of friends, got a taste of both the Salza from the dam to Wildalpen—which can be navigated quite nicely even below the minimum water level—and the famous Saagrabben section of the Wildalpen, including the Palfau Gorge. There was very little paddling involved.

Our friends from the Black Sheeps base were wonderful hosts and didn’t complain even when songs—both melancholic and cheerful—echoed long into the night. It was right by the campfire that many a packrafting soul came alive, and many a throat sang its heart out in a way it hadn’t in a long time—and likely won’t again for a long time. Perhaps in the fall at the closing packrafting gathering in Sluneční zátoka.

Thanks to all the Pologajds for the Pologajd fun, to Jích for the barbecue, and to everyone else for the singing, for coming, and especially for the great atmosphere. We’ll do it again soon…

More in videos from Piskin:

And some photos

Complete gallery zde.