Safety and rescue

Wind force (Beaufort)

Also: Beaufort scale, wind forecast

The Beaufort scale describes wind forces from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane). For packrafts on open water it gets strenuous from about 3 to 4 Beaufort.

From 4 Beaufort (moderate breeze), the first whitecaps form on larger waters. For packrafts with their large wind exposure, that's usually the limit for crossings. Gusts are more dangerous than the average wind, and thunderstorms and downdrafts from the mountains come suddenly.

Tip: Plan big crossings for early morning. On many lakes the wind picks up during the day.