With our paddles cutting through mirror-like water and cloud-topped mountains rising high on either side, it’s easy to see why this landscape has earned the nickname ‘King of the Fjords.’ The fjord in question was Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. To truly experience its magic, you have to do it from the water. At its deepest, the fjord drops to an incredible 1,300 metres, and bobbing on the surface in a packraft, knowing what lies below, is an experience I’ll never forget.
So, how did I find myself paddling the epic Sognefjord in an Iron Raft packraft?
I was there shooting for and supporting Adaptive Expeditions, an organisation that empowers individuals with disabilities to Adventure Beyond Limits. Whether born with a disability or navigating life after an injury, their expeditions make adventure travel accessible, inclusive, and genuinely life-changing. This trip saw participants exploring sections of Sognefjord by packraft. For many, their first time back on the water since injury or diagnosis.
Iron Raft kindly supported the expedition by providing two of their packrafts, making the trip far more accessible. Packrafts sit lower on the water than traditional kayaks, giving a lower center of gravity and greater stability - essential for those with limited mobility. They’re also easier to get in and out of, offer a comfortable seating position for paddlers with spinal injuries, and allow for a safer exit in the unlikely event of a capsize.
As one participant said to me, “On land there are limits, but on the water, everyone has equal movement.” Seeing our team out in the middle of the fjord, paddling side by side, cracking jokes, and feeling the spray of countless waterfalls was unforgettable. Watching the joy on their faces as they rediscovered independence and freedom on the water will stay with me for a long time.
For most of the expedition, I was moving between the group in a Canadian canoe with another member of the support crew and capturing content. But on day three, it was my turn to paddle an Iron Raft for our 10km stretch from the town of Gaupe to the village of Solvorn. The Iron Raft proved far more manoeuvrable. From the moment I lowered myself from the pontoon and pushed off, I could feel how stable and responsive it was. With the addition of a zipped spray deck, I felt confident enough to bring a small camera setup - a drone, Sony A7IV, and two lenses - cushioned between my legs. Shooting at water level gave me a fresh creative perspective, and the spray deck kept both me and the gear dry.
The route took us around the headland and out into the main fjord, beneath the shadow of Molden, a 1,116-metre peak that dominated the skyline. The freedom of the packraft meant I could easily slip into small coves and bays to capture shots of the team as they paddled past. Even when the wind picked up and the water turned choppier, the Iron Raft handled beautifully - stable, controlled, and reassuringly solid under pressure.
Later in the expedition, I had the chance to photograph the Iron Raft in one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords, Nærøyfjord, a narrow branch of Sognefjord surrounded by sheer cliffs that plunge straight into the water. Waterfalls cascaded down from high above, filling the air with mist and echoing off the rock walls. Wearing a dry suit, I was able to wade out just below one of the larger falls, kneeling at water level to capture the raft moving through the spray. From that low angle, the contrast was striking; the bright hull of the Iron Raft cutting across the dark reflections of the fjord walls, framed by the waterfall’s white torrent above.
It was a perfect example of what makes these packrafts so capable. Lightweight enough to carry anywhere, stable enough for adaptive adventurers, and tough enough to handle the cold, fast-moving waters of Norway’s mountain fjords.
As I stood there, mist clinging to the lens and various echos bouncing off the cliffs, I took a moment to look up and take it all in - the rhythmic paddle strokes, the roar of the falls, and the shared sense of freedom that tied the whole expedition together.
This trip wasn’t just about testing gear or capturing photos; it was about showing what’s possible when design, accessibility, and adventure come together. The Iron Raft opened doors, quite literally, for people to explore some of the world’s most incredible waters on equal terms. And for me, it reaffirmed something simple but powerful: when you’re on the water, you’re free.
Words and images by Josh Raper.
www.joshrapermedia.co.uk
@joshraper.media
