Author Archive for libcds

04
Aug

Ocoee – Sunday, August 2nd “Shannon’s First Descent”

By libcds 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Today I paddled with Shannon McGuigan, Spencer Muse, and Kevin Sisson; Jay Manalo joined us from Goforth down.  The weather was dreary at the put-in with light rain.  By the time we reached Goforth we had blue sky and sunshine!  The level at Noon was 1,404 and the river continued to rise through the day; by the time we took off at 5PM it was 1,953.  This was Shannon’s first descent of the Ocoee in an open boat.   She styled the river from Entrance to Powerhouse, running the main lines (when her guides took the cheats :-) ), making ferries, and catching eddies.  She even had the chance to help out with a rescue :-)

We started out with a quick scout of Entrance looking at the different lines, and the lines to avoid.  Shannon opted for the left line, following the lead Kevin and Spencer.   She made the ferry and stayed left throught the rapid, catching the river left eddy below the ledge!  Way to go Shannon!  I worked down the right side of the rapid and we all met at an eddy on river right.   From there we all worked to river left for the last drop in Staging Eddy, running just to the left of Whirlybird.

Shannon at Gonzo Shoals

Broken Nose- guides not necessary

We eddy hopped through Gonzo Shoals and the then worked down to the staging eddy on river right above Broken Nose.   Our plan was to ferry out from the eddy and run the cheat, with Kevin and Spencer in the lead, and Chuck at sweep.  Well so much for the best laid plans of mice and men.  As we ferried out we were met by two rafts, which were not heading downstream very fast.   We all scattered around the rafts catching small mid-stream eddies to avoid running with them.  I was behind the second raft taking powerful backstrokes.   Shannon caught some rocks and was turned around facing upstream.  Spencer, Kevin, and I went ahead of her down the entrance ledge and then to the left around the island.   We looked back and saw no Shannon. She freed herself, turned the boat around, and ran the main line at Broken Nose!    We all gathered together in the eddy below the last ledge where we congratulated her and told her she didn’t need any guides :-)

We ran the run out of Broken Nose and eddied out on river right as a parade of rafts worked downstream.   We ferried over to river left to run the main line at Slice n’ Dice;  Shannon caught the eddy below the top hole and styled the rest of the rapid.   At the wave below Kevin, Spencer and I caught a couple of surfs before we parked our boats for some lunch.
We weren’t going to play at Moonshoot and there was considerable raft traffic so we eddy hopped down river left.   At the bottom eddy we talked about our lines for Double Suck.  Kevin and Spencer went right, with Kevin going for the boof.   Shannon and I threaded our way through rocks and ran the left cheat.  On river right the guys stopped at Automatic Transmission for a spin or two.  On river right Shannon and I paddled down the channel left of the island.
Below the island we all entered the main current for Hell’s Half Acre. I was in the lead but not for long.  I flipped in a ledge hole and spent considerable time banging down ledges (and other rocks); after at least 3 roll attempts I was out of the boat swimming to the left bank.  I was able to launch myself up unto a rock; upstream my boat was still surfing one of the ledges.  After the surf, Kevin, Spencer, and someone in an Aire went after my gear.   Shannon was downstream of me making certain I didn’t continue my swim.  I needed to cross one more section of current to get to the river bank so I dived in with the whitewater swim position and made it to the eddy!   Thanks to all for help with the rescue.
“Big water big boats“
In the river left eddy above Double Trouble I was trying to describe the right line and the far left line, but was drowned out by the clamour of “big water, big boats.”   Kevin was first followed by Shannon who ran the meat of the big waves.  Shannon went big on the first wave, really big!   She was was soon separated from her craft.   She swam quickly into the river left eddy as Kevin went for the boat.  Both Spencer and I showed our solidarity with Shannon by running the meat too.  Spencer eddied out on the left to tow Shannon downstream while Chuck raced down to help Kevin.
After a short break we entered Left – Right – Left starting on the left (unusual for Chuck :-) ) and then working to the right.   Below the launch rock we headed down the big water on the left to the slack water above Flipper.   Shannon ran the right line, but caught one of the reactionary waves.  She stayed upright with a sweet brace!   we started left, worked to the right, and then to the left to stay with the main flow. The guys all went for the boof.  We opted for the river left line below Flipper with Chuck as the probe.  I did thread the rocks where you want to go to the left; Shannon did thank me.  Soon we were past Hollywood Hole and into the Doldrums.We took a short break at Goforth and then headed downstream.  We were joined by Jay Manalo who paddled with us to Hell Hole.  The five of us paddled down river right through Hiawasse Shoals until we reached  Suprise Ledge.  Kevin and Jay took the far left line; the rest of the crew threaded through rocks on the right.  We then eddied out on the left far above the entrance to Tablesaw.
Stylin’ Tablesaw
Our plan was to run the rapid straight out.   I was the first one down;  Shannon was in my sixes but she eddied out at the staging eddy.   There she was joined by the rest of the guys.  The river continued to rise and Tablesaw was beefy; the second and third waves were surging.  Kevin headed down the rapid; soon followed by Shannon.  She had a great run!  She was followed by Spencer and Jay;  Spencer had a great roll in the rapid!  Shannon and I ferried to the right to set up Diamond Splitter.  Kevin and Spencer headed down first, followed by Shannon who caught the river right eddy below the drop.  Jay went big and caught the micro eddy below the rock!
We paddled the three sections of Western Flyer and then made turn into Accelerator.  Below we stopped to play on the waves.   Kevin, Spencer, Jay and myself all surfed and spinned.  Shannon took a break and Kevin fired up Shannon’s canoe  on the river right surf wave and then attempted the bigger wave to the left!   We all got back into our boats and headed down Cat’s Pajamas.  Kevin and Jay went left busting holes;  Shannon, Spencer and I went right.  Shannon and I threaded our way down, it seems Spencer hit every rock he could head on!
We caught the river left eddy at Hell Hole, where we said our goodbyes to Jay.   The rest of the crew took right line at Powerhouse, save for Shannon who sailed over the ledge in the middle and then busted the hole below!  A fitting way to end a great day on the river!
A special thanks to Stacy Stone who waited for us at the public take-out to run shuttle for us.

Photos and trip report:  http://chucks.smugmug.com/gallery/9151751_NRLVz

05
Jul

Chattooga 3.5 – Monday, June 29th – CCC Week of Rivers

By libcds 4 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Playin’ our way to the Bull

On Monday morning 23 of us headed out from Smoky Mountain Meadows for a run of Chattooga 3.5   We broke into three groups, headed up by our 3.5 veterans,  Christian, Gretchen and myself.  It was a perfect summer day, with temperatures in the 80’s and low humidity – only a few clouds in the sky for the day.   The water was well above 70 degrees.   The level on the bridge gage was 1.38.- low but still a fun level.

We put in at Thrifts Ferry and after a brief warmup we headed down en mass through Swimmers rapid.  There we parked in the river left and right eddies as the group surfed and spinned.  After considerable play, we then surfed and side-surfed on the ledge drops below.   For some in the group the play continued on the glassy wave above the Surfing Wave.  For all of us we parked for some time at the Surfing Wave.   There were lines in the players right eddy and in the  midstream eddy.  There was also side-surfing and spinning at the hole on players left.  Towards the end of our surfing, there were group surfs!   With one we had as many as five boats in on the wave; someone yelled “all the Jackson’s in at the same time” :-)   We could have spent the rest of the day there, but knew that we couldn’t.

At Eight Ball most of us caught the river left eddy; none of us hit the rock.   On to Kick in the Butt, we headed down group by group, catching the set up eddy and then running the drop.   At Houndstooth we were all successful in skirting the bang up rocks below the drop.   At the beach below the rapid we stopped for our late lunch.  There we met up again with the raft trip which had set up “walk the plank.”   The guides invited us to participate.   Although none of us walked the plank, we enjoyed the lunch time entertainment.   Soon we were down to Surprise,  taking the “left-center to right line.”

Big boofin’ fun at the Bull

Beki stylin the single drop

Below Surprise we talked about the approach to Bull Sluice.  At the sharp left bend we all worked to the right and eddied out.   We walked up as a group to scout the drop, both the single drop and the double drop lines.   For most in the group this was their time down the Chattooga; for many others it was their first run of the Bull.   After setting up safety below, the first group walked back upstream to fire it up.  I forgot who held ropes, but many thanks!  We also had the assistance from the raft guides from the NOC trip.

The first group paddled down the main channel and eddied in the staging eddy.   Gretchen,  myself, and others eddy hopped down the far left bank.    The last drop on the left was boney.   Some of the smaller boats scooted over rocks just fine.   Others had more interesting lines such as mine. I banged into a rock on my which initiated a 180 move.   Since I didn’t want to run the drop backwards,  I swept back into the main flow.   Once in the main current I locked into a left carve and I caught the eddy.   Some asked me, you meant to do that?  :-)   I paddled to the horizon line and then had a sweet boof off the ledge. After running the single drop, several in our group walked back up to run it again, or to run the double drop.

It was close to 4:30 and several in the group were concerned that we might be on the river after dark.   I assured them that wouldn’t be the case and that the pace of the trip would quicken.  We left a car at the bridge which was needed;  one in our group had tweaked his shoulder decided to call it a day.  Although we committed to a  faster pace down the river, we did stop for some surfing at the wave below the bridge.    We then broke into our groups for Surfer’s.  I talked about starting left and going right for the dry hair line.   Several in my group and later groups went for the left to left line, with an opportunity for a roll or a fish count.

For the next two rapids,  Screaming Left Turn and Squeeze Play,  we modified our group approach.   We not only spaced out the groups, but we followed creeking protocol -  you didn’t advance to the next eddy until it was clear or you were signaled.   Given that the two rapids nearly run together, and that we had some carnage, this approach worked well.

Screaming Left Turn

Above Screaming Left Turn we all caught the staging eddy above the first drop and had good lines down.   Many caught one of the eddies on the left or right.   With the second drop of SLT we did have some difficulty negotiating the pin rock.   It caused some flips and with one of our group a pin.  The paddler was able to eject before the boat was over; quickly she swam into the eddy below.   At the same time Matthew and two others were able to get a rope on the boat’s stern.  I was in in the river right eddy as the traffic cop to stop anyone from coming down.  The boat blocked most of the second drop; it also created an eddy below it.  Matthew swam through the eddy to the rock and was able to stand on it.   By pulling upstream on the rope, Matthew was able to lift and quickly dislodge the boat!   The boat was dented but still could be paddled downstream!

We regrouped in the eddy above Squeeze Play and bombed down the far right ledges.   Everyone had clean lines as we boofed our way down.   Soon we approached the horizon line for Rockjumble.   We stopped at the river right eddy and talked about the lines.  There we divided into groups depending on the line that we wanted to run.  Most took the ramp on far river right.   I led a group down on the Watauga line on far left.    Others took a line just to the left of the ramp which worked well.    Several in our group walked back up for a second run; including the youngest member of the group who styled the left line, riding the diagonal hole down from left to right!

The pace eased as we paddled through the calm water of Sutton’s Hole.  There is one last set of rapids before the river bends sharply to the left.  We were then in the slack slack water above Woodall Shoals.    We all took the sneak, which was boney was very doable, save for John.  There just was not enough water for the inflatable.   John paddled upstream and ferried to river left, putting in just below the hole.   For the rest of us we gathered together in the large eddies below the sneak.  From there we either caught the curler, from left to right or boofed the drop. From the ledge we all took our own lines down for the run out of the rapid.  We all gathered together in the river left eddy – a great day on the Chattooga!

Participants:  (not all listed);   Matthew (thanks for taking the lead in the rescue of the pinned boat), Kevin, Joan, “Danger” Judy, Gretchen (thanks for leading a group! – she styled the river in her Fuse), Jill, John Jackson, Nancy, Lorraine, Grant, Marc Norris, Christian (thanks for heading up a group), Connie, Frank, Bobbi, Beki, Burt, Robert and Jim.   Sorry, I didn’t get all the names.

For pictures, especially of Kick in the Butt,  “walking the plank,” and the Bull:  see Judy’s album ;for pictures from Swimmers through Woodall also see Chuck’s album

21
Apr

Nolichucky “Big boomin’ fun” in the Gorge – Saturday, April 18th

By libcds 2 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized
Our group of more than fifteen put in at 4:15 on Saturday afternoon.  The skies were mostly clear and the temperature near 70;  the water was not as cold as we had expected, just below 60.  The gage at Embreeville read just over 1,300 cfs.   Many of us were concerned that we might in the gorge past sunset, but Stuart and Wesley assured us that would not the be the case.  :-)   Our our group we had a nice mix of Paddlers for Christ and paddlers from Eastern Tennessee State University.   We also had two first timers on the gorge section: Stacy Stone, who styled the river in her playboat, and Scott Forrester in an open boat.

On the Rocks: in, out and over them
We promptly moved down to the trestle for a few quick rounds of surfing.  From there we threaded our way down through Railroad rapid’s boogie water and impressive holes.  Below we all stopped at the larger river left eddy above On the Rocks.  There Stuart and Crunchy talked about the line.  Ferry over to the staging eddy on river right; from there peel out and approach the 6 foot drop with a right to left angle.   Below you have two choices: go to the left; or, choose one of the chutes on river right.  Sitting in the staging eddy I waited in line to peel out and run drop.   I ferried to river center and had a clean run of the drop.   As I tried to head to the left I faced an obstacle–an upside Dynamic Duo with two swimmers.   I stopped paddling; I didn’t want to bulldoze the boat in the rocks on the right.  I also didn’t want to become one with the Duo as some kind of weird river feature :-)    The Duo did slice on down through the last chute on the right; I did too!   The chute is narrow and I had to brace across the boulder on river left.   I stayed upright and our swimmers made it into the large river center eddy.
Stylin’ Quartermile
We all stopped at Jaws where the playgroup,  Justin, Wesley, Stuart, Wayner, Kerby, and others played.   Chris (Crunchy), Stacy, Jen, and I all headed downstream through the first section of Quarter Mile.   We zigzagged our way down threading rocks and holes.   After the first drop, whose hole stopped but did not keep the Everest, we headed to river left to set up for drop just before the ledge that forms the hole appropriately named Hungry Jack.  We all made the ferry and caught the large eddy above the ledge.  From there there was a lot of discussion on how to run the drop, with the goal of missing the hole.   Looking at the ferry and remembering all the fun I had in Hungry Jack three years ago; I looked for plan b.  Terry provided it!   I followed his lead as we banged down the ledges river right of the hole. We were followed by Stacy and others.   Terry and I caught each other in an eddy below where we laughed about our line.
We then paddled down a series of ledges to the drop just to right of Copper Top (large and seriously undercut boulder).  I followed Stacy, Jen, and Terry.   They and everyone else had great lines through the toughest section of Quarter Mile.   Below we eddied out on the right to talk about the last ledge.   Chris, not Crunchy, led Stacy and others down a sweet line just to the right of the impressive hole at Murphy’s Ledge.
Roostertail,  Roller Coaster, and Lost Cove
As the river bends to the left,  you can see the rock formation on river right descends into the river forming the massive roostertail.  Most of us ran the right to left line.   Crunchy had a sweet line starting right center and then paddling hard to the left, skirting the reactionary wave.  Several of us in the staging eddy commented on his line and gave our best shot at duplicating it.   After the first big drop most of us eddied out above the second drop.   Terry and I caught the far right eddy and decided that the far right channel was not runnable.   As we were there we witnessed some carnage,  after several valiant roll attempts.   Our swimmer and boat made the drop fine, but her paddle was lodged in the channel.   Wesley eddied out below to climb the rock to rescue the paddle.   As Wayner came downstream, he snatched the paddle out;  Terry and I had a a box row seat for a  most impressive rescue!
Stuart led the group down Rollercoaster.   We all had clean lines on the upper and lower sections.   At Rock Garden, a long rocky shoals as the river turns left, several of us waited too long to make the move the right.   We had some fun banging and bracing our way down.  Soon on the left you can see the massive retaining wall on the left for the railroad, signaling Lost Cove rapid.   Our group was evenly divided on the first ledge.  Half on river left; the other half on river center.   Stuart, Justin, and others had sweet boofs off the rock that forms the center channel.   Others opted to run the center channel.   We watched Wesley head down the channel with an impressive line.  His boat was held by the hold below and then tossed into the air.    Seeing that we all ferried further river left for the first drop.
At Sousehole most of us paddled to the left; our play group, led by Stuart and Wesley, stayed to the right to catch eddies and to venture into the hole.   The river banks to the right as we entered Tennessee – the state line is painted on the rocks on river left.   The last section of the is far less technical, but is punctuated one considerable drop,  Twin Eddies
Chuck’s Launch at Twin Eddies
As noted in AW, “this is the last rapid of any consequence.”    I was following Chris (Crunchy) down the first part of the rapid.   At the bottom is a narrow ledge; which Chris made a beautiful S-turn around. As I looked at the ledge, I was thinking ramp:  visions of the Everest sailing over the beefy hole below.   I did make it over the rock, but I didn’t exactly sail :-)   I dropped into the rock stern first.   I set up for one roll and nothing happened; I did wait and I was out of the hole.   Soon I was giving Wayner and Crunchy a chance to work on their rescue skills.  Thanks to both of you.  Wayner saw my line and told me that he said to himself “what is Chuck doing?” :-)
For the last two miles we all commented on how beautiful the gorge was, especially with the new leafs and a variety of different types of green.   There were so many greens,  several in the group said it was like fall.   Crunchy and I were the last ones in, just before 8PM.  What a beautiful day on the river, what big boomin’ fun too!
10
Apr

Lower Santeetlah

By libcds Closed
Categories: Trip Reports

On Sunday, March 15th, I paddled with Tim Boring, Kevin Sisson, Wayner, Amanda, Tonya, and Brett.  We had drizzle in the early afternoon, but the rain did stop. Later in the afternoon, the temperature warmed to 60 and there was some clear sky. It was a beautiful day; thankfully, we had enough rain to bring up the Santeetlah.   As noted by Bob and David Benner in Carolina Whitewater most of the action is in the mile and one-half section below the SR 1127 Bridge.  We put on in the group camping area just above the bridge.   Passing under the bridge the river banks sharply to the left.   Soon you are at the first big rapid of the run - a two ledge drop, the first being 5-6 feet, aka “The Ledges.”   We scouted the left and right lines. Most of us went for river left (thanks Wayner ) and boofed off the ledge and then down the second drop.

Not far downstream is the second big rapid of the day, Class 3 plus, — should probably give it the name “Horse Cove,” since it near the campground. Wayner did scout out the rapid for any wood and then we proceeded down. The rapid involved dropping off of one ledge and then going left or right as you approached some mid-channel rocks. Most of the current was working from right to left. Several in our group went left and stayed left; I opted to work to the right, which I did make. I then caught my edge on a reactionary wave on my right, yikes! I locked into a right brace and just yanked on the boat’s right thigh hook. I thought for certain I was over, but thankfully not! That was the most wicked brace I have every pulled off.   

For the next half mile the river is just fun non-stop Class 3 creeking. It is also a beautiful run too! As the creek banks to the right and east, the current does pool above an 8 foot low head dam. We all scouted the dam and their was a fun and safe line right down the middle. The dam is concave so in the middle there was a section were there was no hydrolic. Wayner led the way, and he and Kevin, Tim, and Brett all had great boofs!   Tonya did get some pictures; Jennifer and I tried to find the trail down to the dam for Kevin, Wayner, and Tim’s second run at the dam, but did not take the right trail.

Just below the dam, off of USFS campsite #12, is a great surfing wave. Although the water was cold, there was considerable play. The river then turns sharply to the north, past campsite #13. There is last considerable rapid of the day, a series of broken ledges where we threaded down them from river right to left. Soon we were in the lake and the end of our run. Wayner, Tim, and Kevin went for a second lap, and Jennifer and I were the team photographers (as much as we could be).

23
Sep

Charlotte Whitewater Center – Saturday, Sept. 20th

By libcds Closed
Categories: Uncategorized

Kelly Harbec, Debbie Dargis, and the Chuckstr aka “Club Ammo” arrived at the Whitewater Center around Noon. We walked down to the course and checked in. There we talked with Sarah Harper and Pablo McCandless, back from the Olympics. Sarah gave the club members the “thumbs up”; sorry, no photos. Kelly, Debbie, and I then set out to walk the course, both the Wilderness and the Competition courses. This was Debbie’s first time to the Center and Kelly’s second time. The water temperature was 79, warmer than the air. But there was a considerable breeze which kept you cool when above the water.

On our first run of the course we all caught the eddy above Entrance Exam and had clean runs of the drop. We worked for a short time on ferrying back and forth and then headed down the Instructional Channel. In the current below Meltdown we ferried from left to right and then to the left again. The eddies gave Debbie and Kelly a real taste of Charlotte’s eddies, how to stay loose and how to look for the sweet spot in the eddy. We ran the last drop of the Instructional channel into the Confluence. We caught the river left eddy and talked about what to do next. The consensus of the group was to walk back to Entrance Exam and then run the Freestyle Channel — to run as Kelly called it the “meat and potatoes.”

Meat and Potatoes

We put in at the river left eddy below Entrance Exam, with Chuck demonstrating how roll in the eddy :-) We all entered the main current and ran the first drop to the far right. We headed down to the eddy below the bridge and talked about S- Turn, or Dave’s Dilemma. Kelly’s name for the rapid was “Nantahala Falls,” since it involved a left to right move and avoiding the hole below. Kelly followed me into the bottom right eddy, catching it both high and tight. Debbie ran the meat sideways and stayed upright! In the eddy we waited for another flotilla of rafts to pass, and then headed down to the Confluence.

On the Big Water Channel we threaded our way down to the very last eddy on river left, just above Trashcan. There we talked about ferrying out into the current and running below the boof rock into the large river right eddy. Debbie ran the meat of Trashcan; way to go. Kelly and Chuck angled to the left of the rock – Kelly’s name for Trashcan was “left of rock” – and shot up in the air catching the eddy. We then ferried over to river left and the staging eddy forthe M-wave. Kelly decided to walk down to Biscuits and Gravy, as Chuck and Debbie talked about our intended line for the M-wave – this was Debbie’s first run of the rapid. We both hit the pile on the river left shoulder and slid up the top! Debbie angled to the right and had a sweet line down the rest of the rapid, staying left of Shutdown. I strayed too far left and hit the pylons before Shutdown. As to be expected I was quickly over. I tried one roll above Shutdown, but to no avail. I then tucked hard underneath the boat and could feel the hole as we passed through. I set up for my second attempt and had a sweet sweep!

Kelly joined us in the river right eddy below and we all bombed down Biscuits and Gravy into the Lower Pond. We then headed up the conveyor to the Upper pond and another circuit.

 Kelly on the M-wave

Again and again – Kelly’s first descent of the M-wave

We all headed down to Entrance Exam. There Debbie and Chuck surfed; she had a great roll there. Debbie and Kelly were also working on ferries below the drop. We headed to the right for another run of “Nantahala Falls” and were soon at the Confluence. This time we eddy hopped down the start of the Big Water Channel, all with clean runs of Trashcan. We ferried to river left for the staging eddy for the M-wave. All us had great runs; all of us stayed to the center, avoiding the pylons – way to go Kelly. We eddied out to the left of Shutdown, and then started down to Biscuits and Gravey. This time we worked the rapid catching eddies.

Again and again and again

This time we spent considerable time surfing waves below Entrance Exam – I had several long surfs on the wave. As the raft traffic eased we headed down through S-Turn to the 830 Wave. There Debbie and Kelly ferried back and forth in the current and Chuck tossed his hat in the ring for some shredding; I had one sweet surf. My next surf attempt was abbreviated with a “power flip” and a roll which put me too far downstream, heading down to the Confluence.

From the Confluence we caught the river right eddy at the start of the Big Water Channel, there Debbie and Kelly ferried over to the river left eddy. Again we all had good runs of Trashcan. We spent a good deal of time in the staging eddy waiting for the rafts to clear. I was down first, but Kelly had to wait as more rafts came down Trashcan. Debbie and I had good runs and eddied out at Shutdown to wait for Kelly. After the rafts we saw her come down and then seemingly disappear. Kelly eddied out into the river left M-wave eddy. She was able to peel out and stay upright! M-wave eddies: what a thrill! were ferrying back and forth at the start of the Bigwater Channel. Good runs of Trashcan. From the Staging Eddy I was first, but we were separated by another group of rafts. Debbie put on an eddy clinic through Biscuits and Gravy. I was starting to get tired, so I just bombed on down.

Two more runs

On the next circuit I offered to be the team photographer. Check out their photos: http://chucks.smugmug.com/gallery/6032116_PBgZ7 Before I called it quits, I wanted to end with some surfing at Entrance Exam. We all paddled down for some shredding. At the bridge eddy on the Freestyle Channel, I put the boat up and then photographed Debbie and Kelly’s run. I walked back to my boat and rejoined them at the upper poind. I called it a day, but they decided to run the course two more times! On that run Kelly followed Chuck’s line below the M-wave and hit the left pylon– she had a great roll!

After that run, it was after 6PM, they too decided too to call it a day! :-)

14
Jul

Upper Green – Saturday, July 12th – Trip Report

By libcds Closed
Categories: Trip Reports

Today I paddled with Kevin Sisson, Kelly Harbec, Janet and Tim.   Scott, whose group was a no-show, joined us too.    The release today was from 7AM to Noon.   We had a bit of a late start, so we put on around 10:30AM.    The water was warm, no dry top, no shorty, and it was a beautiful Saturday in the mountains.   For the first half mile we warmed up on the rapids before Bayless.   As we rounded the bend you could then make out the river wide horizon line – we were at Bayless Boof

Boofin’ at Bayless

We all eddied out on the left to scout the rapid.   This was the first time down Bayless for Janet, Tim and Kelly. Kevin, Scott and I pointed out the various lines, good and not so good!   Kevin and Scott styled the river left line.   They nicely made it far to the left, slid down the rock, and glided off the ramp.   Way to go!   Janet, Tim, and Kelly were next.  They both opted for the river right line.   All three ran it well!   Janet was a little too far left on her line and ended in the hole where she then went a seemingly endless ender.   It was impressive!

Then it was the Chuckstr’s turn.   I wasn’t as far left as the guys,  but I did not paddle into the hole.   I too went sailing into the air.   Scott, Kevin, Janet and Tim all decided to go for a second run.   They walked up the rock to the far left eddy to run the left line.  They all had great runs!  Tim did land sideways on his run, but had a super roll!   We then worked down to Wanda’s Hole, where Kevin “forgot the line.”  :-)    Everyone stayed out of the hole banging down the rocks on the far left.

It was after Noon and you could already see a drop in the level.   Kevin and Scott, at the front of the group, paddled at a deliberate pace.  Being sweep, at this point, the trip took on some aspects of a race.  The group did gather up at some of the rapids, where we took turns leading the group down.

Pinball

Soon we were at the bridge with little more than a mile to go.  Kevin was ready to lead us down Pinball, but we were only at “Little Pinball.”   In just a few hundred yards we were at the calm water above Pinball.  Kevin described the class line.  Starting center and work to the left.   Both Kevin and Scott headed out first.   I then followed.  I had a good line, but was a little more right than I wanted to be, but still missed the rock shelf on the right.  Janet was even further right, and banged up her elbow on the shelf (she is okay).   Tim had a really sweet line; he was even further right and glided over the rock shelf.  Way to go!  Kelly had the best line of all us;  she went to the left and rode the huge wave and busted the hole!    At the ledge drop rapid below, we all took the far right line.  From there it was indeed a race to the surfing wave.  :-)

Shred City

Kevin and Scott were the first at the wave.   They were already tearing the place up.   Tim and Janet headed down to catch the wave, with Kelly and I in the river left eddy above.   We both made the hairy ferry to river right  and caught the river right eddy without moving a surfer off the wave.   Kelly headed down with Tim to the wave below, where they surfed.   Scott headed down to take out, leaving Kevin, Janet and me.   Kevin had some tips on catching the wave, and they paid off.  Thanks, Kevin.   I had several sweet surfs on the wave;  it was certainly the biggest wave I had shredded in the big green boat!   Photos of our shredding: http://chucks.smugmug.com/gallery/5407251_5cgBK
It was a fun trip indeed!

Shredding epilogue – back to the Green wave

Kevin had to head back; on the way back to my car at the put-in Janet, Kelly, Tim and I stopped at the Starbucks on Upward Church Road.   Janet and Tim headed to Charlotte, and Kelly and I drove down to the Lower Green for some park and play at the “Green Wave.”   We surfed for about an hour on the wave, dodging tubes :-)    Kelly had some wicked side surfs at the holes on river right.   They look tiny, but pack a punch.   We both had to really work to get out.   A fun way to end the day.

 

08
Jul

Pigeon – “Flying with the Dirty Bird” Saturday – June 28th

By libcds Closed
Categories: Uncategorized

Today was the first day of the CCC Week of Rivers. I paddled with a mixed TVCC CCC group, with Debbie Dargis, Kelly Harbec, Chris (aka Krunchy from the TVCC), Derrick, Robert W., Gretchen, Jill and others.

The weather was beautiful; a warm day with partly cloudy skies. We gathered together in the pool above the main flow and then worked down the right side of Powerhouse. All of us had clean runs, save for one. :-) Near the end of the rapid I ventured into a reactionary wave and went for the fish count (just trying to make certain the ecology of the river has improved). I rolled but did not come up; my second roll was a solid sweep, but landed on a canoe (or next to canoe). Back over again I set up for a third roll, but did not come up. I was out and soon in an eddy on the right; thanks Derrick for rescuing my boat!

At the Big Rock, most of us paddled to the right; some to the left. After catching the big eddy below the rock, we all worked to river left for some quality play time at the wave and hole in Razor Rock. At Veggematic we all had clean runs through the standing waves. Soon we were paddling below the bridge in the calm water, before the river banks to the right. As we worked our way down to Snapdragon, we were passed by the Sisson’s, Kevin, Darcy, Cole, and Quinn, in a raft guided by Darcy. Good to see you on the river! At Snapdragon we all boofed the shallow ledge, and then caught eddies to the left and right of the big wave. Several in the group made valiant attempts to catch the wave for a surf. The river then worked to the right for the big waves of Rollercoaster (more Class III fun). This long rapid has some of the largest and best waves to punch through on the entire river.

Lost Guide

As the river started to bank again to the left we were near the top of Lost Guide. In the calm water above the rapid Derrick and Robert talked about two lines; one to the left of the hole, the other to the right. Robert offered to take a group down to the left, which involved a ferry above both the hole and a ledge. In his tow where Gretchen, Debbie and Kelly. I was in the sweep position and probably a tad too far too the right. I was still able to make the ferry as I glanced the left side of the ledge, missing the hole. Thanks, Robert. Some in our group took the right line, bouncing down a series of rocks on the bank. Everyone had a clean run. We all eddied out and took a lunch break and watched the non-stop carnage.

After lunch we paddled down to Roostertail and its long series of standing waves. Several in the group eddied out to the right to work up the long eddy to the surf wave. It still had play, but Jill and Robert lamented how it had changed after the floods in the late 90’s. Soon we were at the staging eddy for Double Reactionary. Rather than thread the two standing waves, Robert suggested that we either bust the right wave in the middle or sneak both, catching the far right eddy. Robert demonstrated the sneak, which involved following the same line as though you were going to bust the right wave. At the wave, instead to turning to the left, continue straight ahead into the eddy Debbie and Jill sytled the move. Chuck started a little too far left, so I had a chance to first bust the big hole and then curve to the right. :-) Gretchen went big demonstrated how to bust the right wave. Way to go!

Accelerator

The line on this six-foot river-wide ledge involves catching a right to left tongue to avoid a sizable hole near the top. I was a little too far right and sliced into the hole. I was over in a heartbeat but had a solid Class 4 roll! Everyone else had clean runs as we busted big waves for the rest of the rapid. Soon we were at the lake along the concrete wall near the interstate. Most of the group took out at the bridge, but we paddled on down to the NOC (where our car was!)

NOC Wave fun

One of the highlights of my day, and Kelly and Debbie’s too!, was the new wave at the NOC outpost. The three of us spent nearly an hour playing in the big glassy wave. Check out photos of us shredding: http://chucks.smugmug.com/gallery/5314449_VoDrB

As Kelly said, it was good friends and good fun on the river!

17
Jun

Upper Ocoee – First Descent – Saturday, June 14th

By libcds Closed
Categories: Trip Reports

(aka “the greatest trip report ever told” – subtitle inspired by Hee Haw Jones :-) )

Scott Houser and I were Wayner’s students in an NOC class, taking us on our first descent of the Upper.  The weather forecast was not favorable; 70% chance of thunderstorms but we had only one clasp of thunder while on the river and some drizzle after Roach Motel.   Often we had patchy clouds, with some blue sky–a beautiful day.

We put in and ferried through the trees to mid-stream.   There we warmed up with some ferries and surfing some of the small waves.   For the first quarter mile or so,  we were probing the best route through the trees.   We then worked to river left for a short rapid that over a series of ledges, and then paddled to the right.   As the river rounded to the left,  we took the right channel and eddy-hopped down Tombstone, a little more than half a mile from the put-in.   On one of the ledges, Wayner showed Scott an attainment move up the ledge, which he got on his third attempt.   Below we took a short break, and then Scott and Wayner lined up for some surf fun at Dee Dee’s Secret.  I headed downstream for a few hundred feet for some surfs in on some smaller waves.  Check out pictures of Wayner and Scott shredding:  http://chucks.smugmug.com/gallery/5170287_EC95E

Wave rock fun

After a mile the river banked to the right and we eddy hopped down a long ledge drop rapid.   Towards the end of the rapid we took out on a large rock for a short break.   As a flotilla of rafts came down,  some of the rafters waved at us and we waved back.   They were followed by some kayakers, who we waved and they reciprocated.   The wave fun continued with the next raft trip that followed the kayakers.   Wayner said it felt like being on the train in the Nantahala gorge.  :-)    Lest we spend the rest of the day there, we headed downstream.
 
Alien Boof

A little more than a mile and one-half down stream we approached Mikey’s Ledge.   We eddied out and walked downstream to scout the ledge and the classic line at Alien Boof.  Wayner described the line:  follow the current (to avoid the notch) and then hit the left corner of the last wave and then glide off the ledge, keeping the boat trim.  I had second thoughts, but decided to fire it up.   We ferried over the staging eddy and then one-by-one headed down.   Wayner first, then Scott, who had a sweet run and then Chuck.   I paddled too far to the right on the wave and then slid off the ledge sideways.   I was over, I tucked, and then I had a such a sweet sweep roll Wayner said it was like candy!  I could hear Cathy, Jason, and Tim on the rock below cheering me on!  Thanks!

We then headed down to Blue Hole, just over two miles into the trip.  This was my favorite rapid, followed by Roach Motel.   Earlier on the trip Wayner had showed Scott and I a different technique for catching one-boat eddies;  ferrying into them from the side, as opposed to hitting them high and tight.   It paid off in Blue Hole where we both caught the small eddies working down the ledges.   We then lined up on the last part of the rapid and busted the big hole!   The bridge was in sight, and the start of the Olympic Course.

Olympic Course

We paddled past the Entrance wave then took a break for lunch.   We then walked down to Slam Dunk to look at the next set of rapids.  Back in the boat we headed down to Smiley’s going river right so we wouldn’t get slammed or dunked.   We then ferried across the river to the left below Slam Dunk.   I nearly didn’t make the ferry to river left.   I was paddling tentively and not well; not good with Humongous down below.   In the left eddy Wayner made it clear that this approach would not work; I agreed, I had to dig in and drive the boat.

We rode the big waves down through Callahans and then headed left at Humongous and the biggest waves I have ever paddled.  For Scott this was the highlight of his day, save for waving at folks on the rock.  We could see some eddies on the left, but they were guarded by diagonal waves and holes, and to the right was the mother of all holes-Humongous.   It was truly impressive to see from river level.   My glances were brief, since my sight and concentration were focused on climbing and descending the big waves.   Soon we were past the second bridge; we worked over to river right and caught an eddy to catch our breathes.

Roach Motel

Following Wayner’s lead we negotiated the three holes to be avoided.    We paddled to the left of the first, and to the right of the last two.  Looking up the river left bank we noticed an observation platform, so that you could watch someone getting worked in one of the big holes there.    We slowed our pace as we paddled underneath the Thunder Rock Bridge, approaching Edge of the World.   Wayner and Scott took the “kinder and gentler” line far river left.   Chuck went for the “It’s showtime” line,  following the raft down the middle over the four foot ledge into the large hole.   We both made it clean.  As I was taunting Wayner and Scott about their line, I was slammed by a raft into the wall. The raft guide called it a love nuzzle.  I said it was more like a hug from Hee Haw Jones…but everyone knows that he doesn’t do hugs.   I did have a good lean though!  :-)

It was nothing less than big big boomin’ pro fun!

 

22
May

Nantahala Double header – Friday, May 9th “Two Trips for the Price of one”

By libcds Closed
Categories: Uncategorized

Speeder Fun

Wayner and I put our Speeders in at Ferebee for a run to the Falls (or at least in the general vicinity :-) ) With all the rain from Thursday night, we opted for the creek run, just below the put in. The mouth of the side channel put us just below Delabar’s Rock. After warming up on the shoals below, I was ready for my first Nantahala rapid in the Speeder! I had a good run at Quarry; I was able to turn the big boat (all 14′7″) and skirted the big waves, paddling on the left. At Root Canal our plan was to start left and go right, but a river wide strainer ended those plans. There was clearance underneath the tree to the left. I had to resort to a couple of hard pry strokes on the left, but I made the tunnel clean! From there we shot down through Whirlpool, through Blue hole and then left of the island through Bunny’s Eddy.

On a unnamed rapid above the Ledges, I reached out to the left for a draw. I was ever so slightly out over the boat; poof!, I was over like that. Wayner helped with the yard sale as I swam into an eddy on river right. Quickly, I was back in the big boat again. Wayner suggested that I try to make my strokes a tad more horizontal, more like 70 degrees than 90. Given my size and the type of boat that the Speeder is, it is like riding on a rail. Forward strokes at 70 degrees made the ride so much more stable! In fact I was starting to go for lines where I was thread through waves. Thanks, Wayner!

Heading down through The Ledges I felt so much more solid, and was able to thread all the rocks that I wanted to miss. We bombed on down past Surfers, Fast Ferry, and Gorgorama (no surfing on the PBR wave). Quickly we were down to the Five Eddies, which reminded me of paddling the Speeder in Charlotte. You have a chance to experience three different currents at the same time in a 14′7″ long boat! Sort of a paddling equivalent of Rock City. I had good lines through Donnie Dutton and the Bump. Down at the concrete beach I decided to walk the Falls; I just wasn’t entirely confident that I would make it to the Falls upright! :-) As I walked down, Wayner was surfing his Speeder in the bottom hole, entertaining the crowds. I joined Wayner below the Falls and we paddled down to the public take-out. My first run of the Nantahala in the Speeder. It was big boomin’ fun!

Round two

This was also the first time that I would paddle the Nantahala twice in one day. After retrieving my car, and an extended lunch, I met up with Darcy, Janet, and Tim at the NOC for a run of the entire river. We put on above Patton’s and paddled down to Pyramid with some dispatch. There Janet and Tim were tearing it up on the spin wave; I had a couple of good spins too! Darcy had some good from surfs. Through the rest of Pyramid rapid, Janet was working eddies; I did catch the mid stream eddy, but opted out on the ferry to river left.

At Delabar’s Rock I bounced down the creek to the right (much lower than in the morning). We all caught eddies in Quarry and in Root Canal below. At Whirlpool I ventured out for a surf; Tim and Janet were tearing it up. We all joined in on the surfing fun Three Hump Rock, check out photos of Darcy shredding: http://chucks.smugmug.com/gallery/4904282_TArur She had to take out just above The Ledges, where she was met by Kevin. It was good to paddle with you!

Darcy shredding at Three Hump Rock

Darcy shredding at Three Hump

Tim, Janet, and I continued downstream. I caught eddies in the first two ledges at The Ledges, and had some epic surfs at the wave at the second ledge. We all surfed at Surfers and then took a short break. Given the late hour, just after 6PM and that the release was off at 5PM, we decided to bomb down to the Falls. We made it down there in less than an hour; although we did take time to walk the dog and Chuck went for skinning the cat!

I caught eddies in the Falls, I almost got Block Rock eddy, just a tad too low! I worked down the right side of the Falls as Tim and Janet worked down left. All had clean runs; a good, but long day on the river.

22
May

Charlotte Whitewater Center – Saturday, May 17th

By libcds 0 Comments
Categories: Trip Reports

Big Water Fun

For the first part of the day I paddled with the Lassiters, Britt, Caralyn and Daniel. Our play was limited, but we did catch eddies as we lapped the Big Water Channel several times. On my first circuit, my highlights were catching (on purpose :-) ) one of the M-wave eddies and riding the bottom hole at Biscuits and Gravy sideways (not on purpose :-) ). At the top we gathered together at the boat ramp below the conveyor, and headed out again. On this circuit I caught eddies above Trashcan, starting with a ferry from river left to right at the top of the channel. We all had clean runs of Trashcan, the M-wave, and Shutdown. Soon we were at the bottom pond heading up for another circuit.

I took a short break as the Lassiters completed another round. On our third combined circuit, I spent a prolonged period of time in one of the river left eddies above Trashcan, waiting for a stream of rafts to go downstream. The only dilemma with this eddy is that on occasion a raft will come hurdling into it! I had many opportunities for braces and leans into rafts. As the traffic cleared I ran Trashcan and the M-wave below. I was looking for the Lassiters but they were all in the lower pond. They were helping out with a rescue. By the time I met up with them, boater and gear were reunited. It was good fun paddling with the Lassiter family!

Last runs of the day

For my last two runs of the day, I was joined by Janet and Tim. I paddled the first circuit in my Everest. I gave a good try a surfing at Entrance, but only succeeded in gaining a chance at a roll attempt or two. Tim had a long and sweet surf at the 830 wave. We didn’t stay long as we paddled down to the confluence. From there we worked the channel above Trashcan catching eddies, as Janet surfed the upper and lower wave. We all had clean runs of Trashcan and then worked our way to the left for the M-wave staging eddy. From there we ran the M-wave and Shutdown. I went for my “Shutdown slowdown” move in the Everest, but again I slid through the hole. :-) We caught eddies in Biscuits and Gravy; Janet and Tim were ferrying back and forth before the first drop. I went for the river left to right ferry, but started out too low. I made to the river just above the drop, as I slammed into the rock backwards. I said to myself, this is going to get interesting :-) I ran the drop backwards, then the tongue, and then the bottom hole backwards! :-)

Locked and loaded with the Ammo

On my last run I opted for the Ammo, and had a blast on my last circuit. I caught a couple of good surfs at Entrance and then moved down to the 830 wave where I had a couple of good surfs. Down below Janet was going vertical at the last drop of the Instructional Channel. Janet surfed on the way down to Trashcan, and Tim and I caught eddies on the way down. Below Trashcan one of the Charlotte regulars flipped and pulled a groin muscle attempting to roll. He was out of the boat and swam to the river right eddy where he was able to get out with his paddle. Janet bulldozed his boat from the eddy to the staging eddy above the M-wave. She had to stop at the wave, as both she and the both crossed the surfing wave. She then resume pushing the boat to river left. Way to go, Janet!

Chuck’s “Slowdown at Shutdown” Move

We all set up at the staging eddy for our runs of M-wave. We all had clean runs. At Shutdown I lined up for the middle of the hole and then went rode up on the wave and stopped paddling. I then drifted into the hole and then stopped! First I was in a dynamic back surf, then the side surf of my life, and then another back surf. It was rinse and repeat. I was laughing, but I also thought when do I eat it. This was clearly my thought when I heard cheers from the eddy :-) After a long side surf, the hole let me go. It was nothing less than big boomin’ fun.

I had to head back to Atlanta, as Tim and Janet shut the place down. It was fun indeed.

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"Let the truth be known that kayaking is PURE FUN." - Ken Whiting

 

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