March Paddling Trip Report

[JGoodwin]

Kinda long but here goes from last weekend.

This time last week we were gathering gear for a LRC run and watching the weather to see where the rains were headed. Micah, Brad and I were going to meet Dru and Jack at the put in for the Upper Two section before headed over to other runs around Chattanooga. Head out Friday night but the rain didn’t cooperate so we ended up on the Ocoee at 1600 cfs on Saturday for a warmup. Not many other paddlers on the river except the two guys in front of us. They both flip and swim which leads to a boat pinned above Broken Nose. We get a rope around it and are able to get it back to the bank. Highly encourage them to walk out and head downriver. Good play at this level for everyone.
Day 2 – Dru is in and we have Jose and Nate with us headed to the Conasauga. Three or more inches of rain and it looks like it’s good to go. For some reason Dru can’t find the gauge at the takeout and it looks big to me. Head up the mountain, finally get to the put in, grab gear and creek boats. Now comes the fun part, hiking 1.5 miles down to the river. Everyone gets down and realizes how big the water is especially after seeing the backpacker who almost drowned trying to wade across. Jack and Micah run a couple of the entrance rapids while we set safety. Much deliberation about paddling goes on. Dru finally says we’ll paddle to Chernobyl and scout it. All hit the eddy above the drop fine. One look at this monster and Dru says “We’re hiking out”. 45 minutes later we’re back across the river and hiking up to the cars. Tired and worn out but agreeing that the right call was made.
Day 3 – Nate calls and asks if we want to run Rock Creek. Micah checks American Whitewater and it’s a class 3-4 run. We’re in. Next time remind me to make sure we get the right state! Georgia is our destination and this run is class 5+. We get permission to run the creek and the adventure starts. Photos do not do this justice. Absolutely gorgeous scenery, 6 to 30 ft waterfalls, mandatory portages, wood everywhere, undercuts, sieves. I provide the carnage for the day with an imploded skirt and an additional swim during which the boat pins. Get it out with one of the tricks from swiftwater training and the boating, climbing, bouldering continues. Have to give Nate, Jack and Micah credit as they all paddled this with style. Not my best day on a river but still a great experience. Note to self: Make sure the best paddler has the pin kit rather than the other way around.
Day 4 – Micah and I try to catch LRC again on the return trip but no shuttle. We did run into some guys that were going to run the Suicide section but we declined in favor of a rest day. Drove to the 5-0 wave on the Mulberry in Alabama where Micah played and I ran video. Shut it down after an hour and made it home before 8:30.
Great paddling adventure, $300 bucks in gas, $80 hotel room one night, Quality Time with your kids – PRICELESS!

Joe Goodwin

[jackatspa]

Great write up joe! Cant wait for yall to get back up here. we've been getting pounded with rain here recently. I counted it up last night, i've been on 7 new runs since ive been out here and it looks like more new runs are on the way. Had a blast with ya'll! Tell Micah thanks for leaving his Beer at the house for me! That was too kind... See ya'll soon!


Jack H

[hdh]

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