Linville Gorge????

[Ken]

Have any of you guys or ladies ran this? Trying to gather as much info as I can, thinking of getting a group together to give it a go. Thanks for all responses.

[Ben Rodda]

Ken,

I ran this river like 12 years ago and it aint no joke.

17 miles long and pretty much 15 of it has significant class five. In the late 80s and early 90s most people did it as a overnight trip due to all of the scouting and portaging.

On our trip we walked 5 rapids I think. I lost my paddle 2 miles in and hand paddled out rather than hiking though nasty poison IVY out of the gorge. The trip literally took all day. We hiked down at like 8:00 and got off the river at 6:00PM

Things have changed as people have understood the lines better, better equipment, technique and soo on... but it still aint no joke.

My advice would be to hook up with someone who knows the run really well and have them take you down it. Probably a local of some kind. Trying to do it on your own would make for a really long day... unless you want to do a multiday. Try and set up your shuttle the day before and be prepared for a long day.

The experience is epic for its consistency and scenery.\

Ben

[Ken]

Thanks Ben,

I have moved out here recently south of Hickory in Denver. I am hiking it this weekend, going to check it out first. Hopefully, I will meet up with some locals. Nine inches of snow fell last night and the melt is going to feed this gorge. I will be able to see Linville River at it's full potential. Again, thanks for the feed back, I will heed your advice.

[Tmuse]

Ken, since you live out east you should get on boatertalk. lots of locals with good info.

[BONELESS BROWN]

It doesn't get run by locals that much either. Pretty serious run, very remote and long. I'ts ckock full of under cut's and sieves, it's like 17 miles of section IV of chattooga. It also reminds me of Black Canyon of the gunnison so I would highly recommend finding someone who knows the lines. Best to 2 day it and enjoy the camping down in thier, but then your creeking with heavy boat? If you get a chance do Doe river gorge. Good luck.