Cheoah - Johnnies report

[Lazer]

Several Arkie boaters and one Missou boater made a whirlwind trip East this past weekend. Had great time on the Cheoah on Saturday with almost no crowds. Some on/off rain showers while on the river, but didn't notice it that much due the continuous action it provides. We met up with the Ellis's to increase our group to a total of 10.

After a stormy night, we all headed over to the Little River Canyon Sunday morning to find a run in closer proximity to the trip home. The gauges where showing a healthy 3000 cfs and rising in the morning so I was hoping for Johnnies or Bear. We arrived at the 35-ft LRC falls to see it a big and brown 7000 cfs. Very impressive!

Thoughts of Johnnies and Bear faded as we considered what options we had for this super high water level. We headed down the canyon rim road and checked out the overlook of Cable Falls and Pinball only to see the tip tops of the giant boulders sticking out of the maelstrom below. These are the same boulders that normally tower above you as paddle between them. The top drop of Cable was a stout ledge hole with no resemblance to the spout that is normally there, plus the bottom drop was just a wave.

We passed over Bear and noticed it was clear and low, so we continued to Johnnies to find it at a perfect +2 inches on the gauge. Apparently the heavy rain fell high on the LRC watershed leaving the creeks at sane levels. 6 of us suited up and had a wonderful sunny day on this gem that drops 300-ft in one mile. BTW, the second rapid is called "2 out of 3". Just so happens that that was the ratio of our group's run through it. 4 boaters pushed up on the slightly undercut right wall and flipped, 2 made it through clean.

Congrats to all the personal first descents this weekend!

Cheoah first timers: Diane Cheshier, Joe Branch, Jack Hollingsworth, Greg Stacy, Tim Muse, Marc Becker, Nate Faulkenberry.

Johnnies first timers: Joe Branch, Jack Hollingsworth, Greg Stacy, Marc Becker.

Photos are here

[dcheshier]

Some pictures from the trip

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 1090e8fbf5

Thanks to Dru and Kaylan for putting us up (or putting up with us) over the weekend :)

[Dave Thomas]

Nice pics! Some buddies, Ryan Viser and Wade 'the wiz' Ward, and I are heading that way the last week of May. We're stopping by the Mohawk factory and picking up a Maxim. Although, I probably won't be able to keep Wade out of it I look forward to paddling it. What is the name of the lead-in at the Cheoah?

-Dave