New name for un-named rapid/drop on Snow Creek run

[Tim Eubanks]

Running Snow creek with my son Jay yesterday it dawned on me that this was the first and last run I'd made with my good friend David Bourne who died of ALS in August. Dave is responsible for my presence here, my passion for whitewater (and Vino's IPA), and many good friends.

Back in May Dave made his last trip on this stretch with a couple of his very good and ole buddies. The tree that is now gone caused a flip, swim, and got Dave's old Blue Hole stuck upside down just downstream of the tree.

Dave, Stevie, George, and I made a recovery mission the next day. The boat was stuck, upside down, on a rock. Dave's old ammo can had snagged a rock. Dave was not a believer in dry bags or pellican cases.

Being the youngest of the crew, I volunteered to swim across (not a great feat) and attach a rope to be thrown by the rest of the crew. Finally after George figured out how to rig a z-drag with no biners, we got the boat turned over and off the rock. The rest of the trip was enjoyable and Vino's beer at the takeout.

My nomination for this turn (the first place where the river splits on the run is Dave's IPA. Dave's Indominable Positive Attitude. Those who knew him know what I mean. Those who didn't know him should ask me when they see me! Its a nice drop with several eddies to catch if you want to show off. Dave never met an eddy he liked.

[Eric Esche]

Never met Dave, never been on Snow Creek, But I have heard of both of them.

If it hasn't got a name yet, seems like a good way to remember someone worth remembering.

Was around for the naming of a few of the rapids on the Chattooga, and it seems like a good Name.

Great campfire subject.

Eric

[Half Ton]

Would like to hear more about those chatooga names sometime.

Tim, it seems like the one you mention would already have name by now as it consistently catches logs. However, I can remember running it frequently about a decade ago and it not having a name.

Even if it does have a name already, whose to say it can't have more than 1 anyway. It wood be interesting to see what the dominant name would turn out to be anyway.

Dave's iPa sounds like a good one anyway.

[Tim Eubanks]

IPA could also stand for imminent portage ahead.

[Half Ton]

That's catchy and multi purpose. Can't gO wrong!

[Marianne]

First place where the river splits...I'll have to remember that. Love the name, love the story. I'm a class II boater and I love Snow Creek/IB...its where I've done most of my runs in the last couple years with some really good friends. Question: I don't know names for anything on Snow Creek...know a few names on IB (Guard Rail, Hector Rapid...) but haven't heard any names on Snow. Except just the slab rock that you look at to look at the level...that's not even a rapid, just a reference point. Anybody want to share?

Marianne

[Tim Eubanks]

For reference: there's a red clay cut bank on river right, you can put in here if you want. A small channel goes right, doable above 8', no need unless tree blocks left chute.

Given its proximity to LR and easy shuttle, the run is a perpetual favorite for us.