Paddlin’ Ed

Paddled the Nolichucky Gorge on Sunday 4/22/2007 in a group of six kayakers.  Group included Darron P., Ronnie G.,  Will M., and Drew F. and Anna, along with paddlin-ed.

 Met up with the others in Boone NC and lead the group over to the Chestoa take-out.  After arranging a shuttle we loaded up the paddlin-ed van and headed over the mountain to the gorge put in at Poplar NC.  Beautiful day,  blue skys with only occasional clouds, bright and sunny and temps in the high 70’s, and mild breezes for most of the day except of a little wind toward the end.  Gauge was reading about 1150 cfs,  a modest but good level, not to pushy but adequate water and still requiring attention and working the river.It was nice to get out of the winter drytop and into a summer shorty,  however those of us that went that way did keep our long sleeve rash gaurds similar tops on underneath as it was still not summer temps, and the water while not to cold was not to summer temps.

 Of the group Anna, Will, and Ronnie where all on their first runs of the Nolichucky, all had a good time and good runs as did Darron, Drew, and myself.  There where a few combat rolls and a little hanging here and there with sucessful re-rolls, but over all no-carnage and no OBE’s.

 ”Railroad/entrance” went with-out incident.  “On the Rocks” seem to have a nasty hole and cross current at the days level just before “the rock” for those of us making the left channel move,  you would be moving nicely well left, hit the hole and the current and get pushed right,  we all came off working hard to get over just on the left end of the rock after getting almost to it way left and suddenly pushed right.

There where some rolls during play time at “Jaws”, as it was excellant and we played it hard for quite a while.   Everyone made the run successfully through ”Quarter Mile”.  Anna in particular did a spectacular job in 1/4 mile after clearing Hungry Jack ok she got in a squirrly place just below, hung and hit a couple of rolls and pulled it out in a really tough area to finish up great and run the remainder in outstanding form.

“Rooster Tail” provided a lesson on where to be and not to be on the entrance line.  Drew demo’ed how to hang at Rooster tail after coming off the top a little far right into the curling holes and kept it together in great form and finished upright at the bottom after a couple of rolls (man, can he hold his breath!!!). Ronnie demo’ed a little squirt and brace just below top drop off at Rooster tail and in true form made it look good and easy.

Everyone had fun in “Roller-coaster” and all I caught on camera came off looking great.  Runs through “Rock Garden” where all great.  “Hole-in-the-wall” and “Souse-hole” both went well.  Had a little head wind on the way down to twin eddies but not to bad, typical late afternoon chucky stuff.

Will seem to take to working on the surfing and did well at Jaws and Twin eddies in partiular,  but was quick to drop in and check out most any other spot we found worth playing.  Anna got in there and took a couple of swings at Jaws too.

Darron and I went for the lower eddy at “Twin-Eddys”, other ran alternate lines after which Ronnie, Darron, Will, and I jumped in the hole and took turn going for rides.

Along with spending quality time at Jaws which was excellant,  we spent serious time at twin eddies where Ronnie’s video camera came out, along with pictures.  I don’t ever remember surfing twin eddy’s as much as we did this day.  At first it didn’t seem to great, then after watching a really good kayaker throwing ends and spinning in it we found we needed to hit in steeper and found further over there was a really nice pillow in the hole, and either at its base or even better up on it the surfing was great.

Then the fun (hehe) paddle out to Chestoa, but enough water so it wasn’t bad overall.

Overall a great day and great runs had by all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Good company!!!!!!!!