HorsePasture and Whitewater 12/10/09

Yet another stomping rain this fall has brought all the rivers and creeks up again for the holidays. Here in the southeast kayakers love seeing the radar and the gauges light up like a christmas tree. The week before a group of us went to the Whitewater at a low level of 6". The level ended up being fine given neither of us knew nothing about the river and the last time I was there it was summer at a negative low level and swam through the minigorge which is epic. I was really surprised at how many drops this river had from low angle slides into 6 to 10 ft waterfalls to big 20 footer and a huge twisty slide which result may very. If the rivers are up in Jocass whitewater is my recomendation.

(Alex Brantley)

Thursday I ended up getting the day off and headed to the Jocasse area. With Horspasture at a level of 1.2 the day before we knew there was still some good water left. It ended up being freezing cold (frozen gear) so for once in my life I was looking forward to hiking. Alot of people tend to stay away from Horsepasture due to the amount of work (more hiking than kayaking), but every time I go in there I end up with a big grin because of the adventure.

The new parking situation isnt bad for the hike out. Now you can hike up to the road, drop the boats and drive the car down the road to pick them up.

Heres a video that Sam Causey shot and Mason edited

Horsepasture River from Mason Robinson on Vimeo.

Some NorGA

Couple of weeks ago I went to do some North Georgia hucking and met up with Sam Causey, Mason Robinson, and Alex Brantley. 1st we stopped by a developement and watched Sam and Mason do some park, huck, and hit the road.

Mason Parkin'er

Sam Huckin'er

After, we headed to Montgomery creek for an exploritory descent. Which resulted in portaging 3,4,5,10 times. Overall was a fun time just needed a bit more water to run the 2 big ones in the gorge.

Sam rattled down the bank on River Left...about 20 ft into 12" of water, I think Im good on this one

A big one that prob dropped 45ft top to bottom

Good to be back

Rains been pretty steady here in the SE this fall making it real easy to get off work and paddle. Ended up gettin on Overflow 4 times in 2 days, UWP, Green, and Russel fork the past few weeks and the shoulder has been holding quite well! Overflow was great to get back out there such a classic quality run that will get your adrenaline pumping while still being relaxed due to the scenery. Green...well is and always be the infamous green river






I was really excited about getting to paddle Russel Fork and heard of how great and beautiful this gorge was. Towers was the 1st rapid, a fun 3 foot boof over a pocket hole, but easily managable. Fist was directly after and is a terrifying class III with a VI undercut. We opted out and did the hairy ferry instead. Some boogie and Maze and Triple drop are next and might as well be considered 1 rapid as to hardly any break inbetween the two. Not long after is EL Horendo, which is the highlight of the run with a fune slide (Race line) on the left and a boof over a big hole (Main line) to the right. After the Climax the river mellows out and time to take in the scenery. FTW camping is another highlight here at Russel Fork.

Here are some pics of the following paddlers: Mason, Clint, and Dirty Dave

The next week we got some rain so proceeded toward the smokies. Mr. Bone called and said West Prong and Ravens were at a good level, having never done the WP we met at Chimney Trailhead. I didnt get any pictures so Ill keep it short, but this river was probably one of the best times Ive had on the river since I started kayaking. Ended up making it down to the bridge with 2 marginally sized cracks in my boat and watched Bone and Andy fade away. All was good I jogged up hill 2 miles back to my truck got my dog and hiked up Road prong for a ways. Smokey Mountains is a beautiful place to hike and paddle and I cant wait to get back up there and get some pics

Gilman

Gilman of the Eagle River is a must hit if your in Vail and a IV-V- paddler. This was an incredible creek 4 miles long dropping at about 120 fpm, and a ghost mine halfway down which we had to explore. We ended up spending 2 days on this one cause at 1000 cfs made for some big water fun! First day we paddled with Chris G after the Homestake race. Me not being in shape couldn't keep up and ended up being behind everyone and resulted in a very long and lonesome surf, which Andy was kind enough to knock me out. About Halfway down comes the first big rapid right under a low bridge. At this level it became a very technical rapid with big holes thrown in here and there. A few more juicy rapids and come to a flatwater section with the infamous slurry pipe just down stream. We all had some interesting lines with the Guardian hole (below the bridge) flipping left, right, back endering, everywhich direction except the one intended.

OBJ was a very unique run for me, its short but packs so much punch. This was a great area for camping, scenery, kayakers, and not to far from town. Fearing that our vehicles wouldnt make it across the slate we hiked the whole time we were there. If you havnt got acclamated yet hike OBJ, which we did 2 or 3 times a day for 4 days! OBJ did have its number for us with 1 broken ankle from the Ode to Joy Slide, banged up ankles from going deep on the big one, and one boat run without the boater, which resulted in alot of beer drinking and story telling by the fire. Heres some pics until I get some video up. This was a great micro creek which felt similar to Ravens drop style.

Soccer Mom loaded up

Big arse tunnel

A creepy day on Kebler

OBJ Camp Ground is breathe taking

So is the hike in ; )

Its really steep if you dont have a vehicle to cross the slate

If your not into running Ankle Breaker you can put in here

Another view of the alt. put in

Mac on the 1st one

Clint with a interesting line

Andy below a fun s-turn into a this drop into the slide below

Slide about Halfway down

The big one. A little right but ended up pulling it back down to 45.

Mac on the big one

And below a series of how not to run the bigone (thanks Andy for demonstrating)

Below

Clint's boat ran the sh*t

Avalanche into Ode to joy slide.... : ) Good Fun!

its True