I have received several emails of people that will be on CC and will try to get it. Thank you to everyone that was willing to help and thank you to the boating community at large.
I am offering a $250 reward to anyone that can get my blue 12' raft out of the Jett to Lilly section of Clear Creek. Good news: it is stably on the right bank of the creek a few rapids after the grunch. It has four paddles in it and is tied to a tree with a good knot. Bad news: it is partially inflated. So the rescue team will probably need to bring a pump to pump it up. I GREATLY appreciate it. mailto:pdalhaim@utk.edu or respond to this on Boater Talk if you were able to get it. I live in Knoxville and can come and get the raft from your place.
How "portagable" are the big rapids on the Obed -especially Rockgarden - from Obed Junction to Nemo if we have a 12' raft? Also what is the lowest level for a raft to get down that section?
what kind of folks do you like to paddle with? methodical scouters? partiers? road warriors? weekend only? fair weather? play every little wave? vegetarian? always late? likes to share sleeping bags? bathe infrequently? club members? chatty? multiple lap warriors? "no eddy Freddys"? Free market types? eat fruits while in the grocery store? willing to split gas? observe the sabbath? eat Perkin's for dinner? flood water venturers? ones that can't figure out shuttle? time nazi? tolerant to open boaters? alpha male paddler? a swims-a-lot but laughs about it guy? has to take his dog paddling? somebody who GoPros EVERYTHING? clawhammer or three finger picker? sketchy shuttle car? everything is a step-up run? SWR trained? will cover with your wife when you're late? will walk a rapid? pees every 15 minutes on the road? will never walk a rapid? has imaginary girlfriend? lurks Boater Talk? claims their skirt imploded on every swim? paddles an old boat to be ironic? never wants to drive? always wants to drive? always has beer and snacks for the group at the takeout? thinks the ocoee is class 4? thinks the narrows is class 4? can reduce their own shoulder? can reduce your shoulder? looks good in neoprene?
choose your crew wisely! (what tha' fuck is a crew!?)
it's all about the people, man. get the people right and the water will find you.
Yep. It was epic yesterday. My first time down (albeit in a raft).
NOC is saying that they will not be offering trips on the Cheoah in 2017 because of lack of experienced guides. Hopefully this can be rectified by any of you out there that have great raft guide experience.
Yep. I was at Cat's Pajamas and a rafting guide (not from NOC) went in sideways on purpose. Most of the people fell out. On the way either a paddle or a body part hit the leg of the guide and she was hurt pretty bad.
I have used an XP10 for about 5 years now. I have run class III+ in it (never a IV). The hatch never comes off. In fact it's almost impossible to get the darn thing open! But the above commenter is correct: maybe just get a river or creek boat. The XP10 is very difficult to roll.
This is amazing. The only thing I would modestly say is that it might be wise to schedule this during UT's spring break. That way the participation might be at its peak although the weather may be too cold.
I would be very interested but I would prefer a raft (which I have: 12'). It would be great to do the III-IV section of Daddy's creek and then part of the Obed if you two could guide.