Rafting

[VOLfrombama]

I rafted the Chattooga River in my 20s. It has 2 class 6 rapids. That was by far the most intense river Ive done.

 

[Volador]

I rafted the Chattooga River in my 20s. It has 2 class 6 rapids. That was by far the most intense river Ive done.

Was 15 when I went to Philmont, the National Boy Scout Camp in Cimarron, NM. Prior to our adventure there, 33 scouts explored many national parks (Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc.) and, did a 2 day cane ride on the Snake River in Wyoming. Every canoe tipped at least once as 5's were lurking around every bend. In two days, we covered 90 miles in canoes - mostly upright.



Oh, and two years ago, I was on a cruise in New Zealand when I went white water rafting. Endured 7 falls, including the last one - a 21' drop.



Go Vols

 

[bigorangepoppa]

I rafted the Chattooga River in my 20s. It has 2 class 6 rapids. That was by far the most intense river Ive done.

I guided on the Ocoee for about 7 years when I was younger. A group of us decided to do the Chattooga one Sunday. It's a lot different than the Ocoee. The rapids are so much more spread out than the Ocoee. It was fun, but I would not take that ride again.

 

[VOLfrombama]

Was 15 when I went to Philmont, the National Boy Scout Camp in Cimarron, NM. Prior to our adventure there, 33 scouts explored many national parks (Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc.) and, did a 2 day cane ride on the Snake River in Wyoming. Every canoe tipped at least once as 5's were lurking around every bend. In two days, we covered 90 miles in canoes - mostly upright.

View attachment 487001

Oh, and two years ago, I was on a cruise in New Zealand when I went white water rafting. Endured 7 falls, including the last one - a 21' drop.

View attachment 486999

Go Vols

Awesome pic

 

[Frozevol]

I rafted the Chattooga River in my 20s. It has 2 class 6 rapids. That was by far the most intense river Ive done.

Slow your roll. Section IV is Class IV. Under normal circumstances There are only two Class VI rapids in the US.
“There are two very distinct whitewater rafting sections on the Chattooga; Section III is known as “Mild & Scenic”, with numerous swimming holes, Class II-III rapids, and a Class IV grand finale at the famous Bull Sluice rapid. Section III is perfect for families and children eight-years-old and up. Just downstream on Section IV, the Chattooga picks up the pace. The action begins with Seven Foot Falls and culminates with the infamous Five Falls, where five adrenaline-pumping Class IV rapids follow in quick succession.”

 

[JoAllan]

I rafted the Chattooga River in my 20s. It has 2 class 6 rapids. That was by far the most intense river Ive done.

I rafted the Grizzly River Rampage back in the day.

 

[BlinghamptonVol]

Was 15 when I went to Philmont, the National Boy Scout Camp in Cimarron, NM. Prior to our adventure there, 33 scouts explored many national parks (Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc.) and, did a 2 day cane ride on the Snake River in Wyoming. Every canoe tipped at least once as 5's were lurking around every bend. In two days, we covered 90 miles in canoes - mostly upright.

View attachment 487001

Oh, and two years ago, I was on a cruise in New Zealand when I went white water rafting. Endured 7 falls, including the last one - a 21' drop.

View attachment 486999

Go Vols

That’s awesome!

 

[BlinghamptonVol]

Slow your roll. Section IV is Class IV. Under normal circumstances There are only two Class VI rapids in the US.
“There are two very distinct whitewater rafting sections on the Chattooga; Section III is known as “Mild & Scenic”, with numerous swimming holes, Class II-III rapids, and a Class IV grand finale at the famous Bull Sluice rapid. Section III is perfect for families and children eight-years-old and up. Just downstream on Section IV, the Chattooga picks up the pace. The action begins with Seven Foot Falls and culminates with the infamous Five Falls, where five adrenaline-pumping Class IV rapids follow in quick succession.”

Here in Memphis we have Class VII rapids, but that’s because people are shooting at you as you go by.

 

[RavinDave]

I rafted the Chattooga River in my 20s. It has 2 class 6 rapids. That was by far the most intense river Ive done.

Me and 5 other fools did those rapids in canoes in 1975. Almost didn’t make it out in one piece.

 

[VOLfrombama]

Slow your roll. Section IV is Class IV. Under normal circumstances There are only two Class VI rapids in the US.
“There are two very distinct whitewater rafting sections on the Chattooga; Section III is known as “Mild & Scenic”, with numerous swimming holes, Class II-III rapids, and a Class IV grand finale at the famous Bull Sluice rapid. Section III is perfect for families and children eight-years-old and up. Just downstream on Section IV, the Chattooga picks up the pace. The action begins with Seven Foot Falls and culminates with the infamous Five Falls, where five adrenaline-pumping Class IV rapids follow in quick succession.”

I guess it depends on who you ask. I was told class 6 by the guide. Maybe he was wrong.

Here’s another website referring to class 6
Chattooga River: Section 4

then there’s this site that calls it 4+.
American Whitewater

all of them say its one of the most technically challenging so tifwiw

 

[Go aeiou]

I guided on the Ocoee for about 7 years when I was younger. A group of us decided to do the Chattooga one Sunday. It's a lot different than the Ocoee. The rapids are so much more spread out than the Ocoee. It was fun, but I would not take that ride again.

I had a friend who was a surveyor on the Ocoee River flume rebuild project in the 70s. In our 20s then, and had a great time living in Cleveland, TN. I recall springing a leak in one of my raft chambers with a group, and getting flipped upside down at the last waterfall.
No one hurt.

 

[bigorangepoppa]

I had a friend who was a surveyor on the Ocoee River flume rebuild project in the 70s. In our 20s then, and had a great time living in Cleveland, TN. I recall springing a leak in one of my raft chambers with a group, and getting flipped upside down at the last waterfall.
No one hurt.

You talking about Hell's Hole?

 

[UT_Dutchman]

These are nice rivers, but I am partial to the Nolichucky starting in Popular, NC. I had dreams of rafting the upper Gauley and Russell Fork, but I am afraid age may keep that from happening. We'll see, I ain't dead yet.

 

[Go aeiou]

Been too many years. Seems like it was 100 feet or so from takeout. Takeout could have change too in 40 years.
Seems like that was the name.
REPLY TO POPPA POST #12

 

[Go aeiou]

These are nice rivers, but I am partial to the Nolichucky starting in Popular, NC. I had dreams of rafting the upper Gauley and Russell Fork, but I am afraid age may keep that from happening. We'll see, I ain't dead yet.

Nolichucky was my favorite. Enough turbulence but not too much. Comfortable with children.
Rafted the French Broad along I-40 after a significant rain. That's when I realized how young and stupid I was.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Was 15 when I went to Philmont, the National Boy Scout Camp in Cimarron, NM. Prior to our adventure there, 33 scouts explored many national parks (Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc.) and, did a 2 day cane ride on the Snake River in Wyoming. Every canoe tipped at least once as 5's were lurking around every bend. In two days, we covered 90 miles in canoes - mostly upright.

View attachment 487001

Oh, and two years ago, I was on a cruise in New Zealand when I went white water rafting. Endured 7 falls, including the last one - a 21' drop.

View attachment 486999

Go Vols

Doing any river from a traditional long canoe, is completely different. Rocker is different, its faster and movements are quicker. That's why people retrofit with lashing and flotation, for long trips.

I owned a Dagger Encore 13'4", that was wider and curved (like a banana), WW Canoe. Had a saddle and bow and stern flotation bags. Great boat. Def different than any standard canoe.

Put it on a lake and you go in circles

 

[Jackcrevol]

Nolichucky was my favorite. Enough turbulence but not too much. Comfortable with children.
Rafted the French Broad along I-40 after a significant rain. That's when I realized how young and stupid I was.

French Broad is just fun. Two class 4's at Frank Bells & Needle Falls, neither a serious threat to anyone. We used to get out at Pillow Rapids and float in our life jackets.

Nolichucky at Poplar to gorge can get hairy. I would only do it in a hard boat between 1500-2000 cfs. Or a raft. (Guides would call me a wuss).

Lower Nolichucky (sans Radio Tower) is mostly consumed with dumbasses on innertubes these days. There's a kicker off right side that can get hairy at low water.

Was fishing my spot between Bridge at Chestoa (idiot with a fly rod), and counted 22 innertubes in a 1 hour session.

 

[Jackcrevol]

I guess it depends on who you ask. I was told class 6 by the guide. Maybe he was wrong.

Here’s another website referring to class 6
Chattooga River: Section 4

then there’s this site that calls it 4+.
American Whitewater

all of them say its one of the most technically challenging so tifwiw

HS Teacher who was a guide on FB, was also guide on Chatooga.

Those are 4/5.

Only river possibly in SE with class 6's would be Gauley.

 

[hog88]

I've done the New River Gorge and the Gauley.

 

[bigorangepoppa]

These are nice rivers, but I am partial to the Nolichucky starting in Popular, NC. I had dreams of rafting the upper Gauley and Russell Fork, but I am afraid age may keep that from happening. We'll see, I ain't dead yet.

My cousin has run the Gauley many times, and he says that's a bad river. I never wanted to try it myself. Like you, I ain't dead yet, and don't think I want to kill myself on that river.

 

[Jackcrevol]

I've done the New River Gorge and the Gauley.

Would do the New, eff the Gauley.

New is excellent smallmouth water.

 

[Jackcrevol]

My cousin has run the Gauley many times, and he says that's a bad river. I never wanted to try it myself. Like you, I ain't dead yet, and don't think I want to kill myself on that river.

It happens on every river, too often.

But much like fhe Ocoee, Chatuge, or Gauley. When you Dam release that many CFS down what's essentially a large creek, the river is at essentially flood stage.

Take people who dont know anything about swift water safety, and even some that do, and put them into a very very dangerous stressful situation where 1-2 minutes count. And chance of survival is really low. Gauley drops off so fast, those ledges, and, volume of water are ****ing nuts.

There are plenty of other rivers in country that are beautiful ams fish well, Stench Broad is one. Dont have near the danger.

 

[Jackcrevol]

My cousin has run the Gauley many times, and he says that's a bad river. I never wanted to try it myself. Like you, I ain't dead yet, and don't think I want to kill myself on that river.

Having waded in some deep water and gotten into trouble before. I respect water, in fact much like the 40 yo virgin respected women so much he stayed way from
them, so will I from big water in my 40's and 50's.

 

[UT_Dutchman]

So I mentioned the Russell Fork, I have heard about this river for over 20 years from nolichucky guides and others. They say it it isn't the hardest river ,but it is possibly the most dangerous. Check out this video.