Big Creek: Finally ran this awesome creek at both 2.5' and 3', definitely the most continuous run I've done so far! Great practice for tight maneuvering skills in the Stomper that should come in handy someday.
Upper Ocoee: Partook in some sweet big water long-boating fun with some of the Endless River Adventures crew, earning my stripes running the tight line to the right of Humongous hole. I had an interesting close call after botching my boof stroke above the hole at Roach Motel, landing sideways into the meat of the drop, but I fortunately had enough momentum to pry my way out of the hydraulic before any serious carnage commenced.
Greenbrier: The day we ran this section, the bridge gauge was reading a stout 3 feet as the American Whitewater gauge showed upwards of 4200 CFS at the Little Pigeon at Sevierville. This was DEFINITELY the toughest, most continuous section of big water I've ever run: between the 5-6 foot waves, gnarly pour-over hydraulics and scarce, recirculating eddies, the run was pretty intimidating even in my creekboat.
Tellico: Completed my personal first descent of the entire ledges section, including Baby Falls, Diaper Wiper and Jarrod's Knee. Lapped Baby Falls a few times for some extra hucking action, and then headed down to Bald River Falls for some awesome treat-laying action! Along with my sister and a half dozen other waterfall-running newbies, our friend Meghan Pendergast helped us prepare to line up the drop. Measuring in at a solid 22 feet, this was definitely the tallest drop I've ever run! I set up the line pretty perfectly, and held my paddle off to the side in eager anticipation of my impact in the pool. It turned out that I had hardly tucked at all, as the water in the pool smeared me onto my back deck as I resurfaced, but regardless I was incredibly pumped! Although the hike up the side of a steep rock wall prevented us from lapping the drop, I would definitely run it again if I get the chance.
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| Me running off the lip of Baby Falls |
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| Bob Wiggins stomping a sick Baby Falls boof! Too bad he couldn't brown claw at the same time |
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| Lil' sis Greta getting steezy off of Bald River Falls! |
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| Me lining up the drop! |
