After 3 paddles on class II stretches of the Chestatee, Coosawatte and Broad Rivers, what lesson have I learned? Well, I'm happy without going go Class III :-)
I've done the Chestatee before, putting in at Appalacian Outfitters and headed downstream in a leisurely stroll through nature with mountain laurel, green and cool breezes. A few spots where you could try catching an eddy but they aren't strong enough to peel out of. Above the outfitter (they'll shuttle you for $20 to the put in and back from the take out), you get more interesting though not yet too challenging water which I'm told qualifies for Class II.
That made be brave enough to join a group on the Coosawattee, putting in at Ellijay then paddling for 8 miles through Class I and II (and some flat) water, where I repeatedly asked myself who was controling my Jackson Rouge as I slammed into rocks (reminding myslef aloud - don't lean upriver), hurdled over ledges (eddy turn???? I am going nowhere but straight and glad of it) and felt helpless as the current took me where it wanted to. Didn't go swimming, but it was not graceful. Then knew who was powering the kayak stroke by stroke over 3 miles of lake to the take out. A good work out and plenty of time to calm down after the rush of abandoning all hope above:-)
And yet, 2 weeks later, when an experienced paddler said they were going for an easy paddle, I didn't register that their easy was my YIKES! The leader did interview me and made sure I knew it was class II and that I had the experience necessary to join them. Put in the Broad River at Broad River Outpost who also provided a shuttle from the take out ($5). Don't know if it was the previous experience or a lesser challenge or the extremely patient guidance of the more experienced paddlers through the Three Falls, past the Hippo Butt and into the 2 jacussis, but it was manageable. I wouldn't try a river of this level without these guides, but have gained some river reading and paddling skills.
Will be trying them out on the lesser Metro Hooch during a paddle cleanup this week. Though I don't expect my Pungo Classic to answer nearly as well as the Jackson, since it's a clean up, I'll have to do more than float downstream. Last time I took out at Garrard's Landing at the end of a clean up, I ended up in the water surroudned by a kayak full of trash. Will try to do better this time, or at least put all my trash in a canoe barge.
I've done the Chestatee before, putting in at Appalacian Outfitters and headed downstream in a leisurely stroll through nature with mountain laurel, green and cool breezes. A few spots where you could try catching an eddy but they aren't strong enough to peel out of. Above the outfitter (they'll shuttle you for $20 to the put in and back from the take out), you get more interesting though not yet too challenging water which I'm told qualifies for Class II.
That made be brave enough to join a group on the Coosawattee, putting in at Ellijay then paddling for 8 miles through Class I and II (and some flat) water, where I repeatedly asked myself who was controling my Jackson Rouge as I slammed into rocks (reminding myslef aloud - don't lean upriver), hurdled over ledges (eddy turn???? I am going nowhere but straight and glad of it) and felt helpless as the current took me where it wanted to. Didn't go swimming, but it was not graceful. Then knew who was powering the kayak stroke by stroke over 3 miles of lake to the take out. A good work out and plenty of time to calm down after the rush of abandoning all hope above:-)
And yet, 2 weeks later, when an experienced paddler said they were going for an easy paddle, I didn't register that their easy was my YIKES! The leader did interview me and made sure I knew it was class II and that I had the experience necessary to join them. Put in the Broad River at Broad River Outpost who also provided a shuttle from the take out ($5). Don't know if it was the previous experience or a lesser challenge or the extremely patient guidance of the more experienced paddlers through the Three Falls, past the Hippo Butt and into the 2 jacussis, but it was manageable. I wouldn't try a river of this level without these guides, but have gained some river reading and paddling skills.
Will be trying them out on the lesser Metro Hooch during a paddle cleanup this week. Though I don't expect my Pungo Classic to answer nearly as well as the Jackson, since it's a clean up, I'll have to do more than float downstream. Last time I took out at Garrard's Landing at the end of a clean up, I ended up in the water surroudned by a kayak full of trash. Will try to do better this time, or at least put all my trash in a canoe barge.
