Here’s a memory jogger for our routine events!
33rd Anniversary Bluestone River Trip Notice
The 33rd annual Bluestone River Trip is scheduled for May 25-26, 2012. A block of six rooms have been reserved at the Mountain Creek Lodge and space is limited this year. Room reservations can be made by calling 1-800-CALLWVA and asking to be connected to the Pipestem Lodge. The block of rooms is under the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club. Room rates are $87 per night plus tax.
Please call the trip leader, Terry Dougherty at 423-502-5177 to sign up for the river run. We normally paddle both days (Saturday and Sunday), but you can always tram your boat out to avoid paddling a second day. The river (Saturday paddle) is a very scenic 9 mile stretch that passes through a deep West Virginia gorge. It is mostly class II with a couple of borderline class III rapids. The first class III rapid can being easily portaged. The second day is mostly class I and suitable for families. Hope you can join for this great trip!
Explore the Holston River series – Wadlow Gap to Weber City, June 18
Deb Reynolds reporting
The flat water series continued on 6/18 with a new section for me and most others. We had a large group of eight folks who were looking for a relaxing paddle and new territory. Jamie and Eric decided to go upriver a bit as we only expected to cover two miles today and they added on a mile or so. The rest of us cruised on down to Weber City counting the times that I got stuck on the shoals. The river was lower today with quite a few shoals. I managed to show everyone how not to go down on the river. I did triumph at the end, as I was the only one in the front group not to get stuck on the last set of shoals, but only because Kent went first to show me where not to go. The river today was exceptionally clean and very very private. Just like last time, we had a protective blue heron that flew ahead of us, waiting patiently for us to catch up before starting off again. We just barely made it off the river before the thunder started. I think Jamie and I were the only ones who were still strapping our kayaks on the cars when the sky opened up. Continue reading “Explore the Holston River series – Wadlow Gap to Weber City, June 18”
Nolichucky River Clean-up and Celebration, June 4
Debbie Briscoe reporting
We had record attendance at the cleanup this year! But first let me say and I couldn’t have done it without the support of our club officers Jerry, Cheryl, Wes, Jeff and Scott. Their assistance with organizing, getting the food, and picking up donations and TVA bags was a huge help! At sign-in, we had an exciting and overwhelming period of giving out location assignments and organizing clean teams. After getting everyone on their way to the specific focus points, I teamed up with a small band of merry volunteers and set off to the Saw Mill put in. The weather was perfect and the water was wonderful! Continue reading “Nolichucky River Clean-up and Celebration, June 4”
Exploring the Holston, May 28
Deb Reynolds reporting
Memorial weekend was hot, but mid-day Saturday, the North Fork of the Holston River was calm, cool, and secluded, yet close to home. We had 4 women for this trip, 2 of whom have never paddled before on their own. The river is very quiet on this section with farmland, forest and some residential homes. We saw more blue herons and large turtles than I have seen anywhere else and we were even paddling with the cows that had come down to drink and cool off. There were trees for most of the section to provide shade with a nice breeze. The water had a few shoals, but nothing more than a class I, if even that. We had a short stop for a snack and were off the river in 2 hours with plans for all 4 of us to paddle together again. I followed up with another paddle on the same section on Memorial Day; the river level had dropped about a foot in 2 days. We had a few more shoals and dragged bottom a few times. I would not recommend a composite material kayak at a lower level than this. The drive for the shuttle was remarkably short and I will be doing this section quite often due to the location and scenery. I can’t wait for the next sections of the Holston River to explore! (Attending: Deb, Jaime, Dianne and Sarah on Day 1; Deb and Paul on Day 2).
The Week Ahead – July 6th
It’s summertime and I bet it’s busy for a lot more people than me. We’ve got lots of adventure to satisfy your weekend needs.
- The usual Thursday paddle to the grill and Friday Hikers
- Konnarock Crew continues their major undertaking
- A Cl1-2 trip down the Watauga River
- The already full annual Mt LeConte trip
Check out the schedule for the details.
Whitewater Locations and Conditions
Debbie Reynolds reporting
Not sure where to paddle based on skill set and the current water conditions? Check out the American Whitewater National River database by State. The link to the TN river database provides a list of rivers by section with the class and current water levels. There is typically a comment if it is runnable, too high, too low, etc. I also noticed a warning for one of the creeks had been posted with a date.
The Week Ahead – June 13th
We have fun things for you to do this weekend. But, hey hikers! The paddlers are really showing you up, please help to get hike events on the schedule. Email chair@tehcc.org with any plans for events and we’ll get them on the calendar.
- Konnarock Crew continues their work on Hughes Gap to Cloudland
- Thursday evening “Paddle to the Grill” is in full swing
- NOC Canoe Club has a challenge for you
- Explore the Holston (flat water series)
- Watauga River Class I-II trip
Check out the schedule for all of the “deets”!
The Week Ahead – May 23rd
Yet another week and we have you covered on all fronts. Hiking, flat water paddling, rapids paddling, and backpacking trips abound! Have a great Memorial Weekend.
- 4 days of backpacking in the Smokies
- Annual Bluestone River trip (camp and CL I-III paddling)
- Flat water day trip exploring the Holston River
- Buffalo Mountain Park Day
As usual check our schedule for the details.