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Intermediate Whitewater Kayak Clinic

Improve your fun and increase your proficiency with a class on paddling Class III-IV Whitewater.

Where: French Broad (Sect IX) or Nolichucky Gorge
When: Sat, Sep 1, 2012
Time: 8:00 am-5:00 pm (EST)
Cost: $60

The Intermediate Whitewater Kayak Course (IWWK) is one in a series of paddling clinics offered through the American Canoe Association (ACA). This one day course is designed to refine and extend the judgment and technique of intermediate paddlers on class III-IV whitewater, with significant focus on improving fundamentals, boat control and river running technique. If you are just getting comfortable on class III water or already have solid class III skills and want to take it the next level, this class is for you. It will he held either on the Nolichucky Gorge or French Broad Sect 9, dependent on water level and overall skill level of the group. Having a somewhat reliable roll is encouraged. Course will be limited to 10 people.  More info for what you need to bring and prerequisites.

Registration: download the form with link below, complete and return form with your check made out to Scott Fisher by August 25, 2012 to:
Scott Fisher, 109 Highland Gate Dr., Johnson City, TN 37615

Click Here for Registration Form

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New TEHCC Rental Equipment: Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 (HT-18)

Submitted by Vic Hasler, Rental Equipment Coordinator

After a couple of decades of use, the HT-18 Slumberjack Bivy was showing signs of losing its weather resistance.  TEHCC has purchased a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 as its replacement.  The Big Agnes is primarily a one-person tent with much better ventilation at a similar packed weight (2 lbs, 6 oz).  This one-person tent offers 22 sq ft of floor space, with a length of 90” and width of 43” at front narrowing to 31” at back – plenty for a sleeping pad.  Reviews indicate that the 38” head height may not be enough for taller folks to completely sit up, but it’s good for most.  There is a 5 sq ft vestibule to stash the backpack and footwear.  The entire tent bundle rolls down into a 14” x 4” bag.  It comes with its own set of 11 lightweight stakes, which need to be shown upon return to Bldg 310, but kept with the tent – unlike our standard stake policy.

Rental rate is “B” ($5/weekend, $7/week).  It’s on the shelf, ready to go backpacking…

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F/B Hike: Erwin Linear Trail, Sunday – August 19

Leader: Mary Fanslow, 423-707-5004

Enjoy an easy stroll along the paved Erwin greenbelt which borders Indian Creek.  While the greenbelt length is 5 miles one way, we’ll tailor the length of our walk to participant interest.  We’ll meet in the parking lot between the Colonial Heights McDonald’s and the bank at 1 pm, or alternative meeting locations can be arranged.  Please let Mary know before 10 pm Saturday, August 18, if you plan to go on the walk.  Bring plenty of water.

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Details on Recurring Events

Most Tuesdays:  Weekly AT Trail Maintenance
Join a group of maintainers who work somewhere on our 135-mile section each week, usually on Tuesdays.  Contact Carl Fritz (atvolunteer@tehcc.org) for dates and meeting places.

Tuesdays Evenings:  Johnson City Roll Practice
Come join the Jackson Action Wagon (J.A.W.), APEs, and other paddlers from around our region at the Freedom Hall Pool in Johnson City, TN from 7:10 to 9:10 pm every Tuesday for tips and tricks about basic kayaking and to learn how to roll.  Have you already mastered the basics and have a bomb proof roll?  There is still a lot of fun to be had at our pool session by practicing your flat-water freestyle moves and fellowshipping with other paddlers in a nice warm-water environment.  Admission to the pool is $2; rolling advice is free!  Contact the pool office (423- 461-4872) for session confirmation or questions regarding the facility.  Please note: The J.A.W. provides the current fleet of boats for demo at the pool session, but neither the pool nor the J.A.W. provides paddling equipment (paddle, spray skirt, etc.).  If you do not have your own equipment, please post a message on the APEs yahoo group site or send Wesley an email asking other members to bring extra equipment.  We will try our best to get you outfitted for the night!

Thursday Evenings:  Paddle to the Grill
Bring your recreation or touring kayak/canoe to meet with The Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts and TEHCC.  The launch is at 6:30 pm at Davis Dock located in Blountville.  We will paddle to Boone Docks Restaurant located at Boone Lake Marina in Piney Flats for dinner and a social hour, then paddle back.  As we may be paddling back during low or no light, please have a stern light for your boat; PFDs are mandatory.  Contact Debbie Briscoe, 423-534-3636 for more details.

3rd Saturday Maintenance – Hiking with Tools!
Contact:  Kim Peters, atmaint@tehcc.org, 423-538-7665
Come out for a day hike somewhere on our beautiful section of trail on the 3rd Saturday of each month and help out on some routine maintenance needs, such as cutting annual growth, cleaning out waterbars and painting blazes.  All tools will be furnished and no prior experience is required!  Contact Kim for details and meeting time and place.

Bi-Weekly on Saturdays starting June 2:  Watauga River Class I-II
We will launch at 3pm unless there is water elsewhere.  Call first to check and see if it’s on and where!  Contact: Debbie Briscoe, 423-534-3636

Bi-Weekly on Saturdays starting June 9:  Class I-II Trips
Jerry Griffin will hope to lead beginner trips bi-weekly where there is water, opposite of Debbie’s bi-weekly Watauga trips.  This will offer a wide range of rivers to those wanting to work on their skills or just to join us to have fun!  Contact:  Jerry Griffin.

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Tweetsie Trail Survey

The “Rails to Trails” effort between Johnson City and Elizabethton is seeking input on the development of the greenway.  A simple eleven-question confidential survey (link) asks about several aspects of a greenway; and there are a few optional fields which can be used for comments.  If you enjoy other similar trails in the area (Virginia Creeper, Guest River Gorge, or New River) or city greenways (Kingsport Greenbelt or Erwin Linear Trail), then please help define this project by taking the survey.  It will take less than five minutes of your time.  For more information, check the official project website.

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Mahoney’s – What Knot To Do

Mahoney’s is hosting a clinic on knots and if you are like Penny and new to kayaking and tying those dang boats down to car racks it might be beneficial for you, so here are the details :

Thursday August 16th

What Knot To Do
The things you can do with a good knot! Whether you’re securing furniture in the back of the truck or synching guidelines on your tent in gale force winds, knowing a few good knots can mean the difference between night & day. Come join us on Thursday and learn a knot or two. Clinic Meets in Outfitters 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

Here’s a map link to Mahoney’s, so you can put in your starting address for directions: http://goo.gl/maps/fPCRv

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From the Chair

Vic Hasler, Steering Committee Chair

This month brings the 75th anniversary for the Appalachian Trail which was originally deemed “complete” on August 14, 1937 after 15 years of construction.  Since then, the trail has been an ongoing work-in-progress with major changes to the route (such as moving to cross the Roan Mountains) and path (elimination of PUDs*), and the addition of shelters in the 1960s.  A famous quote by Frank Oglesby was “I’m now relocating my relocations!”  This labor of love continues to improve the trail experience, with the assistance of the Konnarock Crew, Hardcore, and college groups.  In addition to the trail construction activities, volunteers are always needed to keep the trail open for the world to enjoy – by clipping back the growth, removing small blowdowns, and checking the shelters along the path.  Please consider joining one of the light maintenance trips… also known as “Hiking with Tools”!

*pointless ups and downs

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Rock Creek Falls (Erwin), Trip Report

Vic Hasler Reporting
Event Date: June 17

A warm summer afternoon was enjoyed hiking up along the very shaded Rock Creek to view its two waterfalls.  Being dry for the past week, the four stream crossings were easy “rock hoppers.”  The trail was in very good condition.   White rhododendron blooms filled some areas.  The recreation area was very busy with Fathers’ Day gatherings with roughly a dozen folks of all ages hiking this “medium” difficulty trail.  On this Sunday trek were Aaron Kelly and Vic Hasler.