Chattooga Weekend

So you all know I was planning to make my PFD (personal first descent) on Section 3.5 this weekend. You also know my hesitation about the level. The level never dropped below 2.20 the whole entire weekend. I have been wanting to get on there so long, that I said bump it and lets go anyways! So I sent some messages out letting people know that I was going to run it regardless of the level. T.D. called and asked me if he could car-pool and I told hom that was cool and we could just meet in Easley at the Wal-greens. I was excited and I knew a few really good boaters were going to be there.

I woke up to a beautiful Saturday morning! I loaded up and head to pick up T.D.. We met up and he had his creeker which kind of made me nervous. We got about two miles from the Long Creek store and T. asked me who all was going to be there. I told him I was unsure, but I would bet on a crowd. I knew of 6 for sure but even I was surprised. We got there top find over twenty people!! That is the same size as some of my flat water paddles and this is easily class III+!!! We quickly realized this was too many people to be going down together and so about 8 of them decided to run Sandy's to the Bull. I told everybody thanks for coming out and for the support and we headed to thrift's ferry to start changing and setting up shuttle. As we started down the river there were 13 of us! Three people got out at the Bull and the rest of us continued down to Woodall shoals. In all, I did great! I walked the bull, because it looked HUGE from the other side of the river! We as a group, had 3 swims total. I was very glad to have all of you there!

Today was another wonderful day on the Chattooga. We had a much smaller group today. there were only four of us so at the last minute I changed the plan form Earl's to Sandy's, to Sandy's to Thrift's. With the group we had today it was a much better choice. The water level was still at 2.2 feet. We put in just below Sandy's rapid and ferried back and forth a few times to get warmed up. then we headed into the Narrows. I aced it this time round. I did end up having a swim, but it was not a day ruiner! I came down off 2nd Ledge and was angled too far left. I went to paddle forward to get loose from the recirculation, but the water already had me! I went over and the pour-over snatched my paddle. I was able to keep a hold on one of the poggies, but I could not get the shaft back into my right hand. I was able to pushed off the bottom once and took a breath. Then I slid off the rock I was pushing off on and tried again to get the paddle shaft. After another two tries, I gave up and pulled skirt. Swim #8!! I swam over to the left bank and emptied out my boat. I tried all I could to get back up, and it just was not in the cards today! I was still happy! I was going to walk up and run it again, but I lost my drain plug and had to go 100 yards down river to get one from one of the guys in my group. So I will get it next time! All of the other rapids were great and I had a blast! I can't wait to run these two sections again soon!