French Broad Section 9 – Barnard to Stackhouse
| River: | French Broad |
| Skill: | Intermediate |
| Trip Date: | 11/04/2018 |
What started as a Club trip turned into a varied group of boaters. Mat Henry (from Marietta, GA) and I were the only two club members who signed up. I asked if he knew anyone else who could join.He invited Dawn Katz who then asked Shawn O’Banion (both also from GA). He also posted on his Facebook page and that is how Carl Schoonover (GA as well) joined. Shawn invited Asheville boaters Ben Whittle and Ashlee McGhee who then asked Taylor Cole. The power of social media.
The day started sunny and cool. By the time we put in at the Barnard River Park access it was still sunny, a little bit warmer but the wind was a factor and would be for the entire day. The water was running at 3000 cfs and at this flow along with the wind made for interesting conditions
Rapids of Note:
Beginning and Slides rapids were good warm ups with everyone adjusting to the day. Not much at Maze with not a lot “mazing”
S-Turn. Again given the flow and wind we went river right and totally avoided the turn. More of “Straight Shot” than anything else
Pinball/Pit Stop. Pinball looked too pushy so we went right and took the line through Pit Stop. The water level made it a fun ride down.
Not much of a stop at Sandy Bottom. By that point people seemed to wanted to bullet through, “survive” and finish the day
All in all a good day and really enjoyed meeting new people. I am looking forward to paddling with them again.
Eliot