2005 Chattooga 3½ Hypothermia Challenge – Merridee Harper and David Blumberg
| River: | Chattooga |
| Skill: | All |
| Trip Date: | 01/22/2005 |
Date: Saturday, January 22, 2005
Where: Chattooga 3½
Trip Coordinators: Merridee Harper and David Blumberg
Paddlers: K-1: Merridee Harper, Ruth Albright, David Mitchell, Guy Latham, Kirk Weir, Doug Shields, Ron & Misti Tolley, Wayne Poole, Michelle McKenzie; C-1: Whitney Eure; OC-1: David Blumberg, Stan Stutts, Gary Mason, Everett Bowman, Brent Summerfield, Peter Van Gieson
Shuttle angel: Carol Mitchell
The group surfed and played all river features present and moseyed down to Bull Sluice (IV) where we got out to scout, run or portage, and eat lunch. In respect of the cold water and butt thumping potential at the Bull most people elected to carry around. Those that did make the attempt had exciting, successful runs, with no carnage! Special note to Brent and Everett who aced it in their canoes.
It was a beautiful day, on a beautiful river, but I know you only really want the carnage report, so I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. While there were no excessively dramatic occurrences, Kirk completed his self-fulfilling prophecy by swimming at Surfing Rapid. Doug Shields did the fish count at Screaming left, and was saved from a nasty swim by a surgical rope strike from Brent Summerfield between 2 helping kayaks. The boat was barged in by Wayne Poole, and the day (and Doug) was saved.. Gary Mason needed some love as he flipped and swam down the ledges on river right below Screaming left. David Mitchell swam at the bottom of the Woodall Sneak, and Kirk Weir completed the carnage with a swim at Woodall.
Everyone had a great time, and we headed for hot plate at Los Amigos in Seneca. Look for us again next year when we run the First Decent Saturday In January Hypothermia Challenge!