Fall Colors Nolichucky
| River: | Nolichucky |
| Skill: | Intermediate |
| Trip Date: | 10/13/2012 |
From a trip coordinator standpoint Saturday's trip on the Noli (Nolichucky) was about as easy as it gets. The vote to choose a river was unanimous for the Noli. Our carpools met in two locations and arrived at the Noli Gorge Campground almost simultaneously. Shuttle drivers were pre-arranged and ready to go before we were changed and geared up.
There were 8 trip participants Pete G., Chuck C., Sam I., Peter V., Mort B., Lee B., Ben F., and myself. Each of the paddlers had over 10 years of experience (several over 30); each had many runs on the Noli and each was more than qualified to be trip coordinator. It was interesting to watch the group. At each of the more difficult rapids, the lead boaters automatically placed themselves in “rescue” eddies – not a work was said. Given the skill and experience level of the group no one needed any help but ti was the safe / right thing to do. Other than playing there were only two rolls among the group.
We had mostly sunny weather with blue skies and temperatures mostly in the 60's. Fall foliage was not quite at its peak yet, but it was pretty close. Great blue herons were still around. The level was 750 cfs, low but well above the nominal 500 cfs minimum. We pretty much had the river to ourselves, seeing only 3 other boaters (and no rafts) all day. We got off the river just as the sun was slipping below the ridge lines and the wind started picking up.
– Lee Thonus