Obed 2005 – Robert Martin
River: | Obed |
Skill: | All |
Trip Date: | 06/01/2005 |
Participants: Chuck Hunley, James Woods, Beth Harrill , Stu Thompson, Ted Jean, Gary Lambert, Diane Owens, Jack Shuler, Paul Joffrion, Robert Wedell, Pat Glazier, Robert Martin. This year’s Obed trip came close to being a complete bust. The Obed system was too low to run, as was most everything else. Our choices were the Ocoee, Pigeon, Nantahala and the Nolichucky. Everyone had there reasons for choosing one over the other so on the first day of the trip we were scattered all over the Appalachians from the Ocoee to the Nolichucky. On day one Chuck Hunley and James Woods were kind enough to meet some the group and take us down the Pigeon River, from Walters Power Plant down. It was a first run for me. It was like the Nanny on steroids. We stayed in Erwin TN that night, trying to stay within striking distance of the Obed in case the rain that was forecast delivered the water we needed on the Cumberland Plateau. The rain was supposed to hit Tennessee on day two so we decided to run the Nolichucky while we waited. So we made a “meat and potatoes” run down the Noli on day two, then headed for the Plateau. We drove through driving rain all the way through Knoxville, our spirits were high. When we got to Wartburg we found they had gotten little more than a sprinkle, “Rats!” Ted Jean and Gary Lambert were waiting for us at the Scenic River Inn and Pat Glazier and Beth Harril showed up later. The next morning we looked at the USGS gauges and found where the rain had hit the day before. It was North Alabama. The Little River Canyon had been on my list for years and we were only three hours drive from the take-out. Our caravan burned up the road between Wartburg and Desoto Stat Park in Alabama.
The Little River Canyon of Alabama: Chairlift Section. |
||
We began to shore scout the horizon lines after that. It was during one of these scouts that my back went out on me. I bent down to pull my boat up on shore and ended my trip with one wrong move. I was in pain the rest of the run and by dark could hardly walk. The next big rapid was Bottleneck. If this rapid (at 2300cfs) were on the Chattooga they would call it the Six Falls. If it were on the Upper Gauley it would have a rafter type name like “You’re Going To Die” or something. The injured and downtrodden portaged this rapid. The young and the bold ran it. As I was carrying around the boulders on river right I caught a glimpse of Pat Glaziers orange canoe wash by, followed by Pat. Next came the hull of Paul Jofrion’s canoe followed by Paul. Beth Harril came next. She flipped in the entrance curler and went over the drop upside down. She then proceeded to cartwheel out of the first hole, over the fold and into the second hole. I figured she was in for a good trouncing but she popped right up and out of the hole without missing a beat. Beth later made a statement that epitomizes the difference between a great paddler and a hack. She said, “I could feel the current around me and knew there had to be a way to use it to my advantage.” At that time she had only been paddling a few months. I usually curl up in the fetal position and throw myself at the mercy of the river. Gary Lambert and Ted Jean both had great lines and were rewarded with these excellent photos taken by Stu Thompson. |
Gary Lambert at Bottleneck
|
|
Notes: The Little River Canyon has simple shuttles, outstanding scenery and challenging rapids. Desoto State Park is Alabama’s premier state park and offers good lodging and an excellent restaurant. |