Summer Time Fork

Every Fall paddlers from across the country flock to the Virgina and Kentucky border to paddle the Russell Fork. This is a world class river which is released at 600-1000 cfs every weekend of October to drain down the lake. This Draining benefits paddlers by providing some serious class V. But what's this river like lower? Well myself and Adam Goshorn ventured up there this summer for a little bit of low water on the Russell Fork. The release level was about 350 cfs. If you don't mind a little scraping on the entrance and exit, you will find the gorge is extremely boatable at that level. All The rapids were fun and much different from those found at release levels. Locals are trying to secure summer releases for the summers at around 400 cfs. That would be awesome. The Russell Fork Gorge at lower water is a beautiful class IV run with some consequence. Here are a few picture to give you a feel of what it is like. Remember if you're ever up there be at the take out at 11. That's when the locals usually meet up.

Me at the Double Boof on Tower

Adam @ Tower

Entrance to El Horendo

At this level El horendo is an awesome boof

Here I am opting to squeeze through Climax.

Another fun day boofing down the Russell Fork Gorge.

Off to Colorado soon. Stay tuned for more updates. And If you get a chance check out the Russel Fork, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

MW

Through the Years... (Photo Dump)

Kayaking has brought me alot of good frinds, experiences, and memories through the years. I had a little extra time on my hand and decided to post a few pictures from the past. Here are a few of my favorites...

This is Bed Time for Lothar on Cooper Creek. This is one of the most fun drops to lap in the Chattanooga area. You can do it all here: Boof, Plug, stomp, or whatever else you can think of.

This is Box Car on the North Fork of the French Broad. It's a real cool drop. This was taken on my 22nd Birthday. Great way to spend your Birthday, Creeking! Especially in the Southeast on June 27.

This is Go Left and Die on the Green River Narrows. This is one of my favorite rapids on one of my favorite rivers. I really like how narrow the final slot I am about to drop through looks.

Gorilla, Green River Narrows. This Drop alwys gets my heart thumping!

This is Oceana on Tallulah Gorge. This is one of my favorite runs. It only releases during the fall and spring. It is always a treat to paddle this fun gorge with your friends.

Worst Kayaking injury I ever had. 14 stiches, broken nose, and concussion.

I really Like this picture. Bald River Falls on Christmas. My friend Joe just got a new camerea and we were driving around taking pictures. I saw the drop all frozen and thought that would make a cool shot. So I geared up, carefully hiked up, and ran it.

MW

Toxaway: The Bedrock Giant

The spring rains have continued to bless us Southeast boaters throughout the months of May and now June, extending the creeking season to all of us who are stuck at home not charging the snow melt out west. After a recent rain I got some of Transylvania County's Bedrock Giant, The Toxaway. This run is as close to Cali as you can get in the Southeast. Most call it California on Crack. It is a series of HUGE slides, sluices , and drops that define high speed kayaking. I had seen video and pictures of this run for many years, but never understood the sheer enormousness of this run until I was there in person. The rapids on this run were some of the biggest and fastest I have ever encountered. Everyone seeming to be bigger than the previous. The highlights of the run were Energizer, Land Bridge, and Wintergreen. Here are a few pictures from Land Bridge and Wintergreen.

Land Bridge

There Is Me almost to the Bottom of Land Bridge


boogie below Land Bridge

Charging the lip of Wintergreen

About halfway down the first drop

Gaining speed

Faster

Warp Speed has been achieved

This is me at the bottom of Wintergreen.

Kind of puts the size of the drops in perspective.

I am the little dot in the pool!

More to come,

MW

P.S.

Recently my little brother has taken an interest in kayaking and here is a shot of him tearing up the Hiwassee River.