New Rivers: North Fork French Broad, Doe, Watauga

North Fork French Broad, Clog rapid. Photo courtesy Chris Bell

This Asheville living thing is going to be fun. The rain hasn't really stopped in the past week and new rivers just seem to be everywhere. First day out I caught Adriene before she headed off to Australia for an epic Kimberly mission. The Green was on the low side, but that just made the boofs bigger. Only a few days before temperatures were probably in the single digits, leaving thick ice coats on all the rocks and ledges. Lines were tighter and beautiful ice structures were everywhere. Check out her blog for some photos.

After another great run on the Green, Charley and I joined Chris and Harrison (C1) on the North Fork of the French Broad.

Harrison droping over Boxcar rapid. Photo courtesy Chris Bell

A little creek just outside of Asheville, this run provided some great drops, like Boxcar seen above. Even better, this was the third day of paddling with new locals. I can't get enough of kayaking's ability to creat instant friendships with some amazing people. Lucky me.

Charley on boxcar. Like a waterslide for big kids. Photo courtesy Chris Bell

Gotta take time to enjoy some beauty every once in a while. Photo: Harrison

Harrison dancing with danger under massive ice daggers. Photo courtesy Chris Bell

Me dropping into Suicide rapid (no worries, suicide is left...i'm going right) Photo courtesy Chris Bell

Charley and I headed out toward Boone, NC to get on the Watauga River at a higher flow. My good friends Drew and Jeff graciously showed my students and I down this stretch of river in the fall, but at much lower water. It was a creek then, today it was a full-on river. Some might go as far to say a high water river.

Charley sending it over a boof, Watauga River.

Stateline Falls, higher water than I've seen yet. Representing TeamSOG

Charley and Drew on Doe river, an unexpected canyon in eastern Tennessee, a secret wilderness beauty.

The Doe Canyon was an unexpected treat for Charley and I. With a severely broken Nomad (not mine luckily) and the constant desire to get on some new runs, Drew agreed to meet us here. This canyone is said to be one of the most beautiful, easily accessed runs in the region. The fog hung in the trees, provided the occasional glance to surprisingly large cliff faces on either side of this micro-creek. Mellow rapids with some great boofs and tight, technical lines made us happy. But then again, it doesn't take much to make us happy.

The next few months will be filled with good times like this. So many more runs in the area, many of which will push the envelope more and many of which will take the breath away.

Keep it comin!