A NICE COMMENT AND A LINK

This is future Todd here writing as I build this new custom Wordpress blog. As I migrate over old posts from my old Blogspot blog, the only thing that do not make the move are the comments. I have been grateful to receive many amazing comments from friends, colleagues and complete strangers that have stumbled upon my posts and images over the years so when I see a comment that I really like I am attempting to bring it over to this new blog via a new post. The comment below was in reference to my “CLASS V” post. The link below is to a blog by Gazette journalist Dena Rosenberry who blogged about my blog! HA!

http://gazetteoutthere.blogspot.com/2007/10/floating-back-in-time.html

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Hey Todd, That’s an awesome post! I’m glad it worked out for you on Gore. Gore Canyon, and really any Class V, is not the place for a beginning rafter to be.

On the Upper Gauley in West Virginia, a few steps down from Gore, but Class V nonetheless, first time rafters routinely run the river. Many of them swim Class V Pillow Rock or something a little less forgiving. Injuries are common, but not serious.

The most dangerous thing about rafting Class V without experience is that swims are likely and the rest of the raft team is counting on you to paddle when necessary; and no one knows how a first time paddler (often with strokes that are less than functional) will react when that first giant wave crashes over the boat or the paddler ends up in the water. Your “Deer in Headlights” syndrome is so common that for most Class V raft guides, the stress comes not from the rapids, but having to manage a crew of paddlers who have no business being out there.

That being said, it sounds like you were the exception. And definitely, your trip will be a highlight for the rest of your life.

If I could make a recommendation: get on some more rivers–Class III and IV. Work on your paddling. Learn how to read water and how rivers run and how features are created. Then you can really enjoy the Class V Experience. Some rivers you should consider would be the Cheoah in North Carolina, the Upper Gauley in WV, the New in WV at high water, the Upper Youghiogheny in Maryland, and then, when you feel like you’re really on your game, Cherry Creek in California–which is the ultimate Class V rafting experience. Cherry Creek has 15 Class V rapids in 9 intense miles of whitewater gnarr.

The bug has bitten, Man. Now get out there!

Matt Urdan
Guest Relationship Marketing Manager
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Bryson City, NC 28713
828-488-2175 x191

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 25th, 2007 at 1:23 AM and is filed under Uncategorized and tagged with Class V, comments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.