Conference vaxcat::friends

    
    COOOL!!!!!!!!!
    
    I've been thinking about trying whitewater rafting for several years
    now!
    
    Please tell us more about this river.  Is it good but not toooo 
    difficult for beginners?
    
    /jen

The Ocoee is considered Class III/IV whitewater.  Most of the people I took down
were going for the first time.  There is an element of risk like anything in the
outdoors. Anyone with a little common sense who follows the safety rules, should
not have any problems.  

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    	Boy that sounds like a blast! I used to do alot of canoeing, but I
    haven't been out in years. Would this be a weekend type trip or longer
    (week)?
    
    jim

It will be a weekend long thing.  The actual river trip would be 4-5+ hours,
depending on the energy level of those who go.  the best time is usually in Late
May or Mid-September.  The river is not as crowded then, and temperatures are in
the Mid 80's.  We'll raft, camp, and cook-out.  There are miles of trails within 
 10 minutes of the river, horseback riding, sightseeing, waterfalls, a lake for
water skiing, and even a bar called Grumpy's with gravel floor.

    
    	
    sounds excellent! can you canoe it, or is it simply for rafts?
    
    chico (who loved shooting the rapids in a canoe!)

Re: -.5
Chico Mon! 

	If you have shot the rapids 30-40 times in some Class III+ water, and
have a paddling partner, you can probably have a fairly upright trip.  However,
otherwise, I would stick to a raft.  Canoeing the Ocoee is a blast if you can
catch it running in the off season.  During the season there is so much rubber
going down the river it looks like a Trojan convention!!  There are several
other rivers in the area that offer great whitewater for all skill levels.  So,
when we go paddling up there it is usually on The Cartecay, Tellico, Hiawassee,
or Conasauga.  There is little or no commercial rafting on any of these, and so
there is less chance of getting crushed by a raft full of 300 lb touroids.

	This trip should it come about would be by raft.  I would like to see
enough people interested to have 3-4 trips over the weekend.  I can get 6
comfortably in my raft.  The main thing a rafter would need would be a
tremendous desire to have a good time!!  Oh, and a little energy.


(Mikey>  <-<< tacky representation of me in a raft.

  

    
    
    	energy and desire I got! :*) I've probably only done classIII+
    stuff a couple of times in my life, but I loved it. It's not easy in a
    canoe loaded down with equipment for a week long excursion too! ;*)
    
    	This trip sounds interesting for sure. Keep us posted on the
    interest level...
    
    
    chico

... and that is a definite reason to try!!!!!!

I would love to go. Friends of mine have been white water rafting
and told me about it. And since then, a silent longing settled inside
me to try.... ;)
I don't have any equipment, though,,, but if anybody still has a
free spot in his raft, I'd love to join.

;)
Martina_loves_outdoor_activities_and_any_kind_of_fun

Brief Rundown of items needed for the trip.

1) Lot's of enthusiasm. (Not mandatory, but certainly appreciated)
2) Dry clothes
3)Nylon shorts and t-shirt(s). The rafts are made of rubber and can get     
uncomfortable on bare skin.   Cotton makes one cold when wet.  In fact wearing
nothing is warmer than wearing wet cotton. (note the Ocoee is not CO:^()
4)Shoes that can get wet and sandy.  Wet-suit booties keep your feet warmest
5) Camping gear (sleeping bags etc.) for those who do not wish to get a room.
There are many motels in the area. 	
6) More enthusiasm
7) Light sweater. Evenings can get cool sometimes even in the middle of the
summer.  
8) Waterproof sunscreen.
9) Picnic food can be obtained locally.  


	There is a road right beside the entire run.  If we end up with a
commercial outfitter,  There will be a bus beside us the entire trip for safety.
All paddles, lifejackets, and other equipment will be provided.  Safety
instruction will be provided for all rafters.  Your guide(s) will be certified,
and experienced on the Ocoee. 
  
	Chattanooga Tn is only 50 miles away.  The Great Smokies National Park
is a little more than an hours drive away as is Cherokee NC, and The Blue Ridge
Parkway.  

I am quite excited cuz I love taking new people down the river for the first
time.  Please keep inquiring.  I am going to be somewhat tied up today, but will
be updating you at times.  Mail me at DECLNE::SHEPARD, if you have any specific
questions.

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I've been checking with some of the outfitters on the Ocoee.

They have few reservations for the weekends following Labor Day.  That means we
will not have to dodge thousands of rafters like we would in mid summer.  BTW
temps still in the 80's in SE Tenn. during September.   


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