Wilson / Watauga Adventure

December 5, 2009 | Category: Kayaking, Trip Reports

My weekend started on Thursday with a run down Wilson Creek with Angela. We left at around 10, and did two runs. For our second run we ran into Doug and Isaiah. Both runs were a blast. The level was around +3 inches.

On Friday I went to the Watauga with Jim M, Russ L, Dave L and Kira T. The level was about 400CFS and this run is hands down one of my favorite creeks to date. This is a playground for paddlers. There are at least two big boofs at every rapid! The rapids are big without being paralyzingly scary. There is a lot of boogie water interspersed with some sweet class 4/5 rapids.

Cabin, the first rapid that has a name, is a nice little boogie water drop and is followed quickly by Bump and Grind followed by Shit Kicker. Those rapids really fly by and the first time we got out of our boat to take a look was at Hydro. Jim went first to show us how it’s done and nailed the line. Basically, you drive up on a big flat rock in the middle to catch an eddy behind it. You do this to avoid a pretty nasty eddy line that feeds into a sieve. Once in the eddy you head to the right and scoot down the corner of a pretty nasty hole. It’s a fun move! After two more rapids minor rapids, you’ve got Edge of the World.

This rapid is sweet. It felt like it goes on forever, plus it’s called Edge of the world. It’s a series of slots, ferries and some sweet boofs. Russ went for the around the world move… I’ll do that… next time. At 400CFS the hole is pretty bad and unforgiving.

Blow Job is next and it’s a tight little slot on the left. It’s a cool move. The hole at the bottom was very big but easily avoidable. Heavy Water, Knuckles and some boogie water were all a blast, and we all aced them. Next up, Stateline.

Stateline is kind of a blur. I caught the eddy on the top river right side and I was the last one to go over. I’m not really sure what happened but there was some confusion on where to go. I hit the slot with my bow pointing to the right, and took a big left boof stroke. I landed, and it felt good, but faster than I can react, I was suddenly upside down. I rolled up and caught the eddy. We found a lost paddle and Jim paddled out with it. According to Kira, I over boofed, landed sideways in the curl and that’s where I flipped.

Jim and Russ insisted I run Boof Falls backwards, which I did with a little hesitation, but it was totally a fun ride. Rewind I also ran the boof line, backwards, just because of a slight miss-communication with Jim. The takeout came too soon.

Next time, I’m going to try to get some good photos!

But for now:

Here's a photo of Vaugh nailing Stateline back in May. Not sure who took it.

Here's a photo of Vaugh nailing Stateline. Not sure who took it.

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