Winter paddling - Southern US

[Martyn]

I was paddling with a fiend of mine yesterday and he told me his daughter was coming to visit from California in November and was thinking about bringing her ice-skates. With any luck, she would be stuck using them inside but that, and a lengthy swim in cold water, got us to thinking that we should looke for somewhere warm to paddle this winter.

So here's my question - we're looking for class II-IV water and limited snow in January or February. How far south in the states would we have to go and does anyone have recommendations for spots to paddle?

Thanks,

Martyn

[KNeal]

The Potomac River near Washington D.C. and the James River in Richmond are two rivers that quickly come to mind for winter whitewater wildness.

Where are you normally paddling?

KNeal

[Sir Adam]

Usually the 2nd or 3rd week in January we get a thaw...I've seen the Hudson come up to 6-10,000 CFS usually. If you've got a drysuit and are content with conservative lines, it's a lot of fun. I've even taken a raft load of folks down . And watching ice form on your deck is interesting

[Timzj]

How far south?
The Chattooga is almost guaranteed that time of year, and with any luck you could be on the Tellico/Citico creeks in TN, or something around the Little River Canyon Area of AL.
Good Luck
Tim

[Martyn]

Thanks guys,

To answer Tim's question about "how far south", far enough south that we don't have ice on our boats.Those TN and AL rivers sound like they could be fun, and warmer than waht we will have at home.

We typically get a January thaw as well. Last winter was the first time in years where we didn't. Usually, it is possible to paddle every month of the year in Ontario if you are a little demented, or perhaps just a bit too determined.

Sir Adam - yes, watching ice form on your deck is kind of interesting. I've paddled where I got frozen into my lifejacket. I had to sit in front of a space heater for about 5 minutes to melt the ice enough that I could take the jacket off. I was hoping to head far enough south to avoid that.

Martyn

[NZMatt]

Well, for decked boating there's a place you can stop to break up the drive just north of Ithaca - power plant out flow that has a couple of good eddylines and even developes a little hole in the winter when they drop the lake level - OK it's pretty pathetic, but 50-60C water in the middle of winter isn't to be scorned

[Mike W.]

Now, first off, we don't get frozen into our gear much in North Carolina However, once I paddled Sunday afternoon & left my stuff in the bed of the truck since I was planning to paddle early Monday morning. I get to the river on Monday & my skirt & gloves are frozen solid. I took them to the river & swished 'em around in the water a little & they thawed out enough to put on. Just don't set your gloves down on the tailgate while they're wet or they'll freeze to the tailgate in the time it takes to put your skirt on

Mike W.

[Kalin]

Martyn!

I usually head south in February and was considering doing so again this year. Drop me a line with some thoughts and maybe we can plan something?

Lots to do down there that time of year. Steve Arnold and I had a great trip last winter. We paddled the Potomac, James, Saluda, Nantahala....

The year before Beth and I hit the Potomac and James along with the Nolichucky, French Broad, Nantahala and she did the Chattooga while I went to the Narrows of the Green (PURELY as a spectator! HA HA! ) That's a pretty full on run!

(Thank you again to "Not Elvis", SaraC, DaveM, KNeal, ScottB, Joey, Brendan, Steve and Luke and Misty for ALL your wonderful hospitality and guiding! Those trips wouldn't have worked with out you!!)

Hope to hear from you. Let me know what you're thinking.

**IN the meantime-are you boatin' this week? I'm coming down to Lindsay from Ottawa for Saturday and was considering the Gull, Black or Head for Thursday, Friday and possibly Saturday morning for a quick session.....are you around?


Kalin.
E:ctwosea@hotmail.com

[Camille]

As stated before, the james in richmond is always a reliable run. plus the trip is so short that you don't have time to become miserably cold.
unfortunately, one of the best winter runs in virginia is also one of the coldest. The maury river is my #1 favorite run (with my favorite rapid-devil's kitchen). the problem is that it is cold cold cold (it's a gorge-aka wind tunnel). I know you want to avoid ice-cream headaches but-believe me- this class 3-4 run is WELL worth it. (it's also one of the most scenic runs i've done on the east coast)
otherwise----it's off to north/south carolina for you. (what about the pigeon in tennesee? does that release in the winter? it's kind of dirty but its a fun run)
good luck
camille

[Martyn]

Thanks Camille,

The ice-cream headaches have started here already. The good news is, our rivers are at spring levels. Mapquest tells me Richmond is about 13 hours from my place so I figure I might as well drive further south.

Thanks for your advice on the Pigeon.

Martyn

[the great gonzo]

Martyn!

Are you paddling anywhere on Sunday?

martin

[Martyn]

Martin -

I'm not sure yet about Sunday. I saw on the boater board that you were thinking of the Mag - it is big right now, and should be for some time.

IMartyn

[the great gonzo]

Martyn,

Yes I would like to do the Magnetawan, however I have not yet found anyone who is interested. Let me know if you are interested.

martin