Tallulah Weekend

This weekend brought dam released whitewater on the Tallulah River at Tallulah Falls State Park Georgia. Anton rode down with me to meet up with Adam, Joey, Spence, and John & his girl friend (Sarah?). Saturday brought the release of 500cfs of whitewater into the gorge. After descending nearly 700 steps, we reached the river to put-on just 30ft from the first class IV rapid. After an interesting moment in the first rapid, we reached the main event...Oceana Falls. After scouting for a while, we all fired it up with good lines. The rest of the run was just good fun with friends and good lines.



Sunday brought more whitewater action with Georgia Power releasing 700cfs. My run of Oceana Falls didn't go so well this day. I entered the drop fine but flipped at the Thing and ran the last part upside down sliding on the rock slide and into the hole at the bottom. I got pushed into the left corner pocket eddy, tried to roll but was unable due to the rock shelf I was getting pounded on. I couldn't get my paddle into place.

I picked up all the pieces and put back on to run the next rapid "The Gauntlet." The Gauntlet is a long class IV rapid that is full of boulders and holes to dodge and ends right above Bridal Veil Falls which has a keeper hole that has almost drowned a few boaters. I've been running Tallulah for nearly 5 years and this rapid always puts me on edge due to the consequences of making a mistake. I've had dreams about what the outcome would be if I were to swim this rapid and over Bridal Veil Falls. Well...on this run, my dreams almost came true. I entered "The Gauntlet" fine and had a good run. But, as I dropped off the final diagonal ledge, I went for a little surf but managed to get free...But in the process, I flipped. I attempted 3 rolls but was unsuccessful. I pulled the skirt and began to swim for my life toward the left bank. I knew what was downstream and I knew I wanted nothing of it. I grabbed a tree on the left bank but couldn't hang on due to the swift current. Anton was in an eddy on the left and tried to get to me but I was pulled under and missed his bow. I resurfaced just upstream of Bridal Veil. I began to panic as I knew what was about to take place and I heard Anton yell, "Grabb the rock!" which was the rock at the lip of the falls in the middle of the river. I clawed at the rock but it was too slick to hang on and I began to slip. I was getting closer and closer to the lip. But then, my foot hit a rock and I got a grip on the boulder I'd been clawing at. I wedged my foot against a rock while gripping the boulder. The force of the water was trying to pull me loose but I hung on with all I had. I knew if I let go or I slipped much further, my life could be gone...I could drown in the hole that lurked below. Adam and Joey began to throw ropes but they were just too short. Anton came over in a small eddy on the other side of the boulder, climbed on top, and came over and pulled me up on top of the rock. I was so glad to be on the boulder up high and dry. I just sat there for a minute while Anton, Adam, and Joey put together a plan to get me to bank. We got a rope to the bank and I grabbed hold while Joey pulled me to the bank. I was so happy to be on shore but I must admit, I was a little shaken up over the chain of events. I knew if I had gone over Bridal Veil Falls I could have drowned. My boat and paddle made it down Bridal Veil and I walked down the bank to retrieve them and thank those that had helped. After getting my thoughts and gear together, I continued downstream to have safe lines through the remaining class IV rapids.

I am thankful to all those that helped and I am especially thankful to God for putting that boulder in the middle of the river for me to grab hold. Tallulah is finished for this spring as Georgia Power only releases water five weekends a year. I will return though in November as they release water the first three weekends of that month.

Till next time, pray for safe lines and, of course, for rain!