Ramblin' On...

Trying to make up for lost time: 3 runs on Wilson Creek at 3" and 1 juicy Watagua run!

Wilson Creek was running +4" when I got there. It felt like it might have dropped about an inch in the 3 runs I did with Tyler from Asheville. I'm glad I met up with Tyler again, we really blasted out those three runs and managed to hit a lot of good eddys and switch it up on the lines.

After the 3 Wilson Creek runs I headed up hwy 181 towards the Watagua River. It was nice and juicy. I think it felt all of 550 cfs with all the extra feeder creeks.

Triple Drop was much nicer to me today at 3" than it was last night at 12". I ran through the slot / slide all 3 runs. The triangle rock was a nice level for boofing. Sorry I didnt get more action pictures.

Grandfather view on my way towards the Watagua:

A nice scenic ride up into the northern mtns.

I met up with Layla, Chris, Rob, and some guy from the Green for a late afternoon Watagua run.

What a good day to paddle!

Amos' Epics

Its good to get back on Wilsons with some good flow and good friends

What a storm yesterday/last night. Our power was out until around 8 am this morning. When I saw Oakyjoey's post of 1'8" this morning, I decided to wait for my friends Gaston and Layla to get out of school and hook up with them for a late afternoon Wilson Creek run. I am glad I waited, it has been far too long since I got to paddle Wilsons or anything else with them.

Going later in the day also gave me time to take the bow saw to the tree that got blown over in our yard last night during the storm.

The level was just a smidge below 1' around 4:00. Getting to see Roger Teeters at the takeout after our run and his solo run was icing on the cake. Too bad Roger didnt get there early enough to paddle with us, hopefully next time.

Gaston and Layla at the putin.

Above I am scouting from the eddy at the top of Triple Drop.

My sloppy triple drop run. I dropped through the slot with the intent to drive right but I slipped too far into the current and got swept down through part of the rapid sideways. Thankfully, I was able to turn my boat back to the left and drive it to the wall and missed the hole. Not what I planned but I'll take it and be glad. Thanks Gaston for taking the pictures of triple drop.

Fire escape, AKA Coin slot

Peeling out and punching the hole:

The last rapid always comes too soon.

A good run was had by all. Ten Foot was big and fun, all the ledges were good to go, Triple Drop was meaty and this last hole was juicy too. It should be a sweet surf spot tomorrow...

Amos' Epics

Upper Wilson Ridge & then more for 34 miles

Dan and I met up with Terry Sain from Conover / Hickory area and rode with him most of the way from Wilson Creek to the top of Upper Wilson Ridge. About a mile from the top I turned around to check on Dan and proceeded to get my first flat since July (my secret weapon has been very effective up to this morning). By the time we got to the top he was gone but he had given us some good beta on some trails to explore after our UWR ride. It was all new ground as soon as we turned left at the bottom of Upper Wilson Ridge...

Dan on Upper Wilson Ridge

I had forgotten how fast and smooth Upper Wilson Ridge can be.

Somewhere close to Wilson Ridge.

Grandfather in the background.

Nice Views of Table Rock, Hawksbill, and Granfather from up there.

There was a lot of looking at the map.

It was nice to ride some trails I had never been on. We just scratched the surface, there is plenty more to explore up there. If the weather holds out I'll be back later in the week...

Stats:
Total distance: 34.3 miles
Total time: 7 hours 11 minutes
Moving time: 4 hours 51 minutes
Stopped time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Elevation gain: 6,299 feet
Starting elevation: 1,193'
Max elevation: 2,802'
Average speed: 7.0 mph