May 01, 2008
Andrew Akridge Paddles Entire Tennessee River
Today's Chattanooga Times Free Press included an article on one of Rock/Creek's elder statesmen, Andrew Akridge, who has set off with fellow Chattanoogan Dave Petty on a paddling trip that will cover all 652 miles of the Tennessee River. They started the trip near Knoxville and passed through Chattanooga midday yesterday. Here's an excerpt, read the entire article and see a video on timesfreepress.com or look for today's paper.
Mr. Petty had wanted to kayak the length of the 652-mile Tennessee River for many years, but struggled to find a partner for the trip, said Philip Grymes, the director of Outdoor Chattanooga and a friend of the paddlers. It was not until Mr. Akridge, an employee at Rock/Creek Outfitters, called Mr. Grymes looking for a partner to paddle the entire river that the idea took off, Mr. Grymes said.After months of planning with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers, the trip launched where the Holston and French Broad rivers converge east of Knoxville, Mr. Petty said.
They’ve paddled about 188 miles so far and have about 464 to go.
The two men paddle for eight to 11 hours a day, eating packed foods such as oatmeal, tuna and protein bars. At night, they camp along the river’s edge.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 02:47 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 20, 2008
The Bear Ran... Finally (Kayak
This trip report is from Cain Creek in Chattanooga, written by kayaker Chris Brigman, Rock/Creek's paddling expert and manager of our Down Under paddling store in Chattanooga, TN. When he's not around the shop, you can find Chris playing on the Ocoee or Rock Island, or chasing steep creeks after a good rain.
It was February 6, 2008 and two days of steady rain was enough motivation to quickly load our boats, grab our gear and prepare for a much needed day on the semi-classic Chattanooga Creek called Cain. This creek is a 12 mile run with two sizeable class V rapids, the Vortex and Drainpipe, not to mention several named and unnamed class III and IV rapids. Just as we finished loading our boats, I received a call from my buddy Kat, “The Bear, was at 17 inches and rising”. The Bear, located in Georgia, is one of Chattanooga’s legendary high-quality steep creeks that drops 857’ in 3 short miles. This creek has not run consistently in a few years…We were on our way.
We arrived at the Bear put-in and was surprised to find that we were the only ones there, and within minutes boaters began to arrive by the truckload. There were close to 20 boaters that morning, so we quickly split up into three groups for safety, and off we went.
The river begins as a series of very large steep drops, most with relatively high consequences, then transforms into a long, highly technical series of undercut and sieve-laden boulder gardens that are often blind and required diligent scouting. The most notable of the larger rapids are the Class V+ drops called Big Bang, and Stairway to Heaven. Big Bang is 20’ give or take drop with a narrow landing pool surrounded by unfriendly pointed rocks.
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Stairway to Heaven is the Bear’s signature rapid. Here is the description that American Whitewater has on record, “(Stairway is a) 3-step 45' drop with the 2nd step 15'er landing on flat rock. This is a super-fun run, however back and rib injuries are common. Head injuries have been known to happen, so be careful. A common story you hear about Stairway is that people scout the drop and say "no way am I running that!" At which point they start to look at the portage. Then the hapless boater quietly gets back in the boat and starts to psyche up.
Out of the 20+ boaters that put on the Bear that day, the majority made it out without issue. However, there were a few broken boats, and a few swims which caused a few boaters to hike their way back to the put-in. Bear is a creek that we all look forward to running again soon, it is challenging and fun but equally respected. Be safe and good lines.
Note: Bear is a run that should be paddled only by those capable, and there are several access issues with the Park Service regarding hiking out. If you must hike out due to injury or equipment failure, you should absolutely avoid hiking out through Cloudland Canyon State Park as it is considered trespassing and you could be charged as such. If you must hike out, do it on the right side of the river. There is a trail near the bottom of the run on the river left side that is a very easy hike. Most importantly, have respect for the rangers and the property as they control much of the access to the park.
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 03:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 08, 2008
Grand Canyon R2R2R - Rock/Creek Race Team Report
This past October, several Rock/Creek Race Team members, two friends, and myself all headed out to the Grand Canyon for a Rim to Rim to Rim (known as an R2R2R) adventure run. We started at about 3:30 a.m. from our cabin at the top of the canyon, and headed down the Bright Angel Trail, across the river, up the North Kaibab Trail, and back the same way. Some day I'd like to write a full account, but for the time being, Stephen Taylor set up a video on YouTube with some of the scenes from the first half of the trip:
Other race team members on the trip: Kris Whorton, Randy Whorton.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 04:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 09, 2007
Tellico Staff Trip
Hey guys, I forgot to post this video, sent over from Ryan on our fulfillment crew a couple weeks ago. It shows a few of our staff enjoying the natural beauty of the Tellico River, running from western North Carolina into Tennessee. If you haven't ever seen this part of the country, believe me it's a beautiful place. Or just watch the video, and see for yourself...
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Read about other beautiful spots convenient to Chattanooga >
Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:48 PM | TrackBack
April 27, 2007
A Foray into Hell's Kitchen
There is a chill in the air and my feet are freezing! This rude awakening turns into a frenzy of activity as I prepare for another ski day in Banff, Canada. The temperature outside my crowded hostel bedroom is in the negative and the thought of free pancakes and coffee starts to make my stomach churn.
I have been in Banff for a week now and my legs are starting to complain about too much work, but my mind says we’re running late for the bus. It is day seven and I have yet to take a day off. Today’s destination is Sunshine Village, located fifteen minutes from Banff.
I’ve heard about the great variety of steep terrain at Sunshine and my thirst for such has yet to be satisfied while on this adventure. Making my way down the stairs to eat, I notice that for the first time since my arrival, the sun has managed to make its way through the clouds. Two pancakes and four cups of coffee later, I find myself walking briskly to the bus with a killer caffeine buzz to boot. Naturally I am early, and as I wait for the bus to arrive I give my gear a final check and plug in the Ipod for some pump up music.
Arriving at the base, I take my skis and hop on to the gondola. At this point you still cannot see the ski area as it is neatly tucked back into the mountains. The gondola can not move any slower, despite the fact that it is billed as “high speed”. Perhaps it is my anticipation that makes the ride long, and the fact that I still have yet to see the actual ski terrain. As the Gondola rounds the final corner, the sun hits me directly in the face and there in the distance is the resort. It is absolutely spectacular! I exit the Gondola and find myself in the center of it all. As I gawk at the scenery, I am being knocked around by people who are scattering about in a hurry to catch the lift to the top of one of the many mountains.
I get my bearings and head up to some moderate terrain for a lengthy warm up. Once my legs are awake, I head over to the bread and butter area, called Goat’s Eye Mountain. Goat’s Eye holds all the steep chutes, tree runs and anything a crazy fool would like to ski as long as it is borderline deadly. There are many runs on the mountain that have stern avalanche warnings, even for the runs that are in bounds. One of the most memorable of these runs is called Hell’s Kitchen. This particular run is very steep, about 45 degrees or more in some places, and there is nothing but trees.
As I make my way through the beginning moguls to tree line, I quickly notice the forest closing in on me. Before I know it, I’m deep in the trees and the slope is only getting steeper. I have to take my turns a couple at a time because if I get going too fast there will be no way to stop. I do wear a helmet, thanks to some forceful peer pressure from my coworkers, Brooke and Wes, last year in Utah. Hell’s Kitchen really challenges your skiing ability as the path is not straightforward. If you go too far in one direction, you will be faced with the decision to jump a cliff. Stray too far in the other direction and the trees are too narrow to pass through. My legs at this point are really burning, but there is still a lot of steep tree skiing to go. I never knew that one could actually break a sweat in zero degree temperatures, but I find that out while playing in Hell’s Kitchen.
Once I make it to the end of the run I encounter some locals at the lift, out of breath and sweat running down my brow. The friendly locals take notice of me and ask where I have been. Upon mentioning Hell’s Kitchen, another question follows: “Where are you from?” Somehow I’m able to slur out “Tennessee”. Their eyes open widely as they proceed to tell me that they cannot believe I’m from the south, and that Hell’s Kitchen is a hard run. I guess that explains why I was alone for the entire run. I spend the next 5 days on Goat’s Eye Mountain ticking off numerous runs, mostly alone.
I will always remember my trip to Banff, and though I do not have many photos, (I can’t take pictures of myself in action) I am always happy to paint a picture with my words and memory. For those of you who are wondering how you can get your turns in for the winter while living in the South, it takes plenty of planning, a lot of saving, and most of all, a drive to accomplish a goal that you hold dear.
About the author: Clark Luckmann has been with Rock Creek for six years. He currently runs our fulfillment and customer service operations from our warehouse in Chattanooga, TN. He loves lip syncing Stevie Wonder tunes, long walks in the park, and skiing his brains out. He tries to get a few turns in after our trade shows in Utah, and usually takes one big trip every year.
See Clark's Banff trip photos at flickr >>
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Tell us about your latest adventures!
Posted by Mark McKnight at 09:37 AM | TrackBack
February 19, 2007
When do we get to ski?
Come check out our flickr account for some new photos from Brooke in the Tetons, as well as a couple new ice climbing photos from Wes Napier at Whitesides last weekend. Also be sure to stop by our Winter Clearance Sale at RockCreek.com. This is the best time to save on all your favorite outdoor clothing and gear from brands like The North Face, Arc'Teryx, Marmot, Patagonia, and more.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:33 AM | TrackBack
February 02, 2007
Little River Canyon Video
Rock/Creek employees Chris Brigman and Moe Edmiston paddling Little River Canyon in Alabama. Check it:
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 02:43 PM | TrackBack
January 19, 2007
New Kayaking Videos on YouTube
Thanks to Jamie Sanders for this new kayaking video:This is Sanders doing a couple 360's on the Ocoee River, at Hell Hole.
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:24 AM | TrackBack
Suck Creek Christmas
A Suck Creek Christmasby Mo Edmiston
I woke up; it was a dreary morning, not to mention that it was Christmas Day. Great, I thought to myself, it is raining. Christmas Day, and there isn’t anyone to go paddling with. Rolling out of bed, something caught me by surprise.
It was a phone call from Chris. “Where are we going paddling today?” he asked. “Checked the radar and looks like Suck Creek has a bit of a chance,” I explained. Suck Creek is a local run that is about ten minutes from downtown Chattanooga and generally runs with minimal rain fall. It lies at the base Signal Mountain and Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area. Plans were made, boats and gear were packed; I wished my mom a merry Christmas and explained I would be back later. Off I headed to meet everyone at the store for a Christmas day on Suck Creek.We arrived at the take out to see that the river was running a bare minimum. “Looks good,” I said. So we geared up and headed for the put in. To add to the list of great surprises, this would be the first time I would run the newly cleaned out lower section, thanks to Jeremy and Bryce. This was going to be the perfect day, I thought to myself as Chris Brigman, Taft Sibley, Chip Smith, and I shoved into the water to see what kind of adventures lie downstream.
We charged through the first section of whitewater, styling such rapids as Road Construction, Slow and Low, and Pinnacle. Finally we got down to the crux rapid called Knucklehead, which was not frequently run until this year when someone moved the house size boulder in the landing. We decided to take out and run the cars back up for one more run before continuing downstream to the unknown rapids.
Same as before, everyone had great lines throughout the run. Then we arrived back to the lip of Knucklehead. This rapid has not only eaten boats but people as well. I gave it a good hard scout and decided this was going to be my day. I got a running start and smack I hit the pillow. Just in time, I was able to get off the much needed left stroke, sending me flying off into the pool below. As I bounced through the next rapid I saw Taft go next. Bam! I hear as everyone on shore burst out with the awful “uuuuffff,” which no paddler likes to hear. But to my surprise Taft came floating through the run out with a big smile on his face.
It turned out he wasn’t lucky enough to pull off the necessary left stroke, and it sent him flying off in the wrong direction, smashing his bow into the shallow pool below. Taft paddled away unscathed, only sending a boat shattering blow to the front of his kayak. After watching Taft, Chris and Chip decided to walk Knucklehead saving it for next time. With our adrenaline still pumping high we continued downstream to the next major rapid.
Having not ever seen the infamous rapid, Beyond Thunder Dome, we made up our minds to get out and scout. With the river so low, the bottom drop all funneled into a slot and dumped off a five foot ledge, disappearing into the mist of the peton rock below. Taft decided to probe it first. The rapid consists of three must-make moves, the last being of the most importance. Taft styled the top drops as if he had been running this rapid for years. He finally reached the crux; stroke, hit, he was through unscathed. I opted to run it next, hitting the same line; followed by Chip. Thanks to Chris, everyone stayed safe, while he was nice enough to set up a throw rope. We continued down the unknown section of class IV boogy water.There was still one more rapid we had heard about. It had taken a piece of our friend Jeremy’s knuckles the week before. Giving it a proper scout, we gave it a go. The move was to boof a four foot ledge going right, then land in an eddy barely big enough for one boat to turn around, then complete the rapid by ferrying back across the river to the left. I am not sure what this rapid is called, but they should have named it 50/50 because fifty percent of our group ran the last part backwards. After completing that rapid the river dies down a bit, still delivering some fun class IV boogy water until you reach the bridge.
With the bridge in view, a big smile started to come across my face. It was Christmas Day, we had just gotten two laps and a personal first descent of what is to become the “New” Suck Creek. Pulling up to the cars we got dressed, ran shuttle, and made plans to come back for another couple of laps the next day if the creek held its water. We said our goodbyes knowing that until future holiday adventures, this was the best Christmas present one could get.
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