« Free Chaco Mug w/ Purchase | Main | New Race Team Members, Early Season Victories »
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.
Sign up to win a Werner Paddle from Rock/Creek >
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.
Sign up to win a Werner Paddle from Rock/Creek >
Shop for creek boats, whitewater kayaks, canoes, paddles, and accessories at Rock/Creek >
Trip Reports & Photos | By Mark McKnight | 3:48 PM
