Chattooga Section IV: the "Ultimate Whitewater Experience?"

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Before I had a driver's license I paddled whitewater rivers two ways: 1) finding rides with driving-age friends or 2) "paddling vicariously" through guidebooks. Being from Georgia I had William Neely's illustrated Whitewater Home Companion: Southeastern Rivers Volume One, Monte Smith's new-at-the-time Southeastern Whitewater and the classic Appalachian Whitewater: The Southern Mountains. Thanks to the accounts in the books I understood the conversations of "real" paddlers, and I knew routes through rapids I'd never even seen. I read each page of the books until I knew every detail about the Ocoee, Nolichucky, Gauley and, of course, Chattooga Section IV.

Even before I ran my first Class IV rapid I knew that running Section IV was my paddling goal even though there were bigger, more difficult rivers in the books. Why? Partially because Section IV was so famous for its contributions to the movie Deliverance, but also because the authors of the books didn't write the same way about Section IV as they did about other rivers.

When authors discussed Section IV I could detect the unique respect. My copy of Appalachian Whitewater reads: "The scenery is nothing short of spectacular for almost the entire length of the river. Its excellence rivals any river in this country." The writers continue, "...the reputation of Section IV as an ultimate whitewater experience is probably what brings throngs to the Chattooga."

Southeastern Whitewater reads: "For a few years after the release of [Deliverance], this stream was the sine qua non of whitewater paddling... Section IV remains a formidable stretch of whitewater. The run is unique in many ways, and it's always a treat. Few rivers live up to their reputation. Section IV does." The latter book even tried to quantify the Chattooga's reputation, assigning it a "reputation value" of 139 on a scale where 100 was the midpoint. This was one of the highest in the book.

Part of what makes the Chattooga special is Section IV's famous Five Falls. The Five Falls are five Class IV-V rapids in quick succession near the end of the run. Monte Smith described these as, "...something else. Few other one-third mile stretches exceed it for sheer excitement... the Five Falls have to be seen to be appreciated. As the water rises about 2.0 feet, the falls progressively lose their individuality as they blend into an uninterrupted maelstrom of frothing, crashing, churning, exhilarating whiteness" (Southeastern Whitewater). I would stare at the book's photos and anticipate my own future approach to the "launching pad" ledge at Soc-em-Dog, the river's Class V finale, hoping to get my line just right.

As I grew up I progressed and made it down Section IV finally. I even started running rivers supposedly more difficult than the Chattooga like the Tallulah and the Cheoah, but I noticed that, even after a few runs on each river, I didn't get nearly as anxious or as excited about those rivers as I did about Section IV. At the other rivers' big rapids I was much more relaxed and conversational than I ever would be above, say, Jawbone on the Chattooga. Why? Probably because I didn't know as much about these other rivers, and I hadn't built the rapids up for years in my mind. But maybe this is also what it's like playing baseball at Wrigley Field or racing at the Brickyard: you just enjoy being a part of it.

That said, there are some objective reasons why you'd be a bit more focused at the Five Falls: first the river's been pretty friendly until you get here. Yes, Woodall Shoals, Seven Foot Fals and Raven's Chute are big, fun, challenging rapids, and then there are all the bouncy smaller rapids too, but the Falls are totally different. The atmosphere changes; the wide open, sunny river closes into a constricted gorge. Direct sunlight fades behind the raised treeline. The river gets loud too—five big rapids that close together make an impressive white noise backdrop. Plus, everyone in your group who was splashing around and jovially goofing off at the lunch spot is suddenly more focused.

Looking downstream from the top rapids you can see water splashing up from the far side of horizon line ledges, and you know there's another pretty steep rapid right after the one you're about to run. This makes you a bit more focused on getting things just right.

Despite the action at the Five Falls, I think that the river's wide range of experiences and moods is why it's the "ultimate river experience". When it's relaxed, it's as casual and benign as a river can be: you're swimming in lazy warm pools, jumping off rocks into the gentle current, walking under beautiful waterfalls and eating lunch on sandy beaches. But when things start to pick up the action gets going. The rapids on Section IV tend to drop over ledges and broken ledges, making them fast and technically challenging to the guides and paddlers, and when the rapids come in quick succession, things get intense.

At the end of the trip you float into the flatwater Lake Tugaloo, and you've got time to reflect on the experiences of Section IV. This is one more feature I love about the river; it's got a good narrative form, with solid rising action, a clear climax at the Five Falls and a pleasant denouement crossing the lake. The Chattooga doesn't easily allow you to "squeeze it into your schedule" or "just do the biggest part." You've pretty much got to experience the whole thing.

This is a big reason why the Chattooga is a true wilderness experience. Not only is it protected as a Wild and Scenic River (which means you won't see many rafts while you're out there), but it's also deliberate. The river demands that you invest some real attention in your surroundings and your companions, not just the rush and thrill of the rapids.

At NOC, where we work and play on rivers all across the Southeast and the world, Section IV is still one of our staff's most beloved whitewater rivers. It's probably the trip I'd select if I was trying to demonstrate to someone why I love rivers and rafting as much as I do. On most other rivers I'd talk about the rapids and the scenery to describe why it's so great, and I'd do that for the Chattooga too, but the reason it's so great to me is its "aura." The Chattooga just has something other rivers don't.

*See pages 32-39 in Appalachian Whitewater and pages 107-121 in Southeastern Whitewater for the sources of the excerpts above.

Going to Water: Chattooga Section III

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I have been in love with rivers for as long as I can remember. The rush and crash of rapids, hidden waterfalls pouring into shaded mountain streams, the warm lazy flow of a river too old to hurry. All provoke images of summertime vacations in the mountains, fingers sticky with strawberries from riverside picnics, my father's rough steady hands as he guided our canoe through a maze of rocks and tree limbs on to safer waters. Throughout my adolescent years I was fortunate enough to see a lot of whitewater. The mountain rivers and the adventures we had on them became a knot that tied my father and I together even when I forsook bedtime stories and stuffed animals for boys and makeup. But when I was in high school my father suddenly passed away. The family trips to the river stopped and it felt like my canoe was adrift without a guide.

The next time I braved whitewater would be years later on summer vacation with some friends from college. They managed to talk me into a full day excursion with the Nantahala Outdoor Center on Section III of the Chattooga River in Mountain Rest, South Carolina. A few weeks later I found myself seated in the front seat of a 95 Taurus watching the suburbs give way to pine trees and misty hills. Valleys and green slopes hung wet and shining with the rain from the night before as the pink light of sunrise seemed to spill over the peaks of each hill like water
breaking free of a dam.

The Chattooga River is a river that seems to be caught between two worlds. Designated a wild and scenic destination by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1974, only 15 miles of it is available for recreational use. The rest of its 57 miles are completely wild and protected by the Sumter National Forest on the South Carolina side and the Chattahoochee National Forest on the Georgia side. Originally belonging to the Cherokee Nation, the Chattooga River was a point of constant contention between the Cherokee who viewed the river as sacred and the Scotch-Irish settlers that wanted to exploit the area for logging and mining in the 1800's. Today the Chattooga runs the border between South Carolina and Georgia, as if it can't quite decide where it belongs. Its a river torn between two times, harkening back to the old world yet constantly threatened by the progress of today.

We arrived at the NOC Chattooga Outpost around 8 am and the staff were very courteous and time efficient. We watched a safety video and our trip leader gave us a trip talk before we put on our helmets and PFDs and boarded the bus for a quick bus ride to the top of the river. Everyone helped carry gear and rafts about ¼ of a mile down to the put in because of Forest Service regulations that prohibit automobile traffic too close to the river. The air was thick with the smell of damp Earth and honeysuckle. The dense pines crowded over us and the rush of the river grew louder with each step. The sound was an aching reminder that this was the first time I would face the river without my father by my side.



When we reached the bottom the trip leader assigned us our guide, a tan shaggy-haired guy in his twenties. In our boat it was the four of us and a couple in their thirties. We all piled in and then headed out. The dark cool water snaked out before us and the sun blazed just over the tree line like a beacon. I hadn't quite anticipated how isolated the Chattooga River was from the outside world. Apart from our trip, there wasn't another raft or boat in sight. A hawk sailed in low circles above us and our guide pointed out a river otter just as it disappeared beneath the surface. There was no sound of traffic, just the river pounding louder with each paddle stroke. River water filling up my veins, sunlight in my eyes. All of it reminding me of times past.

Our guide explained that the Chattooga was a “drop-pool river” consisting of ledges and drops that make up the swift rapids and brief calm pools afterward. As we went over each rapid he ordered us all to lean in and paddle. My friend Jackie and I were seated in the front and constantly found ourselves drenched by waves of water (which the rest of our boat found very entertaining). We plummeted through rapids with names like Warwoman, Dicks Creek, and Sandy Ford that ranged from Class II to Class IV.



We pulled over for lunch on a sandy beach around 11:30 and the raft guides arranged a a great sandwich spread on the bottom of an overturned raft covered in a picnic blanket. We could choose from ham, turkey, PB& J or a delicious hummus spread for our sandwiches. They also included chips, some veggies and dip, and cookies for dessert with lemonade and sweet tea to drink. Several of the kids on the trip took the opportunity to go swimming in a little class I rapid that ended in a calm pool. My friends seized their "inner kid" too and leapt into the rapids, shouting for me to follow. Instead I just lay back on a large rock jutting out into the water and marveled at the way the river still managed to make me feel peaceful and free after all that time.

After lunch we took on a few more Class III rapids before pulling over and preparing for the big Class IV rapid on the trip, Bull Sluice. Everyone got out of the rafts to walk up a rock outcrop to take a look at the broken ledge and white frothing whitewater below before deciding whether or not we wanted to go down or take the foot path to the other side. As soon as we got to the top of the outcrop the sky turned ominously dark and rain began falling in great sheets. Two of my friends took one look at the rapid and then instantly took the trail to walk around. Me and Jackie stood looking at the roaring rapid and rushing water churning over the drop. She glanced at me and grinned. I knew at that point that we were going over,whether I liked it or not.

We walked back to the boats and took our seats up front and our guide ferried back out into the swift current. My heart pounded in my chest as we were borne swiftly toward the drop. Glancing to my left I noticed that Jackie's face didn't look quite so confident anymore. Thunder cracked overhead and the guide shouted over the storm to get down. Jackie and I scrambled to sit in the bottom of the boat as we plummeted over the drop and into a wall of water that briefly submerged the whole raft. In seconds it was all over and we were back on the surface of the water, safely in the boat, and paddling our way into the calm eddy waiting for us on the other side. As terrifying as the rapid had been in the moment, I was immensely glad that I had tried it. Looking over my shoulder at Bull Sluice, I realized how much braver I had gotten over the past few years. As a kid I never would've been fearless enough to tackle a drop like that, even with my father at the rudder.

Shortly before we reached our take out point at the end of Chattooga Section III our guide told us a story about the Cherokee people that used to live in the area. A long time ago they believed that the Chattooga was sacred because if you followed the river back to its origin it would lead you into the spirit world. Therefore, they would “go to water” and immerse themselves in the river to cleanse and heal their souls. The sound of the rapids roaring and crashing was really the voice of the father of the river, a god called “Long Man” who was using the water to converse with spirits in the other world.



As we boarded the bus at the end of the river and headed back to the center I thought about how my trip on the Chattooga had been, in a way, my “going to water”. It helped along on the
road to healing and it gave me the bravery to embrace a passion that I had, long ago, let slip away. And as the bus engine roared and the sound of the river faded behind me, I couldn't help but think that I heard a familiar voice in the rapids, whispering words of encouragement and love from a distant world.

A Parting Salute to NOC Legend Wayne Dickert

This June is the last month our beloved Wayne Dickert (“Wayner”) will be working a NOC. The good news: Wayne’s leaving us to become the Pastor at Bryson City United Methodist Church in town, so he’ll be realizing an important personal goal, and will still be nearby. The bad news: much less Wayner on the water and around the NOC campus.

For those only a little acquainted with Wayne’s tremendous contributions to NOC and Southeastern paddling in general, here’s an abridged version of his vast accomplishments.

Professional:

Wayne began his professional whitewater career thirty years ago on the Ocoee River near his East Tennessee home. In 1981 he started guiding rafts with Sunburst Adventures on the Ocoee River, where he remained for six years until NOC purchased the Ocoee-only outfitter in early 1987. After two additional summers working on the Ocoee Wayne moved to the Nantahala in 1988 to guide NOC paddling and rafting trips.

From the beginning Wayner gravitated to canoe and kayak instruction at NOC. Due to his impressive career as a competitive paddler and his adept teaching methods, Wayner quickly became one of the core instructors in the Paddling School. Originally Wayne spent his non-instruction time from November to February creating custom wooden paddles with Homer King, builder of the legendary Silver Creek paddles. While at Silver Creek, Wayner and Homer designed some of the first curved wooden canoe blades. Less well known was Wayne’s short and fat shallow-river blade Homer nicknamed “the shovel.”

However, in 1993 NOC became one of the primary sponsors of the The Nantahala Racing Club and Wayner found himself immediately involved. Wayne's off season time was consumed by administrative and leadership work for the club. From ’93 to ’96 Wayner maintained his NOC/NRC/competitive paddling lifestyle until he left NOC in ’96 to accept a position at USA Canoe/Kayak as the Development Director—helping the US team field world-class whitewater athletes in international competition.

Wayner returned to NOC full-time in ’99 as the head of the NOC Paddling School, where he remained until 2009. His ten years in this position were immensely effective: his extensive experience in paddling instruction and his notable competitive accomplishments made him a visible and effective leader. Wayner began his slow transition to the church in 2006 when he enrolled at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary to earn a Masters in Divinity. In 2007 he started the River of Life Ministry at NOC, giving paddlers a casual, early-Sunday summer service followed by an optional group river trip. He accepted the role of “NOC Ambassador” in 2009 as he began the transition to church life and finished up school. In this role Wayner helped start the Canoe Club Challenge, worked with the Southeast’s summer camps to get young paddlers on the water and helped the Nantahala area win the 2013 ICF World Freestyle Championships.


During his career in professional paddling Wayner racked up some pretty amazing accomplishments:

• Two “Best Instructional Video Awards” from the National Paddling Film Festival, one for 2005’s River Runner’s Edge—a project Wayne worked on with Kent Ford, John C. Davis and Phil & Mary DeRiemer –and the other for 2006’s The Kayaker’s Toolbox with Joe Holt.
  



• Two National Outdoor Book Awards for the Instructional category for Basic Canoeing (2003) and Basic Kayaking (2005).
  



• He was one of the boat designers for the 1992 gold-medal winning C-2 boat nicknamed “Patriot” along with Horace Holden Jr. and the boats’ paddlers Scott Strausbaugh and Joe Jacobi. This boat remains the only US Olympic championship boat.
  
  


• Wayne collaborated (to varying degrees) on the designs of many production boats including the Dagger GT, Dagger Approach, Dagger Mamber, Dagger Juice, Dagger Rx, LiquidLogic Remix, LiquidLogic Hoss and more.
  
  

Once a group of Wayne's students were reviewing his bio, and after they read about his accomplishments their main comment was “Whoa, you had a moustache?!”

Some people are just hard to impress.

Competitive Paddling:


Wayne started paddling slalom in the spring of 1981 on the Ocoee River in a Perception Mirage at the old Ocoee Double Header race. He enjoyed it so much that he immediately purchased a slalom kayak. In May of the same year, Wayne borrowed a slalom canoe and, as Wayner says, “it just felt more natural to me.” So, the kayak was gone almost as quickly as it arrived, and Wayne became a C1 (decked canoe) racer. “I was young and stupid; it didn’t matter that [canoeing] was harder.” Wayner preferred the leverage and sightlines of the canoe, and all of a sudden he was training and competing for whitewater slalom and downriver (or Wildwater) events.


Though he made the US C-2 Mix team in ’82 and raced in the West German Nationals in ’83, Wayne didn’t began winning consistently until 1984. In ’84 Wayne was the top ranked downriver canoe racer in the US (after winning the Pan-American Cup), and he remained one of the top downriver competitors through ’89 when he “retired” for the first time.

However, retirement didn't last long and it was less than a year before Wayne and Horace began toying with the idea of a forming a slalom C-2 team, a development that resulted from an informal, why-not-try-it whim paddling session. Horace and Wayne’s casual paddling session was surprisingly competitive and ’92 Olympic coach Fritz Haller started encouraging and coaching the new C-2 team.




At the 1996 Olympic Team Trials Wayne and Horace actually defeated their coach Fritz Haller and his brother Lecky, with four solid runs on the Olympic Course at the Upper Ocoee. At the Olympics Wayne’s team placed 11^th after a misjudged maneuver on the first run resulted in a technical penalty and after Wayne dislocated his thumb before the second run. Despite this, Wayne maintains that his biggest disappointment from the Olympics was that the US didn’t get two C-2 boats qualified so he could have competed again with his friends Fritz and Lecky.





Today:

Despite having spent a good part of the past 30 years on the water, Wayne is still one of the NOC employees you’re most likely to see on the river. Many employees split time between the river and nearby hiking or biking trails, and some see the river “plenty” during the work day, and head for the house or to town after hours.

Not so for Wayner. He’s probably the colleague most likely to lobby you into spending a lunch break on the water, or to work through lunch and leave for a 4pm “on the river meeting”. You’re likely to see him working with aspiring athletes at the gates, surfing on the Surf School wave, or scouting the falls with a young paddler.

We asked him two questions to wrap things up:


Q: What’s your favorite part of paddling?

A: Teaching Beginners. I enjoy seeing beginners fall in love with the sport. I even like it better than working with advanced paddlers who know what they’re doing. I’ve always liked the beginners the best.

Q: What’s your favorite river?(It’s got to be the Ocoee right?)

A: Well, yeah the Ocoee would be there because it’s been such a big part of my life: I got married there, started working and paddling there and competed in the Olympics there, but my favorite river is the Tallulah actually. It’s just so beautiful and the rapids are so fun.


So, that about sums this recap up. Note that this story doesn’t really have an ending; Wayne still loves boating, and you’re likely to see him out and about whenever he gets a chance. We expect they’ll be keeping him pretty busy over there at Bryson City United Methodist, but hopefully after things settle in a bit we’ll start seeing Wayne back on the river—though we're not expecting him at any future Sunday releases on the Tallulah.

Thanks Wayner.



Editor's Note: Join us at the first 2011 Canoe Club Challenge (on the Nantahala Saturday June 18th) and thank Wayner for his contributions to paddling. We'll be throwing him a big going away party after the event!

NOC River Leader of the Month - Becca Carter

Every month Olympian and NOC Ambassador Wayne Dickert (aka Wayner) will bring you an interview with extraordinary paddlers and enthusiasts that have given unselfishly to make this sport one that all can enjoy and participate in. We’ve dubbed these generous souls NOC River Leaders. The NOC River Leader is someone that has given back to the paddling world whether in the form of community involvement, educational outreach and/or support. Each month NOC will honor a different leader for their efforts to give the recognition they deserve.

This month I want to honor our veterans in recognition of Memorial Day. The decision was an easy one. I would like to introduce and recognize Becca Carter as May’s NOC River Leader. Becca has given her time to help veterans heal physical, mental and spiritual war wounds. She is the organizer of Asheville’s Team River Runner (TRR). TRR has several chapters around the country and uses paddlesports to help wounded war vets overcome some of their challenges when returning home.
Wayner: How and when did you begin paddling?
Becca: I began paddling whitewater at NOC guide school in March 2006. It was an exciting experience and I learned so much about being in control in a whitewater boat. Although I had been paddling for five years on flat water in the Raleigh area, I felt like I wasn’t a paddler until my first experience on whitewater. Soon, I was whitewater rafting all over the Southeast and had a special fondness for the rivers in West Virginia because of their beauty and challenge. I then discovered whitewater kayaking and completely jumped into the sport.

Wayner: Did you have any struggles early on? How did you overcome those?
Becca: It took a long time to learn to roll because I did not take any formal instruction. After a year of flailing around and learning on my own, I decided to take a clinic. I went with Anna Levesque to Mexico on a women’s only clinic and conquered my roll!

Wayner: If you could offer any new boater a suggestion, what would it be?
Becca: First, get professional instruction. You won’t flail around forever but it makes a significant difference to have a solid foundation to start from. Also, just as important, find several reliable friends to paddle with. They should enjoy paddling the same level of whitewater as you. Shelly and Will Gillis were my first paddling buddies. We had a lot of whitewater kayaking trips together. I was fortunate to have some good friends that helped get me started. They were always ready to go to the river with me.

Wayner: What do you do to improve your paddling skills?
Becca: I enjoy paddling slalom gates. It has helped me refine my skills. Often on the river, I do not have to be in a specific place, or at least that specific place isn’t well defined. With the slalom gates I know exactly where I am supposed to be. I use the water to help me get to that place. Working with the paddlers in the Team River Runner group has been great because it has helped me refine my own skills. I have to think through the skills I am teaching and the alternatives in case what I present doesn’t work very well for that person. By having to think critically while teaching, I found that I learned the techniques better and applied them more accurately on the water.

Working with the wounded vets also taught me about self-forgiveness and not feeling like everything had to be perfect. Working with TRR has been as encouraging and inspirational for me as it has been for the vets…and they love it!
Wayner: What is your favorite river and why?
Becca: Chattooga Section IV. It’s remote and beautiful without being too hard but it is still challenging. My favorite moment is coming around the corner below Woodall Shoals and sensing the remoteness and serenity of the river. Its beauty recharges my soul.

Wayner: What activities are offered through TRR?
Becca: Roll classes in the pool at Warren Wilson College are offered every other week. That is a great place for the vets to work on the basics. They confront any fears in a controlled environment and become comfortable on the water. TRR has several river trips each year too depending on the availability of volunteers to help out. I would say my favorite river to teach on is the Pigeon River on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee.

Team River Runner participants kayak on whitewater rivers with volunteers and the spouses follow along in duckies or rafts. After time on the river, the group gathers for a meal and an opportunity for group bonding. This has quickly become one of the highlights of the trip. Everyone is able to share stories of the challenges and successes from the day on the river. It gives the families a chance to observe the excitement and healing first hand.

Wayner: What is your favorite thing about paddling now?
Becca: Personally, I enjoy the bond of trust with others. Paddling whitewater is one of the places where you have to be “in the moment.” You have to remain focused on what you are doing or the river reminds you to pay attention. This complete and inner focus is very spiritual for me.

My favorite thing about working with TRR is the ability to bond with the participants. Being able to share my passion with them and offer an opportunity for healing mentally, physically and spiritually through paddlesports is most rewarding. It is wonderful to be a part of this and watch them heal. Kayaking connects with their personal challenges and fears. I have this one vet that went down with his helicopter. Consequently, every time he is upside down in a kayak, he has a flashback to being in the helicopter. To see the courage he, and others, exhibit is phenomenal. It is inspiring to watch these veterans overcome their fears.

Wayner: What have been some of the greatest challenges for you and TRR?
Becca: First of all I had never run an organization before. There was a pretty steep learning curve for me but it has worked out well. We have been able to gather several boats for the group even though we usually need more. Once we set up a regular schedule to meet at the pool every other week, things became a little more predictable and easier to manage. Organizing our events and paddling days is always one of the most challenging but certainly the highlight of our programs. It is well worth the effort to see the group and family bonding that goes on during these trips. Everything has fallen perfectly into place for us. It was definitely meant to be!

Personally, it is also a challenge to find the right people to paddle with. Many of my friends either paddle easier rivers or much harder rivers than I enjoy paddling. I like to be challenged on the river without feeling scared. When you can find that group of people it’s very spiritual being out on the river with friends who share the same passion for nature and respect of the river.
Wayner: What are some of your goals for the future?
Becca: For my personal goals, I want to be a better creek boater and continue to challenge myself by working on problem solving techniques on the river. I would also like to develop my courage as I enjoy paddling with good friends that are similar in skill level. More than anything however, I want to “practice being present” in the moment on the water.

My main goal for TRR is to find more volunteers to inspire the TRR paddlers. Our next goal for our group is to paddle on more rivers offering more trips. In order to do so we need more volunteers but I know we can make it happen.

Team River Runner is always looking for volunteers. If you would like a rewarding and fun paddling opportunity check out TRR’s Facebook page and schedule.

Join Wayner again next month to learn more about another honorable NOC River Leader. If you know of someone that is deserving of this recognition, please email Melissa.Pennscott@noc.com with details and contact information.

Civilian to Survivor: Don’t Be Unprepared This Summer

It is hard to imagine that NOC Wilderness Survival School (WSS) began as an idea of Wilderness Medicine Director Jono Bryant’s just over a year ago. I recently sat down with Jono to get the latest scoop on his programming and the new courses and clinics for 2011. WSS will transform you from civilian to survivor this summer!
NOC now offers over a dozen specialty clinics and workshops and a three-stage progression to complete the survival school training. This makes it simple and easy to select the dates and courses that work best for you. WSS takes place at NOC’s private woodland, Hemlock Ridge, located in the remote Nantahala River Gorge surrounded by forest service land. Jono’s team of WSS instructors is comprised of ex-military and wilderness medicine experts.

Level I – Introduction to Survival
The first few days are most critical in surviving solitude in the wilderness. Whether it be due to a crisis or a navigational mishap, WSS Level I prepares you for the first 72 hours focusing on fundamentals, keeping a clear head while under pressure, the necessary basics and getting out alive. The three-day course covers six essential concepts:

• Shelter
• Fire Craft
• Food Finding
• Water Purification
• Off-Trail Navigation
• Rescue Signaling

Upon completion of Level I and three skills workshops, you’ll have acquired the skills necessary to progress onto Level II where these basic skill sets will be further developed and survival techniques refined.

Level II – On the Move
Statistics show that if you are not rescued in the first 72 hours, your likelihood of survival is significantly reduced. If you haven’t made it out alive in that 72 hour window, Level II will teach you the necessary skills for surviving with little chance of rescue for an undetermined period of time. All skills acquired in Level I will be refined and advanced in this two-day course. You will also learn:

• Advanced Natural Shelter Creation
• Making Natural Cordage
• Open Fire Cooking Methods
• Maneuvering Rocky & Steep Terrains
• Navigating Safe River Crossings

In order to progress to WSS Level II, students will need to complete a minimum of six survival skills workshops including Navigation, Plants for Medicine and Bow Drilling.
Level III – Extreme Survival
The final and most challenging course of WSS, this three-day clinic features the most challenging terrain and obstacles with limited food and resources. Level III is a simulation of an outdoor excursion gone terribly wrong. It ties together all of the skills you have learned along the way and pushes you to the limit while navigating through an undefined course. Upon completion of Level III you will be prepared for the toughest situations and will have proven that you are the Ultimate Survivor!
Skills Workshops
New skills workshops and advanced levels have been added to the roster this year. These workshops expand on basic skill sets you will acquire during the Level I and II coursework. You get to select the skills that interest you the most and master those in these hands-on workshops. Basic skills workshops are one-day and advanced skills workshops are two-day clinics. This year the following skills workshops are offered:

• Mastering the Bow Drill
• Advanced Shelter Building
• Primitive Angling and Fish Traps
• Advanced Trapping – Woodlands
• Tracking Intensive – Advanced
• Flint Knapping and Pressure Flaking
• Natural Cordage
• Plants for Medicine and Food – Basic and Advanced
• Map and Compass – Basic and Advanced

Youth WSS Camps
After a large number of youth participated in WSS clinics last year, Jono realized the need for more youth focused programs. This year he created a Father/Son Survival Weekend where the two will progress together through Level I with challenging, hands-on applications of all skills (yes, mothers and daughters are welcome too!). Camping is encouraged with ample lodging options available on site. Another cool program is the week-long Youth Ultimate Survival Camp where students spend 100% of their time outdoors. Campers will learn to navigate on their own using a map and compass, fish and prepare meals and even build a shelter to sleep in. This camp encourages independent thinking and teaches practical hands-on skills.

More Info
For more details about NOC Wilderness Survival School programs visit noc.com or contact Jono Bryant at 888.905.7238 ext 7190.

Summer 2011: The Top Three Southeastern Mountain Vacations

Only sixteen days remain before Memorial Day weekend. So, now’s the time to start planning your family’s summer getaways. To help out, we’ve created a list of NOC-approved destinations that offer the arts, great food, fun activities and, of course, big helpings of outdoor fun!

Asheville, NC

Reputation: The coolest mountain city in the Southeast

Chops: Three-Time Beer City USA, #1 Whitewater Town in the Country, Fantastic Dining

NOC’s Take: This is probably where more NOC staff hang out than any where else. Asheville has wonderful music and nightlife, countless independent restaurants, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the enormous and elaborate Biltmore Estate, excellent canopy tours with our friends Navitat and one of the most famous resorts in the country, The Grove Park Inn. It’s telling that the President has vacationed in Asheville twice in the last four years.

And while this is all good, the best thing about Asheville is whitewater. Not only does the city have four rivers within easy striking distance (the French Broad, Nolichucky, Pigeon and Nantahala), but advanced kayakers can enjoy the gold-standard in Class V paddling, the Narrows of the Green, and there are plenty of smaller rivers and lesser-known creeks to enjoy.

Final say: If you’re an adventurer by day and a cosmopolitan by night, or if you have a significant other that’s a bit more urbane than you, Asheville’s perfect. There’s no better blend of downtown and downriver.

Bryson City & Fontana NC

Reputation: The Quiet Side of the Smokies

Chops: One of the Best Outdoor Towns in the Country, The “#1 Vacation with a Splash”

NOC’s Take: If you go on vacation to get away and relax and recharge this is the place to go. NOC’s Nantahala River headquarters is a big attraction here. You can go whitewater rafting on the Nantahala (or on the nearby Chattooga and Ocoee Rivers), paddle on Lake Fontana, learn to whitewater kayak, brush up on survival skills, take in live music and dinner by the river, mountain bike at Flint Ridge, Tsali or JackRabbit, and much more.

You can also just chill out on a shady porch overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Nantahala National Forest, and take a spin in a jetboat or on the scenic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

There’s hiking on the Appalachian Trail, the Bartram Trail and in the Park, and there’s fishing and scenic drives to boot.

Where to stay? We recommend NOC's lodging (of course!), but also check out Fontana Village Resort (NOC guests save 15%; call 828.498.2240 to get the special offer). Fontana Village has great facilities, riding stables, a big, multi-featured outdoor pool, disc golf, and more. For the outdoors purist, the company provides backcountry shuttles to a bivy of creeks: Hazel, Eagle, Forney, Chambers and Pilkey.

Final Word: This is the best place to totally relax or immerse yourself in nature. On the North Carolina side of the Park, you can experience the Smokies without experiencing lots of people.

Gatlinburg, TN

Reputation: One of the South’s Best Family Vacation Destinations

Chops: One of Southern Living’s “Best Family Destinations” (the highest-ranking non-beach destination), the quickest access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most-visited locations

NOC’s Take: Face it, most of the time people want to do different things on vacation—especially kids. Gatlinburg’s wide offering of activities from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies to the nearby Dollywood amusement park give families plenty of choices on their recreation.

As for the outdoors: Cade’s Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Trail are very popular driving tours for the uninitiated, and NOC’s Great Outpost can help anyone prepare for a human-powered excursion. A serious enthusiast could spend the whole summer hiking the Park’s 900 miles of trails, exploring the East’s largest concentration of old-growth forest or identifying wildflowers, trees and wildlife in the nation’s most ecologically diverse temperate-climate national park.

The guided trip options are solid: the exciting Pigeon River is a quick drive away, and the French Broad offers a close full-day trip option. You can also book biking, hikes, fly fishing or indoor rock climbing at our activity basecamp.

An easy spot to crash is the Bearskin Lodge. Hardcore outdoor folks will appreciate the quick walk to the Park entrance and NOC’s Great Outpost, and the more attractions-oriented folks will appreciate the pool and the walking access to the city’s main strip.

Final Word: If you’ve got a few kids, or you enjoy a really wide range of activity options, Gatlinburg’s the place for you. If somebody can’t find something fun to do here, you may want to go on vacation with someone else.

Nantahala Outdoor Center Adventures Arrive at The Grove Park Inn

Editor's Note: Below is the official press release announcing our project with The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. It's a bit formal for the NOC blog, but it does give a comprehensive overview of the alliance. The bottom line for Southeastern tourists: you can enjoy the culture, food and entertainment of Asheville alongside a full recreation itinerary on the rivers and streams of the Blue Ridge mountains.

Nantahala Outdoor Center and The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa unveiled plans today for a groundbreaking experiential retail and outdoor activity concept shop called NOC’s Basecamp Asheville, solidifying a strategic relationship between two classic Southern travel destinations. It will be the first LEED-certified retail project in downtown Asheville and one of the first nationally within a historic hotel.

Recognized as “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure and Good Morning America’s “#1 Vacation with a Splash,” NOC will not only provide an on-site activity concierge for hotel guests, but will also serve as Asheville’s definitive local resource for outdoor trip planning and provide expert advice for exploring the mountains. The shop’s retail offerings will include men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, footwear and accessories from leading outdoor brands such as Patagonia, The North Face and Keen.

“A legendary mountain escape meets authentic outdoor adventure, creating a unique vacation experience,” says J. Craig Madison, President & CEO of The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. “Our guests will enjoy the ultimate in accommodations and service coupled with a family-friendly outdoor experience, resulting in a premier mountain vacation.”

Grove Park Inn guests will be able to book guided outdoor adventures prior to arrival and on site via NOC’s Basecamp Asheville, located immediately off The Grove Park Inn’s Great Hall. Other elements of the alliance also include convenient buttons on all in-room telephones, multi-day adventure packages and numerous on-premise experiences such as workshops, clinics and outdoor activities. Off-site activities will include:

Guided rafting trips on seven Southeastern rivers
• Guided hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains• Guided fly-fishing and kayak fishing
• Ziplines and canopy tours
• Information on local hiking, biking and paddling
• Kayaking lessons and tours
• Mountain bike rentals
• “Do-it-yourself” fun


Sutton Bacon, NOC’s President & CEO, comments, “Asheville’s visitors seek relaxation and recreation in the mountains. Our new relationship unites the area’s experts in both, providing a balanced, surefire vacation option.” Bacon adds, “Sometimes planning a vacation in advance only adds stress to the daily tasks visitors are trying to escape. Now The Grove Park Inn’s guests can let our on-premise experts work out the logistics.”

In keeping with The Grove Park Inn’s sustainability efforts and NOC’s green culture, NOC’s Basecamp Asheville has applied for LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the leading and most comprehensive third-party designation for green building. Upon completion it will become downtown Asheville’s first LEED retail project and one of the nation’s first LEED renovations within a historic hotel.

NOC’s Basecamp Asheville is expected to celebrate its grand opening in early summer 2011. For more information, visit www.noc.com and www.groveparkinn.com.