Meryl, Elizabeth, JBob, Dale and Barry Sipple...Just wanted to throw out a big thanks to my patient guides, leading me down the Ocoee for my first time last week. Started at Slice and Dice/Second Helping, flipping in the wave, getting used to the water.
We bombed down from there, taking our time as I followed Meryl's line down most of the big rapids...What a fun run! Huge waves at Double Trouble, boofs, the horizon line at Tablesaw...good times. Lots of combat rolls, 1 swim...a good first day.

Second day Dale and Barry joined the crew, and they led me down from top to bottom...the scary ferry above Grumpy's all the way to river left, sneaking the big stuff...another sneak around Broken Nose, a fun chute on the left side...eddy hopping and no scouting on this run, we cruised it and the lines felt natural.
A few more flips, and another swim...in the same place, the runnout rapids above the Shoals and Tablesaw. Got to practice some aggressive swimming through a big wave train, using some of the new skills from the SWR class last weekend.

Its funny how a new river can get on your head. This is not a hard run, but definitly a step up from the Pigeon and a few steps up from the Nanty. There are places you don't want to be, a good guide is a necessity...Tablesaw was the most intimidating rapid IMO, but like most of the rapids pretty straightforward. The only hazards on the Ocoee are the rafts...more rubber than a hookers convention in Vegas.

For anyone wanting to step it up from the staple class III runs, I couldnt think of a better training ground than the Ocoee...felt a bit like the Nolichucky Gorge at low water, but not as technical and the water is a bit pushier. A few more laps in August, and then its on to the Lower Gauley...

Excellent trip report Brandon! Congratulations!!! You have motivated me to return to the Ocoee soon!

AWESOME BUDDY the Ocoee is a great river indeed