Last fall’s Tallulah River releases were the most popular ever, with as many as 400 boaters climbing down the 653 steps into one of the south’s premiere whitewater runs. With this increase in use, the need for volunteers, and the need for us to tread lightly increases. It also increases our chances of getting more releases in a few years. We would like to thank all of the stellar volunteers from last fall, all the respectful boaters, and the weather for being so spectacular.
The two spring releases are coming up fast, April 6th/7th, and 13th/14th. The Tallulah River Festival is being held April 6th. Due to the increased use last fall, and the fact that the Southeast is currently in a major drought, we expect another big year in Tallulah Gorge. With this increased use comes increased responsibility, here is what you can do to help:
1. Dont Trample the Trillium! Keep boats and bodies on the steps, bedrock, or water at all times. We are working on a solution to help the bottleneck at the base of the stairs. This is critical and could make or break releases in the gorge.
2. Don’t Litter! Last year some folks were a bit irresponsible with using the med kit down at Oceana. We have a waste container in there now, use it.
3. Don’t Burn Things That Are Not Yours! Cold nights, piles of pallets and scrap wood near the campground… tempting but don’t go there this year.
4. Use The Free Shuttles (respectfully)! We don’t require folks to use the shuttles that Georgia Power, NOC, and AW supply, but it really helps with parking problems if folks use them. At the take-out, be nice, and wait your turn.
5. Volunteer! We can’t do it without you. We need help managing parking, working at the registration tables, working with the AW staff, carrying the med-kit in (who are you Tallulah hero-past med-kit sherpa?), and doing some carpentry work on the base of the stairs the saturday before the first release. Email our Tallulah volunteer coordinator Zac Altheimer at zacnc32@aol.com if you are able to help. ALL VOLUNTEERS GET TO BOAT TOO!
6. Keep the beer low profile! If you are planning on drinking at any of the state regulated areas, please drink responsibly and discretely.
Thanks and We’ll see you at Tallulah.
Plug: Don’t forget, there would be no releases in Tallulah gorge if it were not for the hard work of the American Whitewater staff and volunteers!