Tallulah Season is finally here and here are some important announcments to make this season a success for everyone:
1. IMPORTANT BEER ISSUES
Last year’s releases saw an unprecedented amount of beer consumption in the parking lot, despite AW’s best effort to pass out plastic cups and pick up trash. DNR noticed, and if things don’t change, this will be the last season to drink beer anywhere at the Tallulah. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Tallulah Gorge State Park, yet over the years, the rangers have given us a considerable amount of leniency and we have taken advantage of them.
Not only will this eliminate our ability to drink beer, it is one of the few issues the park has against supporting extra release days. So if we want more releases, please follow these simple rules:
If you are going to drink beer at the Tallulah, and especially after your run in the boater parking lot, PLEASE USE A PLASTIC CUP and hang out near your car and not out in the open in front of hikers and tourists! And if you are going to use a plastic cup, there’s no better plastic cup than the official AW TALLULAH PLASTIC CUP, FREE to all new and renewing members, $1 for everybody else. Come on, it’s only a dollar! All of the proceeds go to AW and DNR loves the idea! Swing by the AW tent to pick yours up, or we’ll find you!
And please, after your run, head to boater camping before you begin drinking and DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. There’s always a sting heading toward Clayton– You will be caught!
2. SHUTTLES
Over the last few years, NOC has graciously donated FREE shuttle services for us and at a financial loss to them. In these changing economic times, they simply can’t afford to do shuttles for free any more, yet their generosity continues — NOC will be providing shuttles for us AT COST — and since we can’t run Tallulah without them, DNR will be collecting $5 per car at the gate, instead of $2, and the extra $3 will go to help pay for shuttles. That way, NOC will break even and we will have efficient shuttles starting at 11:00 am and running until 5:00 pm. THANK YOU, NOC!
And EXTRA-SPECIAL THANKS TO WILDWATER! Since NOC has a conflict with GAF this year, Wildwater has stepped up to the plate to help all of us. They will be running shuttles the first weekend, and we all need to be incredibly appreciative of Wildwater, because without them, the first weekend of releases wouldn’t happen! Way to go!
3. RELEASE TIMES AND WATER LEVELS
Releases begin at 9:30 am when the water in the Gorge is stabilized. Occasionally the water is stabilized before 9:30, and Boater Registration will open at 9:00 in case. As always, please cross under the highway to reach registration, and remember that boaters are prohibited in the Gorge before 9:00 or before the registration area is open.
Boater Registration will close at 3:00 pm, at which time a sweep team will enter the Gorge. Please stay ahead of the sweep team and note that the water will shut off at the dam at 4:00. Shuttles will end at 5:00.
4. ON THE STAIRS AND RIVER
Please stay on the stairs. They are built to protect an endangered species of Trillium, and every year, Trillium is destroyed by paddlers who leave the stairs for whatever reason. The protection of the Trillium is absolutely essential in maintaining the current release schedule, and if the Trillium at the bottom right of the stairs continues to be trampled, we could easily return to the permit system. There is a boat rack at the back of the platform and there will be a volunteer stationed on the platform to direct traffic. Again, DO NOT LEAVE THE STAIRS ON THE RIGHT FOR ANY REASON. Don’t go to the bathroom there. Don’t put your boat there. Don’t put in there. Sorry to be a task-master but this is important.
There is a med kit with inflatable backboard on river left at Oceana. For injuries at Oceana, the best access is back up the stairs. For life-threatening emergencies at Oceana, please send a runner to the volunteer at the launch platform who will have a radio, and DNR can respond with the proper response team.
The only other access in the Tallulah Gorge is at Bridal Veil on river right, where a trail acends to Highway 441. Once at the top, the boater parking area is 1/4 mile down to the right.
Access for evacuation at the bottom of the Gorge is unreliable. There is an inclined car at the powerhouse. If you are in need of evacuation before the lake, please send word ahead and DNR and Georgia Power can arrange for evacuation at the powerhouse. There may or may not be a person there on duty, so send word ahead.
5. BOATER CAMPING
The boater camping lot is found on the the right toward the Interpretive Center. The fee is $4 per night, and you can purchase your pass in the morning when you come in. Be sure to pay before you go to bed, otherwise, the rangers will wake you up at 6:30 am to collect your $4! And none of us want that to happen!
6. INFLATABLE POLICY
If you are planning to paddle an inflatable at the Tallulah this season, please read the Tallulah Gorge Inflatable Policy (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/722/) before your trip.
7. “THE THING” AT THE TALLULAH — GRASSROOTS BBQ AND FILM FEST!
Yes, we’re going to do it again. The Tallulah party (http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/988/), now affectionately named “The Thing,” will take place on November 15 at boater camping. Free to all AW members, $5 for guests of AW members. Oceana video projected on a big screen, along with videos from amateur filmmakers from across the country. Awards will be given. Carnage is encouraged. Beverages will dispensed (only in Tallulah cups).
To submit your videos or carnage clips, e-mail sutton@suttonbacon.com.
8. VOLUNTEERS, WE STILL NEED THEM!
Volunteers make the Tallulah possible, and we still need volunteers to help staff boater registration, parking, and help monitor the launch platform and swinging bridge (in the heart of the Gorge, no doubt). If you are interested, please e-mail sutton@suttonbacon.com and check out this article for more details: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/977/
9. AND FINALLY…THE AW TALLULAH MEMBERSHIP EXTRAVAGANZA!
There’s no better time to renew your membership than at the Tallulah, where AW restored flows in the “Niagara of the South” after 75+ years of dewatering. We received 63 memberships in one weekend last year, compared to 99 at the entire Gauley Fest this year, and I think we can do better at the Tallulah. To help, we’re giving away everything but the kitchen sink. New and renewing members receive a TALLULAH 2003 DVD for $5 (compared to $15 for members/$35 for non), a free TALLULAH CUP, a FREE Tallulah poster (while supplies last), free admission, food, and beverages at the THING, plus 50% off of all photos from Downstream Photography, who will be photographing at Oceana! For more details, go here: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/983/
Thanks, everyone, and see you on the river and under the AW tent at the Tallulah!