Cartecay

We ran this section on 9/19/04 right after Hurricane Ivan dumped, at a level between 3.5 and 4 feet on the gauge. At this level the three named rapids (S-turn, Whirlpool and Blackberry) run together and become an Ocoee-like maelstrom, with huge haystacks, keeper holes, and very few easy eddies. Scouting gets difficult. Playing is only practical in the realm of the very experienced and terminally insane. The top of S-turn develops a foot-wide tubular curler. Whirlpool ramps up to something approaching a class 4 level of difficulty, with 2 giant haystacks and a nasty bottom hole. The ledge at Blackberry is underwater and some interesting alternate lines open up on the left side. The convergence of the right and left channels produces a monster exploding wave, best hit smack in the middle of the vee.

Ya can't walk out of the river until you are below Blackberry without trespassing on private property. Stay away when it's this high unless you are sufficiently experienced and confident. It's BIG.

Use caution! Have a blast! Keep it safe

-- STEVE