Doe, Laurel Fork

From Leland on Boatertalk:

Date: Mar 01 2004, 14:20 GMT

From: Leland

the laurel fork is class IV/V for the most part at sale levels - doe about 1000 at elizabethton.

the reasons it doesn't see a lot of traffic are:

lots of wood that the locals have cut, but not cut out. instead of clearing strainers, they cut a kayak wide path that is class V to get to with death if you miss.

darwin's hole - this is one of the most difficult rapids on the run - a walker for sure at high water, and you CANNOT walk. we went in too high one time and ended up lowering ourdelves and our boats down a 25 foot cliff onto a boil, and trying to get in there while dangling on the end of a rope. not reccomended. don't go too high!

the portage - the 65 foot falls is a bitch of a portage, especially if you take a wrong turn on the maze of trails up there. it has been run once in a ducky.

it is also almost impossible to hike out of the gorge if you have to - i would rather try to hike out of linville. bring your climbing shoes if you think hiking out might be an option.

there will be a lot more info on this and a ton of other runs in my book - coming this fall!

Leland