Little

Park Dispatch Office number (865) 436-1230 See BoaterTalk post:
http://www.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1659925 June 25, 2009 - If you didn't catch it, an
overturned kayak was found just outside of the Smokies on the MP of the Little Pigeon. It spurred
a search and rescue scenario that was serious enough for it to be reported to local TV stations.
Not sure of the outcome and I hope everyone is OK. But this did raise a very significant question.
Who do we notify when we a boat gets pinned or gets out of our control in the Smokies and darkness
or other circumstances force us to abandon it for any period of time? My friend Russell asked this
question and this was his post on a local paddling list serve. I asked the GSMNP folks what would
be the best way to report a lost boat.Here is their reply: Hello, If there is a report of an
accident or missing person, the park responds and/or conducts a search, but just finding an empty
kayak in the water would not necessarily result in a full-fledged search and rescue effort as the
town of Pittman Center launched during the recent incident. If one of your club members loses a
boat, but is otherwise okay, please call the park's Dispatch Office at (865) 436-1230 to let them
know that an empty boat may be found and it is not an emergency situation. This is a non-emergency
line which is staffed from 6:00 a.m. - midnight, but if a serious accident or other emergency has
occurred in the park, sometimes all available dispatchers have to concentrate on radio
communications among responding units and don't answer the line. If there is an accident with a
serious injury or a member of your party is known to be missing, please call 911. Best regards,C.
BloomGreat Smoky Mountains National Park

Hit the 'Y' this weekend with my buddy Jesse. There was a log obstructing the entry into the main rapid at the 'Y'. We paddled to the island it was on and moved it out of the way. The 'Y' rapid should now be clear for use until the next big rain :)

As of 2/3/08 there is a log across the main channel a couple of hundred yards or so above Mary's rock - easily seen with easy portage on river right - just something to be aware of.