Kayak Camping - Chattooga River pt 1
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- My buddy Kevin Ratliff and I head to the Crown Jewel of the Southeast - The Chattooga River. We set out for 3 days of kayak camping on this pristine, wild and scenic river. It is hard to say which part we liked the most. Perhaps it was the unspoiled beauty of the wilderness, the world class whitewater, or just spending a weekend with an old friend. From the gentle riffles of Section 2 through the dangerous drops, undercuts and sieves of section 4 to the grand finale at Five Falls, this river has it all! Come along for our journey as we explore the dark corners of the River of Legends.
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Easily my favorite of your videos. It was also the first one I saw. But I keep coming back. Great job on this one. I feel like you captured the river and inspired just the experience of it. At 40+, missing out on something I have the sneaking suspicion could've been a huge part of my life things played out differently, I definitely got hooked stumbling across this, and seeing what it's really all about. This is the goal, and all the skill building, play, everything, brings you here. Puts the backpacking trips I've had to shame. Anyway, big thumbs up on these two videos; the music, scenery, banter, narrative... dunno, you brought it all together here.
Thanks so much Mike!! My goal is to capture the essence of these trips. It is always encouraging when it connects with the viewer!! You are going to love kayak camping!! and at 40+, I suspect it will still be a big part of your journey!!
@@RiverKingsKayak Pete, 2 years later and I finally did this trip! Ok, I kind of did this trip, and by kind of I mean we did section 2 and 3, and walked around all class III, except the Narrows (which was epic! and resulted in an epic swim 😬). There were also some truly epic portages lol. River was as beautiful as I'd hoped. New found respect for just how skilled and experienced you guys are. I found it hard to believe most of the class III were just class III, and the way the gear in the boat pushed the boat around, I'm just in disbelief you guys did all that and section.4 with the boats like that, and did it in just two days. Probably helps to actually run the rapids lol Anyway, thanks for inspiring me to get into it, not on that level, but loved it and won't forget!
I’m blessed to have friends like your buddy
For sure!!
Nothing makes a great trip better than having an old friend in on it. The river and the scenery both look amazing cant wait for the rest of it.
You got that right DD! Thanks brother!
ya'll make this look so easy! Thanks for sharing your adventure! I can't wait to try white water sometime!!
Thanks Ledicious!
What a gorgeous river to kayak, once again, great entertainment .
Thanks Alex!
Excellent video! Thank you for sharing, my son and I will be doing these sections in April.
Right on JT!! It is beautiful in there!
Spectacular! This Georgia boy and his Cali friend hoping to have a similar great experience this Fall (2021) as did you and Kevin on the legendary Deliverance River. Thanks for a great video, and epic story.
Oh yeah!! It is a fantastic river!! Enjoy and let me know how it goes!
Brings back great memories, I have paddled section 3 a few times in a canoe and a few in kayak. This was back in the early 90's. Loved seeing this.
It is such a fabulous run! Thanks a ton Bill!
Great video. Beautiful wild river. I’ve hiked around the river some in the Oconee area (Foothills Trail). Thanks for sharing your trip.
Thanks Herman!
I love that other guys laugh haha. Great guy. Both y'all good guys
Thanks Joshua! We never stop laughing...Too much fun!
@@RiverKingsKayak haha. Dude I'm a big fan. We may meet on the river at some point.
Outstanding video, thank you for sharing
Thank you Robert!!
44:20 looks like death in the background lol.
Thank you for these videos.
he he!
I love living vicariously through your videos.
Thanks Timothy! We are very happy to have you along!
@@RiverKingsKayak Weeee...Weeee.😁
The greatest River Kings EVER....
Thanks Jon!!
Just another day in paradise.....thank you.
Thanks Dean!
good thing this went allot better for you guys than it did for those guys in the movie Deliverance
isn't that the truth! LOL
What a fantastic section of river and camping site. Doesn't get much better than that. Awesome video Pete! Keep 'em coming.
Thanks Charles! will do!
This is the run I’ve been waiting on. It’s a one of a kind experience and with a great friend...man, that’s living life to the fullest.
You got it Scott!! Was an awesome trip!
River Kings Can’t wait for the next one!
Love the whitewater community. Lucky to be part of it. Thank you for the video, this was chuuuurch for me hahah
Rightbon David!
Really enjoyed the video! Thank you
Thanks geech08!
Broooo! Beautiful river and great people! Dang that water is clear!
Thanks Justin!!! We need to hit the rivwr again soon! Been too long!
Absolutely awesome video 💯🤙
Thank you SAR!
Awesome video and river! I think this river will be my new goal.
Right on Matthew!! Thanks!
Looks like a fantastic trip. I think I'll add this one to my list for the near future. Great video!
It is definitely an awesome river!
Good stuff!!
Thanks Josh!
WOW that was nice and it’s got me looking forward to so River camping soon. Make me think how blessed we are 👍
Thanks PALS!
Love it! Whatced it twice already. Can't wait for the continuation. Good stuff!! 👍👍
Right on Bruce!! I love how pt 2 came out!
so awesome!
thanks patchmcq!
I really love this episode! I’m an upstate SC guy and you’re in my area. The Chattooga is gorgeous and wild. You guys do a great job and I hope you continue for a long time to come!
Thanks CCO!
Its both winter and bloody lockdown here in Aus! This is exactly what i need 🤣 bustin for a paddle! Love your vids mate, thank you.
Right on Mok! Thanks!
Amazingly awesome . Can't wait to see more .
Thanks Ted! be sure to tune into part 2...it gets good!
Great video, I have done that section twice, along time ago! I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks Brian, we loved it in there!
Man that is some clear water. Looks like a very cool adventure! Awesome video Pete! Looking forward to part 2!
Indeed Chris! Thanks brother!
Beautiful scenery!! Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks Lynelle!
This just might be the prettiest river & camp I've ever seen! Hopefully I can find one like it where I live in Alberta. But you sure set the bar high!
Thanks CSD! I know you guys have some awesome backcountry up you way!!
Man, it's hard to be a rivers kings fan way up north here in Canada, but hey, been here since the beginning, ain't stopping now. Beauty river there boys, good solid paddlers, fun to watch, kickin Ass Pete as always.
Thanks Dave!!
I'm just stoked someone is still paddling a Recon like mine. Same color and all. Kevin has good taste.
It is a Sharp looking boat! He loved it.
You make absolutely great videos. I really enjoy your narration.
Thanks a ton Steve!
I can't believe you did not pull out a fly reel was a nice spot hell any reel that first knight. My Katana would work pretty good on this river but let's check out part 2. Look like a nice easy day down the river.
thanks Lawrence! was just about perfect...shud of brought my flyrod
Now that looks like fun!
Indeed it is Smiley!
Really enjoyed this video! Sitting here waiting for part two to premier at 8. Great job guys! Love it 👍
Right on BB!
Awesome trip guys....you're in gods country right there
Thanks Neil!!
Looks so fun!!!
It is RTA!
Cool video!
thanks brodog!
Very peaceful to watch before my Kayak adventure tomorrow. Subscribed.
Right on LOTB! Welcome aboard! Enjoy your trip.
Would love to do something like this! Awesome as always, Pete!
Thanks Jeff! It was an amazing weekend!
Gorgeous run
Thanks SS!
looked like fun. The last Mountain House meal I had, I do mean last. Had me feeding the critters about 5 minutes after I ate it.
Uh - Oh!!
Boom! Those rapids were almost as big as the ones we had on our last trip 😂 nice place to see through someone elses video. 😆
There was several times where I had to channel my inner Yakkelberry! Your trip looked perfect!!
If u like your kayak camping and a little bit of flat but also some rapids u should look at a “wave sport ethos 9” I have one and would recommend as it has a back hatch but also rated a grade 3 White water
Thanks Oliver! I have seen those! They do look nice. I do actually own a Dagger Katana 10.4 which is the Dagger version of the Ethos type boat. I have a couple trips in mind that I want to do with it. I just haven't found the time yet! I almost took it on both the Chattooga and the Obed trips...but alas, the Flying Squirrel 95 is a fantastic boat as well!
Nice edit, great trip. I've done a few overnighters there and remember hearing Beavers slapping the water at night, so cool.
That first ledge you scouted is Dick's Creek Ledge named after the creek on river right.
Thanks for sharing!😊
Right on Michael!
Absolutely beautiful! I wonder if I could pull this off in a 16' long haul folder? 😁 If not I gotta buy another boat doggone it.
Thanks BiT!! I wouldn't advise taking a 16 footer down the Chattanooga...LOL! Life is short! buy that other boat!
@@RiverKingsKayak Right! I watched the second half of the trip. Yep... I'm definitely gonna need another boat.
This is a masterpiece! Great work with the video Pete, I’m so stoked for part 2. The chattooga needs a round 2 and I want to be on it (with a packraft! lol).
Thanks brother! Im down!
@@RiverKingsKayak Cheers to that! The campsite you guys had was one of the best I've ever seen.
Definitely jealous, I really want to paddle the Chattooga. I was hoping to run the Chattooga during the Week of Rivers, but doubt they have that this summer.
Thanks 1VAR! I just heard today that they cancelled...
Im nervous just planning my trip here!🤯
If you can stay upright and out of the undercuts, there is nothing to it!
Thats a good theory! Im thinking bull sluice will be my take out
Love all your stuff but this one made me break out the popcorn and milk duds. Better than the last 20 movies I’ve seen. Keep em coming brother!
Thanks Dobber H!
Just getting started watching these great videos. I've hiked many waterfalls down there in Oconee county and getting a taste now for kayaking and one day Section IV. Watching Bull's Sluice, hiking the Chatooga river trail, hanging out at Long Creek; I was wondering if you had run this and now I get to watch; Awesome! and having you guys rep the 336 so well. On to explore the Dan here once these monsoon rains stop.
Right on Mike! It was my first time down this one...Im not sure how I have been missing out on this one thus far...amazing river.
awesome video with some great shots!
Thanks AA!
Home river there... live 45 minutes from put in! Paddled it at least 500 times... love my Chatooga! Great video!
You ever do the Big South Fork Cumberland River? Heading that way next week to do some canoe camping with the dog...
Right on Dale!! I haven't been there yet, though that is def on the list!
My buddy recently did all the sections in 7 hours. Iy was crazy!
Right on! smoking through there!!
@@RiverKingsKayak hey what are the songs playing in the videos?
Can you do a video on different kinds of semi dry suits & full dry suits with prices and good dealers, so , we can get a jump on the colder months coming up please. Your videos are wonderful- thanks 😊
Good idea!
Ok this one time I was fly fishing on the Chattooga and I saw these 4 dudes come barreling down the river in canoes and I tried to warn them but they were too busy about this one guy not wearing his jacket; they ended up falling down a like 30 foot waterfall and I haven’t heard from them since!
What section of the Chattooga?
Near Tallulah Falls
@@RiverKingsKayak
What a gorgeous river to paddle! I loved that chute under the bent pine and Kevin's boof off the falls! What happened to your footage going over the falls? Absolutely love this adventure Pete!
Thanks Jeff! We love going under things in a boat...rocks, trees, tunnels...something about it!
Rock that FS95, what is Kevin in? Enjoyed the skills demo, awesome place.
Kevin is in a Wavesport Recon. Thanks AO!
Great video. Do you recall what the water flow was?
thank you! 2'
I think Kevin's question, what do you think about a fire was code for help me get some wood.
he he he! Nailed it! We made a chain, I went up in the woods on that hill and threw down the wood, he gathered it and brought it out to the beach...5 minutes and we were set for the night.
I have learned to screen shot the gps to help if i loose signal
Yes! I have most of the Appalachians stored offline in my phone gps. I didn't have all of this area in there and forgot to do that ahead of time. We got enough to make it work from when I was driving the shuttle...Good tip!
What about the section up around Whetstone Campground? I was invited to come up and camp sometime and run that section of river. Earls Ford which I think is section 3.
Not sure where whetstone is...Past earls ford...let me check on where that is exactly...
@@RiverKingsKayak Google maps has earls ford labeled section 3. Idk may be above my pay grade lol
@@12STONESADVENTURES earls Ford is the put in for section 3. You might want to limit that to an extra low flow or hold off at the moment...
@@RiverKingsKayak yeah I'm in no rush, and I don't know exactly when I'll get to it. It was just a family camping trip I had been encouraged to come up and do. It's all good. Thanks my friend👍
I'm kinda new to watching white water videos. Are these class 4 rapids or just 3? Particularly looking at the narrows section. Those ledges had to have been 4 or even 5? Thanks!
Those were all class 2 and 3 rapids...in pt 2 of this trip, the rapids escalate to class 4 and borderline 5.
@@RiverKingsKayak super fast reply!! Thanks! I'm looking forward to taking my SOT fishing kayak on a river stretch that has class 1 rapids, my first time! But the river just went ice out a week ago, and I don't have a dry suit, so it'll be June probably! Thanks again for replying!
Great vids! Do you know what the gauge height was for this? Or at least the day so I can look it up?
Just at 2'
@@RiverKingsKayak thanks!
That's on the Georgia South Carolina line. Any worry of gators?
No, not on that river.
@@RiverKingsKayak Great. Thanks for the info.
What rivers would you recommend for beginners in whitewater kayaking (in NC)
Class 1 rivers and move up slowly from there. I heavily recommend paddling with a mentor or kayaking club/group as well.
I’ve only heard you y’all hammock camping. After a trip like this where it would have been so easy to setup on that sand bar with a tent, do you even consider it or is it strictly hammocks for you?
I have slept in every sort of arrangement known. For me there is nothing better than a hammock. I just keep floating until we find some trees...In places like the Alaskan tundra, where there are no trees, I do use a tent for sure...
👍👍👍
Thanks C W!
Hey! I am new to your channel! Just subscribed. Loving your content!!! Crazy beautiful rivers you explore in your area! Got a question: any drop stitch inflatable kayak that could navigate down a river like that one? Thanks.
Welcome aboard!! Thanks! The pack rafts would do fantastic...I have used Alpacka brand pack rafts before...
ua-cam.com/video/fYxasTrieyU/v-deo.html
And how did those quilts do? Or do we wait for part 2 for that? 😂
They were fantastic. I slept like a baby all night as did Kevin. Not sure I would want to push too far below 50 degrees with them though...
Opposum creek campsite?
Im not sure...it was just a sandy spot on river left...
If this is the river where a girl fell 100 feet back in 1997, I’m that girl. I fell off a fall called Indian Falls. Still in a wheelchair but I shouldn’t be here at all!
Oh man!
I just took the same two meals on a backpacking trip this past weekend. They're okay, but did you find that they both taste the same (as do most Mountain House meals), and leave a lingering aftertaste?
LOL! The hungrier you are, the better they taste! LOL. I am not a super picky eater. For me food is just a necessity to continue the adventure. I do know where you are coming from though!
@@RiverKingsKayak Food is my weakness, and another hobby. I have reached the age in life where working out does not surpass the calories put in my body. :) instagram.com/navbutler/
How many Kevin's do you have in your quiver?
Just 2 that I know of...LOL
No Dagger Katana on this camping trip?
Section 4 is a little sporty...
Come on man!! 2100??
LOL! you can do it!
Two people actually disliked this video?
Lol. Your not living right if you don't have a thumbs down guy!