Expedition Log

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The New RIver Gorge, a place near and dear to my heart and where this passion of river running began.  Recognized as the second oldest river in the world and nestled in the heart of the Appalachians, the New River Gorge is the United States newest National Park.

The New River has many different sections that can be floated for leisure and fishing.  For the purpose of simplicity, I have decided on focusing on the two sections typically floated commercially.  After the Cunard Access was built in the mid-nineties, the section of river that connected Stonecliff to Cunard became known as the middle New.  The section from Cunard to Fayette Station is referred to as the Lower New or "the gorge".  

The Middle New is a family friendly float suitable for the younger kids and the park visitor that wants that quiet, lazy trip down the river.  The middle features mostly class II-III whitewater with Surprise Rapid waiting at the end.  Surprise is a class IV wave/hole with class II consequences depending on the water level.

The Lower New or the "gorge" in my opinion is some of the best year-round boating in the United States.  Spring through early summer the New River can get huge, offering flows over 25K CFS.  With monster waves, exploding hydraulics and holes than can eat busses, this seven-mile stretch of white water will keep even the best boater on their toes.  Later in the season as the river drops, the gorge gets much slower and the technical aspect comes into play.  With rapids like Hipkick, Dudleys Dip, Double Z and Greyhound Bus Stopper, no matter the level, the New River is sure to keep the adrenaline pumping.   

 If you are interested in rafting the New River please contact Cantrell Ultimate Rafting in Fayetteville, WV at 304-877-8235.  When you book your trip request me!       

The Gauley River, or "the Beast of the East, is characterized by heavy rapids that require tight, technical maneuvering. Its 24 miles long, but it’s typically split into two sections: the Upper Gauley and the Lower Gauley.

The Upper Gauley is world class whitewater, offering up 5 big class five rapids.  Insignificant, Pillow Rock, Iron RIng, Lost Paddle and Sweets Falls plus over 50 more rapids classed III-IV.

The Lower Gauley, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful stretches of river that is commercially run.  Shadowed by its big brother just upstream, the Lower G packs a punch of its own.  It features a list of big technical rapids like Koontz Flume, Upper and Lower Mash, Heaven Help You, and the final challenge of the day, Pure Screaming Hell.

Gauley Season brings the year’s best whitewater.  It draws paddlers from across the globe every year in September and October. Over the course of six weeks, water is released from Summersville Lake, making for wild, powerful, BIG rapids that bring thrills you just can’t get anywhere else in the east.  If you are interested in rafting the Gauley please contact Cantrell Ultimate Rafting in Fayetteville, WV at 304-877-8235.  When you book your trip request me!

The Pigeon River or known to us Appalachian boaters as "the Dirty Bird" forms in Western NC and flows through both Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests.  Its history deeply marked in the timber and paper industries, the river once faced significant environmental problems.  Efforts to restore water quality and revive fish populations began in the 1980's and by the 1990's outdoor tourism in the area was taking hold.  

Today, like many rivers, the Pigeon offers two sections for commercial rafting.  The Upper Section is solid class III with maybe a IV thrown in there at certain levels.  The run is approximately 7 miles and can be easily run three or four times a day, so as a raft guide this river can be a really good money maker.

The Lower Pigeon is for the little kids.  A beautiful stretch of river, but very shallow in spots.  This is a lazy class II float with great fishing.  Both sections have very easy shuttles if you are boating it privately, or there are plenty of commercial companies that work out of Hartford, TN.  Because of its close proximity to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, the Pigeon gets very busy during the summer so plan accordingly.   If you are looking for a commercial outfitter, I recommend calling River Rat Rafting Company and ask for LJ and tell him Zeb sent you.

The French Broad River is one of the oldest rivers in the world.  The headwaters begin around Rosman, NC flowing through Asheville and continuing into TN where it eventually joins the Mississippi River system.  Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and flowing through Pisgah National Forest, it offers class II-IV rapids for both beginner and adventure seekers alike.  Like many other rivers, there are a number of sections that can be floated but typically Stackhouse to Hot Springs is the most popular.  The are a number of commercial outfitters that run the French Broad, but I am not familiar with, nor recommend any of them specifically.       

 The Ocoee River, located in southeastern Tennessee, is known for its exciting whitewater.  It meanders through Cherokee National Forest and consists of two main sections for rafting: the Upper Ocoee and the Middle Ocoee.

Upper Ocoee This section is renowned for its challenging class III and IV rapids.  It was the site off the 1996 Olympic Games whitewater events.  It is the home to rapids like Godzilla and Humongous, providing an action packed ride.

Middle Ocoee  Known for its continuous class III whitewater this section is perfect for recreational boating.  It has become very popular because of consistent water flow with releases from the Ocoee Dam.  It features rapids like Grumpy's and Table Saw.  Shuttle is very easy with the road running along side of the river.    

The Chattooga River is located on the border of northeast GA and the beak of SC and offers floats for every class of boater.  Designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, it's renowned for its beauty and pristine, untouched wilderness.  The movie Deliverance was filmed there in 1972.  Like most of the Appalachian rivers, the Chattooga is broken up into two different sections that are run typically.

Section III is the family friendly upper section of river.  It is ideal for beginners and offers a scenic float through beautiful pristine wilderness. 

Section IV is known for its technical class IV and V drops.  Rapids like Bull Sluice, and the legendary Five Falls makes this a well known run for avid boaters.  There are several commercial outfitters that offer rafting trips typically late spring through fall.   

The Snake River is a 1078-mile major tributary of the Columbia River.  Its headwaters originate in the mountains of the Continental Divide, near Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.  Flowing through Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and finally Washington before joining the Columbia River near Pasco, Washington.  The Snake River has a rich ecological, historical and economic importance both past and future and is vital lifeline for business and families across the northwest.  Like most other rivers, the Snake has a vast number of sections that can be both fished and rafted.  My very first whitewater experience was on the Snake River when I was fourteen.  My dad took me rafting while on a family cross country trip.  We commercially rafted the Alpine Canyon section located just outside Jackson Hole, WY.  I cherished that river trip but had no clue the impact the river would have on my life later on down the road.  As I expand my river experience this summer in Idaho, I will update this section as I get the opportunity to boat the Snake River.   

The Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is one of the most renowned multiday river trips in the World.  So important in my journey that it gets its own recognition.  Starting approximately 15 miles downstream of the Glen Canyon Dam and meandering roughly 280 miles to Pierce Ferry, AZ, the mighty Colorado carves its way through deep canyons and rock layers millions of years old.  It features big rapids like Hance, Granite, Bed Rock, Crystal and Lava Falls and many other rapids along this 280 mile stretch.  Not only do you experience some of the finest white water in the United States, but the hiking from the river through the Grand Canyon is a must.  From petroglyphs, ancient bridges and native granaries, the canyon is packed full of cultural and historical treasures.

I have run this trip three times now.  Each being unique in its own way.  My first expedition down the "ditch" came in 2010 launching in the middle of December.  I was young, a virgin on the oars and new to multiday trips.  I learned many, many lessons on this trip, but swore when I got off that river I would never look back.  However, after about ten years that feeling faded away and I began searching for my next trip.  By February 2024 I had scored another trip with an April launch, so preparation and planning were done very quickly.  This particular trip was special.  We had a wonderful group, great weather and an almost perfect trip.  My third trip came right on the heels of my second trip.  I was able to join a group with a March 2025 launch and was able to enjoy this trip with my youngest daughter Poppy.   She has followed in my footsteps and become a river guide, currently guiding on the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia.  This trip, just like the other two was packed full of irreplaceable memories and experiences. 

 The Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and these journeys have molded me into the boater that I am today, and I cherish every second I have spent there.  Whether you apply and win a private permit, join someone else's permit or use a commercial outfitter, this is a trip of a lifetime that you can run annually if you are lucky enough.  Perfect time of year for this trip in my opinion is either March through the end of April or mid October through mid December.        

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Clear Creek is located about an hour west of Denver, just up I-70 flowing through the small town of Idaho Springs, CO and is likely one of the most accessible white water runs in Colorado.  Starting high up at the Continental Divide, and formed primarily by snow melt, Clear Creek is cold, steep and fast.  Commercially, there are three main sections that are run, however, there are other stretches that are runnable depending on flows.  The majority of this body of water has road running either right beside it or really close by, however, accessing it sometimes can be tricky as traffic consistently backs up on I-70.

The Beginner Section  

As a beginner rafter there is likely no novice stretch of white water in the US as exciting as Clear Creek.  Starting just outside of town this 6 mile stretch meanders through town while navigating a handful of class III rapids.  Early in the season, at higher flows, the beginner section is a fun, roller coaster of exciting waves.

The Intermediate Section

This 5 or 6 mile stretch features a steady dose of class III-IV white water, with rapids named Nomad, Fall River, Pheonix, Deliverance and Outer Limits.  Dropping around 75 ft per mile, active paddling is a must to navigate this cold, steep, narrow section.

The Advanced Canyon

If you are looking for the ultimate adventure without having to give up days of time, this is the section for you.  Clear Creek Canyon drops over 100 ft per mile over the 5 mile journey and is for the experienced paddler only.  The canyon offers up class IV-V rapids like Beaver Falls, Tricky Dick, Double Knife, Hells Corner, Terminator and Corkscrew and finishes up down canyon just outside of Golden.  A swim on this stretch can be fatal so being a strong swimmer and in good physical condition is a must.  

If you are ever visiting Denver, or seeing a concert a Red Rocks between May and July I definitely recommend a run on Clear Creek.  If you are looking for an outfitter please contact Capt Ron at Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting and tell him Zeb sent you. 

 Call 303-900-4802    

Pacuare

The Naranjo River borders the Manuel Antonio National Park. It is primarily a Class III-IV river with a more advanced section called "El Choro".  A good time of year for this river is from May-early December.

The Naranjo River drops steeply from the coastal mountain range above Quepos through a beautiful jungle gorge, and finishes with a wild ride to sea level, passing nearby farmlands and palm plantations.  This 7-mile stretch features big waves, hydraulics and stunning scenery. 

 The “Chorro” section of the Naranjo River has Class IV and V rapids, for those of you looking for a more intense rafting experience. This is some of the most challenging rapids available in Costa Rica.

Exploding waves, steep drops, tight rock walls, and technical lines will get your adrenaline pumping.  While here you will be rafting through narrow canyons surrounded by huge boulders, and cascading waterfalls while taking in the breathtaking rainforest scenery.  This trip is recommended for individuals in strong physical condition!  You can find outfitters from Jaco down to Manuel Antonio.