Middle Ocoee River Whitewater Rafting - Sun, Jul 27 2014

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



Middle Ocoee River Whitewater Rafting


The Basics:
Event Type:Whitewater
Event Location: US-64, 2.5 miles west of Ducktown, TN   Whitewater: Middle Ocoee River Whitewater Rafting  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Jul 27 2014  1:00 pm >> Sun, Jul 27 2014 6:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 10:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, Jul 10 2014 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Jul 16 2014 10:00 pm
Event Duration:About 8 hours including drive time up & back from metro Atlanta
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$39.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:10
Number Registered So Far: 20 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Join us for an exciting day of world-class whitewater rafting on Tennessee's amazing Ocoee River, less than a 2-hour drive from metro Atlanta!

Ocoee rafting trips are among  the most popular whitewater adventures in the nation. This trip on the middle section of the Ocoee River has it all.  Five miles of continuous Class III and IV rapids, large waves, spectacular scenery and endless fun!  The river flows through a deep gorge in the beautiful Cherokee National Forest in southeast Tennessee.  No experience is necessary for this unforgettable adventure.  Each raft is accompanied by a trained, experienced and fun guide from the Ocoee Adventure Center.

Be prepared to get wet!

***PLEASE NOTE*** Whitewater can be hazardous and physically demanding. There is a very strong possibility that you will end up in the water at some point. It is absolutely necessary that you be able to swim and are comfortable being in swift water. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask your trip leader(s).

OPTIONAL STOP at OCOEE "1996 OLYMPICS" WHITEWATER CENTER:   After driving or carpooling up to the Ocoee Adventure Center outpost (or en route back home) we may have time to stop for at least a few minutes and enjoy the amazing "Ocoee Whitewater Center."  It's on US-64 just 4 miles west of the outpost and was built to host the 1996 Olympics whitewater events - has excellent views of the river, lovely riverside trails, and fascinating displays and information.  Click on this link if you're interested: http://www.ocoeeadventurecenter.com/more-activities/ocoee-whitewater-center/


Required Items to Bring:

- Swimsuit plus fast-drying T-shirt or Golf shirt that can get wet (NO COTTON, please!)
- Water shoes that won't come off (Tightly laced old sneakers are OK, but no flip flops or crocs!)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

- Water/snacks
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Dry Clothes to change into after post-trip shower
- Croakie (for sunglasses)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

DIRECTIONS to OCOEE ADVENTURE CENTER from NW METRO
ATLANTA:   GPS Users may wish to input these Lat/Lon coordinates as your destination to augment the written text below:  35.03572, -84.42394

1. Initially take I-75 North from metro Atlanta to the Marietta vicinity.  If you'd like to join us for the optional carpool stay on I-75 all the way to Exit #271 (about 9 mi N of the I-75/I-285 Interchange) following the Carpool directions below.  If you're driving on your own take I-75 Exit #268 directly onto I-575 North (toward Blue Ridge, GA).

2. Continue northward on I-575 and it will change to GA-515 but it is the same highway. You will bypass the small towns of Jasper, Ellijay, and Cherry Log - and reach the vicinity of Blue Ridge, GA which is about 75 miles north of Marietta.

3. In Blue Ridge just before the big McDonald's Restaurant on your left turn Left at the traffic light onto GA-5.  Stay on this highway about 10 miles and pass through McCaysville. As you cross the river bridge (this is the Ocoee!), you will cross into Tennessee and the town of Copperhill (adjoining McCaysville).

4. Just after crossing the McCaysville/Copperhill bridge turn Left at the stop sign onto TN-68 and follow it about 3.3 miles (passing the historic copper-smelting factory).  The road will open to 4 lanes. Look for the US-64 sign to the Ocoee River on your right.

5. Bear Right onto the US-64 exit ramp and turn Left onto big 4-lane US-64 West. You will see a Piggly Wiggly grocery store and a couple of motels. This is Ducktown, TN.  Continue on US-64 West for only 2-1/2 miles and look for the "Ocoee Adventure Center" outpost on your right in the log cabin.

Note: You can also reach our outpost from metro Atlanta via I-75 and Hwy 411. This is an excellent route to the Ocoee area, BUT it will take you to the west side of the Ocoee gorge, and you will then have to drive eastward through the gorge to reach our shop. We recommend that you use I-575 via Blue Ridge and Ducktown for the fastest route.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):174Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 10:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $69.60 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$39.00/Person
Cost Includes:

- Middle Ocoee River guided rafting trip including Paddle, Helmet & PFD (life jacket)

- Shuttle from Outpost to/from River

- Shower at Outpost after rafting.

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Wed, Jul 16 2014.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

If you cancel on or before July 16th, your full payment is refundable less a $5 AOC administrative fee. No refund can be given for cancellations after July 16 unless someone from the waitlist replaces you and pays in full. In that case, you are eligible for a full refund less a $5 administrative fee. The more notice you give, the better chance you will have in receiving a refund.