"Happy Hour on the Hooch" Rafting & Kayaking Adventure

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"Happy Hour on the Hooch" Rafting & Kayaking Adventure

The Basics:

Event Type:

Whitewater

Event Location:

Chattahoochee River in NW Atlanta between I-285 and US-41

Date(s) & Time:

Wed, Jul 22 2009 5:45 pm >> N/A

Registration Opens:

Wed, Jul 15 2009 10:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Tue, Jul 21 2009 10:00 pm

Event Duration:

3 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Charlie Cottingham
Garret
Bobby Marie

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

35 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

This is primarily a "BYOB" event — so if you have one, please plan to Bring Your Own BOAT, and email us if you can! But if you don't have one we'll have free space for up to about 15 in a small fleet of inflatable rafts and kayaks. This will be a "rain-or-shine" float, and we intend not to cancel it unless the weather is really terrible.

Our first AOC "Happy Hour on the Hooch" on July 8 was a blast, with 22 of us shooting the river together in a flotilla of seven kayaks and five inflatables. The unanimous verdict was that we should offer the event again while there's still plenty of evening daylight and warmth — so by popular demand HERE'S AN ENCORE FLOAT! Thanks to my co-leaders, Garret Jarvis and Bobby Marie, who promise to be pitching in again on July 22 to help us make sure things go smoothly and safely. Bobby will again be overseeing the setup of a convenient post-float shuttle to get us and our gear quickly back upstream to our "put-in" parking lot as on July 8.

RIVER OVERVIEW: Late afternoon and evening in midsummer is the perfect time for a leisurely 2-hour trip down the popular section of the Chattahoochee between I-285 and US-41. Steep rocky "palisades" rise from the river on both sides and there's a wilderness aura much like being in the mountains. This is "where the action was" in the legendary "Ramblin' Raft Races" of the 1970s and 80s, and it's a perfect place to kick back and enjoy a few refreshments while running the easy rapids (Class I or less).

FREE INFLATABLE FLEET: I (Charlie) own a small fleet of inflatable rafts and kayaks in good condition, and plan to have them pumped up and ready at the Powers Island lot for those who can't bring their own watercraft — this worked out fine on July 8. Paddles, lifejackets, etc. will again be provided. There's space available again for about 15 non-boat-owners, and on this trip we'd like to give priority to AOCers who can't bring a boat and were not able to enjoy the inflatables (or free hard kayak space) with us on July 8.

DUE TO THE HIGH DEMAND and LARGE WAIT LIST FOR THIS EVENT we'd like to be able to expand our limit of paddlers. If it's convenient for you to bring your own kayak, canoe, or inflated raft — plus lifejacket(s) & paddle(s), please plan to do so, and EMAIL ME (Charlie) ABOUT IT by clicking on my name above, etc.  This will assure you of a spot on the trip even if you're initially wait-listed. Also please let me know if you can provide boat space and/or paddles/lifejackets for any OTHER paddlers and how many.

PADDLING PLAN: We'd like to meet promptly at 5:45 PM at the "Powers Island" parking lot of the Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area (CRNRA – see below). We'll first take care of introductions, waiver signing and boat assignments — then launch by about 6:05 PM from the wooden "dock" on the far side of the island. After paddling under the I-285 bridge, we'll pass "Ray's on the River" and the old Riverbend apartment complex. Our first Class I rapid will be on "river right" near Riverbend, then we'll bear left to shoot the thrilling Class-I "Devil's Race Course" rapid. After another Class-I at a big rightward bend in the river we'll make an obligatory stop on the beach across from the famous "Jumping Rock," with swimming and leaping into the cool deep water from the rock optional.  After a very shoaly section and a couple more Class-I rapids we'll pass under the I-75 bridge and take out on river right at the convenient "Paces Mill" CRNRA concrete ramp, about a quarter-mile upstream of the US-41 bridge (target take-out time ~8:20).

EARLY SHUTTLE SET-UP: At 5:00 PM some of us will meet early at the Powers Island "put-in" lot to set up our post-float shuttle. After unloading our gear we'll drive four or five of our larger vehicles (plus Bobby's big steel boat trailer) to the Paces Mill take-out lot – just a 10-minute drive – while someone stays at Powers Island to watch all our stuff. At least one driver will then return those drivers to Powers Island.   After the float this facilitates returning all our paddlers, boats and gear to Powers Island. If it's convenient for you to participate in this early shuttle set-up you're encouraged to do so – please contact me (Charlie) if you can.

Required Items to Bring:
• Wear your Swimsuit, old Athletic Shoes or tight-fitting Sandals, and if you like, a short-sleeve synthetic-fabric T-Shirt. Sunglasses aren't really necessary this late in the day, but if you wear prescription glasses, be sure to attach them to a "Croakie" strap. If showers are forecast consider bringing a lightweight Raincoat or poncho and perhaps a visored Cap.

• If you own a Lifejacket, please bring it. The trip leader will make an effort to have enough (U.S. Coast Guard approved) jackets and throwables for us to be legal and safe. Also if you own a Paddle, please bring it, although the trip leader expects to have enough on hand for those of you in the inflatables.

• Consider bringing a dry T-Shirt and pair of Shorts to change into at the US-41 takeout (plus perhaps a hand towel), stashed in a gallon Ziploc bag or other waterproof bag. A small light-weight nylon "Draw-string Daypack" (or other small drawstring bag) is a handy item for stashing your Ziploc(s) inside and then tying to the inside of your boat. Things that aren't water-protected and secured are likely to get soggy or washed overboard!

• Consider bringing a very small soft-sided Cooler with a couple of small beverages and perhaps a couple of pre-frozen plastic pints of water to keep things cold. A half-gallon plastic picnic jug is also a good option. If you bring any alcoholic beverages, they ideally should be pre-poured into a permanent-style plastic container or picnic jug. GLASS is A STRICT NO-NO on the River (carrying potentially a stiff fine) and cans should also be avoided. A few snacks, pieces of fruit, etc. in your small cooler or Ziploc might also be appropriate.

• If you're parking in either of the CRNRA lots, be prepared to pay the $3 cash Parking Fee in a self-service envelope.

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

How to Get There:

Event Directions:


		We’ll meet at 5:45 PM Sharp in the Chattahoochee River NRA “Powers Island – Interstate Parkway” parking lot in north metro Atlanta, adjoining the access road just NE of the I-285 bridge over the river. (The parking lot's "GOOGLE.COM/MAPS address is "RIVEREDGE LANE, ATLANTA, GA 30328.") This lot is directly across the river from the main Cochran Shoals parking area which is the WRONG PLACE (popular among joggers & dog walkers). Following are directions from I-285 on Atlanta’s north side: IF DRIVING EASTWARD ON I-285 FROM THE I-75 INTERCHANGE in NW ATLANTA: 1) Get off I-285 at Exit #22, “Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.” 2) Continue straight ahead for about 0.2 mile to the light at New Northside Drive. 3) Turn left onto New Northside Drive and go about 0.5 mile to the second traffic light (crossing the I-285 bridge). 4) Continue straight ahead (about 0.7 mile) on Interstate North Parkway. 5) Turn right into the CRNRA parking lot just before you cross the river. A small street sign here reads "1650 Riveredge Parkway" (although the address is actually Riveredge Lane.) IF DRIVING WESTWARD ON I-285 FROM SANDY SPRINGS, SPAGHETTI JCN, etc: 1) Get off I-285 at Exit #22 “New Northside Drive/ Powers Ferry Rd.” 2) Turn right onto New Northside Drive and go about 0.2 mile to the next light. 4) Continue straight ahead (about 0.7 mile) on Interstate North Parkway. 5) Turn right into the CRNRA parking lot just before you cross the river. A small street sign here reads "1650 Riveredge Parkway" (although the address is actually Riveredge Lane.)

Notes:

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

Cost Includes:

No Charge – Free event!

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

If you're confirmed for this event and determine that you can't participate, please remove yourself from our roster ASAP by clicking on "Delete your Registration" at the bottom of this event article. This will make room for someone from our large wait list.