spring update

The South is back in business after a long, brutal drought. The water table is healthy and 2009 is looking good. The Watauga is a great backyard class IV/V stretch near Johnson City. It runs consistently through the winter. Cooper Lambla took the picture below of me boofing the quintessential Watauga drop, Stateline Falls.

The Linville River drains the neighboring watershed. It is one of my all time favorites. I managed to bag several runs this season, including a high water day a few weeks ago. The photos above are from Linville, taken by Will Stubblefield.

Early winter was dry. I stayed in paddling shape by going to Big Rocks with a drysuit. Mike Patterson is the paddler, throwing down big loops on a cold day.