The Mighty 13

by Jerry Drake

Rafting Appalachia's mightiest rivers, their froth blowing in your face as you plunge over thunderous bellows, is an experience that overwhelms your senses in the presence of such awesome power.

In your ears you hear the sound like locomotives from tons of water crashing into rocks and holes. Every encounter with boiling cauldrons of water and turbulent flows through narrow channels, plunges your stomach in funky spasms. Just ask kayakers, rafters, and canoeists who race off to the 13 best whitewater rivers that flow within a few hours drive of about half of America's population.

"Amid the raw power of a whitewater river, you become overwhelmed," said David Brown, director of the Eastern Professional River Outfitters Association. "You sense that the river is a greater power."

Because whitewater comes in six categories of difficulty, you can choose the level of thrills you want to experience. Not all whitewater will jolt your sensibilities, but will treat you with compassion.

Rivers that are popular with families include the Nantahala, Hiwassee, French Broad, Cum&SHY;berland, and Pigeon. For heightened adventures with continuous wave action that puts you into Class III-IV categories, the Ocoee, Nolichucky, Chatooga, a, Wilson Creek, and Lower Gauley are just the ticket to thrills.

But, for those experienced and fearless individuals who want to reach the highest level of whitewater ecstasy, there's the rugged, jolting, high-powered thrillers of the Upper Gauley, Section III of the Chattooga, and the "beast with the mostest," the Russell Fork.

Anyone of these whitewater rivers is accessible and safe to challenge. Modern equipment, especially super-safe rubber rafts and kayaks, has made whitewater a sport to be enjoyed by most anyone who loves the water. The 13 rivers are easy to get onto as well as they are served by professional outfitters who make their living by knowing how to safely navigate the rivers and choose the level of difficulty sought by their customers.

It is to these rafting companies that most whitewater enthusiasts are thronging to taste the thrills of riding the rapids. On any given day from spring to fall, but especially on weekends, Appalachia's best whitewater becomes the playground for the expert and novice. Hitching a ride with a commercial outfitter is the easiest way to go, since they have the right boats, flotation devices, helmets, paddles and even wet suits for cold days and cold water.

What can you expect on the great whitewater rivers? Below is a brief summary of each river and their rating. So strap on your helmet and flotation device, grab your paddle and take a ride on the mighty 13.

Cumberland - A portion of the Cumberland River which flows through Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area offers calm waters for the whitewater beginners and challenge rapids for the expert. Peak times for river use are in the spring and late fall.

Chattooga - This river flows through an area rich in settler and Indian history and outstanding scenic features. Section III is great for beginners as it offers many Class II-III rapids. Section IV is a different story. In a one-quarter-mile gorge, the river drops more than 75 feet to create spectacular Class IV-V rapids. The famous movie "Deliverance" was shot on portions of the Chatooga.

French Broad - The largest river in the South offers big-water thrills after spring rains and more relaxed challenges on summer and fall trips. It provides a scenic and historic panorama through the Bald Mountains of Pigsah National Forest. The river is considered one of the favorites for tubing because of its scenic beauty.

Gauley - Long, roller-coaster style rapids are characteristic of this scenic river. There are 70 major rapids with tough Class III-V+ waves in a 28-mile run. The Upper Gauley is demanding technically as it has huge single drops and numerous boulders. The Lower Gauley is suitable for younger children and families. The river reaches its height of whitewater during the fall releases from the Summerville Dam.

Hiwassee - Steamboats plied the deeper waters of this great river at the turn of the century. Today, it is recognized as one of America's most naturally beautiful waterways. It is favorable for family tubing.

Nantahala - Nestled deep in the Nantahala National Forest, the Nantahala Gorge is one of the most picturesque areas of North Carolina. High in the mountains, the waters are collected and stored in Nantahala Lake. It is the river of choice for family rafting. The rafting trip takes three hours and contains numerous Class I-II rapids, with a Class III at the end.

New River - One of the oldest rivers in the world, the New River flows through the Appalachian Plateau in West Virginia. The free-flowing river falls 750 feet in 50 miles. Rafters travel underneath the world's longest single steel arch bridge. It rises 876 feet above the river and has a length of 3,030 feet. There are 19 major Class III-IV rapids in a 15-mile run.Pigeon - This challenging river winds between the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Pigsah National Forest. In a five-mile run, the river offers 12 Class III and two Class IV rapids.

Russell Fork - This river is not for the faint-of-heart. It is a demanding Class IV-VI river with perilous undercuts and powerful hydraulics created by the fall in a gradient of 180 feet in less than five miles. Run during the fall releases from the John Flannagan Dam, the Russell Fork slices its way through the breath-taking Great Breaks Gorge, which drops precipitously 1,600 feet. It is the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River.

Watauga - Noted for its clear water, this river was the ancient roadway for Cherokee Indians, fur traders, and settlers. It offers excellent family rafting with Class I-III rapids. Raft guides recognize the Watauga as one of the most exciting rivers in the East during the fall when rapids reach Class IV-V in intensity.

Wilson Creek - A crystal-clear rivulet, Wilson Creek creates fantastic whitewater thrills from continuous wave actions of Class III-V rapids. Most runs are done in "ducks," or rubberized kayaks, because of the narrow channels. Thundering down the side of Grandfather Mountain near Boone, North Carolina, the river is the spot to test individual skills while enjoying the ride of a lifetime.

Ocoee - A Class IV river, the Ocoee flows through the rugged Cherokee National Forest. Five miles of the thunderous rapids provided some of the best whitewater in the U.S. Whitewater events of the 1996 Olympic Games held on the river. The river is controlled by three dams.

Nolichucky - It begins atop Mount Mitchell as mountain streams, then descends through the spine-ridge of the Unaka Mountains. The 2,000-foot-deep gorge is one of the most spectacular in the East. The river has more than 25 Class II-IV rapids. During the spring, the river can jump to Class V+. Whitewater enthusiasts are urged to always check water conditions during heavy rain-fall.