Help check the Alapaha River for deadfalls! Expert paddlers wanted; inquire within.

Update 2015-01-17: Some pictures and videos by John S. Quarterman and an outing summary by Bret Wagenhorst.

Meet at the Alapaha River boat ramp at the Hwy 82 bridge just east of the town of Alapaha at 09:30 AM. Boats and gear will be unloaded and some vehicles will be driven to the take out near the Gaskins Forestry Education Center south of Alapaha to allow the shuttle. One vehicle will then bring the drivers back to the put in and the trip will hopefully get started down river at about 10:00-10:15. Facebook event.

This event is FREE! All we ask is that you are a current member of WWALS Watershed Coalition. If not, its easy to join online today at /donations/. You do not have to be a member to come on this outing. If you like the experience, we recommend that you join to support the efforts of WWALS.

The trip may take 4 hours, but it may shorter or longer depending on water levels and number of trees down. We will stop for lunch around noon. Bring lunch, something to drink, a lifejacket, and a waterproof bag with towel and change of clothes (in case of an upset in the cold water).

Life jackets will be required, and everyone must know how to tread water and swim. No exceptions.

This is a trip for experienced paddlers only, as we don’t know the status of downfalls across the river.

The precise spot of land we will take out is not known definitively. The safe takeout spot will depend on water levels and trees down and ease of vehicle access, which will depend on road conditions at the time. It will be near the Gaskins Forestry Education Center, and it will be marked for easy visibility from the river.

This outing is organized by Bret Wagenhorst, who asks:

I request that anyone wishing to go on this trip contact me in advance, so we have a good idea of the skill le vel of the paddlers and the numbers of paddlers.

Here’s his number: 229 392-5513.

If the river level is too high, the backup location is Ray’s Millpond in Ray City. Bret says:

We would plan to meet at Ray’s Millpond Restaurant parking area at 4 p.m. and carry boats a little ways to the lake. We would paddle for an hour or so and then those interested could join me in dining at the restaurant afterwards. This lake has some big gators on it, so paddle at your own risk.

So meet us on the Alapaha River at US 82 (call Bret first), or if rivers’s too high (we’ll post an update in that case), at Ray’s Millpond instead.

-jsq

Short Link: