March 18/19/20/21, 2010
Cumberland Plateau, Pickett State Park
CREEK WEEK RANT (edited for 2010)
March 18/19/20/21/, 2010
Creek Week History/Background: For over 12 years, Phil Allen and Sonny Salomon were organizers of a trip called the Ocoee Hiawassee "Twofer." This was for Ocoee paddlers, particularly Ocoee 1st timers and family, less-intense paddlers. The Saturday night pot luck dinner was the high point of the weekend. We usually had 70+ participants. The enthusiasm for this trip wore off over the years . Phil and Sonny decided to abandon the "Twofer" and do a pure whitewater/housing/feeding trip on the Cumberland Plateau, and so began the MW Creek Week (this is the 8th annual edition of this format)
Liability Issues: This is a purely a gathering of MW and our friends to do some boat'n. We will certainly try to maintain safe trips and make sure that people of certain skill level get together with others on water which is appropriate to their skill levels, tempered with the factors of accessibility, weather, water levels, group size and strength. This is not a training trip. Memphis Whitewater is trying to provide you, whitewater kayakers, with good food and comfortable housing and an opportunity to gaggle up to do some creeking on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau. This is not a guided trip. We are providing a group of common adventurers an opportunity to meet and paddle with paddlers, who are experienced creek paddlers and are familiar with the runs in the area. We cannot warranty the skills of any other paddlers. We can't say who will lead which people down which particular river or creek. You are assuming the risk of picking rivers and groups, appropriate to your skill level. Anyone, who is nice enough to lead you down these rivers, is in no way responsible to make good choices for you. You are responsible to have the appropriate clothing, equipment and paddling skills for the rivers you choose to run. Remember, it's winter. Simply put, if you don't like your cabin or the food, complain to us. Outside of camp, you're on your own. Whitewater kayaking is dangerous. We have had 3 Memphis friends die kayaking. Your safety on the river is your responsibility. The waiver that you must sign to stay at our camp says that, and
you can't hold us responsible if you get hurt or die. Financial Issues: MW Creek Week is not for profit. We are not fund raising. This is done on a cost basis ($70). Those who wait until the last minute, due to personal reasons or just to see what the water levels are before committing, are not sharing our risk; therefore the higher fee ($90) for them. If the event is canceled due to lack of water (not likely) before the food is bought, we will refund all the monies not spent (the park is prepaid $800 regardless). If there is excess money at the end of the event, the "group" decided to retain the balance from year to year to subsidize the inevitable year when there is no water and nobody shows up (like 2007). We will post or distribute a balance sheet at the end of the event and hold the money in my account. So far, it hasn't been enough to pay for my trip to Central America! I am holding $1463.62 in escrow from Creek Week 2009. As a considered and deliberate act, neither Sonny nor MW will profit one cent! All proceeds from the boat raffle are donated to American Whitewater. Those who want to spend the night at Pickett Wednesday night will share the cost of the park for the one (Wednesday) night ($200). i.e. Wednesday night is not in the $70/$90 fee.
Miscellaneous Issues: There is plenty to do in the area. We are only making plans to feed, house and paddle. Our camp is kid friendly, and we welcome non-boaters, especially if they want to help with shuttle driving! We need shuttle drivers! We will have lots of kids here. We will have DVD's etc for kids during the day. Alcohol is not allowed in state parks, but is okay within the buildings of the group camp. Dogs are permitted but cannot be left alone and cannot be in the dining hall. Check out Pickett State Park at
http://state.tn.us/environment/parks/Pickett/ Paddling: Think happy thoughts! Pickett State Park is adjacent to the Big South Fork of the Cumberland. This is a great river at almost any level. The BSF is one of the most scenic grand canyons of the south. About an hour drive will bring you to any of the great runs in the Obed Emory watershed. These runs vary from Class V+ steep creeking in the upper tributaries to Class III big water runs on the lower Obed/Emory. There are a few Class II runs, but even these are remote, inaccessible canyon runs.
The following is now minimized, but it still needs to be said: If you are a beginner, wait for warmer weather. There are usually one or two experienced paddlers willing to lead intermediate trips, but the majority of experienced paddlers will be going on more advanced trips, so the intermediate trips have a minimum of "rescue" boaters, (i.e. This is not a training or teaching experience...this is real time, cold weather, inaccessible, you're-deep-in-it whitewater kayaking. If you don't have a roll, don't have any warm gear, and have never run any whitewater, you are welcome to come and hang out, and shuttle drive, but you might be shut out of paddling.) However, the above not withstanding, for 2010, Samantha is developing a clinic for this week, which will probably target the intermediate paddler. You must be prepared to be wet in the cold. Everything in this area is rain dependent. This is the time of the year when rain happens and things are usually smoking, and the problem could be too much water. That's why we do this thing in March! But be warned, no rain, no water. New for 2010: we are going to try to be a bit more organized with a big board with water levels and trips posted in the dining room at breakfast. Jim McCool and David Luinstra, hopefully, will be with us this year. We have invited other middle Tennessee experts. Whoever "leads" these trips will show you how to find the river, not how to run the river! We are
a group of common adventurers!Sleeping: Bunkhouses hold 24. Each sleeping area is 6; each end of the bunkhouse is 12 with a common area in the center. Sleeping is on twin bunks with mattresses. Bring your own bedding/sleeping bag. Cabins are heated, so you don't need a winter bag. If you want to bunk with your /spouse/family, that can done. If you want private accommodations, you are not really a boater are you? There will be a new roster system in place for 2010. Everyone will be assigned some "duties," e.g. cleaning kitchen, dining hall, baths during our stay. If everyone pitches in, this will mean very little "duty" for everyone.
Eating: Most of the cooking will still be done by the Salomons, however, for 2010, Bret will probably be on baby watch in Nashville. Breakfast is hot and mighty, Lunch is take out sandwiches/fruit. Dinners are pretty good. We try to accommodate special dietary concerns, (e.g. pork, vegetarian, etc.) Let us know.
The cutoff date for early payment ($70)this year is March 12, because we have to buy the food, March 13. People who wish to stay at Pickett State Park, Wednesday night will split the cost ($200).
Door prizes and awards: This always adds a lot of fun to the Saturday night dinner. If your business would like to contribute a door prize, or if you know someone who would contribute, please ask. We will give them buckets of recognition. If you would like to make an award presentation, real or funny, have at it. We will be having a Jackson Kayak raffle with all proceeds to benefit American Whitewater. We will have lots of swag for this raffle too.
For maps, directions, and photos of Pickett State Park:
http://state.tn.us/environment/parks/Pickett/ Registration Forms will be available for download as soon as I can get Brad to do it.
If you have any suggestions, comments, complaints, call
Sonny at (901)683-5293 or Jason at (901)682-0069 or Philll 289-8382.
Let's skoboten! _________________
