A First Look at the New Nolichucky | Kayaking Nolichucky Gorge 2.0

(10/04/2024) First Look at the new Nolichucky Gorge. Because of the recent flood from Hurricane Helene, the river experienced massive changes. There is also TONS of railroad debris throughout the river the whole way down. The Train Trestle at the top of the gorge completely washed away and is now in the river. Same with the Devil’s Creek Bridge towards the end of the run. If you do get out on the water, Be extremely careful and don’t let your guard down at all.

Regarding changes to the rapids:
[Entrance] It is a bit different but there is still a wide line coming down the right side.

[On the Rocks] Most of the river is now directed through the left channel

[Jaws] It is still pretty much the same. the wave does look stickier now.

[Quarter Mile] now has a stout hole at the very top of it (Helene Hole?). Just below it is a 2nd sizeable drop that's split by a large boulder. The rapid then continues on with more holes and waves.

[Roostertail] It now drops a bit more gradually instead of 2 distinctive drops

[Upper Rollercoaster] is now more constricted and creates bigger waves

[Lower Rollercoaster] has a new distinct drop in it and the whole thing is long and more technical

[Surprise Ledge (Doo Doo Hole)] is a bit smaller and now creates a wave at the bottom

[Rock Garden (Shit Shoals)] The top is mankier and the bottom where it cuts to the right is a bit more channelized now. It is still a shitty rapid though

[Hole in the Wall] The main drop is a bit smaller and it lands directly in the big pool now.

[Maggie's] Now the water splits more evenly around the island. The right channel is more constricted. Also, Maggies Rock itself is gone :(

[Twin Eddies] is somewhat similar. the main playhole is now a wavetrain. there is still a surf wave on river left.

Overall Noli has gotten a bit harder, especially at Quarter Mile and Rooster Tail. We think the level was somewhere around 2000 - 3000 cfs.

0:00 Bridge upstream of the Gorge Put-in
0:08 Trestle Bridge Remnants
0:24 Entrance
0:55 On The Rocks
1:29 Unfortunately I Didn't Film Jaws
1:35 Slot Move below Jaws
1:46 .
2:03 .
2:20 Lead-in to Quarter Mile
2:37 Quarter Mile
3:53
4:07 Rooster-tail
4:50 Floating over Railroad Tracks
5:00 .
5:36 Upper Rollercoaster
6:10 Lower Rollercoaster
6:41 .
7:20 Splat Rock
7:33 Suprise Ledge (Doo Doo Hole)
7:47 .
8:29 Upper Rock Garden (Shit Shoals)
9:01 Lower Rock Garden (Shit Shoals)
9:19 Hole in the Wall Lead-in
10:00 Hole in The Wall
10:07 Maggie's
10:58 Surf Wave
11:08 .
11:31 Another Playwave
11:50 .
12:08 .
12:50 Some Technical Moves
13:06 Rapid Above Twin Eddies and Passing Devils Creek Bridge Debris
13:14 Twin Eddies
13:47 Twin Eddies Surf
13:57 S-Turn Move

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