The second annual Smoky Mountain cruise was a strong success with 8 attendees travelling in from New Hampshire, Illinous, South Florida and many points inbetween. While some did experience mechanical inconveniences, all of these were close to camp or resolvable in the field. Most importantly there were no injuries to marr the trip for any of our participants. We used the cabins and RV park at Almond for a base camp and the propriator Jim Mathis was particulary helpful by blading a section of the shoreline with his tractor to provide us a clean transition to a landing zone. Its great to find a location which offers good resources and rolls out the welcome mat.

Phil Whitney of Bowling Green, KY assults the a very significant white water section on the Nantahala River just downstream of Wesser, NC. The summit was never attempted, but engaging in the base section provided more than an adequate challenge.

While not evident from these photos, all participants were wearing life preservers. In the case of Phil, this was an inflatable type.

A staging area just below the transition from Fontana Lake to active sections of the Little Tennessee River.

The Little Tennessee provides miles of shallow rapids between Fontana and Franklin, NC.

Seen here at the confluence of Rattlesnake Creek and the Little Tennessee, Nate Kawa had to cut his cruise short due to less than needed fuel reserves. Fortunately we never happened upon any of the local residents of this creek.

Harold Carter, Phil Whitney and Louis Bondurant pause for a riverbed lunch at the turnaround point just below the dam which impounds Lake Emory. Total cruise time was about 4 hours and covered 56 miles.

As Fontana Lake was some 20 feet below full pool some interesting rapids existed on the Nantahala River well below Wesser, NC.