"Paddle Georgia" Kayaking/Canoeing Odyssey (SOLD OUT)

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REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.

"Paddle Georgia" Kayaking/Canoeing Odyssey (SOLD OUT)

The Basics:

Event Type:

Adventure

Event Location:

Ellijay, GA to Rome, GA over 7 days of Paddling

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Jun 20 2009 7:00 am >> N/A

Registration Opens:

Tue, May 5 2009 10:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Jun 18 2009 10:00 pm

Event Duration:

7 Days thru Fri June 26

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Charlie Cottingham

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

$195.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

I REGRET THAT THIS BIG ANNUAL EVENT SOLD OUT FOR THE 2009 TRIP SOON AFTER I POSTED THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. I'LL ATTEMPT AGAIN NEXT SPRING TO RECRUIT A SUB-GROUP OF US FROM THE AOC TO DO THE 2010 TRIP. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN NEXT JUNE'S PADDLE GEORGIA, CHECK OUT THE "GARIVERS.ORG/PADDLE_GEORGIA" WEBSITE DISCUSSED BELOW. –CHARLIE COTTINGHAM

OVERVIEW: We’re recruiting a small group of experienced AOC kayakers and canoeists to join other paddlers from all over the country for the fifth annual week-long “Paddle Georgia,” June 20-26. The 92-mile canoe/kayak odyssey will take place on North Georgia’s beautiful Coosawattee River, Carters Lake, and the Oostanaula River between Ellijay and Rome. Daily paddling distances range from six to seventeen miles and none of the legs are considered especially difficult or technical. Although we’re listing this as an “AOC event” you do not formally register or pay through the AOC. After signing up below for our informal AOC sub-group, go to Paddle Georgia’s official website (at the following link) for complete details and to sign up and pre-pay for this amazing adventure. As of May 3 there were just a few spots left, so time is of the essence for your formal registration.

http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/pghome.html

That site contains an excellent online info packet about the event at this direct link:

http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/RegistrationPacket09.pdf

Charlie, the volunteer leader of our AOC “sub-group” for this event, greatly enjoyed the 2007 and 2008 Paddle Georgia events (120 miles of the Ocmulgee River '07 and 100 miles of the Flint River '08). He will assist our informal AOC sub-group in setting up carpooling to and from the event, selecting our campsites along the way, etc. Also if there’s enough interest, Charlie will host an informal “Pre-trip Planning Pow-wow” here in Atlanta so we can meet one another prior to the trip and answer everyone's questions.

MORE ON THE RIVERS AND REQUIRED GEAR: On the first day (Sat June 20) there are occasional Class II and Class I rapids and during the rest of the week occasional Class I rapids. Security is provided for boats each night at river takeout points (where boats are launched at the same point next morning). You must provide your own (owned or rented) canoe or kayak + paddles & lifejackets. A great local place to rent a boat is WhiteWaterGeorgia.com near Lenox Square -- contact Bruce Williams at 404-231-0042. Bruce provides free gear & assistance for hauling his rental boats atop your vehicle.

YOUR EVENT REGISTRATION FEE (via the above PaddleGA Website) INCLUDES:

1) Nightly Camping with entertainment, educational programs, games and optional meals package. A big "Kickoff Cookout" and "River's End" cookout are included at no extra charge.

2) Ground Transportation between campsites and river put-in and take-out points,

3) Truck Transportation between campsites for camping gear & personal bags,

4) Companionship and camaraderie with dozens of fellow paddlers,

5) Optional Daily Programs including tours of riverside historic sites, nature preserves, etc.

6) Optional Scientific Research training in chemical and biological water monitoring.

MEALS: An excellent optional meal package is available -- on the above-listed website select either the “Full Meal Deal” or specific meals that you wish to have with the group.

VENUES for CAMPING, MEALS & NIGHTLY PROGRAMS:

SAT JUNE 20 - MON AM JUNE 22: Gilmer Co. High School & Middle School, Ellijay, GA (Arrive and register/ camp for free on FRIDAY if you prefer!)

MON PM JUNE 22 - WED AM JUNE 25: Calhoun High School, Calhoun, GA

WED PM JUNE 25 - THU AM JUNE 26: Armuchee High School, Armuchee, GA

THU PM JUNE 26 - FRI JUNE 28: Heritage Park, Rome, GA (or stay till Sat if you like!)

DAILY PADDLING ITINERARY:
SAT JUNE 20: “Ellijay Jig” - Coosawattee, Ellijay to Carters Lake - 13 miles
SUN JUNE 21: “Carters Lake Cakewalk” - Carters Lake to Carters Dam - 6 miles

MON JUNE 22: “Limestone Limbo” - Carters Re-reg Dam to Audubon - 10 miles
TUE JUNE 23: “New Echota Trot” - Oostanaula, Audubon to GA-225 - 14 miles
WED JUNE 24: “Mussel Minuet” - Oostanaula, Ga. 225 to GA-156 - 17 miles
THU JUNE 25: “Armuchee Allemande” - Oostanaula, Ga. 156 to GA-140 - 17 miles
FRI JUNE 26: “Three Rivers Rumba” - Oostanaula, GA-140 to Rome - 15 miles

Required Items to Bring:

FOR THE RIVER:
Kayak or Canoe (Avoid a boat that could be damaged in rapids.)
Swimsuit, T-Shirt, Cap or Hat, and Tight-fitting River Sandals
Helmet for Saturday’s Class II Rapids
Water Bottles or other Hydration System
Whistle
Watertight Stuff Sack or Case
Fishing Gear/License (if fishing)
Sponge
Bailer
Extra Length of Rope and perhaps a little Duct Tape

FOR CAMPING:
One or Two Large Duffel Bags containing:
Tent
Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag or Sleep Sack
Sleeping Pad

PERSONAL CLOTHING & GEAR:
Duffel Bag containing the following items organized
in appropriate-sized waterproof ZipLoc Bags:
Clothing & Swimsuits for week
Footwear
Rain Gear
Reusable Plate/Utensils (wash stations provided)
Waterproof stuff sack or case
First Aid Kit
Sunscreen
Any necessary Medications
Insect Repellent
Towel & Wash Cloth
Soap, Toothpaste, Toiletries
Headlamp or Flashlight
Book
Ear Plugs (Some paddlers camped nearby may snore!)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

SUGGESTION: Re-zero your odometer at each instruction and carefully note the mileages given and driven!

FROM THE I-75/ I-285 INTERCHANGE in NW ATLANTA:

1) Take I-75 North about 9 miles to the I-575/ GA-515 turnoff.

2) Bear Right onto I-575/ GA-515 and continue about 20 miles to GA-53 traffic light junction near Jasper, GA.

3) From this traffic light continue North on GA-515 continue about 12.7 miles to the traffic light at the GA-382 connector. (This light is about 5 miles south of Ellijay.)

4) Turn Left at the light onto the GA-382/Old GA-5 Connector and go just 0.1 mile.

5) Turn Right onto GA382/Old GA-5 and go about 3.9 miles to Gilmer County High/Middle School (Its entrance road is on your left about 0.2 mile past the Coosawattee River bridge.)

6) Turn Left up the hill into the school (about 0.2 mile) and follow the Paddle Georgia signs to the Registration Area (also our venue for optional free camping from midday Friday thru Monday AM).

Notes:

The event fee for Students or Seniors (65+) is just $170.

The optional full meal package is $200 extra, but each participant may opt for particular meals or no meals at all during the week.

The official deadline for registration through www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia is May 21 provided that space is still available.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:

Member Cost:

$195.00/Person

Non-Member Cost:

$195.00/Person

Cost Includes:

There is a cost for this event, but you DO NOT PAY THROUGH AOC!

YOUR EVENT REGISTRATION FEE (via the above PaddleGA Website) INCLUDES:

1) Nightly Camping with entertainment, educational programs, games and optional meals package. A big "Kickoff Cookout" and "River's End" cookout are included at no extra charge.

2) Ground Transportation between campsites and river put-in and take-out points,

3) Truck Transportation between campsites for camping gear & personal bags,

4) Companionship and camaraderie with dozens of fellow paddlers,

5) Optional Daily Programs including tours of riverside historic sites, nature preserves, etc.

6) Optional Scientific Research training in chemical and biological water monitoring.

Make a Payment:

Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

If you need to cancel after you have registered for the event through www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia contact Dana at info@garivers.org. Cancellation is permitted through June 1 with a nominal processing fee deducted from your refund. There is no refund for cancellation after June 1.

Also, to cancel your AOC registration for our informal AOC Paddle Georgia sub-group, please go to the base of this AOC event announcement article and click "Delete your registration," etc. (at no charge, of course).