TRIP IDEAS
For an amateur of the ice, just having the right gear might not be enough. Here are some ideas to get you started.• Don’t let yourself be shocked by the cold. Practice rolling and other safety maneuvers in similar water before your trip.• Keep a thermos of something warm in the car for an easy way to shake the chill from your bones.• Perhaps skip the Class IV whitewater for your first time. The Hiwassee or North Chickamauga Creek is a good place to start.• We don’t recommend going alone, either. Even a single partner goes a long way in preventing disaster.• Relax and enjoy yourself. Tennessee is absolutely gorgeous in the winter, and while staying warm is of utmost importance, you’re supposed to be having fun. Don’t lose sight of that.
Summer has unfortunately left us behind, and the first coldsnap of the year looms right around the corner. However, none of that means you have to shelve your paddling plans. If the idea of a coldweather kayaking adventure has you a little chilly, here are a few tips and ideas to warm you up.
The Ocoee and Hiwassee can get mighty cold, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer the same fate. Layering is step one so your trip doesn’t end in potentially dangerous hypothermia. First, remember to never wear cotton. Cotton retains moisture which can lower your body temperature. As with any outdoor activity, you’ll want to only wear fabrics that wick moisture away from the body.
1. Begin with a base layer: Long wool underwear will suffice. Or, wetsuits go a long way.
2. For your mid layer, fleece or wool sweaters work well. Depending on the temperature, you can layer as many or as few sweaters as needed. Bear in mind, overlayering is a possibility, and only you know what it takes to stay comfy.