Canyoneering Western North Carolina's Wolf Creek and Bonas Defeat Gorge

The Wolf Creek and Bonas Defeat Gorges which flow into the East Fork of the Tuckaseege River are two of the steepest narrowest Gorges in the Western North Carolina area. The large boulders and narrow gorges make for some of the best canyoneering in the Western North Carolina mountains as well as the southeastern region.

The highlight of the wolf creek gorge is the 150 ft Wolf Creek Falls which creates the deepest part of the Wolf Creek gorge.

The most magnificent feature in the Bonas Defeat Gorge is also located in the deepest part of its Gorge where a rock face of 400ft protrudes out of the Creek bed. This rock face is what created the name for this gorge.

Legend has it that an old hunting dog, named Bonas, had been trained by its master to run game of the rock face causing the game to fall of the cliff deep into the gorge creating easy meat for the master. However, one day a smart buck caused the dog Bonas's death or defeat when he stepped away as the dog chased him causing Bonas to take the plunge that he had caused so many of his hunting prey to take prior to his own demise.

The Bonas Defeat and Wolf Creek Gorges are beautiful remote areas that consist of large boulders and narrow slots. This landscape creates an arena for grand adventure, but not without some risk.

Both Gorges lie down stream of a lake and spillway gates can open up and increase the water levels in either or both gorges at a quick rate. In addition the travel would becomes considerably more difficult in wet or rainy conditions when rock becomes wet and slick.

The final considerations for travel in this area is the difficulty of any type of rescue if evacution was required. During our travel through the gorge we tried to stick to the most straight forward and risk reducing form of travel however even with this philosophy our travel was not without risk. We decided to wear climbing helmets while in the canyon to minimize the risk of head injury in case of an unexpected slip or short fall.

Both the Bonas Defeat and Wolk Creek gorges are remote remarkable gems that offer incredible hiking and adventure opportunity but this adventure should not be taken lightly and should include well calculated planning.

Pura Vida Adventures Feb 2010 Expedition to Patagonia Argentina

Dates Janurary 30- Feb 8th 2010

(Dates can be customized in Feb for groups of three or more.)

Cost $3200 per person excludes airfare, exit tax of approx. $30, tips, alcohol and 5 meals.

Activities include: glacial mountaineering, backpacking, open water kayaking, camping, and trekking. (See Itinerary below)

Day 1:
Arrive to Bariloche Airport.
Transfer to Refugio del Lago
Dinner at La Marmite
Night at Refugio del Lago

Day 2:
Transfer to Pampa Linda. Hike up to Otto Meilling mountain hut. This is a five hour hike along the way we will see glaciers and waterfalls coming out of Glaciar Castaño Overa.
Night in the hut

Day 3:
Early wake up at 4am, prepare equipment and head out to Pico Argentino Refugio (approx 6-8 hours). This route will take you along glaciers on avarage 25 degrees slopes, with some steps of 40 degrees. Summit attempt of 12,000 plus ft. Pico Argentino (weather and time permitting), head back down to Otto Meiling mountain hut. Sleep in Otto Meiling Mountain Hut.

Day 4:
Glacier crossing of Glaciar Alerce, one of the glaciers that belongs to Mt Tronador.
Hike down to Paso de las Nubes heading Northeast, where we will see the Frias Valley and the Frias Valley Glaciars. All these glaciers stem from Mte Tronador.
We will put up our tents at the base of Mte Tronador where we are going to spend the night at 9,000ft. This area is called Selva Valdiviana which is comparable to a rain forest rain forest.
Night in tents

Day 5:
This day will include a short trek, hiking through the Frias Valley until the river runs into Frias Lake.
This area is like walking through a “jungle”, the vegetation is very thick and this area looks like a tropical rainforest.
The Frias River looks turquoise and brown, this color comes from the glacial sediments as it makes it way down the glacier. This water color is known as glacial milk.

We meet the kayaking guides at Puerto Blest, where we become familiarized with the kayaks and the rest of the group while we pack the boats. After a brief talk on kayaking safety and orientation, we are ready to begin our trip. A few minutes after leaving Puerto Blest, we are immersed in magical scenery, the Blest branch of Lake Nahuel Huapi is surrounded by Mount Capilla and Millaqueo, among others. We kayak part of the branch, and later stop for lunch by one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. In the afternoon, we continue paddling until reaching a beach resembling paradise, where we set up our camp.


Day 6:
In the morning, we prepare our kayaks for the trip along the Nahuel Huapi lake, paddling the lake surrounded by high snow-peaked mountains, such as Mount Capilla and López, both towering above 6000 feet. We will visit Centinela island, to see Perito Moreno`s tumb. We keep paddling towards Fossils Islands and Victoria Island, where we will set our second camp site.

Day 7:
We will paddle the south side of Victoria Island, doing a long crossing to Peninsula San Pedro, and getting into the Campanerio Branch of the lake.
We will finish our trip at Playa Serena. Where the van will take us to Refugio del Lago for a nice hot shower.
Dinner at el Boliche de Alberto.
Night at Refugio del lago

Day 8: Morning free
Transfer to the airport

Additional activities and expeditions can be added to this program at an additional charge.

Contact Joe Moerschbaecher at Pura Vida Adventures for more details

772-579-0005

contact@pvadventures.com

Pura Vida Adventures Featured in National Geographic Adventure

Pura Vida Adventures

Canyoneering Trips highlighted in the August/ September issue of National Geographic Adventure

From the Magazine:

"Utah no longer has a monopoly on canyoneering. Outfitter Pura Vida Adventures has imported the multisport art of descending a wet rocky gorge by foot, rope, and swim stroke to the lush wilds of the Blue Ridge Mountains." See full article on p36 of the 2009 August/ September issue.



Canyoneering
Pura Vida Adventures Canyoneering programs are a combination of climbing, rappeling, waterfalls, swimming holes, and rock climbing. If you want a true multi sport adventure this trip is for you.

Explore Canyoneering
This program is focused toward families, groups, and other who have experienced rock climbing and want a bit more adventure. It is also for any person or group looking for a unique adventure that combines climbing, rappeling, and water activities. Limit of six participants.
Length: 6 - 7 hours
Costs:
$185 / person$45 / additional people up to 6
Suggested Program for Youth and Families

Adventure Canyoneering
This is our full day canyoneering experience. Participants should be in good physical shape and consistently maintain a high level of fitness. This trip is 7-9 hours of climbing, rappeling, bouldering, and "full on adventure. Limit of four participants.
Length: Full day program (7 - 9 hours)
Costs:
$150 per person minnimum of 2ppl, maximum of 6ppl
Limit of 6 participants. Participation age is 15 and up.

To get more info or book a trip contact Pura Vida Adventures at contact@pvadventures.com or 772-579-0005 or visit http://www.pvadventures.com/Canyoneering/index.html

Pura Vida Adventures Whitewater Kayak Instruction highlighted in Asheville's Mountain Express

Outdoors: Trial by white water
A Green River paddling intensive
by Jonathan Poston in Vol. 15 / Iss. 48 on 06/24/2009
Whenever someone asks whether I've kayaked before, I always reply, “Of course,” with a certain bravado. But as soon as that weak lie in a lion's suit springs from my lips, I have to suppress some embarrassing memories of flipping my kayak in the French Broad River's gentle waters (and even in a few still pools that I won't ever mention). Read more at http://www.mountainx.com/outdoors/2007/062409trial_by_white_water/

River Safety: Carabiner use on Whitewater Rivers

I can remember the incident like it happened yesterday. Working as a trip leader on the Nolichucky River, the day began like any other. The water level was a moderate 1.5 ft. We had a large trip about 4-6 boats as it was the middle of the summer and vacationers were coming to the river in droves to be part of the best water year on the Nolichucky in over 20 years. Our trip went through the class III rapid Last Chance without incident, and did the same at the first Class IV On the Rocks. As we made our way down the river and entered the Class III hydraulic known as Jaws smiles could be seen on the faces of the rafters, as well as the guides. As I made my way through Jaws I eddied out to set safety in case anyone swam. What happened next was an incident that I believe will stick with me the rest of my life. As the next guide passed through Jaws he leaned back to pry toward river left to set himself up to run the correct line at Snappy’s, after completing the stroke he attempted to lean forward and resume his straight posture and found himself connected to the boat. The guide upon leaning back to do his pry had leaned into his non locking carabiner which was used to connect his throw rope to his D-ring. As I watched the guide helplessly flop around trying to unhook himself I quickly made my way over to assist him. When getting over there I quickly was able to assist in getting him unlocked from this situation. However the look on his face and mine was solemn for a moment in a day otherwise filled with laughter, smiles, and excitement.
Locking Carabiner
Although this situation was a minor incident and could be glanced over and forgotten in days it has stuck in my mind for the last five years. Was it the fact that the guide locked to the boat was my brother? , the terror I saw on his face when he could not free himself? , or looking at it from a “what if” standpoint? , which has left this incident so etched in my mind (I do not know). However, as an ACA swift water instructor I do retell this story to my participants when explaining why we teach that locking carabiners be used in whitewater. The facts are simple climbing standards require locking carabiners on all anchor points (unless non locking carabiners are opposite and opposing). In whitewater the idea of opposite and opposing carabiners simply will not work as we have an uncontrollable force (the whitewater) which can come in any direction.
Whitewater Instruction Course


Whitewater professionals should be setting the model for this practice and although the ACA teaches these standards in their courses I believe a better job can be done of letting whitewater enthusiasts know the dangers of having non locking carabiners or “unlocked” locking carabiners exposed to whitewater.

I can not count the number of rafting guides I have seen from various companies throughout the years decked out with non locking carabiner hanging from the shoulder straps or sides of their PFD’s, or how often I have seen guides use non locking carabiners to clip gear or a throw rope to their raft. I encourage readers of this article to educate others of the additional risk of having exposed non locking carabiners on the river. It does not just create an unnecessary hazard for the paddler with the non locking carabiners, but also those paddling with him or her.

If paddlers decide to use a non locking carabiner it should be kept in the zipper pockets of the PFD or in other places unexposed to whitewater, such as inside a sealed dry bag. .
Demonstartion on how to set up a Z Drag for releasing a pinned boat
The river already poses enough hazards for boaters let us work together to eliminate one additional hazard through education. Our efforts will help us avoid reading a story that ends the following way:

The raft turned over and as the raft continued its way down the rapid the crew began to swim to other boats and eddies. However, one paddler was not able to get out from under the boat; he and the raft floated down stream with the paddler unable to get free from the raft. Once the rest of the paddlers got to the raft minutes later the paddler was no where to be seen upon retrieving the raft the group found that the paddler’s unresponsive body was still attached to the raft by a non locking carabiner.
Kayaking Pinball Rapid on the Upper Green River

Joe Moerschbaecher is an Amercan Canoe Association swift water rescue instructor. In addition to his swift water rescue courses he also does kayaking instruction and guided paddling trips through his company Pura Vida Adventures. To find out more about the programs offered by Pura Vida Adventures call 772-579-0005 or visit www.pvadventures.com

April Adventure Racing Camp provides fun, excitement, and challenge for all

Pura Vida Adventures hosted its first three day adventure racing camp of 2009 this past weekend on April 17-19. Over the three day camp participants learned how to read and paddle whitewater in inflatable kayaks, basic river rescue skills, proper rappel technique, rope assisted climbing , land navigation, utm plotting, and map reading.

Team Tantric at the river

Participants in this camp ranged from age 39- 72 and brought everything from intermediate adventure racing experience to no experience at all. In addition to the skills taught above classroom sessions talked about team dynamics in adventure racing, essential gear, types of races and what to eat. The camp participants were also offered technical gear advice, and advantages and disadvantages of different water treatment options, headlamps, electrolyte replacement, and knives from gear guru and owner of Looking Glass Outfitters, Phil Hoffman.

Team Tantric negotiating the rapids

Day one of the camp focused on whitewater including classroom sessions on what to wear and water reading technique, as well as, learning river rescue skills in a land based environment. The afternoon course work on the river was the highlight of the day as participants had the opportunity to practice the skills they learned in the classroom first by negotiating the class II rapids of the lower Green River, and secondly by having the opportunity to practice river rescue skills such as rope throwing rescues and whitewater swimming. The day ended with a discussion of the types of adventure races and gear demands for various races, including the ten gear essentials of adventure racing.

Stan Grochowski river swimming in the whitewater swimmers position

Reb McCown rappelling

While day one had found participants swimming in whitewater day two first saw participants suspended on a rope in mid air as they learned appropriate rappel and rope assisted climbing techniques. The afternoon was spent in the classroom learning how to use a map and compass. These classroom techniques were then applied and improved later that day as participants split up into two teams and navigated their way through a orienteering course, whose points they had plotted while learning UTM gridding. Day two would prepare the teams well for their five hour adventure race on Day 3.


Sinead Ingersol navigating in the backcountry

Sunday morning began with an opportunity for participants to share their experiences from Sat evenings land navigation course, as well as ask any additional questions they had about navigating. After a short break to prepare for the race the two teams Chaos http://www.teamchaosar.com/ and Tantric were given there maps and passports and given an opportunity to review the race course. After some final directions from the race director. The two teams headed to the start of the race.

Team Chaos at checkpoint 4 of the bike leg

The race was a rogaine style event with a maximum five hour time limit. For every 5 minutes late after 5 hours teams would lose credit for one points. Positioning would be determined fist by most points reached after penalty time followed by the total time on the course in case of a tie for points earned. The course comprised both trail navigation as well as off trail navigating and consisted of 4 foot points and 5 bike points. The teams were off after a split start where Chaos began on foot and Tantric began on bike.

Four hours and fifty minutes later the rookie master's team Tantric crossed the finish line after grabbing 4 out of 5 bike points and 2 out of 4 foot points. Finishing the course not only in under the allowed for time but showing that they had learned quite a bit of land navigation by grabbing one of the two off trail navigation points.

Team Tantric finishing the race

Team Chaos finished in a time five minutes faster and nearly cleared the course missing just one bike point to ensure they made it back to the start in the allowed time.

After the race the two teams shared their experiences and a graduation ceremony was held for all adventure racing camp participants.

Rich Ingersol of Team Chaos http://www.teamchaosar.com/ summed up the adventure racing camp with these simple words "thanks for a great weekend...definitely had a good time and learned a lot."

Pura Vida Adventures has additional three day racing camps scheduled for May 29-31 and June 25-29th. In addition interested participants can schedule their own camp date if they have three or more people and can choose to come for one or two skills specific days for any camp. Inaddition to the three day camps, Pura Vida Adventures offers five day comprehensive camps in the Spring and Fall. Please call 772-579-0005 or email contact@pvadventures.com for further detail.

Transylvania County North Carolina and Surrounding Area offer Rock Climbing Opportunities for All

From beginner to expert, from bouldering to multi pitch leads Transylvania County and the area surrounding Asheville has climbing opportunities that will provide challenge and adventure for participants of all ability level. Although this area of North Carolina is dominated by traditional rock climbing; there are opportunities for mixed and sport routes, which can be difficult to find without getting some information from local climbers.

For those novice and intermediate climbers looking to improve their skills you need to look no further than Cedar Rock, the Sunwall, and South Face of Looking Glass. These areas offer opportunities for top rope climbing as well as moderate lead routes with good protection. The “super classic” Nose route at the Sunwall is a must do for any climber who is competent and comfortable on a traditional four pitch lead of class 5.8 climbing.

Those climbers who are looking to stay close to the ground will find bouldering opportunities around the north and south face of Looking Glass.
For those looking for a guided rock climbing experience Pura Vida Adventures, offers guided rock climbing trips for beginners and instructional courses for those interested in learning more.
Additional information on climbing in the area can be found in “The Climber’s Guide to North Carolina” written by Thomas Kelly. Regardless of your ability level be safe, use good judgment on the rock, and know your limitations.

Joe Moerschbaecher is the owner of Pura Vida Adventures and works as an adjunct faculty member in Brevard College’s Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education Program. He can be reached at contact@pvadventures.com.