|
But you have to agree that the Ocoee is a "step up" from the Nantahala. Stepping up is not a bad term. It involves everything that you just mentioned (mental/physical/emotional) and is neccessary for progress. Isn't that the point of the Class rating system? That a Class IV is a step up from Class III, whatever that step may be.
This "list" was never intended to be a checklist that a paddler can just burn through but rather a sampling of rivers that have characteristics that would prepare a paddler for something harder (mental/physical/emotional). It's never been suggested that one has to paddle all or any of these rivers. Everyone's been been suggesting the same thing and that's to gain experience and trust your own judgement. Only you (me, he, she) can realize our own ability. The question here is what river(s) can help me test my ability. If I just head out to the Green based on my current resume, then I'm a pro and should zip through the Narrows no sweat. But I'm learning through this post that, that is not the case. I haven't paddled any of the rivers suggested so I can't accurately assess my ability. I can't compare the Ocoee to the Narrows so I'm trying to find some rivers that I can use as a proper benchmark.
I think it's great that some people can have that hippie-dippy attitude about life and the spiritual nature of paddling but I'm not that guy. I look to my experiences and yes, my resume tells me something. I draw confidence from that. It's all about being prepared and that's what sparked this entire thread. |
|
That's exactly why I've posted this topic New 
BoaterTalk 
