Trips

There’s no real way of knowing how many people attended, but I’d reckon there was about 100 committed paddlers who were there for the week. The Esquif L’Edge was out in full force and might have been the most prevalent canoe model there. A great success for Esquif considering it hasn’t even been available for a full year yet! Opinions were consistent: it’s stability, dryness, and rocker make it the best steep creeking canoe on the market.

Due to the rain that fell just prior to ALF there were lots of creeks running and we ended up ticking off a few personal first descents. The Laurel Fork of the Doe and the West Prong of the Little Pigeon were definitely the paddling highlights for us. While Mark’s run similar stuff before, it certainly set a new standard for what I would consider steep and continuous. A big thanks to Dooley Tombras and Matt Devoe for showing us down those two runs.

This year ALF seemed to be getting a bit more organized. On the first Sunday, Mohawk Canoes hosted their 2^nd annual race on the Upper Tellico. There were about 50 racers divided into three categories – with a boat on offer for the winner of the under 18 class. Knoxville local, Dooley Tombras, blew away the competition and easily won the pro class in his Esquif Spark; Dave Humphries of Huntsville, ON won the “mere mortals class”; and Garrett Mays won the “under 18” class and took home a Mohawk Maxim as a prize. Mark and I both placed in the top five of the pro class – ample reason to celebrate at the post-race bbq and beerfest held nearby. Later on in the week the celebrations continued and several nights of revelry were held at a hall in town.

Even though it’s called “Ain’t Louiefest”, Louie will always be the heart and soul of the event. His southern hospitality is second to none and the midnight boat repair sessions held at his house were a roaring good time. Thanks Louie!!