Oconaluftee River - Kayaking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park // Elk sightings

Come along for a special run down the Onconaluftee River in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! We had almost 8 miles of endless class 2 and 3 boogie water, boofs, rapids and amazing scenery. We were lucky enough to see a small heard of elk crossing the river as we floated past. We also saw deer and turkey. The river took me back to my first year in whitewater kayaking. This was the river I was always imagining was out there somewhere. The level was 1200 cfs on the AW source gauge. As depicted in the video, wood hazards are plentiful on this run as it is not permitted to remove such hazards within the park. Always be on high alert on this run and make sure all members of the party have the ability to catch any and every eddy to avoid such hazards. What a fantastic river! I decided to go with an edit that shows the whole run from top to bottom, every rapid and hazard along the way. I want the viewer not only to feel like they were along for the adventure, but also to have a realistic scouting tool for what to expect should they paddle this river.
always have a safety whistle! - amzn.to/41dF38U
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[@twagn]

This channel makes me want to get into kayaking

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Do it!

[@4JudgeSmails]

It's nice to see this stretch; there's not much video of it. But watching with a heavy heart as, sadly I lost a friend here last year in root ball/strainer at more like 1700-1800 (guessing you might have heard). It was supposed to be a more casual, fun day like you had, which is always a good reminder, especially on a run where wood situations s can change daily. Good paddling and take care

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Hey Todd, yes, I was tracking that. I did not know her myself but had several friends that did. It happens fast. A lap for Megan...

[@rangerdoc1029]

That was intense

[@RiverKingsKayak]

It is a busy one for sure!!

[@jasonwalker7166]

Been watching River King for years always wondering when he will run the Oconaluftee. So glad you did it. Its a bucket list run. One of the few videos out there of a kayak run down the Oconaluftee

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Jason! It was a good one!!

[@LWint-zz4si]

.

[@tntdoug2175]

Yaaa Hoooo...!!!!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Oh yeah!

[@1978JWJ]

Always wanted to hit this one, but just never had a good opportunity. Thank you for getting a video up of it.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks 1978!

[@WVWes]

This looks fun!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Indeed Wes!

[@j-roam]

I love those kinds of rivers. The Little Pigeon on the Tennessee side can be fun too.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on J-roam! It is on the list too!!

[@halieorr22]

All the zigging & zagging!! That Uber ELF Wilson training came in handy in some spots. The wildlife sightings were awesome! Good stuff.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

for sure Halie!!!! LOL

[@myladcook4779]

That's a nice river. Can't wait to ride it.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on!

[@strommboy62]

Ha you Had me ducking through the over hangs LMAO

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Me too Strommboy! Every time I watched it in editing LOL

[@Dan_Adventures]

Looks like an absolute blast. Love that you kept everything in the edit. Hopefully, can run this river next time I'm up in GA.

[@teleyakco]

This is North Carolina.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Dan!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Epic! This one is going on my list! 🤙🏽

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Ben!

[@escapewithjay]

that looks like a ton of fun!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Indeed Jay!!

[@tntdoug2175]

WE RIDE.....!!!!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Yes sir Doug!!

[@rivermonkeys]

Been on the list for a while now. Maybe I can get up there one day soon

[@RiverKingsKayak]

right on river monkeys!

[@joshinfwtx4506]

Good times!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Josh!

[@joshck93]

Awesome video, as always, Pete. I'm still interested in ww, but that would be way too much for a beginner. Maybe one day I will brave the creek boat and join a whole new relm of paddling.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Josh!

[@NovaScotiakayaker]

Good evening

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Hey NSK!

[@shoopaie]

Looks like a fun river if you got the skillz. My heart rate stay at 200 the whole way lol

[@RiverKingsKayak]

For sure brother!!!

[@BootsontheTrail]

Very nice! Do you have plans for running Raven Fork in the Smokies any time?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

So many rivers so little time...Raven Fork is one of the ultimate runs in the South East.

[@lizard2425]

🥶

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks lizard!

[@LWint-zz4si]

Hiya. Looks lovely. A question - please excuse me if this sounds silly but am genuinely interested to find out. Was that alarm sound that could be heard when you went to help your friend something that you added to the video for effect or a siren which he started in asking for help?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks! That is an editing thing to make the viewer aware that there is a dangerous situation. Though, an audible alarm would be an interesting idea...

[@aliciabooker4555]

Great video. Thank you. Two questions. First, you said it would have been better if the water had been higher but wouldnt that have made the downed trees harder? Second, do you have a video of kayaking etiquette?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

That is a definite consideration. Some trees would have been tougher, but some easier...Eddies are harder to catch as well when encountering trees. That said, more water would pad out the river and the fluffiness would more than make up for the changes at the occasional hazard.

[@kayakRaf]

Excellent video Pete! Question about your sherpa blade edge protection, what exactly is that and how have you fixed it on, is it temporary or permanent? Thanks

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Raf! That is door edge guard from auto zone...use it until is wears out and then simply replace it. really helps the blade edges out on those manky runs.

[@codychitwood2383]

Any info on what the gauge was reading? There’s a gauge several miles downstream. Would help give some sort of reference. Looked fun but definitely could use a bit more water.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Hey Cody! I put it in the description, but perhaps it is buried too far down in there. It peaked at 1700 and had dropped to 1200 by the end of the run on the online gauge.

[@codychitwood2383]

⁠@@RiverKingsKayakah yes. I see it now. I didn’t even check the description. Looked like more water would be better. Maybe around 1800. Probably would have caused more portages since y’all barely ducked under several trees. Good stuff though. It’s been on my radar for a year or so. Only about 2 hours north from me