Archive for the ‘First Descent’ Category

Kayaker makes First Descent of Linville Falls

Friday, August 27th, 2010
This past Tuesday, kayaker Pat Keller made the first descent ever of Linville Falls - albeit illegally.

Linville Falls in Western North Carolina is a complicated, discontinuous series of falls that drops roughly 90 feet into the Linville Gorge. The falls begin as a twin set of upper falls, then moves down a small gorge before making a final 45-foot plunge into the basin below.

Keller, 24, a professional kayaker who grew up in and around water, has been kayaking since he was seven. In 2008 he paddled a kayak down the 83-foot La Paz Falls in Costa Rica.

His foray down Linville Falls earlier this week is against park regulations, and could cost him a maximum penalty of up to $5000 and six months in jail.

Canoe & Kayak Magazine has an article on his recent feat, as well as some pretty dramatic and amazing photographs. So far, no video has emerged.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com