only search W.R.W.W.                         Tennessee First Descents Information courtesy of:                                                                                                                                         Click on the First Descent logo to see                                                                    the rest of SteepCreeks 1st D list                                                                                                                                                                                Bald River :Tellico Area Suislide & Buying the Farm - Brian "Cock-O" Collins & Mark Cumnock (Tellico was 4.5 ft) Bald River Falls VI First Descent of Falls : Corran Addison Second Descent of Bald River :Tommy Yon 18 March 2011                                                                                                 Paddler Yon Tommy photo by of Christine Garbs   Basin Creek/Basin Falls-Walden's Ridge Walden's Ridge, near Rockwood Tennessee First Descent Andy Bridge, Mike "Louie" Lewis, John Rose, Boone, Tom Windom From Louie :  I wasn't the first to run Basin Falls. I was the third person to run it, first in an open boat, maybe the only. Andy Bridge ran it first in a C1, Bone Brothers second in a girls boat and I was a few minutes later. That whole story is quite funny but I don't type well enough to relay it all here. John Rose rented an airplane and scouted it and then we almost ran off and didn't include him in the first D of it. Tom Windom ran after me and John was the fifth person to do it."                           Photo of Ryan Allen on Imodium on Little Possum                                                                                 Picture by Brent Meadows   Big Creek-Ocoee Area TBD Big Creek (Savage Gulf)-Sequatchie Valley First Descent Ron Stewart and Chuck Estes Early 1990's Savage Falls-Savage Gulf First Descent 1998 Clay Wright and Chris Young Savage Gulf First Descent-Top Section Doug Wellman, Scott Shoup, Tim Williams (group hiked out due to no water below top section. This run now illegal) Upper Big Creek-Smokies Chip Collins and friends (Inflatable's late 80's or early 90's) Roger Derrough and Chris Bell in hardboats (1993) Bear Pen Branch-Walden's Ridge Solo 08 May 2009 Mark Cumnock (k-1) Board Camp Creek-Walden's Ridge   First Descent Winter Mark Cumnock and Steve Smith 1991   Brush Creek-Walden's Ridge A tributary of Roaring Creek First Descent - Jim Little (OC-1), Mike "Louie " Lewis (OC-1), Steve Smith, & Mark Cumnock                                       Javid Grubbs ducking out the Fire Escape- Henderson Cr  Photo by Ryan Allen       Big Brush Creek-Sequatchie Valley   First Descent   March 8.1980 Bob Slayden and David Broemel Second Descent Ron Stewart, Mike Culberson, Terry Smith, Doug Wellman. Initially attempted by Ron Stewart on a solo mission but stopped short after a bad pin required that he cut his spray skirt in order to escape from the subsurface pin. Big Fiery Gizzard-Sequatchie Valley TBD Big Possum Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Summer 1994 Justin Howard & Mark Cumnock Bullet Creek-Starr Mountain-Tellico Area It was first paddled by on 09 May 2009 by: Mike “Louie” Lewis (OC-1),Chad Lewis (C-1),Mark Cumnock (K-1),Fred Alten (I-K) Little Brush Creek-Sequatchie Valley First Descent Ron Stewart (solo expedition-vision quest) many rapids walked. Todd Gould, Justin Howard, Brian Collins, Mark Cumnock cleaned run up in 1994 Bridge Creek Obed-Emory 1st Descent Rob Kelly and Andy Bridge July 4th 1995 2nd Descent Clay Wright and Howard Tidwell 3rd Descent Tony Robinson and Kirk Eddlemon Cane Creek (Falls Creek Falls) First Descent Terry Smith, Doug Wellman, Ron Stewart (One group hiked out due to no water after running the rapids) Cane Creek Falls First Descent: April 5, 2008 Pat Keller,   Caney Fork March 1, 1975 From Bob Slayden: I kept note cards of all my runs.  We had heard that a group of paddlers referred to as the Oak Ridge Bunch had attempted the run a year or two before.  We heard that they broke all their paddles in a big twisty falls near the beginning and dubbed it Devils Kitchen; and then walked out.   We were not sure if they ever completed the run.    We scouted the run on Feb 15, 1975.  Bob Slayden, Jim Rion, and Mike Long hiked down right bank from Tarkiln Ford to Clifty Creek.  Water level looked perfect for a kayak run.    On March 1, 1975, Bob Slayden organized the trip, with Greg Guinn, and Oswald Olez.  Oswald was an Austrian mountain climber doing research at Vanderbilt.  Oswald had already climbed K2 and many of the highest peaks of the world.  Kayaking was a flat land diversion for him, but his unstoppable courage was contagious, and challenged our group to try many new runs.     Water level was low, but high enough for a clean run over most drops.  We were all running old 13’-2” Lettman Mark IV knockoffs, homemade out of Kevlar, polypro, S-glass and epoxy resin, and of course using wood paddles.  We all wore wet suits.  Greg and I carried Devils Kitchen, but Oswald ran it.  .      --Bob Slayden (account written 8-22-2010.  I can’t believe this was more than 35 yrs ago.  I remember it clearly.)       Cain Creek-Walden's Ridge North Chickamauga Creek Trib. First Descent : From Jeff Johnson email: "Although,  It was not the first time Cain was put in on in WW craft. There was a 88' 89 ? group decent of it where almost everything there was walked. That story had just been reprinted in the TVCC newsletter around  Dec., of 1990. It was this, (the newsletter story) had Generated Ron's inquisition back in there to get it all done.  I'm not sure of those exact original (mostly portaged),  group members ?  I think Jim Fortune was doing the TVCC newsletter ? Or, Jody Collins maybe ?"   Second Descent: First Descent by Jeff Johnson solo 1991 From Jeff: "I walked at least 2 of those drops when Scott and Ron bagged all the rest but one on Cain Creek. With elbow guards I ran all but Vortex and Drainpipe. "   3rd Descent From Terry Smith: It was Ron, Scott, Lone Wolf, Andy  and myself that did the first D on Cain.  I'll never forget it.  Doug got the first run on Drain Pipe.  I actually named it Drain Pipe. Doug wanted to call it Snake Head but I said it looked more like a drain pipe.  When we first saw Vortex we all said this is the Vortex ( we use to call V ledge on North Chick Vortex until we saw the "Vortex")  I also remember Lone Wolf getting stuck in the sieve above 10' falls and Andy Turner saving him. Vortex (right line) Jonathon Clardy and Mark Cumnock tag teamed Vortex, Mark went first, Jonathon Clardy holding the back of his boat, then Mark held Jon's boat, Karen Morton was setting safety. Very minimum water level. The group said they figured out the rock shelf on the bottom was actually smooth, and the dry boof line was not grabbie. Vortex (right line) normal flow: Clay Wright maybe?   Coal Creek-Walden's Ridge January 10,2008 Solo Mark Cumnock                                 First Descent of Bullet Creek paddler Mike "Louie" Lewis                                                                                              Photo by Mark Cumnock     Coal Bank Creek-Kelly Creek-Hicks Creek-Sequatchie Valley First Descent Tim Williams, Jonathan Clardy, Tom Bowen Citico Creek-Tellico Area TBD Coker Creek--Tellico Area First Descent Mike "Louie" Lewis (OC-1), Brian " Cock-O" Collins, and Mark Cumnock Dan Grey and Tom Tohill later came and ran to the Hiawassee Dries. Conasauga River-Tellico Area First run by Mike Lewis Conasauga Falls was first run by Chad Lewis (C-1) solo Fall 2009. Cooper Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Tim Williams and Mark Lyle Last Temptation Chris Young and Tony Robinson Clear Creek-Walden's Ridge TBD Clear Creek-Upper Section Obed-Emory TBD Clear Creek Lilly to Jett and Jett to Nemo -Obed-Emory TBD Crab Orchard Obed-Emory TBD Mill Creek Falls-Obed Emory Crab Orchard Creek trib. (March of 1994) First Descent Carl Malatin Crooked Fork Obed-Emory TBD                                         Paddler Justin Owens firing up Lamance Falls on Crooked Forkorkork                   Photo by Mark Hammock      Daddy's Creek Canyon Obed-Emory TBD Daddy's Creek Devils Breakfast Table (DBT) Obed-Emory TBD Deep Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Winter 1995 - Andy Bridge (C-1), Mike "Louie" Lewis (OC-1), Bailey "Big Water" Johnson (OC-1), Jim Little (OC-1), Brian "Cock-O" Collins, and Mark Cumnock     First Descent footage of Deep Creek                                                            Footage provided by WaldensRidgeWhiteWater.com         Doublecamp Creek Tellico (Citico) Area TBD Dunlap Creek-Walden's Ridge It was first run by Phil Foti (OC-1) Eric Baker (K-1) and Mark Cumnock (K-1) Nov 11,2009 after Hurricane Ida. Duskin Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Spring 1992 Tom Tohill & Dan Grey Emory River Canyon Obed-Emory TBD Falling Water-Walden's Ridge First Descent Tim Williams and Bill Morwinkle Mark Lyle was the first to run several of the rapids below the 1 large waterfall just below Dragon's Lair (mandatory portage, river left). Fall Creek-Walden's Ridge Fall Creek is a small tributary of White's Creek outside Spring City, Tennessee. Mark Cumnock and Steve Smith 1991 Foster Falls Jessie Sharp Gee Creek-Ocoee Area 1st known run by Jason Murrell, Winter of 2003.                                              Paddler Phil Foti getting a First D on Dunlap Creek                                                                Photo by Mark Cumnock     Goforth Creek-Ocoee Trib TBD Greeter Falls-Sequatchie Area First Descent Harry Fields, Dave Grove, Seth Warren Griffin Creek-Sequatchie Valley First Descent: (spring of 1995?) Tom Bowen, Tim Williams, and Bill Morwinkle. (goes underground) Henderson Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Spring 1991 Mark Cumnock, Doug Wellman, Terry Smith, Ron Stewart, Alex Harvey & Francis Mallory Fire Escape: Howard Tidwell Spinal Adjustment: Ron Stewart First Canoe Descent (approx. 1993): Mike"Louie"Lewis Island Creek Obed-Emory TBD Hurricane Creek Obed-Emory This run was probably first descended in the mid-1990's by a group from Knoxville, TN: Wesley, Captain, Tony Robinson, Patrick, and Jeff Robinson. Jacks River-Ocoee Area Jack's River Falls:  Mark Cumnock and Steve Smith 1991 Rest of the run: TBD Kick Your Dog Falls (Lynn Camp Prong) Leroy Leonard and Brian Nicholson early 90's, Leroy named the drop Bailey Johnson (1992/3) close second/maybe first Flood Stage: Brian Sandlin, Ben Hayes Friberg(1998) Little Fiery Gizzard-Sequatchie Valley TBD   Lyon Creek-Tellico Trib April 15,1994  Mark Cumnock, Brian Collins. Hiked from bottom to open area and paddle down to Tellico   Obed River Gould's Bend Section Obed-Emory TBD Mammy's Creek-Walden's Ridge First run by the Rose Brothers (John and David Rose) of the old Dagger Harriman Days Early 90's McGill Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Jeff Richards (OC-1), Mike "Louie " Lewis (OC-1), Steve Smith, & Mark Cumnock Middle Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent: Mark Lyle, Jeff West, Keith Liles, Brady, (Pablo?). Soon after: Keith and Clay Wright Superman Slide - 1st Lane Rankin 2nd Ben Friberg Shoot Me in the Face with a 0.09 - 1st Ben Friberg ,2nd Lane Rankin Middle Creek-Rock Creek Trib--Walden's Ridge Spring 2010 by TEAM JIB Blake Turner, Jason Rodwell, Ryan Allen , Taylor Martin , Jordan Rice ,Michael Edmiston , Bett Adams Moccasin Creek -Walden's Ridge Paul Pruitt Spring 1986 Morgan Creek (a.k.a. - North Pole)-Walden's Ridge First Descent: Ron Stewart, Tim Williams, Andy Turner First Descent: (OC-1) Mike "Louie" Lewis Soon After: Woody, Bo Wallace, Francis, Doug Welman, Ron Stewart,Terry Smith etc) knocked off most of the big ones (including Chile Pepper and decap) Later Group Dale Johnson(OC-1) and Jeff Richards(OC-1) - This group knocked out the remaining 4 unrun drops (documented on Vertical Addiction) Snow Falls: Clay Wright 1993/4                                                                                         First Descent                                                                                         Photo of Chad Lewis on RockHouse Branch  Photo By Tom Bowen       Mullens Creek-Walden's Ridge   Solo Jeff Johnson 1990   He set his shuttle by stashing a his road bike in the woods 2nd Descent - Tom Towhill & Dan Gray 1993   3rd descent by Tim Williams and his group. North Chickamauga Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Roger Scott, Ken Strickland, Tom Parson First Woman :Jan 19, 1980  Greer Edwards Broemel, Paine Creek-Walden's Ridge Richland Creek Trib. First Descent Spring 1991 Mike Cawood (OC-1) & Mark Cumnock Pine Creek Located near Smithville First Descent 2001 Clay Wright and Christie Dobson Pine Creek Falls (30 feet) - Clay Wright Piney River -Walden's Ridge The Piney River was first paddled in 1972 by Martin Begun later Open Boater Paul Pruitt                      Justin Owen Running  Stinging Fork Falls Photo by Justin Kleberg.                Piney Creek-Tiny Piney-Walden's Ridge TBD Little Piney Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent 1991 Mark Cumnock, Mike Cawood (OC-1) Pocket Creek-Sequatchie Valley First Descent : April 1994 Todd Gould , Justin Howard and Mark Cumnock First OC-1 Decent (couple weeks after 1st D) Jim Little -The Creek was left alone for many years till Jonathon (a.k.a. Lothar) Clardy and Tom Bowen came behind 1st D., about 6 years later, at high water. Tom hiked out and Lothar told him he should have done the same.   Little Clear Creek Obed-Emory   From Bill McKinley  I think we got the first descent of Little Clear Creek in the Obed Emory system. It was in February,1988, Paddlers were: Rocky Garrett, Ben Northcut, Roger McMillan, Tim Lee, Michele McKinley, Bill McKinley and Randy Pew.  All OC 1's. There may have been someone before us but we never heard of it. Little Possum Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Spring 1993 Bill Thornton, Wade Verbal, Todd Gould K-1Steve Frazier (OC-1), Jim Little (OC-1), & Mark Cumnock  2 attempts : flash flood on the first trip, 3 lost and destroyed, sent Mark to hospital       Little Possum Creek-First Descent –Walden's Ridge-East Tennessee                 Video from WaldensRidgeWhiteWater.com           Little Laurel Creek a trib of the E. Fork of the Obey put in near Wilder Tn-Western Plateau In 1988. Paddlers Ben Northcut, Mike Goddard, Rocky Garrett, Bill McKinley all OC1 and Richard Thompson C1.   Richland Creek-Walden's Ridge Hike to dam First Descent Doug Wellman Early and Ron Stewart Early 1991 First descent OC-1 Spring 1991: Mike Cawood Roaring Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Jeff Richards (OC-1), Mike Cawood (OC-1), Steve Smith, & Mark Cumnock Rockhouse Branch-Walden's Ridge Mike “Louie” Lewis(OC-1) Chad Lewis (C-1) Mark Cumnock (K-1) Rock Creek-Walden's Ridge   March 6, 1983 David Broemel , Roger Scott, Charlie Sturdivant and Tom Kenny                                                          Photo by Kemper Begley of paddler Craig Rollins on Rock Creek     Rock Island Falls 1992/93ish Clay Wright and Tracy Clapp Rock Island "Sieve City" Clay Wright mid 1980's Santeetlah Creek Tellico Area TBD Sawmill Creek-Walden's Ridge TBD Soak Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent Top to Bottom:1994 - Mark Cumnock, Bailey "Big Water" Johnson (OC-1), Jeff Richards (OC-1) Big Soddy-Walden's Ridge   First Descent April 9,1983 David Broemel,  scott?, Tom Parson Rusty Dunbar, and Mike Miller.  Second Descent Ron Stewart, Doug Wellman, Scott Shoup, Andy Turner and Chuck Estes (group ran everything except for 3 drops, everything has been run since). Little Soddy-Walden's Ridge First Descent Mark Cumnock Stinging Fork-Walden's Ridge First Descent Top to Bottom:1994 - Mark Cumnock, Bailey "Big Water" Johnson (OC-1), Jeff Richards (OC-1) The falls was run as far back as the mid 1970s by Mark Hall, Patrick McNally, and Alan Singley. A photo of their run graced the wall of Bruce Hare's Chattooga Whitewater Shop for many years. The classic picture of Stinging Fork Falls was of Pat McNally, taken by Singley. Pat, Alan, and Mark Hall were there in the mid 70's in the middle of winter, at REALLY high water. They couldn't run anything else, so they hiked in to SF. They all ran it multiple times, and Alan even has a picture of Mark running it backwards, though unintentionally. There is a not-so-good picture of Alan running it around somewhere. During the 80's A group form Kentucky hiked in there to shoot video for the Whitewater bluegrass fest. Robin fractured his back when he, Bobby Gaar, Danny Tipton and I were there in 1983. Robin landed flat, broke his back, bed ridden for months. A better write up will probably be in Charlie Walbridge's safety archives. Suck Creek-Walden's Ridge First Descent (February 1989) Ron Stewart and Daniel Lieberman 3 drops walked were run at a later date by Scott Shoup, Andy Turner and Danny Smith South Suck-Walden's Ridge First Descent 1995 or 1996 Clay Wright North Suck-Walden's Ridge   TBD                          Falling Water action photo by Adam Goshorn              Tellico River Baby Falls: 1973/4 - Doug Woodward (kayak) from Georgia Turtletown Creek-Tellico Area First Descent Early Spring 1995 Brian Collins & Mark Cumnock Turkey Creek-Tellico Area David and John Rose 1994   Turkey Pen Branch-Maryville Tennesssee Joe McCoy 16 Nov 2011 Wildcat Creek-Tellico Area Milt Aitken 1994 Woodcock Creek-Sequatchie Valley Tom Tohill and Dan Grey Spring 1994 Wolf Creek-Hiwassee Area TBD Waterloo Falls Waterfall, approx 30 feet in height Located on Spring Creek First Descent - Unknown West Prong Picnic Tables to Overlook late 80's - Tom Visnius or Eric Young (circa 1986) Trailhead to Picnic Tables 1993/4 - Jeff Robinson, ? Roadprong - Travis Richardson (solo/vision quest) Skyline Falls - Travis U-Turn- Chris Young White's Creek Upper -Walden's Ridge TBD White's Creek-Lower-Walden's Ridge TBD Yellow Creek -Obed Emory TBD Yellow Creek-Creek - Hiawassee Area It was first attempted by Matt "Badfish" who shook his head and hiked out Later it was cleaned up Mike" Louie" Lewis (OC-1) and Keith Clark (OC-1)                  Paddler Matt Saul picture by Gavin Fay on Richland Creek                           Richland Creek footage from the paddle out of from the First D on Henderson Creek Featuring the late pioneer Ron Stewart.             Video from WaldensRidgeWhiteWater.com