Because of the strain on the power grid (95 degrees heat) the power plant on upper Big Pigeon in NC had just opened another tunnel of water to start generating. The class 4 rapids then suddenly become a higher class a few minutes before we launched our raft.
Chayse Gladden, myself (in the front ducking my head), and the guide sitting high in the back were apparently the first to see the approaching class 4+ rapids. Chayse’s expression of “OOOooooo….” tells it all !
The front of the raft went under and then the whole raft followed as the wave came over the craft. The guide was thrown forward in the middle of the raft, leaving the stern unattended. After everyone regained their seats and straightened up their helmets, we were off to the next one.