It isn't at all unusual for the Nantahala in NC to be foggy. The water comes
from the bottom of Nantahala Lake and is pretty cool year round. On really
hot days a thick fog can form right over the water. The first time I ever
ran it, visibility was about ten feet, as thick as I've ever seen it. I was
a definite newbie to whitewater; I can still remember how hard my heart was
beating and how dry my mouth was approaching the roar that was Quarry Rapid.
I didn't see it until I was there, let the wave turn me sideways, and I took
a swim.
I've paddled the Nanty so many times now I've lost count. I always look
forward to Quarry now, but it was absolutely terrifying that first time in
the fog.
Some examples of Nanty fog:
http://webpages.charter.net/cegen/


TB


"Galen Hekhuis" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 15:06:44 -0800, Melissa
wrote:

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Hi Bob P,

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 21:16:16 GMT, you wrote:

But what if the water temp is 75F and the air is 25F? ;-)

In that case, the biggest hazard is 6-foot visibility due to the
fog...

Though not necessarily because of that type of extreme temperature
difference between water and air, I do at times find myself in that
type of visibility due to fog. It's much more reassuring in waters I
know very well though, and it definitely has its own particular
charms. A compass and the ability to navigate is always a good
thing.

I love being engulfed in fog (again, especially if it's in a
situation where I feel confident of my navigational capability in the
area), as being sensitive to sounds becomes ever more of an issue.
On my local waters, foggy paddling also provides some nice wildlife
surprises that can "pop up out of nowhere"...like whales, seals, and
the occasional sea lion, harbor porpoise, or even a shark.

Just a couple of years ago I ran into that sort of difference, but in
reverse. The air temp in Maine was in the upper 80s, while the water temp
was still in the low 40s, in June, the water hadn't warmed up, it was a
fairly cold spring up there. I didn't even get my kayak out of the van.
It would have topped 130 on the "add the temps together" scale, however.

Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA
Guns don't kill people, religions do