There are always questions about how to prep for a new river. Much of running a new river is the mental aspect. But there are things you can do on the river as well. ERA instructor Craig Parks summed up a good way to prepare in advance using the Ocoee River:
Do some runs through Hell hole and Powerhouse right through the middle … You’re guaranteed to hit something on the Gauley, you need to approach them as something you hit when you do, not a reason to be upside down… Stay up over boat, set perp. Angle and drive through on clean strokes…
Great advice!