Hydrology and Hazards of Alien Boof and Mikey's

Alien Boof's Original Name Was "The Cave!"

The cave at Alien Boof was known to early creek boaters before the Ocoee River was commercialized. However this knowledge was largely "sanitized" or ignored in commercial circles until the terrible accident in 2005 that claimed the life of an experienced professional guide and Class V hand paddling kayaker.

The unfortunate guide was leading a commercial trip when a less experienced guide's raft became stuck on the ledge. He attempted to swim to the raft from upstream but was pulled into the dangerous cave and sieve system subsurface just before reaching the pinned raft.

Alien Boof's primary hazard is the upstream face of the rock jumble that forms it. The above video explains and shows the danger clearly. When standing on the rock jumble even at low water with no release you can clearly hear and see the powerful suction of the sieves present. More are located below the waterline.

A swimmer above Alien Boof must swim either to the river-left riverbank or to the island on river-right. Anyone attempting to assist with throw ropes must avoid vectoring the victim into Alien Boof and its rock jumble of sieves.

Remember Stan Guy: I have spoken with many familiar with this legend and his accident as well as some witnesses. This was a very unfortunate accident but is important to learn from past tragedies to help prevent future tragedies. His friend and family members are among my circle of friends; I have nothing but respect.

Mikey's Ledge is often the first Class IV drop on an Upper trip. While commercial guests often tune out safety talks, the risks here are physical and immediate. The above video shows the riverbed is littered with potential body entrapment hazards.

Rafts can flip but often the undercut rock just downstream on river-right jars the unwary guests into the river. It is good practice to have your guests get down for Mikey's Ledge and stay down until the raft has cleared the undercut.

Any swimmers must stay on the surface similar to the "Nose and Toes" training. However in Class IV aggressive swimming may be required to self-rescue or assist in their own rescue. Commercial guests should be alert and listen to the guides setting safety downstream of the ledge should they swim.

The nature of the world is impermanence. These features shift with high water. Be informed, stay alert, and don't assume the river is the same as it was last season.