GNARLY NRGE RAFTING STOUTNESS ’23

OVERVIEW

Howdy fellow stout masters! Will and I are super excited to announce the GNARLY NRGE RAFTING EXPEDITION ’23!

This will be a thrilling raft trip down the New River from Cunard to Fayette Station, a classic section packed with stout class III-IV rapids, beautiful scenery, and immaculate WVA vibes. This year, on bridge day we’ll get to watch BASE jumpers from the river! You can read more about the section and get stoked here: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/2418/main

TO PARTICIPATE:
Swimming in rapids is strenuous! While we will have a dry boat (with which we will take the highest and dryest stylish lines) and a rodeo boat (in which we will get absolutely chundered) and you may pick your level of swim potential, you should be prepared to swim a strong 50m. While prior rafting experience is a plus, an active readiness to swim and participate in your own rescue is all that is required.
Also sign up for the main NRGE carpool and pay the $10 trip fee 🙂

ITENERARY
Since it’s bridge day logistics are tricky for this one. Becky from Bridge Day (I kid you not) has confounded us with her road and takeout closures. Best case, we only paddle no flatwater at the end. Worst case (if the mountain bikers decide they hate us), half our trip is flatwater. But hey – this means more time for snackies and beverages. Regardless, here’s the order of events below. It’s an all-day affair. You’ll be put into a groupme/gc if you’re off the waitlist where i’ll update on specifics.
– Friday night: maybe we meet and discuss some of the driving/logistics. you’ll know when to wake up
– Sat morning: wake up by 9ish at the latest I think. tbd.
– probably some sort of run to tudors biscuit world
– setting shuttle if not already
– rigging boats and getting on the water!
– stop to eat? watch BASE jumpers from bridge
– if flatwater – paddle and paddle more – snackie time
– take out, derig, reset shuttle and back to rays for pizza and friends 🙂 This may be as late but hopefully not later than 6:30pm. I expect a car to be back at rays by 7ish and everyone back by 8.

GEAR
– We bring:
wet suit/dry top/dry suit/booties if we think necessary (we will work out specifics) to keep you nice and toasty on the river
pfd and helmet to keep you floating and your noggin safe
raft paddles
dry bag(s) for lunch
rafts + pumps + rigging + throw bags

– You bring:
the stoke
any of your own gear listed above if you have it
warm clothes to wear on the river. DO NOT WEAR COTTON! Especially cotton underwear. Bring a polyester/wool fleece, neoprene layers, a synthetic warm swim/athletic shirt if you have it. (again, we’ll work out specifics)
water shoes (no flip flops or crocs)
food for lunch/snack that is dry bag friendly, no refrigeration needed
a water bottle
sunscreen
towel and change of clothes for take-out

FOOD
Pre-trip Tudors run for breakfast?? Bring something for lunch/snack on the river! I will address allergy concerns if there are any once we get the trip filled. I will also provide a dry bag to keep it all nice and dry. Bring a water bottle!

DRIVERS
Drivers are needed! (if the mountain bikers decide they hate us) We may need to have at least two cars from adventurers to make shuttle work well. The shuttle roads down the gorge to the take-out/put-in are steep and windy but paved and very doable. Cars should ideally carry at least 5 people including driver and not mind having wet river gear in the trunk/bed during some sections of shuttle. They will get back to camp the latest of the group. If this sounds like you and your vehicle, you get priority off the waitlist.

Please contact Mitch at 804-955-8990 or mcl2hxw@virginia.edu with any questions!
We hope to see you on the river! YEW!

Mitch & Will