GAULEYFEST 2025 – MAIN TRIP

OVERVIEW

Third year of the best trip of the year. GAULEY FREAKING FEST! This is going to be a dope and unique weekend trip that ranges from beginners (beginners to just being outside even– you don’t have to know anything!!) to intermediate/advanced whitewater folks, hikers, and climbers!!!!! – Logistics are a lil complicated so read this whole thing plz!

Since 1983, American Whitewater has thrown Gauley Fest as a celebration of the defeat of a hydroelectric project that would have disrupted flows on the world-class rapids of the Gauley River. Since then, it has become the BIGGEST WHITEWATER PARTY IN THE WORLD with tons of money raised every year to support river access and conservation. The festival features live music, whitewater (and other) vendors, raffles, food, dope whitewater carnage on the Gauley, and even an EDM rave?!? All in beautiful Summersville, WV. You can check out the official festival page at the link below.

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/aw:events_gauley

It’s a great way to meet friends, learn how to camp in an easy (if maybe a little chaotic) setting, and see some awesome wilderness so close to us (3 hours away) from Cville. That being said, there will be a party/festival atmosphere on Friday and even more so on Saturday night. While we’ll look out for each other, we won’t provide an on-call/RA type person. You should be prepared to make your own smart decisions. We’re happy to answer any questions!

Itinerary:

A carpool will be organized with all trip members leaving Friday night. We will be camping at the festival grounds both fri and sat nights. Tickets are $60 CASH at the door (or before online!). You’ll need to be at the festival grounds by 7pm Friday for vehicle access, otherwise you’ll have to make a short walk with your stuff. We’ll roll up Friday, possibly go on an adventure on the way, camp, go on adventures Saturday and roll back to the festival grounds to enjoy the night! (also back by 7 for vehicle access). While you’re welcome to make this adventure as chill as you’d like, it will be a party atmosphere (mostly saturday night) – earplugs are recommended for sleeping pre-2am Saturday near the campsite (many are able to find sleep before this).

Three adventures will be happening on Saturday. Charlotte and Pietro will be leading some beginner hiking, Sofia and Afton will be doing some beginner/intermediate climbing, and John and Mitch will be going rafting on the Gauley River (intermediate/advanced)! Both the climbing group and the hiking group are looking to walk in and watch whitewater carnage at Pillow Rock on Saturday morning before doing more climbing/hiking. Look out for all three of these adventures to be posted as separate trips!

On Sunday, some will head straight back to Cville while others may stick around for more adventuring, look for these and Friday adventures to be posted/organized on the fly after you’re off the waitlist here. We can get you back to Cville for Sunday stuff but I wouldn’t plan anything too important. The festival will kick us out after 11 am anyways.
This weekend is liable to get wacky and wild with some of the timing and exact details of things so please be prepared to bear with us!

HOW TO GO TO GAULEY FEST
STEP ONE: MARK YO CALENDAR AND COMMIT! Last minute drops of this trip are Not Cool Dude, we’ll try and get you off a waitlist asap but plz don’t be flaky. This Main Trip will function as a sort of carpool and tent buddy organizer. STEP TWO: sign up for one of the three Saturday adventures (rafting, climbing, or hiking). You must be off their waitlist to get off this waitlist. STEP THREE: sign up for this trip! Once we fill the trip, we’ll send out a sheet to help organize tent buddies, carpool, and group food (if desired) you must fill this out! Finally, you must bring $60 cash and your own food, more stuff to bring below…

We’ll take people off this waitlist as they get off individual trip waitlists. Drivers with trucks/roof racks and crossbars are needed will get some priority.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE FEST
$60 cash for the festival (it benefits river conservation and access!) YOU NEED TO BRING THIS TO GET IN. or buy tickets online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-gauley-fest-tickets-1411191163759?aff=oddtdtcreator

Any additional money for food and trinkets!
Sleeping pad
Sleeping bag
Pillow if ya want
Tent
Headlamp (preferred) /flashlight
Food (friday dinner; saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner; sunday breakfast and lunch; snacks)
We may be able to stop for food for some meals/some food trucks will be at the fest, but count on bringing enough to sustain you for the weekend.
2 water bottles (there will be places at campground to fill water)
Layers layers layers
Its gonna get chilly willy during the night so just make sure you check the forecast (Summersville, WV) and pack accordingly.
DO NOT FORGET WARM SOCKS – cotton is your enemy.
Clothes for the warm weather during the day
Some shoes good for hiking and walking around all day
A pair of sneakers/hiking boots AND a pair of sandals/camp shoes
Rain jacket
Hat
Drinks or whatever for the evenings if you’d like (we are not providing anything)
Whatever you need for your sport-specific (hiking, climbing, whitewater) trips
Day backpack
A camp chair if you want

We bring
Stoves and some cookware (bring your own if possible!)
A table (hopefully)
Big water jug prob
Big first aid kit

WE NEED DRIVERS!!!! If you have a car and can drive, you will get priority off the waitlist! Gas is going to be reimbursed up to $150 with $20 tip! As different trips will have different driving needs throughout the weekend, it would be awesome if you were cool with your car being driven by someone else. If you have a truck/roof racks and crossbars, please sign up!

If you have any questions feel free to email/text John or Parker at:
John: 8049441929; uce3pa@virginia.edu
Parker: (540)-840-8024; psims2022@gmail.com
SEE YA AT GAULEY FEST YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!