Dearest shredlings,
The leaves have begun to turn. The air has started to chill. And NRGEtober approaches…
But what is NRGE, you ask? What isn’t NRGE????? NRGE (New River Gorge Extravaganza) has it all: magnificent outdoor adventures, bonfires, pizza, camping, and so. much. newfound friendship, all just a few hours away in our neighbor state West Virginia! Zoo-wee mountain mama!
To find out more (including how YOU can go to NRGE), please read all of the information below!
WHO?
Why, you, as one of approximately 50 NRGElings that we’ll bring along for the annual ride of our lives!
WHAT? WHERE? WHEN?
NRGE is a choose-your-own-adventure megatrip that ODC puts together to one of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the nation and our country’s newest national park, THE NEW RIVER GORGE! The New River itself is 1 of 10 National Wild and Scenic Rivers in the US, and the gorge and surrounding area hosts excellent hiking, whitewater kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and caving. The club makes various trips to the New River Gorge area throughout the year, but the goal of the extravaganza is to bring all of the club’s popular genres/activities/shredisciplines and people together for one gnarly weekend.
NRGE is set for Friday October 3rd – Sunday Oct 5th. The Club has reserved the “super crazy party zone” at Ray’s Campground in Hico, WV. (http://www.rayscampground.com), which will be our central meeting area for all trips. The address is 1199 Sunday Rd, Hico, WV 258534.
HOW?
This mega-trip depends primarily on 1 factor: TRIP LEADERS!!!! To make NRGE work, we need YOU to step up and organize a trip (or two, or three) to a destination in or near the New River Gorge for that weekend. The goal is to have multiple trips options going out on Saturday (and also Friday and Sunday), after which we will all descend on our campsite at Ray’s and party the night away. Instruments are encouraged.
FOR POTENTIAL TRIP LEADERS:
If you’re interested in leading a Saturday trip, FILL OUT THIS FORM!!! (https://forms.gle/KRYUoYE3YepXKYzS8) The form will close at midnight THIS FRIDAY, September 19th, so that the NRGE organizers can review and approve your submission to post on the website. If you’re planning on leading a Friday or Sunday trip, the process for those is the same as a normal trip (e.g., no form required)–you just have to officially be on the main NRGE trip to be allowed to post them.
Trip leaders will be responsible for acquiring their daytime adventure-specific gear (e.g. climbing harnesses) from the gear room before NRGE for attendees.
**If you are not yet a trip leader in the club but are interested in becoming one, come to Thursday’s Trip Leader Workshop or read the Trip Leader Manual (found on the resources page of the website) and then email the club officers (outdoors-officers@virginia.edu).**
FOR ALL POTENTIAL ATTENDEES (INCLUDING TRIP LEADERS):
The main carpool (named ***NRGE 2025: MAIN CARPOOL***) and individual Saturday NRGE trips (your ticket to NRGE) will get posted on the website on Sunday, September 21st. Once they’re up, join the waitlist for the trip you’re interested in.
When you’ve been TAKEN OFF THE WAITLIST for an actual Saturday NRGE adventure, you’re officially coming to NRGE! THEN join the main carpool (which is *not* an actual NRGE adventure, just a way for the officers to keep tabs of drivers & attendees). FINALLY, you can then move to join a Friday or Sunday trip (if you so desire), which will be posted in the days following.
There is a fee required to attend NRGE ($25-30), which helps cover the cost of our campsite + our bonfires, pizza, and drinks!! More info on this will be on the official trip posting.
Rides will be coordinated via Groupme/one of our classic megatrip carpool spreadsheets. Most cars will be leaving from Charlottesville on Friday afternoon. After Friday, Saturday, and maybe even Sunday trips, cars will head back to Charlottesville at various times throughout the day on Sunday.
Drivers for trips and for the general carpool will definitely be needed as well! Gas is fully reimbursed, and the current club tip-rate for drivers is 50% capped at $20, so if you drive for NRGE, you’re guaranteed a $20 tip!!
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE NRGE MAIN CARPOOL TRIP WITH MORE INFO SUCH AS…
- More details on exactly how signing up for NRGE will work
- The actual specific price of NRGE
- A more detailed timeline for trip signups
- The NRGE packing list
- And MORE!!
Even if you’ve never been on a trip before, you’re absolutely encouraged to come! No experience is necessary, and many people have their best memories from hanging around the campground with newfound friends. If you are feeling apprehensive, inquisitive, or simply want to express your endless gratitude towards the officers tirelessly putting this legendary trip together, please message the NRGE organizers.
Stay stoked and come to NRGE.
Sarah, Chris, Evelyn, & Haley
yqx9ze@virginia.edu, cej5pq@virginia.edu, mph4ca@virginia.edu, puh6bh@virginia.edu