Beginner – Intermediate – Advanced Whitewater Kayaking

OVERVIEW

I am opening up this adventure to “Advanced Beginners” i.e. persons who have done several beginner river trips. Coastal Canoeists Have agreed to allow a few advanced beginners to be shepherded by one of their competent guides on the Thurmond to Cunard section above the gorge, which has lots of class I and II and one easy class III rapid. Depending on the water level, currently low and not expected to rise, I may or may not be on that section of the river.

Its time to have some whitewater fun – run the New over Labor Day weekend. The New River near Fayetteville, WV is an outdoor adventure mecca with kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking/backpacking for all levels. Paddling the New is great most anytime but I especially like to take folks out there over Labor Day weekend since for those 3 days a collection of east coast paddling clubs converge and bring paddlers of all experience levels and expert guides for the various sections. One particular paddling club of which I am a member, “Coastal Canoeists” ( www.coastals.org ) usually only allow club members on their trips except for this annual trip of theirs which they call the “New River Rendezvous”. So depending on your experience level and where I decide to paddle, you may end up paddling with me or get shepherded by one of Coastals competent guides. Whichever the case, the New offers many places to learn and practice paddling skills and is a great intro to big water paddling. You will have a blast on one of the following sections:
My requirements:
This for paddlers of intermediate or higher experience levels. Sorry, no beginners on this trip. I have to vouch for you if you are to be guided by someone else and I need for you to have the necessary experience. To paddle the gorge you must have a solid roll and have plenty of kayaking experience in class 3+ rapids. Due to these requirements you will get put on the wait-list when you sign up and moved onto the trip list if appropriate. If you are not interested in paddling but want to explore this area you are more than welcome to come along and camp out with us.

Please arrange to pick any camping gear you need with the officers as I will be unable to get to the gear room this coming week.
I have all the necessary cooking gear, you will need your own plate, cup, kife fork etc.
I will arrange with Dave Clark to get all the kayaking gear.
The number of attendees is currently set to 4, if I get another driver that can carry kayaks I will icrease the number of attendees

The Itinerary:
We’ll meet at Echols at 4:30pm on Friday 9/3, to load up then grab some food on our way out of town if people want, and head to Hico, WV (near Fayatteville; ~3 hour drive). The current plan is to stay at Ray’s Campground ( http://www.rayscampground.com/ ) for the weekend. Saturday, cook breakfast and make lunch sandwiches. then meet up with Coastals, then hit the water. We’ll meet back up at the campsite after the run, grab some dinner (Mmmm, Pies and Pints!), do the camping thing, and do it all over again on Sunday. After Sunday’s run we’ll head back to C’ville (or you can stay another day and paddle with the Coastals group again on Monday). Good times!
I’ll grab coffee, bacon and eggs for breakfast, some snack stuff for the trip which will probably include granola/cereal bars, fruit, bagels, sandwich meat for lunches on the river, water, juice,…other stuff I can’t think of right now.
The Club provides: Boats/gear (the essentials plus booties, dry bags, and some float bags), some breakfast food, lunches, snacks, boat/gear transport, gas ($150 max/vehicle), camp fees. tents, sleeping bags and pads.
You should bring: Your boat/gear, money for restaurant cuisine/food for the road/snacks, water, camping gear, swimwear, river footwear, warm clothes (it may get chilly at night), rain wear, your sweet paddling skills!
**Please note that adventure details/plans may change depending on water level.