Bridge Day and the Last Day of Gauley Season

OVERVIEW

Let’s head to WV this weekend.

Saturday we’ll go to Bridge day. One day a year, the largest span bridge in the western hemisphere is closed to traffic so 300 base jumpers can have the thrill of their life (maybe their last thrill) jumping 876 feet into the new river gorge while about 200,000 people stand around and watch, hang out, and party on the bridge. There will be 200 or so vendors, Fall colors at their peak, and lots of fun had by all.

On Sunday, you’ll have the opportunity to get on the the Gauley River, one of the best stretches of whitewater in the country. Located 3 hours away in West Virginia, the river is “turned on” for approximately 6 weekends each fall when the Summersville dam is released. With this trip, you can choose your level of river engagement on Sunday…kayak if you have the experience, raft if you want an adventure, hike down to the river and watch the carnage if you want to see what world class whitewater looks like, or just use the trip as an excuse to get out of the state for the weekend, enjoy some perfect camping temperatures, good food, and good company. Sunday is THE LAST DAY OF GAULEY SEASON, i.e. the last day this year the river will be “turned on”, so don’t miss out on your last chance this year to get on this awesome river.

We’ll leave Friday afternoon (returning Sunday evening) and drive to the Oak Hill, WV area. We’ll be camping at the ACE adventure center at their mountain top campground, which is a great place for tent camping. If you want to kayak on Sunday, you must be an experienced boater, with MINIMALLY a solid combat roll in class III water. If you are interested in running the middle and lower Gualey I will lead you down. If you are a class V boater and want to run the upper as well, I will paddle with you but can not lead you.

If you want to raft on Sunday, you will need to set this up on your own through ACE, but I will assist you in the process. Rafting will cost between $145 and $239 plus a tip for your guide. The cost will depend on which options you choose (Lower Gauley vs. Upper Gauley vs. both, and depending on the size of your raft).

If you just want to come on this trip just to go to Bridge Day, and are not interested in getting on the river on Sunday, that is OK. However, we will not be returning until Sunday evening. On Sunday you are welcome to hike (lots of opportunities), hang around camp, slack line, read in the hammock, or spend the time in any other manner you wish.

Camping costs $12 / night, of which the club covers $10, so camping for the trip will cost you $4.

Trip size may be adjusted (i.e. you may be wait listed) pending drivers.

You provide: kayaking gear if you have it and are paddling, tent/sleeping bag/stove/camping stuff if you have it, clothes (if you are rafting or kayaking on Sunday, bring clothes for on and off the river, especially warm clothes, its much colder in WV than in cville…if you will be on the river, i.e. kayaking or rafting, you MUST wear non-cotton clothes…wet cotton = bad day), $4 for camping, $$ for rafting if you’re going to raft, $$ for meals or snacks on the road to and from WV, and $$ for vendors on Bridge Day.

Club provides: kayaking gear if you need it, camping gear if you need it, camping fees, food $$, gas $$ up to $150/car.

More Info:

Bridge day: www.wvbridgeday.com

Rafting: www.aceraft.com

Upper Gauley River Description: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2378/

Middle Gauley River Description:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/3128/

Lower Gauley River Description:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2379/

Get stoked. Email me DavisDriverJr@gmail.com or call/text me 480.586.7755 if you have any questions. Don’t miss bridge day and this year’s last trip to the Gauley!