Cheat River Festival (Rafting, Advanced Kayaking & Music)

OVERVIEW

ACTIVITIES:
The emphasis of this trip will be to enjoy whitewater. There is plenty of class III-V whitewater in the area including: The Cheat, Yough, Big Sandy, etc. Priority will be given to those who are interested in paddling or rafting, but there are plenty of other alternative activities available such as the 5K Cheat Race on Saturday morning, hiking, and music-listening.
More info about the festival/music, etc at: http://cheat.org/festival/ you can also buy your ticket in advance online and save $5.

IMPORTANT: I am leading this trip exclusively to organize logistics for Cheat Fest/Camping/Food, and am not promising to lead anyone down anything! If you join this trip, you are accepting personal responsibility for your safety and what you choose to do. We will most likely be meeting up with other paddling groups (Coastal Canoeists, Blue Ridge River Runners, etc.) to try to accommodate multiple skill levels. Those who wish to raft will be responsible for making their own rafting arrangements (more on that, keep reading…)

AGENDA/RIDES/TIMES:
This is where I make a futile attempt to minimize C-ville’s carbon footprint for this event, as 8 different people will want to leave and return at 8 different times. So anyways, I am personally looking to head up Thursday night to secure a campsite (they go quick), and get a full 3 days of paddling – Thus I have indicated a departure time of 5/5/11 at 1900. Rumor is another group will leave late Friday afternoon. So if you can’t make it till Friday or have to get back earlier, sign up anyways and we’ll see if we can get you a ride in another vehicle. Once the trip roster is set we will figure out final ride arrangements.

CAMPING:
We’ll most likely be camping at Teeter’s Campground which is adjacent to the festival itself and the Cheat Canyon putin (so stumbling distance) away, and comes complete with hot showers and flush toilets.

FOOD:
I’ll get some delicious food from the grocery store. The club reimburses up to $12/day/person and we will be responsible for paying for the remainder of the food expenses. (There is also delicious food at the festival – but you’ll be responsible for paying for that).

RAFTING:
The Cheat Canyon is known as “The Beast of The East” and while it has been eclipsed by the popularity of the New and Gauley, it remains an excellent (uncrowded) “big water” playground! Satisfy your curiosity about the rapids by youtubing Cheat Canyon, or a famous rapid known as “big nasty”
Those who want to guarantee themselves an opportunity to raft, should make arrangements with a commercial company such as http://www.cheatriveroutfitters.com/ (Prices appear to range from $79-$94 )depending on what day you pick.

Meanwhile – I am still trying to secure “private rubber” for this trip. What’s that you ask? – It’s a raft that is owned/guided by a private/non-commercial entity, and depending on who supplies the raft, there may be a nominal daily rental fee i.e. $35/person/day. Private rubber trips are usually not as organized as commercial trips, and will require some additional participant effort (i.e. carrying/setting up the raft), and they don’t come with a fancy lunch. You can also do cool things on them such as run 14 foot waterfalls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vobIjFLq2u0 (That was my group at Cheat Fest ’09 on another nearby river). Again NO GUARANTEES as of yet that private rubber will be available, I’ll keep yall posted.
In the questions section, please indicate if you’re trying to get on a raft, and which type (commercial / private).

You provide:
– Kayaking gear if you have it
– Tent/sleeping bag/stove/camping stuff if you have it
– Snacks, and clothes (for on and off the river). You should avoid cotton while packing your river clothes and remember to pack some warm stuff too!
– CASH – Admission to the festival is $15. Please bring extra cash (ATMs will be in short supply) for extra spending money (for buying gear, going out to eat, etc). I put $30 as the fee below — you should bring more cash if you plan to raft or buy gear. (If you raft, don’t forget to tip your guide)
Club provides: kayaking gear if you need it, camping gear if you need it, camping fees, food $$, gas $$ up to $150/car.

GET PUMPED!!!