Gauelyfest

OVERVIEW

Gauley Fest is the biggest whitewater kayaking festival of the year. Last year pretty much every major kayaking company was there selling and giving stuff away, and about 3000 people, kayakers and groupies alike. Here’s the link to the American Whitewater website about it: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/aw:events_gauley

While the emphasis of this trip is to enjoy whitewater, You are also welcome to come to the festival, and spend your days rafting the Gauley or New, hiking, fishing, climbing, biking, music listening, etc. There are lots of fun things to do in WV…it is “Almost Heaven” after all, see below for details.
There are also volunteering opportunities at the festival, contact the festival organizers directly if you wish to volunteer.

CAMPING/FESTIVAL:
The plan is to camp just outside the fenced in area where the festival is held (so stumbling distance away, but far enough where everyone should be able to get some sleep). Festival entrance is included in the camping fee.

TIMES/RIDES:
Start/End times indicated are when I personally hope to leave/return. Other vehicles will likely leave/return at other times. As always, I’ll make a futile attempt to consolidate vehicles, indicate your schedule constraints in the Q/A.

FOOD:
I’ll buy some! The club’s food allotment should fully cover everyone’s breakfast and lunch, and hopefully dinner. Some form of grilled meat is likely for dinner, (and something for the herbivores of course) put your food suggestions/requests in the Q/A. There’s also delicious food available for sale at the festival itself – and surrounding town of Summersville, but you are on your own to finance that.

RAFTING:
Anyone who wants to guarantee themselves an opportunity to raft The Upper Gauley and/or Lower Gauley should make their own arrangements with a Commercial outfitter (Let me know if that is your intent – and I’ll put like minded folks in contact with each other… Upper G trips start at about $140). Consult me if you need suggestions on an outfitter. Otherwise, you can always cross your fingers that a private raft has extra space on it (don’t forget to tip your guide).

KAYAKING: Most of the rivers commonly run during this weekend require at least strong intermediate level skills – which include but not limited to: reliable combat roll and supreme river reading & bracing skills. Other paddling clubs MIGHT be coordinating lesser level trips, but this will probably not be a kayaking newb friendly trip.

DISCLAIMER / LEGAL:
I am NOT “leading” on any rivers during Gauley Fest, I am only coordinating some logistics and transportation to the rivers and festival site, you are responsible for your own safety and the activities you choose to participate in while on this trip, and you agree to have read and will abide by the American Whitewater Safety Code http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/safety:start?
Those with the appropriate skills may join as “Common Adventurers”

DRYLANDERS: As you probably already know, there are plenty of rocks and trails nearby that you can do whatever it is yall do. Anyone so inclined is welcome to setup a separate dryland adventures and then meet up with the river people for camping/food and good times at the festival later.

YOU PROVIDE: kayaking gear if you have it, tent/sleeping bag/stove/camping stuff if you have it, clothes (for on and off the river, especially warm clothes, its usually colder in WV than in cville right now), your own knife, fork, spoon, cup, plate, bowel and extra $$ for all the awesome kayaking gear that will be on sale. NOW IS THE TIME TO GET A SWEET DEAL ON A BOAT!

CLUB PROVIDES: kayaking gear if you need it, camping gear if you need it, camping fees, food $$, gas $$ up to $150/vehicle.

FEES: Under consideration