Gauley Fest

OVERVIEW

I have had sever requests for different leaving times. Please specify your preference for leaving in the comments section:
Choices are:
1) Thursday Evening approx: 6:30pm
2) Friday morning approx: 7:00am
3) Friday early afternoon approx: 1:00pm
4) Friday evening approx: 6:00pm

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

I’m planning to head down early Friday afternoon (I volunteer with American Whitewater and I am on duty Friday evening) and coming back late Sunday. Once the trip roster is set (by Wed night), we will figure out rides to and from.

IMPORTANT: This is not a beginner kayaking trip. I’m am familiar enough with the NRG to lead a trip down the gorge, but I am not familiar enough with the Gauley to lead people down it. If you have friends who are going, you’re of course welcome to paddle with them, or if you want to paddle with me either day, email me and we’ll figure it out.

You are also welcome to come to the festival, and spend your days rafting the Gauley or New, hiking, fishing, climbing, biking, etc. There are lots of fun things to do in WV…it is “Almost Heaven” after all.

Camping and entrance to the fest is $20 for both Friday and Saturday/person, not sure how the club will reimburse us, as this year there is no distinction between campers and just fest attendees. I will ask the officers. Same goes for food (from a grocery store), the club will reimburse up to $12/day/person.

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 much 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

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

I have put the fee at $0.00 for now, but you will need some $$ towards the camping/fest entrance fee and at least for the Friday and Sunday night meals.

I have volunteered for the last 3 years, it’s a blast, they only require 2 hours of your time and for that you get a tee shirt and a free meal on Friday night. Consider volunteering and enhance your experience at Gauleyfest