GAULEYFEST 2025 – RAFTING

OVERVIEW

It’s that wonderful time of year again! We’re headed out to the Gauley River in West Virginia to do some of the best freaking rafting in the entire US!

PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE DESCRIPTION

THIS TRIP IS FOR:
People who have rafted or otherwise paddled class IV+ rapids
People who are extremely strong swimmers
This trip is listed as intermediate but is on the HIGH end of that scale. It’s really more like intermediate/advanced. This is not necessarily a good first-time rafting experience.

This waitlist WILL prioritize those with the most experience for everyone’s safety, while giving some priority to those who have not been down the Gauley.
While the Gauley provides the ultimate whitewater thrills this side of the Mississippi, it is a potentially deadly river. By signing up for this trip, you acknowledge the risk inherent with rafting class IV and V rapids. Mitch and I work as commercial river guides, but not on this river.

We cannot guarantee your safety. Be prepared to paddle hard, listen to your guide, and participate in your own rescue.

You can learn more about the Upper Gauley at the American Whitewater page here:
https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/2378/main
There are 5 sick class V rapids and a bunch of others, it’ll be a good time.

THE PLAN:
You’ll give me your size info in the questionnaire. I’ll grab the right gear for you.
We will probably meet up Friday night at the festival camp to go over the details for Saturday. I’ll make a group chat of all of us to facilitate stuff
We’ll aim to get out of the campsite pretty early. By 8:30 at the very latest (please don’t go too hard Friday night… There will be plenty of time for that)
We’ll set shuttle, rig boats, and meet up with surprise river friends
Paddle down river and stop at Pillow Rock, hopefully saying hey to the rest of the Gauley Fest crew
Keep paddling, take out, de-rig, reset shuttle and get back to camp
So the exact logistics are up in the air but we’ll work everything out by Friday night

YOU SHOULD BRING:
All the stuff on the main trip list.
A water bottle w/ water
snacks/a lunch (contained! And small, and light if possible!)
Clothes that you are cool swimming in! The water is not super cold but will feel quite *refreshing* so long sleeve drywick stuff is cool too.
river shoes that will stay on your feet! NO CROCS!!!!! Something you could do parkour in
A towel and a change of clothes if you’d like
Sunscreen probably
I WILL BRING
Mitch and our river guiding experience
The rafts and other gear

Let me know if there are any questions (8049441929) or if you’re unsure about whether this trip is right for you.

-John & Mitch