Kayaking, Rafting and Camping at the Gauley River

OVERVIEW

The Gauley River is 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 realesed. With this trip, you can choose your level of engagement…kayay 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.

We’ll leave Friday afternoon and drive to the Summersville, WV area. We’ll be camping at the ACE adventure center. On Saturday and Sunday you’ll be able to hike, kayak, raft, or just relax at the campground. If you want to kayak, 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 either Saturday and/or Sunday, you must set this up on your own through ACE, but I can assist you in the process. For more details on rafting see: www.aceraft.com

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

You provide: kayaking gear if you have it, tent/sleeping bag/stove/camping stuff if you have it, clothes (if you are rafting or kayaking, 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, ie 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.

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

More Info:

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 another trip to the Gauley!