NRGE Beginner-Intermediate White Water Kayaking: The New River From Thurmond To Cunard

OVERVIEW

GENERAL INFO ABOUT THIS TRIP:
The section of the New River above the gorge is a ~9 mile stretch from Thurmond to Cunard, WV and has 5 class 2 rapids separated by a bit of calm water and ends with the famous class 3, “Surprise” rapid. This is a great place for beginners-intermediates to get an intro to big water, and work on river skills like reading rapids, ferrying, eddy hopping, and combat rolling.
For more info about this river section check out:
https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/4119/

GENERAL ITINERARY:
Get to the campsite Friday afternoon/eve, set up camp, get a campfire rolling, eat, drink, and be merry. Rise with the sun on Saturday, eat a hearty breakfast (I might do camp food, or possibly hit the Cathedral Cafe – the best pre-adventure meal experience ever!), pack a lunch and our gear, then set shuttle (drop cars at put-in and take-out). When we get to the put-in we’ll gear up then tear into the river! We’ll be on the water for several hours so please be sure to bring plenty of food and water. After the float we’ll head back to the campsite and do some more eating and drinking and being merry. On Sunday you are on your own – if you are on a Sunday adventure you will need to work out transportation with the trip leader; if you are not on an adventure you will most likely ride back with the crew that you road to WV with. I’ll provide more info as the trip draws near.

PRIOR EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. You must have taken the intro to kayaking class with me or have similar experience to go on this trip. Also, I will need at least 1 driver to make this work so will give priority to folks with wheels who are willing to be carpool drivers.

DISCLAIMER:
I am NOT “leading” on this river, I am only coordinating some logistics and transportation to the rivers. I will provide advice about each rapid and you are welcome to follow me, however, 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”.

FOOD:
The club usually covers pizza on Saturday night of the NRGE (I’ll confirm yay or nay…) but you are on your own for the rest of the weekend. For the river trip you should pack plenty of snacks and a lunch that can get squished into a dry bag, like bagel sandwiches, hard fruits, GORP, granola, etc.

CAMPING:
We’ll be staying at Ray’s Campground: http://www.rayscampground.com/
There is plenty of space, bathrooms/showers, firewood to purchase, and good people. For directions you can follow the link above.
The club will cover your camp fee.

DEPARTURE TIME:
For now I’m going with 9am as a departure time from Ray’s on Saturday but that time, as other trip details, may change as the date draws near. I will let you know well in advance of the trip. To get out to the campground you will meet at Echols at 4:20 for the general NRGE carpool “adventure” (please sign up for that ONLY if you make it onto this trip or another NRGE adventure – see below). I might head out earlier in the day to the good ol’ WV for some other adventuring. By signing up for the NRGE carpool you will be assured a ride out to WV; if time and space allow you can ride out with me – more on that as my plans evolve.

THE CLUB PROVIDES: boats, spray skirts, paddles, pfds, helmets, drybags, float bags (limited quantities), paddle jackets (limited sizes/quantities), boat transportation, shuttle ride, camping gear (limited), camping fee, ga$, and pizza Saturday night.
YOU SHOULD BRING: **YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CAMPING GEAR – please make arrangements with the club officers to pick anything you might need from the gear room before the trip. You will also need swimwear, footwear that can get wet, towel, sunblock, food/snacks, water, your boat and gear if you have it, camping gear (if you have it), clothes (prep for cool nights and mornings and bring non-cotton layers for the river), a way to entertain yourself for when you are not paddling, flashlight, toiletries, money

Fee: I’m putting $10 for the fee to reflect the cost for the NRGE, which you need to pay to get onto the carpool trip.

ONE LAST THING: As I mentioned above, if you make it onto the trip list please also sign up for the NRGE carpool adventure. Thanks!