Echols Dorm: Brick Wall By Side Door
New River
Since it is the New River Gorge Extravaganza, I would love to get enough people together to paddle the Lower New River Saturday afternoon of the extravaganza, and then leave Sunday open to options such as the Upper/Lower Gauley:
Lower New: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2418/
Lower Gauley:https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2379/
Upper Gauley: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2378/
QUALIFICATIONS:
The Lower New is a section of river best suited for more intermediate/advanced boaters. You should at least be an intermediate paddler with previous class III-IV experience with a reliable combat roll. If you are unsure if you have the skillset to paddle this section, please read over the river description above and feel free to contact me with questions. I’ll be asking you to list paddling experience when signing up for this trip so that I can screen skill level before adding you to the list.
SCHEDULE:
Leave Cville Friday afternoon and arrive at the campsite Friday afternoon and hang out for all the NRGE festivities. Saturday morning, Dave Clark has a beginner kayaking trip scheduled on the Upper New, so we’ll plan a relaxing start to our day and meet him as he reaches the end of the Upper to join our crew on the Lower.
Sunday, people are welcome to coordinate paddling elsewhere (Gauley), sign up for another trip, or even do nothing. If you just want to come for Saturday, that’s cool. If you aren’t able to come Saturday and want to boat Sunday, we can probably make that work too. When signing up for this trip, please indicate which section of river you would like to paddle Saturday and Sunday, or other plans you might have as far as scheduling goes.
FOOD:
Since the club does not pay for food, plan on either packing meals/food/snack or bring money to purchase some on the way. A grocery run on the way could be a possibility. Saturday night will be a group dinner of PIZZA provided by the club, so no need to worry about that!
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 ($9.00 per person per night).
THE CLUB PROVIDES: boats, spray skirts, paddles, pfds, helmets, noseplugs, drybags, float bags (limited quantities), neoprene booties, paddle jackets (limited sizes/quantities), boat transportation, shuttle ride, camping gear (limited), camping fee, most ga$, and dinner Saturday night.
YOU SHOULD BRING: swimwear, footwear that can get wet (though the club has an ample supply of neoprene booties), 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; non-cotton layers for the river), a way to entertain yourself for when you are not paddling, flashlight, toiletries, money
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”
———————————————————–
About the NRGE:
WHAT IS THE NEW RIVER GORGE EXTRAVAGANZA?
The New River Gorge Extravaganza (NRGE) is a choose-your-own-adventure megatrip that the club puts on in the fall to one of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the nation, perhaps world, and is only 3 hours from C’ville. The New River itself is 1 of 10 National Wild and Scenic Rivers in the US, and the gorge and surrounding area (including the Gauley River/Summersville area) hosts excellent white water kayaking for all levels, rafting, mountain and road biking, rock climbing, hiking/backpacking, and caving. Due to the outdoor rec opportunities and natural beauty, this area of West Virginia is also very popular for tourism. The club makes various trips to the NRG area each year but the goal of the extravaganza is to bring all of the club’s popular genres/activities and people together for 1 amazing weekend.
WHEN?
The weekend of 10/3-10/5. The departures will most likely be from Echols at various times on Friday, the 3rd. In their trip descriptions the trip leaders should indicate what day/time their adventure(s) will depart from the campsite. If you end up only doing one activity during the weekend, you’ll have a day to explore or hang out at the campsite. So you should sign up for adventures every day.