**Nrge Trip** Beginner to Intermediate White Water Kayaking – the New River from Thurmond to Cunard

OVERVIEW

The following adventure is part of the New River Gorge Extravaganza (NRGE). For more info about the Extravaganza, and to sign-up for carpooling IF YOU GET OFF FROM THIS ADVENTURE’S WAIT LIST AND ONTO THE TRIP LIST (or are on the trip list of another NRGE adventure) check out: http://www.outdoorsatuva.org/members/adventure/read/3787

GENERAL INFO ABOUT THIS TRIP:
The section of the New River above the gorge is a 7 mile stretch from Thurmond to Cunard, WV and has 5 class 2 rapids separated by a bit of calm water, and has 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. This stretch also serves as a warm-up for intermediates who want to step up their game and run the gorge (see Ned’s trip).
For more info about this river section check out:
http://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). We’ll put-in at Thurmond as early as possible and paddle to Cunard where the beginner types will take-out and shuttle back to the put-in to pick up the other vehicle(s) (**these shuttle plans are tentative). We’ll be on the water for 2-3 hours so please be sure to bring plenty of food and water. After our adventure we’ll enjoy another festive night ’round the campfire.

PRIOR EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. You must have taken the intro to kayaking class with me or have similar experience to go on this trip. Since I will have to screen your qualifications, your name will get added to the waitlist upon signing up, and then moved to the trip list if appropriate. 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. If you make it onto the trip list please sign up for the NRGE carpool trip (see above).

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”

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 or the “adventure destination” link posted with this adventure.

The club will cover your camping fee ($9.00 per person per night).

**You will need to secure yourself some camping gear before the adventure**

DEPARTURE TIME:
I am setting 11am as a tentative departure time from Echols. This is an estimate of when I can leave but chances are that I will be stopping en route to frolic in the woods atop my metal steed which means we will most likely be driving/riding separately; I’ll work with you and the officers to secure you transportation to and from WV.

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 (borrow from the club if need be), clothes (prep for cool nights and mornings and non-cotton layers for the river), a way to entertain yourself for when you are not paddling, flashlight, toiletries, money