THE FEST OF GAULEY MAIN TRIP!!!!!! (beginner camping, intermediate climbing, intermediate whitewater, intermediate mtb)

OVERVIEW

Hey goons!

Are any of you interested in water, or camping, or music, or festivals, or being outside!?!?! JK I know some (most? (all??)) of you are interested in at least one of those things. This is going to be a dope and unique weekend trip that ranges for beginners (beginners to just being outside even– you don’t have to know anything!!) to advanced whitewater folks, bikers, or climbers!!!!!

Here’s the explanation– Mitch, and I want to go to Gauley Fest which is an EPIC whitewater festival in Summersville, WV. This is gonna be a super fun weekend, with lots of live music, whitewater (and other) vendors, lots of partying, and lots of watching people do dope stuff on whitewater.

I personally will not be rafting, or paddling any craft down the Gauley this weekend as it is Class V whitewater and I am very scared of that. So, I will be taking a group to hike down to the river where we can chill for the day (on saturday) and watch the crazy paddlers send it and see some good carnage too. It’ll be super cool to chill and watch, and hopefully will get some of yall excited for whitewater (albeit smaller water). Disclaimer: the hike down to the river is relatively strenuous both up and down. It is unmaintained and very steep. It is short, but if you have health issues or injuries it may be difficult. Other than that, my Saturday trip will be that super short hike and then just hanging out– so beginners are welcome!

Mitch, on the other hand, is going to lead a raft down the Gauley (ahhhh, wow). If you are a class IV+ boater or have been on a rafting trip in class IV or above rapids and if you are a strong swimmer you can sign up for Mitch’s trip, after you sign up for this one, which will be posted separately. You have to be signed up for this main trip BEFORE you can get off the waitlist to raft!!!

As for other activities, Evan and Max will be leading a climbing trip going out on Sunday, while Max and Max will be leading a biking trip on both friday on the way, and Saturday morning (early!) before the hike!

After daily activities we will all rally to the festival for live music, food, a rad whitewater marketplace, raffles and a silent auction. There is a $50 fee for camping and attending the festival for the weekend. Be warned that this WILL BE a party weekend. The festival includes a late night (12-2am) EDM concert (or it did last year), we will try to camp far away from the concert but this will be far from a relaxing night in the woods. You can definitely make of it what you want and go to bed early, but there will be a lot of partying happening in the area so be warned for that. Any questions about this shoot me a text (804) 980-5222

Everyone, regardless of their daily activity, will be camping for the weekend– both Friday and Saturday night. We are all going to be camping at the festival site. You will have to make sure you have your own camping gear and your own food– which we have listed in the what to bring section. YOU WILL NEED 50 DOLLARS CASH TO GET IN AS WELL!

As you can see– this trip is open to ANYONE. You don’t have to have any experience outdoors, all you have to be able to do is be comfortable camping for a weekend– which is super chill to do even if you’ve never done it before. I’m super happy to answer any questions anyone has about this weekend– whether it be about whitewater or how to stay comfy camping for a weekend. Gauley fest is arguably my favorite weekend of the year, and was absolutely legendary last year– this year will be even better.

Finally: YOU WILL NOT GET OFF THIS WAITLIST UNLESS YOU ARE OFF THE WAITLIST FOR ONE OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY TRIPS (hike and hang, climb, raft, or bike) make sure you know which trips you want to go on for the weekend. This will also be a somewhat loose weekend. We have tentative plans for times of trips but this will be adjusted based on group conversations over the weekend, the start and end times for this trip are also not set in stone. We will send out a spreadsheet for drivers and carpool, and will also make a groupme– this is how you will decide when you are leaving to go to WV, and when you are leaving to come home on sunday– as well as where you will meet your car groups.

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/aw:events_gauley
^^^ AW festival page

PSA #1: We will bring cookware (stoves and fuel), but if you have your own please bring it!
PSA #2: Bring money– there is food and goodies for sale at the festival, and you NEED $50 cash to get into the festival
PSA#3: Only sign up if you are going to commit your weekend to this. We cannot have last minute back outs, nor can you leave early (Saturday)!!!

WE NEED DRIVERS (6 cars!)!!!! If you have a car and can drive, you will get priority off the waitlist! Gas is going to be reimbursed up to $150. As different trips will have different driving needs throughout the weekend, it would be awesome if you were cool with your car being driven by someone else.
***Plan is to have some cars leave sunday morning for those who don’t want to adventure sunday, and some cars go on adventures sunday***

If you have specific questions that ARE NOT ANSWERED IN THIS DESCRIPTION:
feel free to email/text me or Mitch at:
Mitch: (804)-955-8990; mcl2hxw@virginia.edu
Jade: (804)-980-5222 ; jma9x@virginia.edu

WHAT TO BRING
Sleeping pad
Sleeping bag
Pillow if ya want that
Tent if you want, but you could cowboy camp too (no tent, just sleeping bag and sleeping pad)
(we will make a group chat where you can organize tent buddies)
Headlamp
Food (friday dinner; saturday brekkie, lunch, and dinner; sunday brekkie and lunch; snacks)
We may be able to stop for food for some meals, but count on bringing enough to sustain you for the weekend.
You are welcome to plan meals with others you know who are coming! Please do! We will make a groupme with others signed up for this
2 water bottles
There will be places at campground to fill water
Layers layers layers
Its gonna get a little chilly during the night time so just make sure you check the forecast and pack accordingly.
Clothes for the warm weather during the day
Some shoes good for hiking and walking around all day
A pair of sneakers/hiking boots AND a pair of sandals/camp shoes
Mayhaps a little journal or book or cards if you’re into that (i am for sure)
Rain jacket
Hat
Beanie and sun hat
DO NOT FORGET WARM SOCKS
Drinks or green stuff for the evenings if you’d like (we are not providing anything)
Whatever you need for your sport specific trips
Day backpack

We will bring cookware, but if you have your own please bring it! And definitely bring your own bowls/mugs/utensils and such.