Whitewater Rafting

Fab4Runner Tits McGee
6,997 posts 64 reps Joined Nov 2009
Sun, Aug 11, 2019 2:54 PM

Has anyone rafted in WV? We're going for my mom's 60th next month and are trying to decide which trip to book. A few of the people going have done it before, but there will be some newbies as well. 


iclfan2 Reppin' the 330/216/843
9,465 posts 98 reps Joined Nov 2009
Sun, Aug 11, 2019 3:51 PM

Never did WV but did Ohio Pyle on the Ohio PA border once. Was really fun.

Zunardo Senior Member
815 posts 15 reps Joined Nov 2010
Sun, Aug 11, 2019 10:56 PM

If you have newbies, I recommend the Lower Gaulley or the New.  My first trip was Lower Gaulley over 30 years ago.  Had a great time.  

 

Fab4Runner Tits McGee
6,997 posts 64 reps Joined Nov 2009
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 8:55 AM
posted by Zunardo

If you have newbies, I recommend the Lower Gaulley or the New.  My first trip was Lower Gaulley over 30 years ago.  Had a great time.  

 

We are leaning lower Gauley I think. Upper Gauley sounds like the most fun, but also like it would probably kick our asses lol.

geeblock Member
1,123 posts 0 reps Joined May 2018
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 9:20 AM
posted by Fab4Runner

We are leaning lower Gauley I think. Upper Gauley sounds like the most fun, but also like it would probably kick our asses lol.

Ask what the water levels are. If they are low you can do the upper for sure 

Automatik Senior Member
15,737 posts 98 reps Joined Nov 2009
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 9:35 AM
posted by iclfan2

Never did WV but did Ohio Pyle on the Ohio PA border once. Was really fun.

Same here. I went when I was around 15. Had a blast. Also went on some great scenic bike trails.

wkfan Senior Member
1,850 posts 13 reps Joined Nov 2009
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 10:27 AM

HIGHLY recommend 'Adventures on the Gorge' as an outfitter.

Great equipment and guides.......make the trip very enjoyable for experienced and non-experienced.

QuakerOats Senior Member
11,701 posts 66 reps Joined Nov 2009
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 10:57 AM

I did the New River about 20 years ago …….decent trip.

 

Zunardo Senior Member
815 posts 15 reps Joined Nov 2010
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 1:14 PM
posted by Fab4Runner

We are leaning lower Gauley I think. Upper Gauley sounds like the most fun, but also like it would probably kick our asses lol.

I went with several co-workers who'd done it before, they highly recommended I start with the Lower, and then I'd be ready for the Upper next time.  I saw the video of them on the Upper and had to agree - it looked pretty insane.

Zunardo Senior Member
815 posts 15 reps Joined Nov 2010
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 1:16 PM
posted by geeblock

Ask what the water levels are. If they are low you can do the upper for sure 

Go figure.  I'm no expert in hydrology, but my second year (1988) I was going to do the Upper Gaulley, and we were told when we got there nobody was permitted on the Upper due to drought conditions and low water levels.  They gave us a choice of the Lower Gaulley or the New, and we chose the New since none of our group had done it.

geeblock Member
1,123 posts 0 reps Joined May 2018
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 1:35 PM
posted by Zunardo

Go figure.  I'm no expert in hydrology, but my second year (1988) I was going to do the Upper Gaulley, and we were told when we got there nobody was permitted on the Upper due to drought conditions and low water levels.  They gave us a choice of the Lower Gaulley or the New, and we chose the New since none of our group had done it.

Yea if it’s too low it’s dangerous because you can hit rocks and also more of a danger to get pinned under them  

geeblock Member
1,123 posts 0 reps Joined May 2018
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 1:36 PM

The lower gulley was really fun in my opinion also 

vball10set paying it forward
26,788 posts 121 reps Joined Nov 2009
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 3:53 PM
posted by Zunardo

If you have newbies, I recommend the Lower Gaulley or the New.  My first trip was Lower Gaulley over 30 years ago.  Had a great time.  

 

This, especially for first timers

Fab4Runner Tits McGee
6,997 posts 64 reps Joined Nov 2009
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 4:26 PM

After speaking with the guides, we decided on lower Gauley. It will be on October 12th (brrr), which is apparently one of the best weekends to go. I will be taking advantage of the wetsuit rental, lol.

Zunardo Senior Member
815 posts 15 reps Joined Nov 2010
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 5:17 PM
posted by Fab4Runner

After speaking with the guides, we decided on lower Gauley. It will be on October 12th (brrr), which is apparently one of the best weekends to go. I will be taking advantage of the wetsuit rental, lol.

Good choice - excellent timing!  My Lower Gauley trip was same time frame.  Pretty chilly, but with great fall foliage.  Had never worn a wetsuit before.  The guide said, "when go in, the cold water will take your breath away, but then your body heat warms up the water trapped in the suit, and you'll be comfortable until you get out of the water".  Boy, was he right!

Make sure you buy the action photo and video if offered.  My 8x10 of that first trip is one of my favorite mementos.

On a more sober note, pleeeeeease be careful, follow the instructions, and wear a helmet.  I lost a dear colleague at work because of a rafting accident, first time she'd ever gone.  They didn't find her body for 36 hours.  For some reason, the family had an open casket at the viewing, and I wish they hadn't.  The damage to her face was awful.

geeblock Member
1,123 posts 0 reps Joined May 2018
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 5:21 PM

If I remember correctly on the last rapid “swimmers rapid” you can go through it without the boat if they still allow that 

Zunardo Senior Member
815 posts 15 reps Joined Nov 2010
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 5:42 PM
posted by geeblock

If I remember correctly on the last rapid “swimmers rapid” you can go through it without the boat if they still allow that 

I did that once, scared the crap out of me.  All I could think was "Feet up!  Feet up!  Don't get caught underneath!"

Did you "ride the bull"?

Fab4Runner Tits McGee
6,997 posts 64 reps Joined Nov 2009
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 5:51 PM
posted by Zunardo

Good choice - excellent timing!  My Lower Gauley trip was same time frame.  Pretty chilly, but with great fall foliage.  Had never worn a wetsuit before.  The guide said, "when go in, the cold water will take your breath away, but then your body heat warms up the water trapped in the suit, and you'll be comfortable until you get out of the water".  Boy, was he right!

Make sure you buy the action photo and video if offered.  My 8x10 of that first trip is one of my favorite mementos.

On a more sober note, pleeeeeease be careful, follow the instructions, and wear a helmet.  I lost a dear colleague at work because of a rafting accident, first time she'd ever gone.  They didn't find her body for 36 hours.  For some reason, the family had an open casket at the viewing, and I wish they hadn't.  The damage to her face was awful.

I will absolutely be wearing a helmet and will follow all instructions. I'm not trying to die in West Virginia of all places. 

geeblock Member
1,123 posts 0 reps Joined May 2018
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 7:40 PM
posted by Zunardo

I did that once, scared the crap out of me.  All I could think was "Feet up!  Feet up!  Don't get caught underneath!"

Did you "ride the bull"?

What is that? 

geeblock Member
1,123 posts 0 reps Joined May 2018
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 7:53 PM

I only ever had two scares on my lower gulley trips and we were pretty much wasted the whole time. Once on the double Z rapid we ended up going in backwards and I was in the back of the boat and got shot 10 feet in the air. My friends said I was swimming before I hit the water. 

The other time was in the swimming rapid I got smashed up against the rock wall like I was in a washing machine for about 30 secs till it spit me out and I got scared. 

Zunardo Senior Member
815 posts 15 reps Joined Nov 2010
Mon, Aug 12, 2019 8:26 PM
posted by geeblock

I only ever had two scares on my lower gulley trips and we were pretty much wasted the whole time. Once on the double Z rapid we ended up going in backwards and I was in the back of the boat and got shot 10 feet in the air. My friends said I was swimming before I hit the water. 

The other time was in the swimming rapid I got smashed up against the rock wall like I was in a washing machine for about 30 secs till it spit me out and I got scared. 

Yikes.  Either of those would have been enough for me to not go a second time.

Riding the bull is when you sit on front center tube,legs straddling the tow ring and dangling over the front, and you hang on to the ring and yell "yee-ha!" going through a rapid.  I passed on the opportunity, lol. 

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