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

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.  

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.

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 

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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  

The lower gulley was really fun in my opinion also 

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

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.

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.

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

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"?

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. 

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? 

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. 

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. 

No help from me. I don't like the water -- except for hot tubs and hot showers.

If I did like water, I would probably like to do some rafting.