So I have been talked into a fairly impromptu rafting trip next weekend. We are going to do the Gauley "reverse" where we do the lower part Saturday and the upper part Sunday. Any tips on where to eat, drink, camp?
Gauley River Whitewater
- Thread starter Drillbit
- Start date
Don't fall out. It's a blast, as long as that is not over your "skill" level and your bud is not trying to kill you. I've been there, done it, but don't recall if that is hard... We used Class VI (excellent company) as our guide. Depending on your package, they may feed you lunch, or even supper. Come to think of it, I think I was on the New River........
Marty, make sure your will and life insurance are up to date. The Gauley is the most challenging commercially run river on the east coast. You will swim. Pro tips on surviving whitewater:
1. Hold on to your paddle. Guides will pick you out of the water before they go after the clients who dropped their paddles (and are therefore unable to power the boat)
2. When you swim, point your feet downstream and keep your toes above the water. Never put your feet down.
3. Don't wear cotton.
4. Don't believe anything the guides say. Particularly not any stories about local history, landmarks, or previous clients.
5. Make friends with the kayakers if there are any accompanying your trip.
Not sure if it's still around, but back in the day Paco's Tacos was a legendary local institution.
1. Hold on to your paddle. Guides will pick you out of the water before they go after the clients who dropped their paddles (and are therefore unable to power the boat)
2. When you swim, point your feet downstream and keep your toes above the water. Never put your feet down.
3. Don't wear cotton.
4. Don't believe anything the guides say. Particularly not any stories about local history, landmarks, or previous clients.
5. Make friends with the kayakers if there are any accompanying your trip.
Not sure if it's still around, but back in the day Paco's Tacos was a legendary local institution.
Marty, I've only seen the stretch of the Ocoee that was used for the Olympics. I bet there are tons of videos on the youtubez about the Gauley, some shot by professional video boaters. This is also an add-on sale: some guide companies will film the carnage, whip together a slick 20-minute movie with slow-mo replays of the raft flipping set to the jams of some local band, and sell you a DVD at the end of the float. Pretty cool souvenir to share with friends.
The Gauley has big water and challenging rapids, but it's mainly pool-and-drop so you'll flip, get thrashed around a bit, then pop up downstream in a calm stretch of water where you can regroup and get ready for the next rapid. I'm not trying to freak you out, my cautionary comments are mainly tongue-in-cheek from my days as a rafting guide. The Gauley is run safely by thousands of people each year and is not an opportunity to be missed. Just don't expect a theme park log flume ride. If you've rafted before, are comfortable swimming, and don't get freaked out underwater, you'll be fine.
The Gauley has big water and challenging rapids, but it's mainly pool-and-drop so you'll flip, get thrashed around a bit, then pop up downstream in a calm stretch of water where you can regroup and get ready for the next rapid. I'm not trying to freak you out, my cautionary comments are mainly tongue-in-cheek from my days as a rafting guide. The Gauley is run safely by thousands of people each year and is not an opportunity to be missed. Just don't expect a theme park log flume ride. If you've rafted before, are comfortable swimming, and don't get freaked out underwater, you'll be fine.
I guess I'm about ready then. I have done the olympic section a few times. This should be interesting.
ptschram
Well-known member
How did this go for you Marty? My father was just down there running some whitewater kayaking clinics and helping with some kind classes at the NOC.