Alright, the countdown has started, y’all. In one week, we’ll be rafting the sweet, sweet white water of West Virginia’s one and only Gauley River. Woot!
In honor of the countdown, I thought we’d go ahead and post the 10 best things about Gauley Season. Now, lots of people have lots of ideas about “the best” things about the Gauley. But I just want everyone to know that these are the real 10 best, so please make sure that your list matches mine. O.K.? Great.
Here we go…
10. Fog First off, not everyone gets to experience the fog on the Gauley. It’s a treat reserved for early risers only, because the fog usually burns off when the sun comes over the gorge. But for those masochists… um, I mean, fluffy morning bunnies who get out on the water early, rafting in the the thick fog is a special treat. There’s not much that’s more exciting than paddling blindly over the lip of a ledge into white nothingness, when it sounds like there’s a train wreck going on right below you. Cool.
9. All of the rapids that aren’t the big 5 The big five rapids on the Gauley (in order- Insignificant, Pillow Rock, Lost Paddle, Iron Ring, and Sweet’s Falls) are all very, very fun. But what about all those rapids in between? There are crushing hits and killer surfs all along the way, so don’t neglect the in-between-o stuff.
8. The first big wave of the day When that first wave smacks you upside the head (that’d be Entrance rapid for the Upper section, Ender Waves rapid for the Lower section)you’re going to wake right up, guaranteed. It’s better than coffee.
7. Autumn Some people call it Fall. Whatever. You know what I’m sayin’. There’s just something about this time of year that will always mean a combination of crisp blue days, raging whitewater, and plenty of awesome. It may be “football season” to you now, but once you run the river, you’ll never feel the same way about it.
6. The Animal Race/Gauley Fest Say what you want about Gauley Fest- it definitely ups the entertainment factor on the river. There are so many first timers on the river that weekend (it’s always the third weekend of Gauley Season), you’re bound to see someone do something… shall we say, interesting? Plus the festival is a huge fundraiser for protecting whitewater rivers. Plus plus the Monday Animal race is a Nascar start. Wicked, as our friends from down east might say.
5. Talented/Funny/Ridiculous Raft Guides Whitewater season is pretty much shut down everywhere else in the country, so the entire guiding community descends on West Virginia. The population (and the tye-die ratio) tends to double around the river this time of year. I’ve met some of the coolest people I know because they were Gauley Season guides (heck, I was a Gauley Season guide that first year- then I had to move here). And they provide for some great stories.
4. Pillow Rock ‘Nuff said.
3. Gauley Parties Gauley Season is nothing if not a party, y’all. We party out on the river, back at base, and all over the gorge during Gauley. It’s the last fling of the year, not to mention a huge reunion. Long loved guests, guides, and pretty much everyone in between comes in to town for the waves, the barbecues, the music, and the scene in general. It’s an easy place to make new friends- we’ve got longtime guests who come for the same trip each year because they met each other on the trip. When we say that a good time will be had by all, we mean everybody.
2. Going Big Okay, going big is not exclusive to Gauley Season, but it is what Gauley Season is all about. The way the rapids are, you’re best option is ALWAYS to point the raft at the largest wave you see and go big. And the people that come to raft the Gauley are all for going big. And, of course, we’re all for going big. It’s just that time of year. Nothing can stop it. Go Big, Or Go Somewhere That’s Not Here! (just kidding- we really want all of you to come here, but you will at least have to go medium).
1. The Sweet’s Falls Coliseum I don’t think I’m the first person to call it a coliseum, but let’s just put it this way: If you’re above the falls, paddling toward the lip, and everyone starts cheering… you’re about to do something very special. It’s an audience, a picnic, and kind of a mob all at the same time. And the best part is, once you’re finished being the show, you get to sit back and watch as boat after boat lines up for their fate. I’ve been rafting in a whole lot of places, and I’m here to tell you- there’s nothing else like it. Anywhere. Ever.
