Archive for the ‘Behind the Scenes’ Category

« Older Entries

TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Aerial AdventureIf you’re a fan of TreeTops on Facebook or Adventures on the Gorge on Google+, you’re already well aware of what we’ve been building here this winter.

If you’re not—if this is the first you’ve heard of TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park—prepare to be blown away. TimberTrek is best described as a system of obstacles, bridges, swings and zip lines between tree platforms at heights as high as 50 feet above the forest floor. It is comprised of 5 courses of varying difficulty levels: 1 yellow course, 2 green, 1 blue and 1 black, each incrementally harder than the last. Children as young as 7 are welcome on the yellow course—and the greens, too, as long as they have an adult with them.

How about a tour? Songer’s Len Hanger leads the way!

With the addition of TimberTrek, Adventures on the Gorge is now the most extensive selection of aerial adventure in the world! We’ll be booking TimberTrek in 3 and 6-hour blocks at $79 for 3 and $109 for 6. Call now to book!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Around Campus, Behind the Scenes | 2 Comments »

Where’s Len? | New Location at Adventures on the Gorge

Friday, June 17th, 2011

Watch the owner of Songer Whitewater, Len Hanger, as he checks out Songer’s new basecamp right on the rim of the New River Gorge at Adventures On The Gorge.

Where is it in relation to our old basecamp?
Well we are about 5 miles south of our old camp on Miller Ridge Rd, which means not only we do we have a great view of the New River Gorge and a ton of new activities and adventures, it is a five minute bus ride from the take-out.

We think you’ll like it.

Tags: ,
Posted in Behind the Scenes | No Comments »

Songer Whitewater’s New Basecamp

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

From our humble beginnings in 1978 in a small cottage along the banks of the New River, to becoming one of West Virginia’s leading whitewater outfitters, Songer Whitewater has strived to share our love for the river. It’s been our lifestyle, our vocation but mostly importantly, our passion. That passion has driven us to share our culture with you.

2011 has been and will be a year of exciting change for Songer Whitewater. We’ve joined Adventures on The Gorge. Our new home is a world-class Adventure Resort located on the rim of the New River Gorge. You may wonder, “Just what is an Adventure Resort?” It’s where adventure and comfort join to form life-long memories. “All the adventure you can dream of-All the comforts you could desire”.

Our new home boasts 4 restaurants, 3 bars, a wide range of lodging options from rustic camping to deluxe vacation rentals, top-notch facilities and plenty of adventure. Our Adventure Resort is your personal playground, near Fayetteville, voted “Coolest Small Town in America” by Budget Travel Magazine. Our “On the Gorge” campus is nestled in the heart of everything that’s great about the New River Gorge.

We will be located next to TreeTops Canopy Tour, named one of the top 10 places to zip by USA Today and Gravity Ziplines, one of the fastest and longest zip line courses in the East. As part of our move, we also have on-site mountain biking and paintball. Nearby you can enjoy rock climbing & rappelling, kayaking, fishing and ATV tours.

The biggest change for 2011 is that we’ll start all of our trips at our Adventures on the Gorge headquarters on Ames Heights Road in Lansing, WV, just 2 miles from the New River Gorge Bridge. You will continue to see your favorite guides, staff and purple rafts when you raft with Songer Whitewater.

Our commitment to personalized service and to our relationships with you, our guest, will never change. These principles have been critical to our success over the last 25 years. We look forward to your visit to our new home at “Adventures on the Gorge”. We think you’ll be as excited as we are to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same.

Call us at 877-237-3492 or email us at raft@songerwhitewater.com then get ready for your

 “Adventure on the Gorge”.

(Just tell them Len sent you!)

Len Hanger

Vice President

Songer Whitewater

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Area Information, Behind the Scenes, cabin vacations, Gauley River Rafting, mountain biking, New River Rafting, rock climbing, Things to Do, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Songer Whitewater Joins Adventures On the Gorge

Thursday, March 31st, 2011
Fayette Station Rapid on New River

New River Gorge National River, Fayette Station Rapid

Ames Heights, WV (March 2011)

The whitewater rafting season officially got underway at Adentures On the Gorge March 27 this year with some changes on the campus at Ames Heights, WV and the welcoming of Songer Whitewater as a new partner. Len Hanger, vice president of Songer Adventures, LLC, and Paul Beuchler, president of Adventures On the Gorge, announced the merger this week.

“The whitewater rafting industry has changed,” Hanger said. “With the number of guests declining over the past several years, it is economically challenging for a single outfitter to maintain a base camp, marketing and customer services. Joining Adventures On the Gorge gives us the advantage of sharing costs, maintaining a great whitewater rafting product, providing more outdoor recreation options for our returning guests and for people looking for new outdoor activities.”

Buechler said the merger makes Adventures On the Gorge the largest outdoor recreation outfitter in West Virginia and is a great fit for both organizations. “Our philosophy is to offer our guests the best outdoor recreation options in the New River Gorge region. Songer Whitewater’s reputation for offering rafting trips with detailed attention to the customer fits into our program well.”

The merger will allow Songer to maintain its identity, just as Class VI-Mountain River and The Rivermen have done. All employees will remain with the company. “The purple rafts will still be on the river,” said Hanger. “The biggest change for our guests is that they will begin their trips at the Adventures On the Gorge headquarters on Ames Heights Road and not at our former Miller Ridge Road site. Other than that, I want to assure them they will still see their favorite guides, purple rafts and decorated helmets when they raft with Songer Whitewater.”

Songer Whitewater opened for business in 1978 and has hosted a quarter million guests, according to Hanger. “Many of our guides have worked for us for a long time and will continue to do so after the move,” he said.

“Strategically, Adventures On the Gorge continues to look for opportunities to build this destination resort and provide the best mix of exciting outdoor adventures and relaxation that our guests want to enjoy with their friends and family,” Buechler said. “For the 2011 season, we’ve added a new 3,000-foot zipline at the Gravity Zipline site, built ten new cabins on our campus and we’re doing extensive work on our food service facilities.”

At the Miller Ridge Road property, owner Susie Hofstetter is retaining the property and developing an RV park. “I am exploring this option and have hired a consulting company to complete a feasibility study,” Hofstetter said. “An RV park adds another dimension to lodging options here in Fayette County.”

Buechler said that Adventures On the Gorge also recognizes the value of an RV park in the area and will work with Hofstetter, who was one of the Songer Whitewater owners, to promote this lodging option when the park opens.

Adventures On the Gorge is an outdoor adventure desination operated by Adventure WV, LLC, in Ames Heights, WV. The destination includes Class VI-Mountain River, The Rivermen and Songer Adventures, LLC. It offers a diverse selection of outdoor adventure activities including whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers, TreeTops Canopy Tour, Gravity Zipline, Bridge Walk, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing & rappelling, disc golf and paintball. Its lodging options include tent and cabin selections from rustic to luxury and the campus includes three restaurants. Located on the New River Gorge, the adventure destination borders three miles of the New River Gorge National River. The campus covers more than 1,000 acres and includes Wild Rock West Virginia, a sustainable community development.

MSNBC featured the story of the Adventures On the Gorge merger in November 2010. USA Today named TreeTops Canopy Tour one of the top ten ziplines in the United States in September 2010 and Class VI was selected one of the best adventure travel companies on Earth in a 2009 National Geographic Adventure survey. Fayetteville, located minutes from Adventures On the Gorge campus, was selected by Outside magazine as one of the top 25 best towns in its August 2010 issue.

Posted in Area Information, Behind the Scenes, cabin vacations, Gauley River Rafting, New River Rafting, rock climbing | No Comments »

Winter at Songer Whitewater

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Winter has arrived here at Songer Whitewater. Oooops! It’s still two weeks away. Somebody forgot to look at the calendar.

Our first significant snowfall came this weekend and has decided to stay. We have 8 inches or more and temps in the teens and twenties. Yep, pretty chilly! Not too good for rafting now but it does bode well for next summer. Being true to the green movement, We Recycle Snow. All of this lovely snow melts and soaks into the ground and is released during the spring and summer months helping to create the big rapids on the New and Gauley Rivers here in West Virginia.

Snow day at Songer Whitewater

I am sure some of you wonder what we do this time of year. Well, we still are in the office thinking of our new brochures for 2011, planning trips to various cities to travel shows, talking to our groups about next summer’s plans and, oh yeah, shoveling snow.

Today has been fairly busy talking to people planning gifts for Christmas. Two people ordered gift certificates for rafting and other adventures for next May.

At home, away from the office, last night was putting lights on our tree for the holidays. Still need to put the big wreath up outside though.

What are you doing this week? Shopping? Decorating? Making travel plans?

Whatever you are doing, all of the staff at Songer Whitewater wishes you Happy Holidays.

Posted in Behind the Scenes, Holidays, New River Rafting | No Comments »

The Great Raft Guide Migration

Monday, November 1st, 2010

We’re really lucky. Why? Because the whitewater rafting season in West Virginia is long. It gives us more time to play!

We begin in early spring, running the New River and finish up during the peak of fall on the Gauley River. From the time morels begin popping through the forest floor, to the spectacular display of fall color, we’re rafting.

Know why else we are lucky? Because of the people that flow through the area to run the rivers. Folks just like you…and the folks that sit in the back of the rafts, your guides.

Woods Ferry access

When Gauley Season wraps-up, it begins the annual Fall raft guide migration. Know how the National Geographic Channel does a show on the Great Migration? Wildebeest (is the plural Wildebeesteses?) Zebras. Running.

It’s kinda like that, only some of our guides are a bit more hairy than your average Wildebeest, and they generally don’t like to run.

Jokes aside, we are proud of our guides and find them just as fascinating as the endless waves they chase. It is always interesting to learn where their adventures take them when they leave.

Say Hi to Ben (and Melissa too!)…
A native of Virginia,  Ben Gwaltney moved to the mountains of Tucker County, WV. As his dreads grew so did his interest in the  rivers of Southern West Virginia. Running the rivers of West Virginia and many out west as well, Ben and Melissa will be wintering in Lake Tahoe following a trip to Costa Rica.

Mr. Hobbitt

Mr. Hobbitt


Kirk and Aaron Head South
Sometimes, when following waves, one hemisphere is just not enough. Kirk Larson is heading to New Zealand for 6 months and Aaron Koch is off to surf the river and ocean waves of Mexico. Rough life eh? We look forward to seeing them again next year.

Hobbitt Sightings? Please Report
The man, the myth, the legend Hobbitt (aka John Hawes) has been a Songer Whitewater and Gauley Season regular since I was a kid trying to hitch a ride in someones raft. His sweet disposition radiates on and off the river. If you are in the Asheville area this winter, please report any Hobbit sightings!

There are 47 other stories to tell you, well . . . stories about raft guide migration. I hope you enjoy your winter season and I hope to see you again in the spring.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Behind the Scenes | No Comments »

What You Need to Know About the Gauley River’s Top 5 Rapids

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Can pretty much sum it up like this: They’re big. They’re bad. We love em’.

The Upper Gauley River is known across the world for its whitewater. Big rapids and plenty of them. When I talk with folks about the Upper G, which is quite often, I break down the top 5 rapids into two types: long and short.

Lots of whitewater in this Class 5+


The Long
The long rapids are characterized by shallow water littered with small rocks at the entrance, leading into small waves which gradually grow larger.  Interestingly, they also usually follow a large curve in the river bed with a wallop at the end serving as a friendly reminder of just who is in charge.

  • Insignificant

    • Don’t let the name fool you. Seriously. Technical, steep ledges with giant waves at the end.  Often shrouded in early morning fog, this rapid is a great way to get the party cranked up.

  • Lost Paddle

    • Consisting of 4 distinct drops, this is a 1/4 mile of bona-fide Class V whitewater. It is also the home of the universally-loved Hawaii-Five-Oh Wave, my second favorite hit of the day.  Those with Upper G experience look forward to this wave from the moment they grab their t-grip. First-timers are usually surprised by this spectacular wave, creating a 100% chance of a “woo hoo!”.

The Short
These rapids are steep.  When I say steep, I mean…steep! When running these rapids you will carefully line-up the raft for a proper entrance, then dig-in the paddle strokes and let the chips fall! The 3 short Class 5+ rapids are: Pillow Rock, Iron Ring & Sweet Falls.

  • Pillow Rock

    • A giant rock on the left side of this rapid creates a huge pillow of water, with a big drop on the downstream side. Carefully navigating the top of the rapid, a true “Pillow Ride” creates a perfect ride carrying your just inches from the giant rock.

  • Iron Ring

    • A rapid with a very interesting history, the name sake of this rapid comes from a relic left behind reminding us of the bygone logging era in the Gauley River Canyon. It is also home of Woodstock Rock, which creates a monstrous pile of whitewater. I’ve watched countless boats try to run up and over it, some make it. Some don’t. The best line, in my opinion, is to drop-in the right corner of Woodstock. Big drop with less consequence.

  • Sweet’s Falls

    • So, you wanted to know my fav? Sweet Falls. Watch the video to see it for yourself. A unique combination of calm smooth water as you approach, followed by a massive drop over the falls with a big punch at the bottom. My hearts racing right now just writing about it! The key here? Approach.

Excited yet? (take a deep breath)

So that’s my Big 5 on the Upper G.  But there are a lot more great rapids I haven’t told you about.  One of them being another long Class 5 to finish up the day: Woods Ferry.  I’ll let you discover that one for yourself.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Behind the Scenes, Gauley River Rafting | No Comments »

Alert! The New River is Rising!

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

You like surprises? Good, ’cause we have one for you!

It rained south of us. A lot. Remember how the New River flows North? Well that means we have water on the way.

New River Big Water Rafting

The river is expected to be up to 2 ft by tomorrow morning, Thursday August 19th.  This is an awesome summer level for whitewater rafting. Two feet = big smiles.

Ah . . . warm water. Check. Sunshine. Check. Big waves. Check.

How Do We Know?
You trust us right? Did you know Songerville is home to the local Master Water Forecaster? (Say that 5 times fast)

Len Hanger has been chasing water all of his adult life. He communicates on the industries behalf with the Army Corp. of Engineers for high water river management and then alerts all the whitewater outfitters on what he feels is going to happen. He’s the man.

But wait! It gets better! (Say it aloud in your best infomercial-guy voice)
Coincidentally, Thursdays are $20 bucks off, we like to call them Thrillin’ Thursdays.

So, if you’re close by (say you live in Charleston,) or if you’re headed to the West Virginia State Fair you should give us a call (and bring us a funnel cake).

But wait! There’s more!
Want to know another great thing about this recent rain? The great river levels will be here through the weekend.

This just in from the Songerville Accu-weather desk….
We are expecting the rain to skedaddle by tomorrow with the sun moving in for the weekend. (check it for yourself: songer weather)

So give us a call and head to Songerville for some fun…and don’t forget my funnel cake!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Behind the Scenes, New River Rafting | No Comments »

4 Secrets of the Lower Gauley

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

The Gauley River carries a well-deserved reputation for being wild, crazy and big! Consistently rated as one of the top 10 river trips in the U.S., the Upper Gauley is known for famous rapids like Pillow Rock, Sweet’s Falls and Lost Paddle. What you may not realize is, the Lower Gauley (‘Lower G’ to the initiated) is awesome too.

Canyon Doors on the Lower Gauley River (fisheye lens)

When we say it’s awesome, we mean it’s…well, really awesome. Big. Fun. Yee-haw-style whitewater.

And oh, by the way, it’s well suited for first-time rafters and those as young as 12. Not only is a Lower Gauley rafting trip loads of fun, it’s also a great way to gain some experience before tackling the Upper Gauley.

4 Secrets of the Lower Gauley River:

  • The Scenery
    A combination of outstanding scenery and whitewater. After passing through one of our favorite places, Canyon Doors, you’ll know exactly what we mean.
  • It’s Like a Roller Coaster…
    But without rails, long lines and turnstiles. Lower M.A.S.H. and Lower Stairstep = 100% chance of grinning.
  • Make Em’ All Happy
    Bring your mixed-bag, and everyone can have a great time. Match the group with the section (we can help) and everyone meets at the end of the day to swap river stories over a cold beverage.
  • Visit the Amazon
    It’s hard to describe. Picture the Amazon in your mind. Now remove all images of boa constrictors, crocodiles…and piranas, replace with your smiling friends at the end of a great river trip. It’s one of those, “you had to be there” things, so…, be there. On your next trip on the Lower G simply ask your guide.

What is your favorite thing about the Lower Gauley?

Tags:
Posted in Behind the Scenes, Gauley River Rafting | No Comments »

The Secret to Having the World’s Greatest Party (Eddie Style)!

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Anyone who has come through Songer’s Outfitters store has met Eddie, our store manager.   Two words to describe him:  friendly and crazy.   He loves to have evening get togethers for staff and friends!  And the best part is you can walk to his place from Songer.

One of Eddie's famous cookouts.

The number one secret to having a party at Eddies is to invite your Songer’s friends :-)   Then, make your plan on who’s bringing what.   You can do a little sign up sheet!

Eddie will take care of the meat.  His famous Pork Loin rotisserie on the grill with special seasonings is worth a trip from just about anywhere. Maybe if you ask him nicely, he’ll share his secret ingredients with you (if you get this info, TELL ME!).

Then, be ready for his famous cabbage, “whole head, that is”, with little cuts in it and  lots of butter. Eddie wraps up the cabbage in foil and puts it on the grill. Mmmmmmmmm. Make sure you bring your appetite!  If you leave hungry, that’s your fault.

The famous Pork Loin

Games are the best part of an Eddie party.  Songer has a 14 year old tradition that we can sum up in three words:  always.  play. kickball.   Perhaps a few games of horseshoes, corn hole, or some volleyball, too. Maybe even some charades.

If it’s raining out, you can always go inside and play the Wii.  You probably already know this, but there are always good laughs when it comes to the bowling game. Make sure the strap to the controller is on your arm!  Sure wouldn’t want that controller going through the TV.  (Eddie thinks he’s the king of it!)

The last suggestion we have for you is to make sure you get your picture face on!   Eddie is really bad about taking photos when your least expecting it.

What are your secrets for having the World’s Best Party?

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Behind the Scenes | No Comments »

« Older Entries