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+

• 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.

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

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!

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?

#10: There are two 12 miles sections of the Gauley River: the Upper & the Lower Gauley.

#9: The Gauley River is a dam controlled water flow. At Summersville Dam the water is released into the river bed where the rafts put in to start trips.

#8: Because the water is coming out of the bottom of a lake, it is a little chilly. Wetsuits are usually worn and Songer can rent those to you the morning of the trip.

Get your fall folige glasses out and use your imagination on how the colors can really pop here in the fall

#7: The Gauley River Season has crisp, clear water and spectacular fall foliage.  Simply breath taking! We run 8 person or 4 person, High Adventure, rafts on the Gauley. If the scenery doesn’t take your breath away, the whitewater will!

High Adventure raft dropping Sweets Falls rapid on the Upper section

#6: The classifications of rapids on the Gauley River extend into the Class 5+ realm. This means this river isn’t your average Class 5 river, there’s a little more to it. More specifically, there is more gradient to the river bed which makes rapids steeper & faster.

Gauley Season Water Being Released From Summersville Dam

#5: The water is released for only a few hours each day. So you may get to wondering, “Why the heck do we have to leave so early to raft the Upper Gauley?!” Well, the water is released from 6am-12pm only. You have to catch those 6 hours to get the desired waves. Going to soon or too late and the water falls short.

#4: “So why the heck do we have to wait until late in the morning to raft the Lower Gauley River sections?” Yes, the water comes out of the dam at 6am, but it must travel 12 miles before it fills in the gaps on the Lower Gauley. That usually takes until 10:30-11:00am each release day. So that’s why your Lower Gauley trips leave Songer between 11:00 & 1:00pm.

#3: The Upper Gauley recommendation is that everyone in your party has been rafting before. Everyone needs to be familiar with how to sit in the boat, how to paddle & how to swim in whitewater. Bringing first timers to the Upper Gauley usually blows their minds & has them stuck in a trance. Don’t do that to your friends, then may never raft again. If your group needs to split, send those first timers to the Lower Gauley and everyone can meet up after the river trips.

#2: The Lower Gauley section is a great place for adventurous first timers to start. The age requirement is 12 years or older.

#1: And the number 1 thing everyone should know about the Gauley River is that is it magical! You won’t be the same person after experiencing Mother Nature’s baptism.  Let the games begin

Labor Day looms large here at our humble white water rafting company in the New River Gorge, and you know what that means?  Yeah.  School begins.

Yeah, you know what that means.

But I wouldn’t suggest saying goodbye to summer yet. It’s not quite over. We all have things to do, and to be precise, a whole month to do them.

Which means it’s time to rejoice, enjoy, and live a little.  This summer’s almost outta here, and it’s never coming back (this particular one, I mean).  I have some secret suggestions for you to get the most out of the last blast of summer…

How about a little rafting on the New River? It’s just about the most awesome time a kid can ever have. And just in case you didn’t already know it, those there kids only have to be 6 years old to raft the Middle New.  See how helpful blogs can be?

There’s also  great Rock Climbing at the New River Gorge Bridge.  The bridge buttress (no jokes, please) has to be one of the coolest places in the world to go climbing.  It’s an experience your kids will never forget.

Or what about a little bit of Mt. Biking on some trails in these here hills of West Virginia?  Riding a bike is like, well, riding a bike.  Once you know how, you never forget.  In fact, the only part that most people ever forget is how much fun it can be.

What about puttin’ a little hitch in your giddy up and jump on a horse for a guided trail ride.  Or visit a state park, like nearby Babcock, Hawk’s Nest, or Carnifex Ferry.

Yo, Mom- I promise your kids will think you rock if you do one of these activities with them.  If you’re looking for some lodging, we can hook you up with that too. Camping, hotels, rustic cabins and even deluxe cabins.

And while you’re visiting the mountains of WV, be sure to bring a fishing pole.  You can go out to Songer’s pond and try to catch some fish (this might be the most kid friendly thing you could possibly do, outside of a ride down the river). And of course, if you want to do some swimming you can check out Summersville lake. Rent a boat, or just go to beach.  The beach, BTW, costs a buck per person.  Don’t you love West Virginia?

Whatever you’re into, whatever your kids are into, we can definitely point you toward a good time here at Songer.  Let us help you book your trip today.

Just last week, the esteemed PGA Tour came to the historic Greenbrier Resort here in southern West Virginia near the New River Gorge and played some golf.

The tools of the trade- disc golf discs

We hoped some of the players would make it over for a little white water rafting, but no.  Didn’t happen.

Actually, the rafting was just a plot to trick them to play disc golf with us.

Hmmm, flying discs, you say?   Yup.  We have a great disc golf course and, yeah, it’s 18 holes. We don’t charge a thing to play it.  The game is a blast, and it’s physically accessible for all ages and athletic ranges.
Okay, the key facts to the game are that the players must keep track of how many throws they take.  The object is to get the target, which is a basket that your disc eventually (hopefully) lands in.  The player who completes the course in the fewest number of throws wins the day.

Like golf.  But with flying discs. And don’t call it a frisbee (that’s a whole different post).

You can stop in Songer’s Outfitters Store and get a map of the course.  Oh, and having discs for each player helps, though it’s not necessary.  We sell them in the store.

If you’re going white water rafting on the New River with us (or even -GASP- with another outfitter), stop by and play around.  We’ll meet you on the first tee.

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?

Here it comes: Labor Day in the New River Gorge, West Virginia’s playground.  We’ve got about a month or so until the official “end of summer”, as it’s known.  But no time like the present to start planning, right?

In this post, we’re offering 5 completely biased ways to improve your Labor Day this year…

#5: Have a picnic next to the river while whitewater rafting.  Every full day whitewater rafting trip with Songer includes a river side lunch, so you’re in luck.

Spend your labor day like this, or spend it with cousin Eddie- your choice.

#4: Spend your weekend NOT working.  You will be forced to leave it all behind while rafting- no cell phones allowed!

#3: Drive through some curvy roads and into some fresh air.  Be advised; turn off the GPS (’cause it’s never right in WV anyway). You’ve been warned.  You will have to do it the old fashioned way and look at a map!

#2: Pack up some family and friends and get out of town for the last blast of summer! Whooo-hoo!

#1: Vacation your bad self! We know you’ve been busting your butt through the summer.  Take a day (or two) and let us guide you through a beautiful stretch of river with a splash of adrenaline here and there.  You deserve it and it won’t break your wallet.

I have a confession to make—I’ve been having a love affair with whitewater since I was 16 years old, and not just in the New River Gorge.  That’s (gulp) 41 years!  I started on the Youghiogheny River in PA and moved to the New and Gauley River in West Virginia when my babies were 1 and 3 years old.

As with all affairs of the heart, there are stages and degrees of love.  I’ve watched many people fall under the spell of a whitewater river over and over, though, and it always starts the same way.

New River Gorge West Virginia

Here are the top 10 sordid details and excuses most girls will find to take them to the river and (maybe) never leave:

10.  If you are a raft guide—you don’t have to get a real job.

9.  You can hang out with your friends and meet the cute raft guides.

8.  If you started rafting during those college years, the New River has big water thrills (even if you go with your family).

7.  No phone, fax, or email.  Just you and the water.

6.   Crashing waves, giant holes, surfing, flipping- everything a girl could want.

5.  Rush hour is very wet.  No stop lights, taxis or honking horns, but there are a few buses.

4. Two words: Wild. Life.  I mean, um, wildlife.  One word.  (Sorry, started thinking about my guiding days).

3. Did I mention the cute guides?

2. There’s nothing as empowering as conquering a challenge and sharing that experience with your friends.

1.  It gets in you.  The river is a lover that captures your heart and soul and never lets go.  The feel of moving water, the unsurpassed beauty, they stay with you all your life.

I’m living proof.  It’s been 41 years, and I’m still in love with the river.

Actually, these West Virginia creeks have lots and lots of waterfalls.  So let’s just say the 3 best creeks in the New River Gorge.  Okay?  Great. (And if you can’t find them, we’re happy to give you some directions.)

#1- Mill Creek. Great for the eyes and cool to the touch.  There’s great drive-n-stop viewing as the whole thing is followed by the beautiful Jon Dragan Road.  Easy access, lots of shops close by… pretty much everything you could want out of a waterfall hunting trip.

The most photographed spot in West Virginia lives up to its status.

Mill Creek also has an awesome foot trail that can take you from Ansted to Hawks Nest Lake. You can see some old coal mines as you walk along the creek, too. You may even see some wildlife.

Bonus:  Where Mill Creek meets the New River is right where the New River Jetboat is docked.  Cool fun for the family.

#2- Glade Creek at Babcock State Park. If you’re after a trout, this is the place for you. The creek and lake are both stocked to the gills (pun intended). Great hikes are pretty much everywhere you turn, too because Babcock State Park offers 4,127 acres of scenery.

What you’ll find here is rugged beauty, a fast flowing trout stream, and lots of mountains to be viewed from several scenic overlooks. All of this is adjacent to the New River Gorge National River the heart of whitewater rafting industry.  About half way down to the New River, Glade Creek joins Mann’s Creek and gets a little bigger and waterfall-y-er.

Bonus: If you’re there after a heavy rain, you’ll probably see some kayakers; this is one of the nation’s hardest whitewater runs.  Double Bonus: The grist mill on Glade Creek is supposedly the most photographed spot in West Virginia.

#3- Laurel Creek. Wow, did this creek change a few years back. In 2001, lots of water came through this area. Tons of water.  It was biblical.  There are two giant waterfalls on this creek, and both changed significantly. Not that it really matters to the non-insane-kayaking public; they’re still beautiful.

Again, if you like trout this creek is known for them. And if you’re looking for a nice drive, you can take Rt 16 from Fayetteville to Chimney Corner. This will take you to the end of Laurel Creek and back to the New River.

Bonus: when you get to the New River, you’ll see a section locals call “The Drys”, a de-watered section of the River.  When it’s super-low water levels, there are some fun natural water slides out in the rocks.

Make sure you bring a camera, swimsuits, and a sense of adventure.