Posts Tagged ‘gauley season’

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.

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10 Things Everyone Should Know About the Gauley River Season

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

#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 :-)

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