One of the things I love about Gauley Season is the anticipation leading up to it. I always get a ton of questions when I’m taking guests down the New River before Gauley:
Hey! We're on two wheels!
- Am I good enough for the Gauley?
- What are the rapids like?
- What’s the hardest rapid?
- Do people get hurt all the time?
- What’s your favorite color?
Here’s a post to answer some of the questions that seem to be foremost in the minds of the uninitiated…
Am I Good Enough For The Gauley?
Probably. The vast majority of people are ready for a day on the Gauley, with only a few who really shouldn’t try. If you’re only going to get off the couch once a year, go to the movies; don’t go to the Gauley. But if you like doing exciting things, then sure. Go for it.
Remember, running white water is all about having a good time. If you’re freaked out about the Upper Gauley (read: hard), try the Lower first (read: not as hard). Both are equally fun- it all depends on you.
What Are The Rapids Like?
Big. It’s important to keep in mind that, while the Gauley is a class V river, there are over a hundred rapids, most of them in the class III and IV range. The classification system only tells you how difficult rapids are, not how big they are.
In the Gauley, we luck out by having really huge rapids that are (sometimes) not terribly difficult. That just means there are big, crashing waves and holes everywhere, which we in the river community call “fun”.
The really cool thing about the Gauley is that, almost always, the biggest part of a rapid is right where you want to go. That’s what separates it from a lot of big white water rivers; most of them keep you running away from the biggest stuff. On the Gauley, you just point right toward it and paddle forward.
What’s The Hardest Rapid?
Lost Paddle. At least, that’s my opinion. Everyone has a different “hardest rapid” on the Gauley. Also, that’s at fall flow, or what we consider normal water levels. Also also, everyone who doesn’t say Lost Paddle is wrong.
Lost Paddle is the Gauley’s 1/4 mile long class V beast, with 4 (some say 5) distinct drops, including 2nd drop’s famous “Hawaii 5-0″ wave, and 4th drop’s aptly named AKA, Tumble Home.
At low water, Iron Ring is the hardest rapid. At very, very high water, they’re all hard, but Heaven Help Us is probably the hardest.
Do People Get Hurt All the Time?
No. Statistically (and practically), very few injuries happen out on the river. There’s risk, sure. But people don’t get hurt much at all, and when they do, it’s usually Band-Aid stuff. I’m not a lawyer, I’m just sayin’.
What’s Your Favorite Color?
Blue.
Any other questions? Feel free to leave them in the comments…
pretty cool description….and right on the nose!
Thanks, Shane. Next, we’ll post what everyone needs to know when they’re swimming