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By Jack Moe
Good Golly, it’s Gauley season again! Experience whitewater rafting at it’s best on the Gauley River. Rivers Resort is one of the outfitters offering world-renowned rafting trips on the Gauley River at any time of year, but in the fall, they are the experts in providing adventures for everyone on the undisputed king of whitewaters—The Fall Gauley River!
The Gauley River consists of 25 miles of free-flowing whitewater, passing through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features and contains several class V+ rapids, making it one of the most adventurous whitewater boating rivers in the east. The multi-acre Rivers Resort is the closest outfitter to the New River – offering rafting, camping, lodging, dining, climbing, and much more! These amenities at the Rivers Center make it the perfect place to bring your entire family and less experienced paddlers during Gauley Season. While you are out challenging world class whitewater, others can be relaxing at the center, learning to climb, renting a mountain bike or rafting the milder Upper or Lower New River, during the height of West Virginia’s spectacular leaf fall color season!
In the fall, the Army Corps of Engineers pulls the plug on the dam that holds the Gauley. And for 22 glorious days, West Virginia and the Gauley River become the epicenter of the rafting world.
The 22 days that rock the paddling world for 2004 are:
September – 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27
&
October – 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17
Rivers Resort and other outfitters offers action whitewater adventures on the two sections of the Gauley River. The Upper Gauley is known as the Lost Paddle Canyon and the Lower Gauley is called the Cliffside Canyon. Together they host over 100 major rapids.
The Fall Upper Gauley
The Upper Gauley is considered the best one-day whitewater trip in America. Get ready for wild, non-stop whitewater action! With more than 12 miles of big whitewater, and no fewer than SIX Class V+ rapids, the Upper Gauley lives up to its name “The Beast of the East!”
The Fall Lower Gauley
There are as many rapids on an Rivers’ Lower Gauley trip as on an Upper Gauley trip. Additionally, due to River Resort’s private put-ins and take-outs there is more whitewater and less flatwater on this trip than other trips offered by WV outfitters. This trip features the biggest waves, and highest jump rock of the Gauley River. Best of all, no experience is needed for this whitewater trip!
River Rates
Prices range from $75 on Mondays or Fridays on the Lower to $145 on the Upper on Saturdays. Additionally, there are discounts for groups, students, military and non-profit groups.
Other Specialty Gauley Trips
Rivers and some other outfitters also offers overnight trips, Basecamp Packages, Upper and Lower Adventure Packages and Add-ons that include climbing, biking, horseback riding or ATV rides!
Rivers Resort’s Special Discounts Trips
Rivers is also offering a few trips at great discounts. These outstanding values include the following:
• Reserve any Friday, during the Gauley Season and the second person goes at half price!
• “Mondays Mania” Reserve a trip on a Monday and you can bring a friend for free. Its two for the price of one on Mondays!
• Bridge Day Blowout—Don’t forget to come and watch the BASE jumpers from the bridge this year on October 16th, Rivers invented a
special trip that lets you watch the jumpers after rafting the New River, then raft the Gauley the next day for $160 including a free Pig Roast!
For more information or to make reservations for Rivers Resort‘s Fall Gauley River Runs contact them at 1-800-TRY-RIVERS (879-7483) or visit their website at www.riversresort.com.
Other outfitters can be contacted through www.callwva.com
More information is available at: www.the-toad.com
AND www.aaaAdventureOutdoors.com