Gauley

Fun Fact: Every fall, the six weekends of Gauley season provide the biggest whitewater party of the year. American Whitewater's GauleyFest, is held on the third weekend of the month of September, is the world's largest whitewater festival.

Hazards: There are several dangerous pinning spots on the Gauley. Three of the most famous are the sieve on river right at Initiation, Shipwreck Rock, and Conestoga Wagon.

Description: The Gauley is a wonderfully busy river with an outstanding number of high-quality rapids throughout its 24-mile length from the Summersville Dam to Swiss. The character of the river is pool-drop and on the upper 9.8-mile section from the Summersville Dam to Mason's Branch, the most challenging rapids are at the lower limit of class V. Several other rapids on this river come in just a hair below this and are rated class IV+. The implication is simple. A paddler will need excellent endurance and very solid skills to prevent trouble on this long, powerful river. Bomb-proof bracing and 2-sided rolls, along with big water skills and precise maneuvering, are required to have reasonable assurance of a safe and an enjoyable run.

While many paddlers have the skills to enjoy the Gauley safely, there's still the occasional paddler who will have a great day until a certain point and then run out of steam. It seems that this point is sometimes reached about half way down Pillow Rock. Watch out for your friends. Once this level of fatigue is reached, mistakes and trashings occur much more often. Your friend may require some watchful assistance (and perhaps a few more rescues) before the day is over. PLEASE be careful! And remember, there's no shame in walking. The rapids won't be going anywhere.

The rapids on the Gauley are legendary. Insignificant, Pillow Rock, Lost Paddle, Iron Ring, and Sweet's Falls are wo

...