Just wondering if anyone has gone and has suggestions as to where to go or what outfitter to go with.

Or if anyone knows any around Roanoke, Va....I havent seen any tho.

3/5/2007 10:26:26 PM

I would recommend the Gauley River. You can do the upper, the lower, or both. I wouldn't recommend the upper for anyone that isn't a strong swimmer and hasn't been rafting before. I have been several times with Songer Whitewater and have always been satisfied. They give great group rates and an awesome breakfast, lunch and dinner is included when you camp there.

3/5/2007 10:34:34 PM

I was about to typed in spaced caps about how you didn't search, because I know this topic has been hashed over a couple times before, and in the last year for sure.

But I decided to try myself to see, and I was reminded just how shitty the search for this site is.



[Edited on March 5, 2007 at 10:39 PM. Reason : a]

3/5/2007 10:39:28 PM

^ yes I searched, and I wanted new info but the last thread was over 6mo old

3/5/2007 10:42:35 PM

I recommend the Gauley as well in WV. Well worth it. However, (And this maybe incredibly stupid) I thought Rafting season was from May to October. Basically, if there's still snow up there, its probably not a good time to raft.


Can't think of any outfitter right now, but I'm lazy and I know for a fact that google would know more than me.

3/5/2007 10:54:29 PM

I've been years ago...i think ACE was the guide company i used. It was awesome! I want to definitly go again. And it wasnt expensive either.

3/5/2007 11:13:37 PM

i recommend it.

3/5/2007 11:27:49 PM

I also recommend investing in the little booties that come along with the wetsuit you can rent from them. Cold feet fucking suck when you are rafting.

3/5/2007 11:27:58 PM

Like I said in the last thread, I was completely underwhelmed by the Upper Gauley run we took, evidenced by the lack of getting tossed from the boat. For the money, I think I enjoy a Lower New trip where the water isn't frigid and I can hop out and swim some rapids rather than to take 1 big hit, 1 rock jump, and water so cold I just now found my nuts (took the trip over a year ago), which is how I would summarize the Gauley trip.

However, I think the Upper Gauley in a smaller boat with a more aggressive guide would probably make this trip mo' better than the lower New trip I just mentioned since the thrill factor would (should?) be higher.

3/6/2007 10:19:56 AM

Oh yeah, and I'm planning for summer, not right now. We want to take a trip up. I found a couple places that do the Gauley, but they seem to be overnight trips and you pay for 1 or 2 nights plus meals.

3/6/2007 10:27:39 AM

don't be a pussy, do the Upper Gauley

Quote :

"I think the Upper Gauley in a smaller boat with a more aggressive guide"

definitely advisable

3/6/2007 10:47:14 AM

^ Yep. I went on fall break two years ago, and I'm pretty sure we did the upper Gauley. I liked it better than the other two rivers I've done.

3/6/2007 11:00:38 AM

So what exactly is an experienced rafter and strong swimmer?
I've been rafting a few times several years ago (like when I was 14 I think), but it never seemed very hard...just stuck the paddle in and rowed, I think the guide did most of the work. I can swim, but I dont know if I'm a strong swimmer since I've never been pitched out of a raft.

3/6/2007 11:05:51 AM

Class VI is by far the best. They cost a little more but you get what you pay for! Ask for Guido as your guide, he was cool.

http://www.class-vi.com

During Gauly season is when the rapids are class V-VI on the Gauly river. This is due to the army core of engineers releasing lake summerville. This season starts in september and runs for 6 weeks (only Fri-Mon). All other times the rapids on the Gaulley are not as bad. The best river for the summer is the Lower New.

[Edited on March 6, 2007 at 4:45 PM. Reason : added more info]

3/6/2007 4:37:01 PM

I did Gauley during a Labor Day Weekend. They opened up the gates two weeks prior so it was mostly Class IV and Class V.

We were all competent male swimmers in our raft so we told our guide to completely wax us.
We flipped 6 times. 1 of them was off the 14 foot waterfall with a huge rock in the middle of it, aptly named "The dildo" because if you hit it, you're fucked.



Does anyone remember the rapids names for specific areas or does each company make their own shit up.

3/7/2007 12:09:32 PM

the rapids all have one name only





"dildo rock" is in sweet's falls

Pillow Rock is fun















hell, the entire upper gauley run is the shit

[Edited on March 7, 2007 at 1:55 PM. Reason : /]

3/7/2007 1:48:43 PM

you might ask that beardawg dude, I think he's a whitewater guide

3/7/2007 2:16:12 PM

I'll also chime in for the gauley, we normally do the upper one day, camp on the river and do the lower the next day.

we've always used Adventures Mountain River

http://www.raftmrt.com

3/7/2007 3:28:42 PM

I once read a brochure on whitewater rafting while staying at a Holiday Inn Express.

3/7/2007 8:55:37 PM

Songer Whitewater - Upper Gauley

http://www.songerwhitewater.com/

We go there at the end of every spring semester. They have their own campgrounds, and transport to the falls, with lunch included and beer when you're done. Definitely the best to go with, we love giving them business.

3/8/2007 12:59:12 PM