GauleyFest ROCKED
Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:08 pm
Just got home from my first Gauley Fest, it was great.
Got there on thursday night to set up-camp, and ran the Lower Gauley on Friday. It wasn't as big and bad as I had anticipated, and I was with a group of boaters that we're well experienced and knew all the lines. We had eight single-blades in our group and saw a few other Openboats on the river also. The water wasn't overwhelming, but it did have some BIG waves. When you reached the top of one, it felt as if the momentum threw you up off the saddle, It was awesome. It was a good run to get a good feel of bigwater. Overall we had a great day and en even better night at camp.
On Saturday, we met at the put-in for the Upper Gauley. I got to meet some new people and saw some familiar faces. I admit it took forever at the put-in. The shuttle isn't the greatest and getting 20 openboaters at the put-in at the same time wasn't easy. (Who's Idea was this anyway) After atleast one hour of waiting, we were off. The put-in was a colorful scene. There were long boats, short boats, openboats, and decked boats. But every one had a single blade and no skirt's. Except for Chad Lewis (C1). Now the upper was a whole different story. Less flat-water, and more rapids. Bigger, rapids. The lines were big, and so were the holes, but everything was great. I did ave an out of boat experience at IronRing, and Sweets Falls but I came out laughing, each time screaming (let's do that again). At Pillow, I had to sum up all my courage after scouting it for about 20 minutes. It was a bit intimidating I admit but, I aced it. Also I got to see another Open Boater do a sick seal launch off of Pillow Rock. He was upside down before he hit the water but managed to roll a few yards downstream, near volkswagon rock. (much props to the mystery boater). The only downside to this great run was the take-out. It was a complete cluster-duck. When we got there the last shuttle had just loaded up and it was every man for himself. It was a buzzkill, but i'll get over it.
To top off the weekend I went down to the festival. I was the brown gentleman with two beers in each hand. It was cool. Boats, beer, and gear. There were the good, the wierd, and the shaddy, it was great though. I will definitely be back next year. Wow, what a weekend.
Got there on thursday night to set up-camp, and ran the Lower Gauley on Friday. It wasn't as big and bad as I had anticipated, and I was with a group of boaters that we're well experienced and knew all the lines. We had eight single-blades in our group and saw a few other Openboats on the river also. The water wasn't overwhelming, but it did have some BIG waves. When you reached the top of one, it felt as if the momentum threw you up off the saddle, It was awesome. It was a good run to get a good feel of bigwater. Overall we had a great day and en even better night at camp.
On Saturday, we met at the put-in for the Upper Gauley. I got to meet some new people and saw some familiar faces. I admit it took forever at the put-in. The shuttle isn't the greatest and getting 20 openboaters at the put-in at the same time wasn't easy. (Who's Idea was this anyway) After atleast one hour of waiting, we were off. The put-in was a colorful scene. There were long boats, short boats, openboats, and decked boats. But every one had a single blade and no skirt's. Except for Chad Lewis (C1). Now the upper was a whole different story. Less flat-water, and more rapids. Bigger, rapids. The lines were big, and so were the holes, but everything was great. I did ave an out of boat experience at IronRing, and Sweets Falls but I came out laughing, each time screaming (let's do that again). At Pillow, I had to sum up all my courage after scouting it for about 20 minutes. It was a bit intimidating I admit but, I aced it. Also I got to see another Open Boater do a sick seal launch off of Pillow Rock. He was upside down before he hit the water but managed to roll a few yards downstream, near volkswagon rock. (much props to the mystery boater). The only downside to this great run was the take-out. It was a complete cluster-duck. When we got there the last shuttle had just loaded up and it was every man for himself. It was a buzzkill, but i'll get over it.
To top off the weekend I went down to the festival. I was the brown gentleman with two beers in each hand. It was cool. Boats, beer, and gear. There were the good, the wierd, and the shaddy, it was great though. I will definitely be back next year. Wow, what a weekend.
although he did make sure i got a taco from someone when i showed up late and was waiting for my food.
It was a pleasure to paddle with some of the best openboaters in the world, I was able to learn a few lessons, usually the hard way.I would like to thank my shuttle driver Dave aka Chattanooga Dave, the guy with the broken arm & beer. Good Times had by all....Mmmm Apple Pie!!! Thanks Gabe, Alex, what can I say...We Ran the sugar cookie! "You probably don't want to surf the hole at Iron Ring, kinda munchy 
..."
BIG !