I have reserved the NPS Burnwood Group campground Friday, and Saturday nights (nights of 9/14/12 through 9/15/12 checking out Sunday afternoon 9/16/12). Camping is $5 a person a night. All are welcome. The campground is on the left as you're headed north on Rt. 19. It is just north of the bridge and across Rt. 19 from the New River Gorge visitor’s center. It has running water and flush toilets but no showers. Alcohol is allowed. There is only one good sized fire pit for us. There is a large picnic shelter. We cannot make any new fire rings and we have to leave the place in as good a shape (if not better) than we found it or I get a beat down from the Man. Our camping area is the first one on the left as you enter the campground. Parking is only along the gravel road - no cars are to be out in the field. Leashed pets are allowed but they cannot be left unattended.
BOATING:
LOWER GAULEY FRIDAY (IV):
I’m running the Lower Gauley the Friday of Gauley Fest. First timers with qualified resumes are welcome. If interested, contact me at dave dot kessmann at fgwa (period) com.
This trip is quite large and has only been successful in the past because we have split up in to smaller groups. If you are interested playing an up front or supporting role for one of these small groups, your help would be greatly appreciated.
Let’s figure on meeting in the parking lot of the Food Land in Gauley Bridge at noon on Friday. The Food Land is on Rt. 60 on the left just before you get to the intersection of 60 and 39 in Gauley Bridge. It is a good sized grocery store. You won’t miss it. It is not the Food Land near the intersection of 19 and 60. Make sure you are at the right one. If you’re not in Gauley Bridge, you are at the wrong Food Land.
NEW RIVER GORGE SATURDAY (III-IV):
We are meeting at the Burnwood Group Campground (across Rt. 19 from the New River Gorge Visitor’s Center) at 9:30 am Saturday to run the New River Gorge. If it is your first time, contact Wade Kinker (fwk (at) kinkerpress (dot) com) so he can make sure this is the trip for you. Veterans are welcome to just show up but DO NOT be late.
This trip is also quite large and has only been successful in the past because we have split up in to smaller groups. If you are interested in helping a few folks get down, your help would be greatly appreciated.
UPPER NEW RIVER SATURDAY (II-III / III): Another key factor to this trip’s success is having a concurrent trip on the Upper New (Thurmond to Cunard) so we can work out the PRO shuttle. Since no one has stepped up to do this, I’m going to lead this trip. We’ll be meeting at Burnwood at 10:00 am for the Upper New. If you want to run this section, contact me direct [ dave (dot) kessmann {at} fgwa (period) com ] .
SUNDAY BOATING:
I’m sure there will be some pick up trips on Sunday. Just ask around / post here.
Thanks.
This is the eighth year for this trip and I’m looking forward to it. This is how it went down in past years:
I see Turbo is excited. I'll be there for the LG & NRG. Anyone else planning to come up Thursday night? I have a meeting at UVA mid-afternoon so I was just going to head on from there.
I'm in and will be there on Thursday night. Swami, TRex, some of the southern GA, NC boys and myself will be at Summersville Lake Retreat with campers/tents. Most arriving Thursday sometime and most planning to paddle on Friday.
Leaving VAB after work Thursday and have a seat if anyone wants to share the ride.
"I may not have gone where I intended to go but I think I ended up where I needed to be..." Douglas Adams
I've gotten one person who is interested in the Upper New so it is for sure a 'go'. Send me an email if you want to come. It should be fun and Gauley Fest is a great event.
I am coming up Friday morning and hope to make it in time to meet in Gauley Bridge. If not, is the plan to paddle just the Lower on Friday, or are you all also going to do the Middle?
If I am running late - I'll text Scooter and heads towards the put-in, I'll assume it'll give me another hour?
DJS
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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody.
Mark Twain
I will be leading the trip . Instead of Dave.. I am searching for a double ducky or the like. so that my wife and daughter can accompany my son and i on the upper new. On Saturday. if anyone knows where I can lay my hands on 1 let me know . my wife is not comfortable in a rigid boat .
I'll be there to boat Friday through Sunday. Daily destinations unknown. Coming up Thursday night and staying at Burnwood Friday and Saturday evenings. I'm stoked for a great weekend and hope to see everyone there!
Generally, I think that if I have the opportunity to paddle, and I've got something else to do or I feel like I shouldn't go for some reason, then I force myself to go and I always have a great time. So, I guess when in doubt -- Go, Paddle. -- Tommy Hilleke