O.C.T. New River Rendezvous over Labor Day
Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2021 1:50 pm
I was SO hoping that by this point there wouldn't be so much to discuss about covid but that wish has not come true, at least not in my eyes. Last year at this time Alicia and I just didn't feel we could risk it. As of today we are a little on the fence. We are watching the breakthrough infections and the delta variant. We may go so far as to bring two cars to avoid shuttle risks. We are both fully vaccinated and she has had a booster but she is immunocompromised due to her arthritis meds.
And so, without further ado, most of the information from last year still holds true today. Here goes .....
I have been "loosely coordinating" this trip every Labor Day since 2002. This year, at the moment anyway, I plan to attend.
Traditionally we have met at Ray's Campground on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at ten a.m. at the picnic tables behind the office. Please maintain distance and masks are encouraged.
This trip is ordinarily open to almost all levels of paddlers. If you've never been in a boat before then you aren't ready. At ordinary water levels the upper sections of the New are pretty newbie friendly while the gorge offers more difficult rapids. With rain other options open up.
Where? Ray's is in Hico (pronounced HIGHcoh) near the intersection of routes 60 and 19 which is about five miles north of where the New goes under route 19. Head west very briefly on 60 and turn right on Sunday Road. Sunday Road is only paved in the middle so take it easy. Ray's is about a mile on the left. 304-658-4386. Reservations are not required for tent sites. At last count it was $10 per person per night. Electric sites are $10 extra. Dogs must be leashed. Please respect quiet hours.
In past years they have accepted cash, check, and all major credit cards. I'll guess they prefer cash so bring some bills.
GPS user note, I love that technology, trust it blindly if you wish. I recommend at least glancing at a map or two before you head out.
We have tended to have large groups on the river and packed-to-the-gills shuttle vehicles during this weekend. Please don't even think of doing such this year.
I'll post this to Coastals, the Monocacy Canoe Club, and the Carolina Canoe Club, the three with which I'm most active. Feel free to cross-post to other clubs if you wish.
Cheers,
Ken Dubel
And so, without further ado, most of the information from last year still holds true today. Here goes .....
I have been "loosely coordinating" this trip every Labor Day since 2002. This year, at the moment anyway, I plan to attend.
Traditionally we have met at Ray's Campground on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at ten a.m. at the picnic tables behind the office. Please maintain distance and masks are encouraged.
This trip is ordinarily open to almost all levels of paddlers. If you've never been in a boat before then you aren't ready. At ordinary water levels the upper sections of the New are pretty newbie friendly while the gorge offers more difficult rapids. With rain other options open up.
Where? Ray's is in Hico (pronounced HIGHcoh) near the intersection of routes 60 and 19 which is about five miles north of where the New goes under route 19. Head west very briefly on 60 and turn right on Sunday Road. Sunday Road is only paved in the middle so take it easy. Ray's is about a mile on the left. 304-658-4386. Reservations are not required for tent sites. At last count it was $10 per person per night. Electric sites are $10 extra. Dogs must be leashed. Please respect quiet hours.
In past years they have accepted cash, check, and all major credit cards. I'll guess they prefer cash so bring some bills.
GPS user note, I love that technology, trust it blindly if you wish. I recommend at least glancing at a map or two before you head out.
We have tended to have large groups on the river and packed-to-the-gills shuttle vehicles during this weekend. Please don't even think of doing such this year.
I'll post this to Coastals, the Monocacy Canoe Club, and the Carolina Canoe Club, the three with which I'm most active. Feel free to cross-post to other clubs if you wish.
Cheers,
Ken Dubel