Sejal's upper Gauley SATURDAY trip report

[SteveEW]

This is the belated trip report for the Saturday portion of Sejal's first timer's trip of the upper Gauley 9/26/15
I drove up Saturday morning to meet our crew at Ray's campground. Sejal Kinker was leading, Carrie Hood was additional support, Jen Sass had been before, and then there were 2 other 1st timers, Drew Stephenson and Bill Collier. Making the trip really easy was Wade Kinker and the Kinker's dog Stanley ready to shuttle us all in the Van of Wonders. We loaded up in the drizzly weather, and I'm guessing we were putting on a little after 10. We did some warm ups near the put in for a little while before heading downstream. I had already admitted to everyone in the group that I was nervous and that I had once considered the upper Gauley forever beyond my reach. Of course insignificant is the 1st of the big five and looked long and full of holes and waves. I hung toward the back to give myself plenty of room and did well until I got to the end. I flipped in one of the big holes at the end, but rolled up on my 2nd attempt. There was some squirrely water down at the bottom. This is one of the places I got great encouragement and support from Drew who helped orient me as I came up and Jen who reassured me that she too felt insignificant is not so well named.
So now I felt just as anxious as before. I had finished one of the big 5 but hadn't nailed it the way I had hoped. Anyway, boogie wateer and flat water followed down to pillow where we got out to scout. I don't think I voiced it to the group, but this was as close as I have ever come to walking a rapid. however I found my line and a few markers and that helped to manage my fear, but I was worried about the potential length of a swim. We had to wait a while for a parade of rafts and other kayakers, but I was heartened to watch folks from our crew making it down successfully. I was so focused on myself I don't really remember anyone else's line, but I know there was no major carnage. I finally began my run shortly after Bill and stayed on line past inertia hole, made my turn ok, but got spun around on pillow. This wasn't too bad but when I came off of VW rock and hit the eddyline backwards I had a slow flip and easy roll up.
After more II -III (with a couple of cool boofs -Nice job everybody!) we got to lost paddle. I was feeling a little more confident and went with the whole group through the 5-0 waves. Lost paddle was carefully explained and dissected by Sejal with regular eddy stops along the way. The group neatly executed all the moves necessary to put all the drops behind us. I finally started to feel like I was in the right place with 3 down and the last one with dry hair.
Iron Ring came next and we scouted from River Left. Sejal described an urgent need to get to the right, and I found my line right away and was really able to follow it. This was probably my best rapid of the day. We did have a little gear recovery to do at the end of this one, but not bad and we were back on our way in short order.
The last of the 5 was Sweets Falls. Sejal warned us to not lean back and then disappeared over the lip. This became my mantra as I peeled out and leaning forward went over the edge. Then I was pounded by the biggest hit I have ever taken from a wave and got pinned to my back deck immediately. I rolled up, took a few strokes and then pushed off of postage due. Sigh. Had to roll on 3 out of the big 5, but still much better than my imagined worst case scenario. I also think I will do much better next time. The whole crew was great and did great. Sejal is terrific at description, encouragement, and judging paddling skill for appropriate runs. At the bottom, Wade was waiting for us so we didn't even have to run shuttle. They even had snacks and beer - Which reminds me... being consumed with thoughts of the day I forgot to chip in for shuttle money AND I owe the Kinkers a ton for helping me step up. If you two are not doing a romantic dinner on the Saturday of your proposal anniversary weekend on the lower, I'd like to treat you to dinner anywhere you want to go in the area. Speaking of which, we topped the day off with a visit to the Secret Sandwich Society. We had to wait a little bit, but they have a new upstairs pub with comfortable seating, art and a place to wait.
I had a great day and I am grateful to Sejal, Wade, and Carrie as well as the rest of the crew. Thanks guys! You are the best!

[billh1970]

Great trip report and thanks for sharing, Steve. Glad that it was a fun trip.

[allsky7]

Good stuff Steve! Most likely I will never paddle the UG solo......I have seen video of most of these rapids and could almost feel them from your description. Congrats!

Steve

[KanuckKayaker]

It was a real treat to paddle the UG with you Steve, and hang out afterwards. So glad you all let me come along!