Sejal's Upper Gauley 1st Timers Trip

[hotBOATERchick]

Since I was the first to flip on Sunday, it's my job to write the trip report. I hope that those who paddled Friday and any "Girls Gone Wilderness" ladies/gents will add to this report as well.

Any story told, should be told as if fiction…..

On a calm Friday mid-September, the cool breezes of fall slowly wafted in as a girl with her kayaks headed west after work. The first hints of fall settled into the mountains of West, by God, Virginia and were visible in an array of subtle pops of color dancing on the edges of leaves. For her personally, this journey was the final piece to her goal, a summer of the Uppers. Within each journey lies lessons, setbacks, frustrations, small wins, and a lot of practice.

Headed to the Upper G isn't a journey that one takes lightly, the river giveth and the river taketh. Understanding that sometimes climbing the progression rungs means accidentally slipping, the Upper G isn't a place you want to slip.

Saturday, September 13th: Sejal, often referred to by the narrator as Paddle Sensi, had assembled a solid crew of veteran boaters whose knowledge and attitude helped to set the tone for the first decent by two James River Women.

You can read the Beta, you can watch You Tube, but until you are there, you just don't really know.

We got out to scout Pillow and I will say, that I seriously thought about walking it. All I saw, was fuzzy white, fuzzy white, big fuzzy white and bigger fuzzy white. We talked line, I wasn't feeling it……but then the words of a kayaking deity came to me. In Steve Fisher's Ted Talk, Breaking Down Risk, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcdXzQq84PU), The image he used came to me. People see the danger, they see the risk, we kayakers take it and break it down into digestible parts…we find that our fears are unjustified...
and slowly the line appeared, I could break it down into steps, One…. Two…..Three….. I got into my boat, the nerves wanting to break through the neoprene skirt of my psyche. As I paddled to the staging eddy, the tunnel locked in, the line became the only thing I saw within that tunnel, everything else evaporated….Paddle Sensi went and I followed…..

Lost Paddle, Iron Ring, Sweets……everyone had a great day! I have a lot to work on and things I want to fix but that is the steadfast goal of any paddler.

Sunday it was Professor James's 1st time, the crew almost the same and another great day on the Upper G.

Lesson's were learned, new goals made, and hugs abound at the take out.

The cool breeze of fall followed many of us back to Richmond. The 4 hour drive a blimp compared to the hours of whitewater replaying in our brains.

Solid leadership, solid crews and positive attitudes make trips successful.

[Machias]

Great write up, thanks!

[Amphibious]

A great weekend with pfds of Lower and Upper G. Paddled with new friends on Lower Friday and Saturday. I was struck by the incredible beauty of the river, especially Canyon Doors area. Wow. Sunday was with Sejal's crew on Upper. She led me down clean lines and her veterans inspired confidence. Pillow was the biggest thrill, Lost Paddle a bit frightening. Thanks to Sejal organizing and for giving me the opportunity! Thanks to the vets for running back up. A weekend not soon forgotten.