If you haven't been there before here's a little more information.
The New River Rendezvous has been happening over Labor Day weekend for at least ten years. MCC, CCA, GBCC, Coastals, CCC, whoever, folks rally near Fayetteville, WV to run various sections of the New River. Loosely organized is the general theme. We gather up in the mornings, mill about, and go boating, biking, and hiking to various places.
In keeping with the theme, this is one time when it's ok to just show up. We'll be camping at Ray's (304)658-4386 on Sunday Road near Hico. Find Fayetteville and look north to where 41 crosses 19. No need to reserve tent sites. $8 per person per night.
At ordinary mortal water levels the New River Gorge is class III / IV. Various sections upstream from there are more like class II / III. The "III" parts of that are generally sneak-able. Most typical is big river friendly deep wave trains. Andy L. plans to attend again this year for trips on the upper sections. I'll probably hang out on the gorge unless more help is needed on the uppers.
As to the gorge, 1st timers are welcome (and subject to friendly interrogation). My personal benchmark was to be comfortable on the Lower Yough in order to move up to the New River Gorge.
If we have some actual rain then other runs such as Gauley, Cranberry, and Meadow are available.
A big part of the tradition on this one is to make newcomers feel welcome. Please feel free to contact me with questions.
Ken Dubel
O.C.T. Labor Day New River Rendezvous
Moderators: admins, GinnyN, mod1, mod3, Raymond, slo2rol, mod2
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RangeRon78
- Eddy Flippin'
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2005 4:50 pm
- Location: Charlottesville VA
New River Rendezvous
I understand from the Va Paddlers group message board that Andy Lee will not be able to be there Labor Day weekend after all. I also understand it is hoped/expected someone else will be willing and able to lead runs on the upper section.
I'd like to try some more challenging runs than our typical central Virginia summer time low water runs. Would the upper section qualify? And, what about that "friendly interrogation"? Is the gorge do-able by an intermediate-beginner in an IK? I've never done the Yough or any of the western Pa/WVa rivers, but I've run the Nantahela in an IK with an NOC raft group, the lower James through downtown a few times, and Goshen Pass twice (although I did portage the Kitchen because the level was too low for me to scout a manageable run in my fat boat--that's "boat", not "butt")
And, I'd like to arrange a carpool from the Charlottesville area leaving after work late Friday afternoon, if possible.
Ron Wiley, Jr.
I'd like to try some more challenging runs than our typical central Virginia summer time low water runs. Would the upper section qualify? And, what about that "friendly interrogation"? Is the gorge do-able by an intermediate-beginner in an IK? I've never done the Yough or any of the western Pa/WVa rivers, but I've run the Nantahela in an IK with an NOC raft group, the lower James through downtown a few times, and Goshen Pass twice (although I did portage the Kitchen because the level was too low for me to scout a manageable run in my fat boat--that's "boat", not "butt")
And, I'd like to arrange a carpool from the Charlottesville area leaving after work late Friday afternoon, if possible.
Ron Wiley, Jr.
Philmont Ranger--1978
Re: New River Rendezvous
My first preference would be for someone to step up and run trips on the upper sections of the New. At minimum, I will run an "icebreaker" on an upper section on that Saturday. After that I should think the gang could work it out for Sunday and Monday. (Theme = "loosely organized".)
The upper sections are mostly bigwater class II where the river necks down, develops big deep friendly wave trains which then dump into pools. A few places edge into class III particularly if the water is up but again, dumping into pools. And, yes, there is significant flatwater, er, sections calm enough to enjoy the scenery.
I'll send you a p.m. for the friendly interrogation part.
Ken
The upper sections are mostly bigwater class II where the river necks down, develops big deep friendly wave trains which then dump into pools. A few places edge into class III particularly if the water is up but again, dumping into pools. And, yes, there is significant flatwater, er, sections calm enough to enjoy the scenery.
I'll send you a p.m. for the friendly interrogation part.
Ken
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David Reid
- At the putin
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:31 pm
- Location: Ruckersville Va.
New river Upper
Hey, Hunter and I will most likely be at Rays friday and saturday. paddling sat & sunday I have never run the upper before but Hunter ran it at 7 with his mom and said it was long and flat with a few surprises We get to see how good his memory is after 8 years. I think I will drive the land crusher it holds 7 paddlers and as many boats we can strap on 78"bars.In other words. I'm open to shuttle. I hear its not one to forget. David 434-996-7410
Years ago, I did the NRG @ about 2.5' below zero - still very doable. I recall the pools seeming longer, but plenty of water in the rapids. I'm hopeful for some rain, but am looking fwd to going, no matter what (yes, I'm sure the trip is on regardless). I just want to get in my boat!
Alicia Jahsmann
"Do you live by the river? I hope so, because people who live near running water are much nicer than people who don't. I'd be mean as a scorpion if I lived inland." - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
"Do you live by the river? I hope so, because people who live near running water are much nicer than people who don't. I'd be mean as a scorpion if I lived inland." - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
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David Reid
- At the putin
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:31 pm
- Location: Ruckersville Va.
I plan to be at Ray's at ten on Saturday morning to be loosely organized and wing it from there.
Note to folks wanting to run upper sections, Ed Evangelidi will be running trips all weekend. It's fine too to spin off your own trips. One BIG bonus, in my view, is that the road to Glade Creek is finally open again. This allows for a six mile river run with a six mile shuttle on a section with more rapids per mile than any other that I know of.
It's tough to predict what rains might come. We should know in a couple of days. I've seen forecasts ranging from multiple (like five) inches of rain to "showers".
Ken
Note to folks wanting to run upper sections, Ed Evangelidi will be running trips all weekend. It's fine too to spin off your own trips. One BIG bonus, in my view, is that the road to Glade Creek is finally open again. This allows for a six mile river run with a six mile shuttle on a section with more rapids per mile than any other that I know of.
It's tough to predict what rains might come. We should know in a couple of days. I've seen forecasts ranging from multiple (like five) inches of rain to "showers".
Ken
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unclefuzzy
- Swimmin'
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2004 11:22 pm
- Location: Canvas, WV
Directions to Ray's Campground
Google Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&g ... 32744&z=15
Directions (from Ray's CG website):
From I-79 near Sutton
Take U.S. 19 South, proceeding through Summersville to U.S. 60 at Hico. Turn right onto U.S. 60 West, then right onto Sunday Road. We're one mile out Sunday Road on the left.
From I-77 at Beckley
Take U.S. 19 North, proceeding 23 miles through Fayetteville to U.S. 60 at Hico. Turn right onto U.S. 60 west, then right onto Sunday Road. We're one mile out Sunday Road on the left.
Directions (from Ray's CG website):
From I-79 near Sutton
Take U.S. 19 South, proceeding through Summersville to U.S. 60 at Hico. Turn right onto U.S. 60 West, then right onto Sunday Road. We're one mile out Sunday Road on the left.
From I-77 at Beckley
Take U.S. 19 North, proceeding 23 miles through Fayetteville to U.S. 60 at Hico. Turn right onto U.S. 60 west, then right onto Sunday Road. We're one mile out Sunday Road on the left.