The Jewish Outdoors Club

Event

Title:: Raft the Gauley River - Class V Adrenaline Rush!
When:: Mon, Oct 01, 2007
Category:: Misc

Description

RAFT THE GAULEY WITH THE JEWISH OUTDOORS CLUB!!!

OK, ladies and gentlemen, this is the big one -- the world famous GAULEY RIVER of West Virginia, one of the wildest legally ratable rivers on Earth. Maurie led this JOC trip a couple of years ago for a group of 20, and I havent stopped hearing the raves since. Rapid after rapid of class IV and V froth, a 26 mile non-stop adrenaline rush that puts every other river to shame, except maybe the Futaleufu of Chile. Just to give you an idea of what we are talking about, by the end of the trip, the group was so exhausted, that they voluntarily agreed to bypass a class IV rapid. They had already had more adventure than they could have imagined at that point. Nearly everyone on that trip said that they would do it again in a heartbeat.

Best of all, the Gauley river is fed by a dam release in the fall, which guarantees the high water levels that gives the river its fearsome reputation and brings paddlers from all over the world. No praying to mother nature for this one.

It gets even better. Instead of rafting on 16 foot rafts, well be paying a little extra for the "Gauley Extreme" - 14 foot rafts that provide even more adrenaline. (There are also 4 person, 126 rafts for those who want to shell out an extra $50 and who are suicidal)

Heres the plan. We will be making the 9.5 hour drive -- more details on bus/carpool options later -- on Sunday afternoon/evening, staying overnight in West Virginia, and rafting the next morning (Monday). We return on Monday evening, arriving in the wee hours of the morning, and head to work with pretty awesome stories to tell. If you are calling in sick when rafting on Monday, you will look so haggard and run down that it will fit your alibi perfectly :)

Here is the Q & A

Describe the Gauley River:

From a website:

"What more needs to be said about this world-renowned stretch of whitewater? Its big. Its fast. Its technical. Its not for the faint of heart. You will encounter over 100 named rapids like "Lost Paddle," "Iron Ring," and the infamous "Sweets Falls." If action and a pure adrenaline rush are what you crave, then the Gauley is the river for you!"

Can I see a video?

For an awesome video of Gauley carnage go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui7YQ2XDkU4 (read the comments too). Even if you dont come on this event, this video is great to watch anyway!

For a more tame video that doesnt only show people getting their ass kicked, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRGMebkM3Fo&mode=related&search=

What if Ive never rafted before?

Previous experience is recommended, but not absolutely necessary. If you know yourself to be someone who craves adventure and adrenaline, feel free to sign up.

Sounds awesome! What does it cost?

I called a dozen companies to get the best deal possible, and the trip will cost $195, which includes the 26 mile Extreme Marathon Gauley run on 14 foot rafts, accommodations on Sunday night, and food on Monday. If you research it, you will see that the rafting alone usually costs around $200 for the Gauley marathon on 14 foot rafts.

Because they were the least expensive company, they skimp on things like helmets, life jackets, and they use 13 year old guides. Thats not a problem for anyone, is it? Just kidding :)

What about transportation?

If we get a big enough crowd, it will make sense for us to take a bus. The cost will depend on our numbers, but will be in the vicinity of $95. If people prefer to save the money, we can do it by carpool, or even rent a 15 passenger van and take turns driving. I know that the group that went 2 years ago went by carpool, and regretted not shelling out extra for a bus.

People are also welcome to fly there, but my research did not uncover anything that made sense by way of time or money.

What about Succot?

The trip falls out on Chol Hamoed Succot. I am working on getting one of those portable succahs that we can bring with us and use, at least for breakfast and dinner, maybe even bring it on the raft, depending on its size.

Wow! How do I sign up?

Send me an email with the following information:

A) Your name

B) Your email address

C) Your phone number

D) Would you prefer to go by bus or by carpool?

E) If youd rather go by carpool, do you have a car, and would you want to drive it/share driving responsibilities? If so, where would you leave from and how much room do you have?

F) Do you have any siblings in West Virginia? Are they married to each other?

Hah!

Last, please mail the full amount of the check - $195 to:
Jewish Outdoors Club

508 Wyndham Rd

Teaneck, NJ 07666

What is the deadline?

The deadline for signing up is Sunday, September 2.

What if I want to cancel?

You can cancel until Sept 2, no questions asked, full refund. After that, we will have to find you a replacement, since my own deposit to the rafting company is not refundable past that point.

Hope to see you there!

GO GAULEY!!

-alon