Gauley Grandeur
| River: | Gauley |
| Skill: | All |
| Trip Date: | 09/17/2011 |
Gauley Grandeur
by Ann Berry Somers
Everything about the Gauley is grand. The size of the rapids, the number of people, the power of the water. Mostly it’s the power of the water that is so grand. Paddling it can be grand too. It was not my first time, though I’ll say that running the Upper Gauley in a 10-person commercial raft is very different from R2ing a shredder. Every stroke makes a difference on a shredder, not so on a commercial raft where your mistakes and inadequacies are masked by the number of people, the weight of the craft, and the skills of the guide. I am not a particularly courageous person, but I do have a tolerance for getting crunched-up, munched-up and bruised-up in big rapids without getting discouraged, so I was up for it. Not getting any younger I thought, better go for it now.
My shredding partner was the legendary class-5 canoeist Dennis Huntley, which is only reason why this venture made sense. We had shredded the Upper Ocoee last summer during Week of Rivers and had worked nicely as a team. I’m a good Indian, he is a good Chief. I’ve always loved good teamwork, which is one of the reasons why I find shredding so much fun. And the really big water is just rip-roaring fun. If you can stay safe, that is.
So there I was inflating the shedder at the put-in when Dennis announced that our running buddies had partied-hardy the night before, gotten up late and decided to run the less demanding Lower Gauley. All ready to go. No companions. Dennis starting hunting in the parking lot for prospects but nothing great turned up so he decided we would give it a go on our own, at least to Pillow Rock and then assess how things were going. Dennis has guts. I was not about to say no, so off we went.
Insignificant, the first of the five class-5s this stretch of river serves up, is anything but insignificant, as everyone knows. We had a great line and only got turned around at the end but climbing a 10’wave backwards was fun. Some class 3s and 4s, then we came upon the famous Pillow Rapid. Here all the water in the river piles up on a giant rock on the left creating opportunity for highly skilled paddling as well as some spectacular carnage. In just a few minutes of watching you see lots of both.
After scouting our line we ferried to the staging eddy on river right. Just in front of us was a raft full of raft guides from other states, and in good river-guide fashion the girls had decided to add some spice to the event by shooting the moon. This was not a half moon, plumber-butt, small-crack-showing affair, their pants were at their thighs with full moon shining – headed for the froth of the pillow and we were a few yards behind. Instead of picking up his paddle, Dennis dug out his camera and yelled “Show us some ass!” The girl-guides gleefully obliged and giggling leaned forward and wiggled. “Hey Dennis,” I said as we were approaching the green tongue that lead to Inertia Hole, “Hey buddy, now would be a good time for you to pick up your paddle.” He kept clicking. “Focus Dennis, focus on the water.” He finally picked up his paddle and we had an absolutely beautiful run. Later he said that picking up the camera instead of his paddle at the entrance to Pillow Rapid was a good sign that he had his priorities right.
We styled most everything else except the second drop of Lost Paddle, but even that worked out fine. We looked like pros going through Iron Ring; it really helps that you can scout that one. Sweets Falls was oh-so-sweet and we paid no postage at Postage Due.
It was a glorious day in every way. It takes more than great paddling skill for a person like Dennis to pull off a spectacular run down the Upper Gauley with a person of lesser skill like me. It takes being calm and confidant and knowing how to be with your partner in such a way they are calm and confidant too. It brings out the best in the person and in the team. Big thanks to Dennis as well as to everyone who encouraged me. That kind of thing means a whole, whole lot to me.