Rafting on the Upper Gauley River

This trip was enjoyed over the first weekend in October of 2000. The upper section of this river is classified as world class rapids with many class V+ rapids to enjoy. We went with a company we had not used before but we arranged it so that we were on an unlikely day for customers.... Monday. We were the only people that Cantrell Ultimate Whitewater had to take out that day. We got a very personalized run and the guide TJ was actually impressed with our teamwork and abilities. He took us smoothly through the best that the day's water level had to offer. I was impressed with this company's operation and what they said were custom made rafts that stayed lower in the water to give us a better ride.

	These are the first rapids (which are immediately after the launch). This is looking back at the Summersville Dam which is probably 250 feet high.
	This is looking back again at a rapid which we went down. From below, it looks like at least a 5 foot drop and may very well have been.
	Here is one of the better pictures of a set of rapids. It's hard to take good pictures of rapids when you are looking downstream because right when you could get a good view of what you're getting into, you have to paddle hard or else get dumped.
	This is another upstream picture of a major rapid (it's where the raft is coming down now). There are lots of people off to the left up on the rocks just resting and watching others come down over this impressive rush of water. I think this might have been when the guide let us paddle upstream on the left, cut across just below the rapid to the right side and go through "The Box". It's a tight squeeze between three very large rocks which isn't quite big enough for a raft. Few were trying it and so we also risked being flipped.
	This is a picture taken by Chad (you can see his knees in the water) while floating into some rapids. They jumped in under the suggestion of the guide which said it was deep enough to not get hurt.
	It's not advisable to raft under Cow Pasture Falls.
	Lesley, Kingsley and Sue take a moment to jump of this rock ledge about 15 feet above the water. Chad had already jumped and I took the pictures.
	The others were disappointed that I hadn't been in the water yet so I decided to fulfill there desires, jump in and then they decided to take this picture of me getting back into the raft the hard way.... feet first. Only try this if you don't mind scooping water up in your nose when your head goes under water.
	Pillow Rapids... Photo taken by a photographer on land.
Click on this image for a full size photo of Pillow Rapid.