3rd annual New Gorge and Upper New 1st timers

[bambam]

Quick note before heading to work, big thanks to Dave Kessmann and Andy Lee for organizing this trip. I had a great time.

We had about forty boaters on the gorge split into four or five groups. In my group we had three first timers and aside from some minor mishaps we made it down fine.

I had a little swim out of my OC-1 in the eddy below Lower Keeney. As one of our first timers came through upside down I went out to help, flipped on the eddy line, missed the roll, but still managed a T-rescue for the yakker!

Gotta run.

BTW, I need to get in touch with first timer John from my group. Help?

Ken Dubel

[AndyLee]

Everything went smoothly this year, no mishaps, a little swimming, (to cool off ,) enough water to make the river a bit fiesty. Shuttles worked great, thanks to Frank and the boys.

Thanks to Shannon for leading the Intermediate boaters while I hung out with the first timers, and thanks for roll practice Shannon, you're a good teacher Thanks to Kurt for coaching and thanks to Pat for Safety boating. Very reassuring to have that big old IK coming along behind.

Saturday we had 12 K1, 1 IK and 1 OC1. There were a few other groups on the river from McCreery to Stonecliff, but spread out enough so we weren't on top of each other. Rebecca is our most improved paddler for the day, starting out with a little trepidition and finishing with a big grin. One of our newbies set a new course record for flips and swims (4) but he was very good natured about it all and learned how to be a good victim so we could practice "rescuing him" .

Sunday we had 6 K1 and a IK tandem. We were the only group on the river from Dunglen to Cunard until we got to Surprise and another group overtook us while everyone was waiting around while I scrambled through the woods and ledges to get above Surprise to take pictures. Pictures turned out great.

Surprise was surprisingly tame at this water level, (+2 feet on the Thurmond gauge), but still a lot of fun. Stan and Dan surfed the IK for a bit in the Surprise hole, till it surfed them

Most improved paddler for Sunday is Dan. His first day in a real white water kayak and he did great. Remember Dan; loosen the hips, lean forward a bit, and paddle hard. You looked really good in that Liquid Logic Remix

Thanks everyone for a great weekend on the water. Can't wait to do it again.

Andy

[Barb]

Ditto on the thank you's! Dave Kessman was Coordinator Extraordinaire for all of the organizing he did - what a great job - I'm in awe over your coordination of shuttles for both days - thanks, Dave!

Thanks, Ken and Alicia, and all of the other group leaders for helping all of us down the gorge - you guys are great!

Andy, it's so great that you take the newbies under your wing and help them through bigger stuff than they're used to.

thanks to all for a great time!

barb (the one who wimped out on sunday!)

[Raymond]

Thanks Dave & Andy for coordinating both trips. I think we may get a few new members as a result based on what I heard.

Our group had a fun day on the Gorge even with Sejal's video worthy alternate line at Lower Railroad.

It was fun hanging out around the campground Friday night and Saturday evening before Gauley Fest as well. While I was talking with the Bliss Stick rep, he mentioned that our club seemed to enjoy being together. He's seen some clubs where the members don't really look out for each other or try to encourage others to take part, especially if the skill levels are different.

One great thing about this trip is that we some people on both sections who were really challenging themselves, others who were having a fairly comfortable (but somewhat challenging) day, and others who could have been doing something harder, but wanted to enjoy a less crowded river with good company.

It was good to see so many folks and to meet some new ones.

Raymond

[guy66]

Thanks to all those that made this weekend great by organizing, shuttling, leading, cooking, and being fun

[Wallace]

Mega dittoes! I hereby nominate Dave Kessmann for THE MAN! I further nominate Andy Lee as THE MAN TOO! This trip has been a highlight for me both this year and last. Paddling the New River in the absence of rubber, and in the company of the best paddlers I know is a treat. Watching my lovely bride side surf her way out of a sticky little hole is another. Still more... Running Middle Keeny backwards... Sam giving blood at Miller's Folly... JR's "Red @$$ Shirt"... Tommy's empty boat seal launching at the put in... Not enough duct tape!... Attendance by the entire CYA (minus Marshall Grumpy Pants) AND the entire PBP. But most of all, and a personal first on the George, NO SWIMS FOR ME!!! Which is a credit to the expert leadership of Dave Kessmann, THE MAN nominee and Mr. Guy Columbini, who already holds office as THE MAN! Let's do it again next year!!!

[gromit]

Want to express my thanks also! Dave and Andy, you guys did a fantastic job or organising! I had a blast both days, on and off the river.

[Sam P]

Definite thanks to Dave and Andy, I had a great first time down the gorge.
When I got back home we waited in the ER for 4 hours and then I got seven stitches!!
AWESOME

[bambam]

Definite thanks to Dave and Andy, I had a great first time down the gorge.
When I got back home we waited in the ER for 4 hours and then I got seven stitches!!
AWESOME

Sorry you got hurt, sounds like it wasn't too serious, story please?

Ken

[Boat Medic]

My thanks to Kessmann for puttin this together. Thanks to all that cooked(I was to lazy to do it myself)
Also much thanks to Juggy for getting me down the Upper Gauley in one piece Twice!
Looking forward to doing it again next weekend.

[bambam]

While we're at it, talk around the campfire suggests folks are trying to push "Invisible Rock" out of the way with kayaks? Stories?

http://tinyurl.com/3x76mo

This photo is taken from WAY far away at the visitor center deck. The rapid at the top is Undercut Rock Rapid a.k.a. Miller's Folly. The washout from that leads you the rapid containing Invisible Rock and, bank left, Bloody Nose.

Ken

[CLAMS!]

I'd like to thank me because, well, I am me.

Oh yeah, and that Dave guy too.

[fatdoug]

nice job kessmann.

also, much thanks to David Bernard for offering to shuttle my ride to the takeout on Sunday. it was really helpful and saved tons of time after a long day on some very flat water on the upper new. hope you had an enjoyable hike with your daughter.

[Dave K]

Thanks to everyone who came out.

Also, super thanks to everyone who led on the river and helped with shuttle. Without your clutch performances, I’d have to limit the size of this trip so it’s all of those folks who make this one work.

I am sorry if I was short with a few of you but I had a lot going on all weekend. (Being short with people makes me angry. )

Julie, where is the video oof the 17 car shuttle rolling out? Also, didn’t someone get a picture of Tristan’s truck? I’d like to send that to him.

Next year, I’d like to see a Lower Gauley trip going out on Sunday. Several people expressed a desire to go over there but no one was willing to lead. If someone was willing to coordinate the NRG trip on Sunday (which is always smaller than Saturday), I’d do the Lower G. Something to think about.

[Dave K]

Sorry you got hurt, sounds like it wasn't too serious, story please?

Sam flipped in Undercut rapid safely below it’s namesake. Upon attempting his roll, he caught a rock and got a cut above his right eye. We had a doctor, and EMT, and several people trained in Wilderness First Aid so it was handled pretty well.

Sam, I have the pictures of your booboo. E-mail me and I will send them to you.

Booboos do happen out there – first aid training is important.

Also, earlier in the trip that day, someone broke their paddle playing below Greyhound. I gave up my paddle and hand paddled the rest of the way.