O.C.T. New River Rendezvous over Labor Day

[bambam]

This is a loosely-organized multi-club trip to the New River in West Virginia. Opinions vary but this is about the 23rd year this trip has happened.

Again, in keeping with the loosely-organized theme, feel free to just show up. A friendly note to first-timers to the event: Make it known that you are new and we'll try to make sure you are attended to. Please feel welcomed. That said, we are just common adventurers. While we try to help each other out when things go wrong, you are in charge of your own safety.

We'll meet at Ray's Campground on Saturday, September 3rd at ten a.m. If you are arriving on Saturday morning try to get there early enough to set up camp as trips generally spin off right after the meeting and it's helpful for shuttle if your vehicle isn't loaded to the gills with camping gear. When you arrive, folks who spent Friday night will be chomping at the bit to get going. If you are camping Friday night then please try not to chomp at the bit too much Saturday morning. We'll get there. ..... We'll meet at the picnic tables behind the office. We'll meet at nine on Sunday and Monday.

This trip is open to almost all levels of paddlers. If you've never been in a boat before then you aren't ready. At ordinary water levels the upper sections of the New are pretty newbie friendly while the gorge offers more difficult rapids. With rain other options open up.

Where? Ray's is in Hico (pronounced HIGHcoh) near the intersection of routes 60 and 19 which is about five miles north of where the New goes under route 19. Head west very briefly on 60 and turn right on Sunday Road. Sunday Road is only paved in the middle so take it easy. Ray's is about a mile on the left. 304-658-4386. Reservations are not required for tent sites. At last count it was $9 per person per night. Electric sites are $5 extra. Dogs must be leashed. Please respect quiet hours.

GPS user note, I love that technology, trust it blindly if you wish. I recommend at least glancing at a map or two before you head out.

We tend to have large groups on the river during this weekend. If you are not in to such things then that's totally fine. Spin off your own small group trip and we'll hear of your adventures in camp.

I'll post this to Coastals, the Monocacy Canoe Club, and the Carolina Canoe Club, the three with which I'm most active. Feel free to cross-post to other clubs if you wish.

That's about it for now,

Ken Dubel

[Terri]

I'm looking forward to another New River Rendezvous! It's one of my favorite holidays! Thanks Ken for herding us yet again. See you all there! Terri

[GinnyN]

I'll be there Friday. hope to get together with others for dinner.

[mkeverline]

Any one have room in a raft?
I would like to bring my 21y.o. daughter. She rafts, but doesn't kayak.

[Stan Heatwole]

I will be bringing my raft for Sat. only. Michael I should have room for your daughter if she wants to go with us. My raft holds 8 people and so far it is not full. I have all the gear: life vests, helmets and paddles but people can certainly bring their own. I also have tubes for running Fayetteville Station at the end of the trip. We did that last trip and everyone had so much fun everyone did multiple runs with the tubes. Unfortunately I can't stay for Sun. and Mon. I won't be getting to Ray's until really late Fri. night..

[Jenny]

I am planning to come and will be bringing my 8 y.o. (almost 9!) grandson Harrison. We will be paddling tandem (OC2). Hope some other folks also bring kids so he'll have some people to play with, although I'm not too worried since paddlers often tend to act like a bunch of kids on the river We're looking forward to it.

[Alicia]

Thinking of cooking in Sat nite to avoid restaurant crowds - just planting a seed for others, too.

Looking fwd to this annual fun trip - and yes, Jenny, you are right - paddlers are often just tall kids!

[GinnyN]

I fully agree with cooking in. the restaurant crowds are too much! I'll check with Dren to see if we can use the pavilion.

[John and Linda VanLuik]

Linda and I will be there probably Friday.
John

[martha james]

I'll be there. Can't wait. Weather sounds wonderful!

[etharris]

Laura and I are planning on being there. Arriving Friday evening. Looking forward to it.

[edwin_talley]

I'll be getting in late Friday night so I'll see everyone Saturday morning.

[PaddleAllen]

Jan and I will be there early Sat morning. Please let us know of any trips for Saturday on the Upper New and plan on us going. We will also be looking to run the Upper New sections Sunday and Monday too.
Cannot wait to see you all,
Allen
434-906-9510

[allsky7]

I will be there Sat. AM to set up camp. Will not be there for the morning cat herding session.

[GinnyN]

Dinner Saturday several of us are planning on eating in the campground. Dren has said that we can use the pavilion. That will give us several tables in one location. We just want to avoid the long wait for a restaurant table ​on the holiday. Hope many of you will join us.