Rivermen

Awesome Place
I rode that raft like it ain't nobody's business. For serious. John C was our guide and he's a real stand-up guy who knows what's what. I can still hear him yelling "GO GO GO!" in my dreams as we cruise down Pure Screaming Hell (the last rapids of the Middle/Lower Gauley - Class V) and into the Hell Hole. I was right at the front of my raft and looked into the Hell Hole with my eyes just about as wide as the hole itself. We caught a surf, rotated 180 degrees, and then literally flipped vertically, I flew overboard, got kicked around under the raft, and found myself a good ways away from everything when all was said and done. Hope the fish had a camera, though, cuz I was still smiling the entire time. Now THAT'S what I signed up for. As far as gear for this time of the year goes (late September), I'd recommend both the wetsuit and a splash jacket, which are available for rent when you get there. I was really comfortable, but some of the not-so-insulated folks in my group were still a little chilly, so if you have a fleece jacket, you may want that to wear under the splash jacket as well. As Katie Y recommended to me, you should try to bring some actual old tennis shoes to wear with some fast-drying socks (e.g., smartwool). They served us hot lunch and had a number of great selections - hamburgers, chicken, Polish-type sausages as well as a vegetarian mushroom option. We also went to the Half Bad Bluegrass Band hoedown Saturday night and I got to whip out my polka skillz as well as any bit of Southern two-stepping and knee-slapping, foot-stomping I had left in me from when I lived in Texas. The band was sizzlin' and the dance floor was packed with people getting down. Some of the best dancing I've had in a LOOOOONG time. Camping was good too and taking Katie Y's advice I brought some earplugs. That was a majorly good choice because you always get the bros up until the late night. Don't count on too much good kindling (e.g., small/medium-sized sticks) at your campsite plot, though, for starting a fire. It seemed pretty well picked over when we got there. Rivermen, I'm told, is the company you should go with if you want a "bang for your buck." There's also Class VI - apparently more for business people etc - and some other companies out there, but I'm definitely all about Rivermen for when I do Upper Gauley next year! Fish, ready your flashes.