Jim Justice, the governor, proclaimed the start of the Gauley Season countdown today. In just 9 days, America’s newest national park will open, giving whitewater rafters from all over the world the chance to try some of the best whitewater courses in the world against a breathtaking fall backdrop. More than 40,000 people visit the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve every fall to take in this once-in-a-lifetime experience during the six weeks known as Gauley Season. Controlled releases from the Summersville Dam are scheduled every year for six weeks following Labour Day.
These releases, which move 44 million gallons of water at a speed of more than 50 mph into the Gauley River, create excellent whitewater rafting conditions. That volume is enough to fill an Olympic-sized pool every ten seconds. The 2022 releases are expected to begin on September 9the and go through October 15th. Whitewater rafting in West Virginia has solidified itself as a national heritage for countless people. Whitewater rafting has been Randy Ebersole’s pastime since 1978. In 1989, one of his rafting guides suggested he take his first trip down the Upper Gauley River. From that point forward, he organized large gatherings of friends, inviting between 30 and 45 people to share the fun.
Gauley Season is a welcoming place for everyone. Ebersole organized a trip for two people, ages 26 and 72. He has joined friends from all over the country, including Florida, Washington, Texas, and New Jersey, to name a few.
The Upper, Middle, and Lower Gauley Rivers each contain about 25 miles of exceptional whitewater. The Upper Gauley is the best choice for those looking for a more intense, heart-pounding excursion. Here you can find the fabled Big 5 Rapids: Insignificant, Pillow Rock, Lost Paddle, Iron Ring, and Sweets Falls. The name “The Beast of the East” is appropriate for this challenging, rapid, and steep section.
Use the Middle Gauley, which is between the Upper and Lower sections, to evaluate whether you are prepared for the Lower. The Lower Gauley is still an excellent section of whitewater even though it is not as steep and challenging as the Upper Gauley. The Lower Gauley especially shines with its magnificent cliff lines near Canyon Doors and Junkyard. Rapids like Upper Mash and Lower Mash will make your heart beat more quickly.
For the Gauley Season of 2022, 22 water releases are planned, with an additional hour of releases scheduled for September 17–19. The Gauley Season is being celebrated, thus many rafting companies are offering special deals.
