West Virginia State Travel Guide '07....

GO FOR IT!
High Adventure -- Intensity & Speed

From fast-flowing rivers to mountains in the sky, I love high adventure in West Virginia. The higher the intensity, height, or speed of the activity, the more enjoyable it is. So, whether it's whitewater rafting, heading down a black-diamond slope or maybe even jumping off a bridge (parachute attached, naturally), I’m always ready for outdoor excitement in the Mountain State.

The beauty of high-octane outdoor activities in West Virginia is that there is always something new to pursue. Rivers are always changing, mountain resorts add challenging slopes and terrain, new routes are developed on rock walls, new trails are blazed. And both longtime and new events bring together like-minded adventurers. It’s just a matter of choosing your next Mountain State challenge.

Raft the Rapids

West Virginia’s world-class whitewater woos many adventurers and for good reason. Those in search of intense whitewater rafting head to the Gauley River and the Lower New River for serious fun, while other exciting rivers such as the Cheat and Tygart also provide thrills when the water's high. In addition to traditional rafting with dozens of great commercial outfitters, heading down the river in “duckies” (small inflatable kayaks), kayaks or canoes (all available through outfitters) can provide further water wonders.

Show Off Your Slope Skills

The Mountain State also offers skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to enjoy the white stuff at some sensational speeds and heights. Mountain resorts including Snowshoe Mountain, Canaan Valley, Timberline Four Seasons and Winterplace all offer their fair share of black diamond dares for experienced downhillers. You don’t even have to head down super-steep slopes to get on the edge, thanks to varied terrain parks where both skiers and snowboarders can get big air and more. Airboarding is a brand-new sport, and West Virginia is at the forefront of the craze. Participants lie on their stomachs and hold tight to inflated 'air rockets.' Recently, the regions first ever airboarding terrain park was built at Canaan Valley Resort, which offers rentals and lessons.

Rock Clinging

Those same mountains also feature rocks for hard-core climbers. Whether it’s “The Endless Wall” and more in the New River Gorge National River or the famed 1,000-foot outcropping of Seneca Rocks, rock stars revel in West Virginia. The hip towns of Fayetteville and Seneca Rocks have become havens for rock climbers in search of similarly stirred souls (including the now-popular New River Rendezvous rock climbing festival). Plus, a variety of outfitters make climbing easy to pursue in these two hotspots and elsewhere.

The Power of All Terrain

Back on terra firma, speedy ATVs have a trails heaven of their own with Hatfield-McCoy Trails (www.trailsheaven.com) in southern West Virginia. Featuring more than 500 miles of tight and twisting trails through deep valleys, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails offer almost heavenly highs to ATVers (as well as dirt bikers, mountain bikers, hikers--even those on horseback). Of course, other parts of the state feature varied public lands that allow ATVers to get some speed along a dirt trail.

This wide range of adrenaline-fueled experiences is part of a long list of wild and wonderful West Virginia adventures. For those in search of less intense offerings, read on......

Go!

For more information on river adventures, visit www.wvriversports.com. For information on skiing and snowboarding, visit www.wvwintersports.com and for information on all types of outdoor adventures, visit www.adventuresinwv.com.

Get Some Air!

Many other mid-air experiences can also provide a Mountain State high. New River Gorge Bridge Day (www.officialbridgeday.com) has become one of the largest event for BASE jumpers (those who parachute from a fixed structure) in the world, but there are also other ways to get some air during the state’s largest one-day festival (like rappelling from the bridge down to the river or high lining, which features a 700-foot zipline ride down to the New). Other possibilities include paragliding around Webster Springs (check out Fly West Virginia at www.flywv.com) and a unique new experience in Pendleton County at Nelson Rocks Preserve called Via Ferrata (www.nelsonrocks.org) that features fixed-cable climbing trails and a 200-foot-long and 150-foot-high swinging foot bridge!