West Virginia Whitewater 2002.....

FROM MILD TO WILD ON THE NEW RIVER & MORE

Come springtime, surf’s up in West Virginia! Every spring, outdoor enthusiasts head for the New River area of the Mountain State and this year is shaping up to be better than ever.

"If you like water and the great outdoors, you’ll love everything about the New River," says Dave Arnold, a managing director of Class VI River Runners. “Visitors will find famed whitewater rafting and milder pursuits in a variety of boats, fishing, camping and other varied accommodations, and so much more.”

Class VI was (and is) a pioneer in welcoming outdoor enthusiasts to the New River. They’re celebrating their 25th anniversary this season. Like many of more than 20 or so outfitters, they offer a wide range of recreation possibilities, including an incredibly large variety of one-day trips all along the New; many unique multi-day trips; late-afternoon/early-evening dinner trips on the river; fishing; camping; and dozens of possibilities that combine New River adventures with other area outdoor activities. West Virginia outfitters have also become famous for special amenities, like gourmet riverside lunches, post-rafting hot showers, upscale ‘base camps,’ and more.

Established in 1978 as a unit of the National Park Service, the New River Gorge National River conserves and protects 53 miles of the New River as a free-flowing waterway. It encompasses more than 70,000 acres of land along the New River between the towns of historic Hinton and the hip little outdoors haven of Fayetteville. The park and surrounding area are rich in cultural and natural history, with an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities that include great watersports.

The New River is probably (and ironically) the second oldest river in the world (behind the Nile). The New begins high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and makes its way north through Virginia and West Virginia to join the Gauley River (yet another popular West Virginia river that offers one of the world’s great whitewater trips during scheduled fall dam runoffs). The New’s gorge plunges more than 1,000 feet in depth, making for wonderful views from atop the mountains or down on the river.

The Canyon Rim Visitors Center, located atop the New River Gorge, is an ideal first stop. The visitors center features a slide show, changing exhibits about the New River, picnic tables, floor-to-ceiling windows to view the gorge, and a boardwalk that leads to a spectacular view of the gorge and the famed New River Gorge Bridge, which is the world's longest single-arch steel span bridge (it's 3,030 feet long and 876 feet high). Several other visitors centers in the region can also help.

The Upper New has become a particularly popular spot for an introduction to what the river has to offer. Many outfitters offer varied trips down the Upper New, depending on the ages and goals of visitors. Some of the possibilities include: mild whitewater rafting; ‘duckies’ (one- or two-person inflatable kayaks); canoeing; camping on the banks of the river; picnics during a trip down the river; swimming; riverside history, geology, and exploration; and much more. This portion of the river mixes mild rapids with calm pools that are ideal for swimming and relaxing. There are different age limits for trips and outfitters, but they generally start at age six or seven.

The Lower New features larger and more legendary whitewater. The whitewater can range up to Class V (Class VI is the toughest), with huge waves and inevitably wet rafters. Trips are also available to families, but the age limits are generally raised to the mid-teens level.

A raft trip down the New is just the beginning, however. Other water-oriented possibilities include canoe trips; kayaking lessons and trips; fishing on the river; and many other ways to get wet. Whichever New River adventure chosen, it’s definitely best to go with an experienced outfitter.

After this introduction to the wild and wet New River, it's time for further adventures in and around the New River Gorge. The area is ideal for a wide array of other activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, llama trekking, and rock climbing and rappelling.

Other outdoor-oriented adventures in the New River area include: jetboat rides up the river from Hawk's Nest State Park; several train rides in and around the New River Gorge; scuba diving up at Summersville Lake; a variety of activities at numerous area state parks; and, as mentioned earlier, some of the top river rafting in the world on the Gauley River (fall dam releases are most popular, but there are also great spring and summer trips). Along with the river outfitters, there are many other adventure operators and stores in the area to help with planning, participation, and equipment.

On the camping front, there are lots of possibilities. Many outfitters offer their own camping facilities on and off the river, with great package prices that can include river trips, meals, camping, and more. There are also several other commercial campgrounds in the area, as well as excellent state park facilities (Babcock State Park is highly recommended) and primitive camping within the National River boundaries at four sites reached by gravel road.

This combination of great driving, serious river fun, and an abundance of camping make the New River an ideal place to head this spring (though there’s great whitewater through the fall). The surf is definitely up in the Mountain State!

GETTING THERE

West Virginia’s New River is located in the southern part of the state. For further general information and a list of outfitters, contact the West Virginia Division of Tourism at (800) CALL WVA or www.callwva.com. Companies like Class VI River Runners ((800) CLASS VI; www.800classvi.com) can help with rafting and much more.