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Hamlet Piers upstream of Prince, West Virginia
During my first year as a river guide on the New River in West Virginia I spent a ton of time on the Upper New River. Silo Rapids is the finale rapid on the Upper New between Prince and Thurmond. The Class III features some sweet rollercoaster waves that seem to go on forever at some levels.
Like many first year guides before me, I honed my people and water reading skills on that mild, but fun stretch of West Virginia whitewater. I hung out with cool families who sought to take a family vacation, but didn’t want the amusement park crowds.
At Wildwater, we offer duckies (inflatable kayaks) to guests on the Upper New for a custom experience with loads of autonomy for even the greenest paddlers. Because of this, one guide usually plays the role of ducky shepherd.
In late summer, 1991, the Trip Leader, Steve, asked me to be the ducky shepherd. It had been a long, hot summer. Low water and injuries to staff meant more work for fewer people. We all could have used a little R&R, but we showed up each morning, put on our guide faces and went to work. And it was fun.
We floated the length of Thayer pool. Steve was crispy from managing the river staff that year and had entertained kids and parents on his boat all day while I paddled around in my ducky, living the life of Reilly. As we approached Silo, Steve asked (really, pleaded is a better word) to trade with me so he could paddle Silo.
Being a 21-year-old punk, I said no. I paddled Silo and enjoyed it. Steve floated by afterward, his misery plain. 1991 marked my first season at Wildwater and Steve’s last. Given the chance to make that choice again, I would hand over my ducky to Steve in a heartbeat. That day sticks with me and I think about it from time to time. Sometimes at opportune times when I can apply the lesson, but mostly out of the blue, for no particular reason.
A Happy Rafter Takes on the Upper New in Her Ducky.
This is a series that will be featured on the Wildwater Rafting Blog until I run out of rapids. I’ve got memories associated with West Virginia whitewater rafting from just about every rapid on the New River and Gauley River that I think will help provide a little flavor for those who haven’t been whitewater rafting in West Virginia before or for those who want a little help remembering their experiences. I’ll start upstream on the New River and work downstream.
My first real memory of Ledges is from 1989. My mom and I were down visiting my brother, Christopher, who was in his first year at Wildwater Expeditions. We managed to get on an Upper New River trip thanks to Jon Dragan’s generosity.
We relaxed in our duckies for much of the trip until we came to Ledges, the first siginificant whitewater of the day. I felt pretty good and charged headlong into the downstream V. Unfortunately, I had no clue about boat angle and waves and I hit a curler broadside and slowly turned over into the river. I eventually cleaned up my gear, climbed back and paddled to shore, where Bill Handy (now owner of Appalachian BackCountry Expeditions) and Tony Tingler set up lunch.
During lunch, I wanted another shot at running Ledges. Bill was kind enough to humor me and I ran it again. This time I made it through upright. I felt pretty good. It’s amazing how a minor achievement like that made me feel.
I think back on that often when other folks join Wildwater to whitewater raft the New River for the first time and it helps me to empathize and enjoy their experience with them.
Drop a line and let me know what West Virginia white water rafting stories that made your day.
