Saturday, September 16, 2000 -- Summersville, WV
Gauley River Festival
Story and photos by Beth Herr
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Pic Set 1]
[Pic Set 2]
[Pic Set 3]
[Pic Set 4]
![]() |
Renown for its world class rapids, thrill seekers came from far and
wide to watch, and paddle, in awe as the Gauley devoured its share of
adventurous spirits. Shouts of cheers and jeers resounded from the packed
shorelines of onlookers. The crowd was so considerable in size that they
could be heard from the summit of the gorge. The weather was perfect for
one the of the few weekends a year when the Summersville Dam opens its gates
to feed the hunger of some of the top boaters in the country.
![]() |
Day broke all too soon as the last dregs of paddlers and spectators
arose the following morning to another beautiful day. Not a cloud was
in the sky as as one boater called across the campground, "Real men
paddle on Sundays." And that they did, as I settled in to another day
across from Pillow Rock. Though not as many rafters as the day
before, boaters continued down the river well into the late afternoon,
perhaps several of them trying out the newest addition to their boat
families.
![]() |
I returned to the campground to find my friends consumed with pleasure from another incredible day on the water. One story gave way to another, as most river tales tend to do, and I smiled along with the rest of them. However, it was obvious I had missed an opportunity that wouldn't come for another year. It was at this moment a plan was formulated for one more run early the next morning. Mid-morning on Monday, as the raft rounded the corner to the sight in which I had become accustomed to during the weekend, there was nothing but pure exhilaration. Our crew dug in hard and came through clean, leaving behind any questions in my mind as to what lay beyond Pillow Rock. Let's just say it's something you can only find out by running the Gauley yourself.