Bud guiding Courtesy of Lynn Seldon

Next up, Iron Ring (named for a huge logging ring that used to be embedded in the rocks) provides a huge boulder obstructing the river. Good guides always choose the right way to run Iron Ring. Those who don't are in for a rough (and wet) ride.

Sweet Falls is the guiding gold medal. Named after John Sweet, one of the first to paddle the river, there is usually a ten-foot drop and lots of rafters waiting below to see the results. It's a Roman Cathedral-like atmosphere, with the guides and their rafts having their success or failure viewed, photographed, and videotaped for all to see. "Even at my age, I still love running Sweets Falls," says Randy Dotson, who grew up at the confluence of the New and Gauley (he's a young 60, by the way).

Most trips have lunch either right before or after Sweet Falls and it's typically quite a spread. The guides bring it down the river on their rafts and then set up the buffet right on the banks. All of the outfitters and their guides take pride in the quality and creativity of lunch on the river. Class VI River Runners even has their own cookbook for sale.

It may get a bit easier after Sweet Falls, but not much. Insignificant No. Two (also called Wood's Ferry Rapid) has been known to surprise a few guides and rafters, after three miles of relatively calm water below Sweet Falls. Except for this rapid, however, there is time for guides to trade stories with their passengers, some of which are true.

The questions and stories are typically a fun part of the trip. Aletha Stolar, who guided with Class VI for more than 25 years, probably heard everything. She says she can usually answer most questions with: "Well it depends," "Just around the bend," or "In about 45 minutes."

"Near the takeout, Pure Screaming Hell provides one final Gauley River rampage..."

Wood's Ferry area is also the typical take-out for one-day Upper Gauley trips. Some diehards choose to pursue the one-day trip that does the Upper and Lower Gauley in one long and hard day, but most just run take the one-day Upper or Lower trip or a two-day trip that takes in both. Those fun two-day trips usually feature camping on the river and more good times with guides, including a good old-fashioned camp cookout.

"Guiding in general is full of laughs," smiles M.A. Reiniger. "We had an English teacher on a two-day trip and one of the guides fixing dinner yelled, 'Hey, Bobby, where's the spatula at?' The teacher told him never to end a sentence with a preposition and he responded by yelling, 'Okay. Hey, Bobby, where's the spatula at, you asshole.'"

The Lower Gauley is not as spectacular as the Upper Gauley, but it is technically difficult and a fun ride for guides and their guests. The Lower Gauley's first major rapid is Backender, a popular playboating spot for kayakers.

Some of the rapids that come in quick succession include: Upper Mash and Lower Mash (huge boulders and waves); Heaven Help Us (a ten-foot squeeze); the appropriately named Rollercoaster; Cliffside (a curving double-drop); and Rattlesnake (a windy series of rapids). This is where teamwork and a guide's talent can come in handy.

Near the takeout, Pure Screaming Hell provides one final Gauley River rampage. This long run has some huge waves and big rocks that have flipped quite a few boats. I guess it's the Gauley's way of saying goodbye to the guides and rafters who may (or may not) have tamed her this time.

The bus rides back to the outfitters provides additional time to learn more about the guides and other outdoor activities in West Virginia. Typically, most people who come to raft the Gauley will stay for two or three days, which gives them time to enjoy other outdoor recreational opportunities, like canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, camping, and fishing. Most of the guides also pursue these other activities and encourage their raft passengers to do the same.

The whitewater industry has grown tremendously in the last few years, with many more creative options awaiting Gauley River rafters. Along with running the river, you can camp, stay in a B&B, enjoy an outfitter barbecue, mountain bike, go horseback riding, enjoy organized nature rock programs, bring your whole family, try a ropes course, and much more.

Whatever outfitter you choose, you'll find friendly locals to match the far-flung guides. Toni Hall echoes the feelings of guides and visitors when she says, "I like the attitude of the locals in this place tucked away in the midst of the crowded east. One time, a local chased after me on my bike for miles, just trying to return a kayak spray skirt I had dropped. With me, the suspicious Californian, expecting rape and robbery, I immediately suspected the worst and got the best of the Gauley season."

Gauley River bookings with more than 15 outfitters are already setting records this year, according to West Virginia Professional Rafting Outfitters Association president Doug Proctor. The word is obviously spreading quickly.

Aletha Stolar moved to West Virginia and tried to explain why, saying, "Something about the area seems to draw the best people. You find good folks, beautiful scenery, and lots of variety for activities." Aletha also mentioned something about Class VI that I heard about many of the locally-owned outfitters. She said, "The owners are kind, caring, innovative, fun, receptive, encouraging, and challenging. Consequently, everything flows from there." Depending on where you are on the river, I guess the same could be said about the GauleyÉand Bud.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The 2003 Gauley River season begins Friday, September 5th. This year, there are five consecutive four-day Friday-to-Monday sessions of whitewater fun, then a sixth session that just includes Saturday and Sunday (October 11th and 12th), and a final day of rafting on Sunday, October 19th that ties in with the famed Bridge Day weekend on the New River. This gives you 23 chances to become a Bud man or woman! For further information about West Virginia, this fall's Gauley season, and whitewater outfitters, call 800/CALL WVA, visit www.callwva, or contact Class VI River Runners directly at 800/CLASS VI or www.800classvi.com.

by Lynn Seldon
Lynn has spent the past fifteen years covering all aspects of travel writing and photography. His books specialize in travel within Virginia, West Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic, Florida and the Bahamas. He also focuses on travel within the Southeast US and the Caribbean, outdoor and adventure travel, eco-tourism, cruise ship travel, boating, scuba diving, hiking, mountain biking, golf, beaches, resorts, cities and countryside. Check out his website.