November 22, 2023 • 10 mins
Explore the newest National Park in the USA, the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia, featuring adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting, base jumping from the second highest bridge in the USA, and breathtaking mountain views. Darley Newman takes you whitewater rafting on Class V rapids during Gauley Season, some of the world’s toughest whitewater rafting that regular travelers can enjoy, with Ace Adventure Resort and Chris Colin. Next, it's on to the sights and thrills of Fayetteville on Bridge Day, a festival on the third Saturday in October complete with base jumping, running and local beer and pizza. Wondered if you should take a West Virginia vacation? Listen for West Virginia travel itinerary tips and advice.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Calling all national park lovers! did you know that there's a new national park in the USA?
(00:04):
The new River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia has been designated as our
nation's 63rd National Park. And whether you want to live on the edge whitewater
rafting or base jumping on Bridge Day, or you want to enjoy scenic overlooks and watching
others adventure while sipping on a craft beer or perhaps eating a wood-fired pizza,
(00:27):
this national park has you covered. We're exploring this area today in West Virginia and
taking you on a few adventures that you don't even have to get wet to enjoy...if you don't want to of course.
I'm Darley Newman and I'm excited to explore Southern Trails in and around a new
national park with you on this episode of "Travels with Darley."
(00:53):
Now let's get a closer look at the rivers that comprise the New River Gorge's namesake waterways.
The Gauley River National Recreation Area includes 25 miles of the Gauley. There are
a few commercial outfitters who will take you out rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers.
I went out to experience some of the world's toughest whitewater rafting that regular travelers
(01:15):
can enjoy during Gauley season on the Gauley River with Ace Adventure Resort and Chris Colin.
Now I've been whitewater rafting a few times, and I can tell you this was the ride of my life.
You guys fired up and ready?
Woo!
All right.
That's Rafting Guide Chris Colin getting us pumped to head out whitewater rafting
(01:35):
and everyone heading out in our group today has been given a helmet,
neoprene wetsuit and paddling jacket.
So the Gauley River we're tackling the Upper Gauley today. We got 12 miles of paddling,
about 50 rapids to do today and five Class Vs. That last one is going to be a 14-foot waterfall.
Are you ready for that?
Are we going down a 14-foot waterfall?
(01:55):
We're going down a 14-foot waterfall today.
Yeah, just a 14-foot waterfall.
No problem!
But I felt better being out with Chris. He's been guiding on the Gauley since 2009.
You're gonna spin around 180 degrees.
If you can imagine him, he's over six feet tall,
and he has that commanding military type presence.
(02:16):
Makes you feel good about going out on the river that may make maybe a few people a little nervous.
Chris is a self-proclaimed river rat and all around adventure enthusiast.
When he's not conquering Class V rapids, he likes to get caught in tight rock spaces
exploring West Virginia caves.
You want that sort of guide and confidence leading you out on the Gauley because even if you have
(02:40):
no experience with whitewater rafting, you and your family or your group can be led by season
guides like Chris out on the Upper Gauley.
It's called the Beast of the East for a reason.
Now we were floating down a calmer stretch of the river at the beginning surrounded by rocky
tree-lined canyons. I felt all together peaceful.
(03:02):
On this stretch of the Gauley, you're within a 25-mile canyon.
It's lined with these beautiful trees and in September on our visit, the White Oak, the American
Beech, the Yellow Poplar, they were a verdant green and just starting to change colors with little
pops of orange and red in the distance.
Ahead of us I could see the canyon narrowing though, and massive boulders posing in on a series
(03:28):
of rapids. Remember the rocks are bad so stay away from the rocks.
If you happen to fall out down here in this monster Class V, swim hard to the left, hard to the
left and stay away from the rocks. Here we go, let's paddle ahead!
From the first weekend after Labor Day for another six weekends, the Gauley River is at its fullest.
This is when the Army Corps of Engineers provides a series of controlled releases
(03:53):
for the express purpose of downriver recreation.
What this means is that travelers can get in on the action,
taking on roller coaster waves and Class V. Intense.
If you've never been whitewater rafting, you might be prepared and not even know it.
If, for instance, you've already been training for the Army.
(04:15):
Paddle ahead, paddle ahead.
Or enjoyed a really forceful shower at home or at the swamp.
Wherever you've received instructions or not, if you get the Gauley, you're in the ride of your life.
[Music]
That's 18 seconds in whitewater coming up. You can really tell from this angle how much lower
(04:39):
in elevation the bottom of this rapid is.
You know when you see those Hollywood movies and someone like Harrison Ford is coming up on a
massive waterfall and he can only see that it looks like it's dropping into an abyss?
That's what Pillow Rock felt like to me. The Pillow Rock rapids are one of the most infamous of the
(04:59):
Class V on the Gauley and we were about to barrel into them. If you fall out in Pillow Rock,
hold your breath and count to ten and then when you pop up, swim away from the rocks.
If you weren't putting your all into paddling before, you will for Pillow Rock.
You'll see what I'm talking about but there are horrible undercuts, the current flows through them,
(05:21):
underneath of them but between them it's just a bad place to be swimming. So if you were to fall out
down here, get your butt going right and then you have to cut in behind them. Now I can tell you that
I didn't really paddle much as we got towards Pillow Rock. Our raft felt like it was at a 90 degree
angle as we descended down the rapids. The front of the raft where I was sitting,
(05:41):
rocked up into the air several feet and I could only focus on trying to stay in the raft itself.
Whoa!
Because I really didn't want to follow Chris's instructions on swimming away from the rocks if I
landed in the rapids. There's an awesome camaraderie that comes from being out with a group on an
(06:04):
adventure like this. Even if I didn't know anyone in the raft before I started, we all hit our
paddles together in celebration at the end. That was just a blur! Eladed to having survived and enjoyed one of the craziest
natural roller coasters on the planet. Whitewater rafting is an activity that the whole family can enjoy
(06:32):
but depending on the section of the river, there are age requirements of being 12 or older
or 14 to 16 depending on the area and adventure. If you're experienced in rafting, you can also go
out on your own or take on the river by kayaking. Another way that the entire family can enjoy
adventures on the gorge is during Bridge Day. It's quite the sight to see. I'm talking about the
(06:58):
third Saturday in October. It commemorates the 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge with
a festival. It's called Bridge Day. Now Bridge Day is sort of a choose your own adventure or eat
and drink and watch others take on crazy adventures, something for everyone. The New River Gorge Bridge is
the second highest bridge in the USA and the 13th highest in the world. If you've ever seen those
(07:24):
crazy Kiwis jumping from bridges over gorges in New Zealand, this is similar but it's in the heart of
West Virginia at the New River Gorge National Park. Having myself taken on the world's highest
commercial bungee in Macao, China at 764 feet, I can tell you it's not easy breezy.
(07:44):
That's me standing at the top of the Macao Tower. Can you tell I'm a little nervous?
Now I was bungee jumping but on Bridge Day, it's base jumping meaning these adrenaline seekers
are jumping from their base. This one being the New River Gorge Bridge using a parachute.
Once they take the leap within about two to three seconds, it's time to deploy their parachutes.
(08:10):
Sound like something you would do? To give you even more perspective, the New River Gorge Bridge
is higher than the Washington Monument, higher than the St. Louis Gateway Arch,
higher than Seattle Space Needle, and just under 200 feet lower than the top of the Eiffle Tower.
Well if you don't feel like jumping from the second highest bridge in the USA,
(08:35):
you can still enjoy this bridge adventure by repelling down from it,
riding across it on a high line. Or running over it on Bridge Day's 5k run.
Bridge day is unique in that it's the only day visitors may walk across the bridge.
Or perhaps you're just interested in shopping local and grabbing a hot dog or a craft beer
(08:58):
from one of the many local vendors out for Bridge Day. Because no matter what your vantage point is
on bridge day. You know when you're in and around West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park,
you're in for some spectacular, misty mountain views.
To get to the New River Gorge National Park in Preserve, you can fly into Charleston,
(09:21):
West Virginia which is about 70 miles northwest of the park. There are also some flights available
to nearby Beckley West Virginia. You'll ideally want a car to explore the Mountain State.
As someone who believes that travel has the power to enrich our minds, bodies, and souls,
I hope you've felt like you've gone on an adventure with me today and I hope you'll tune into
(09:44):
my next West Virginia podcast on scenic trains and the waterfall trail. It's going to be another
very sweet ride. I'm Darley Newman and thanks so much for joining me on "Travels With Darley",
Southern Trails in West Virginia.
Calling all national park lovers! did you know that there's a new national park in the USA?
(00:04):
The new River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia has been designated as our
nation's 63rd National Park. And whether you want to live on the edge whitewater
rafting or base jumping on Bridge Day, or you want to enjoy scenic overlooks and watching
others adventure while sipping on a craft beer or perhaps eating a wood-fired pizza,
(00:27):
this national park has you covered. We're exploring this area today in West Virginia and
taking you on a few adventures that you don't even have to get wet to enjoy...if you don't want to of course.
I'm Darley Newman and I'm excited to explore Southern Trails in and around a new
national park with you on this episode of "Travels with Darley."
(00:53):
Now let's get a closer look at the rivers that comprise the New River Gorge's namesake waterways.
The Gauley River National Recreation Area includes 25 miles of the Gauley. There are
a few commercial outfitters who will take you out rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers.
I went out to experience some of the world's toughest whitewater rafting that regular travelers
(01:15):
can enjoy during Gauley season on the Gauley River with Ace Adventure Resort and Chris Colin.
Now I've been whitewater rafting a few times, and I can tell you this was the ride of my life.
You guys fired up and ready?
Woo!
All right.
That's Rafting Guide Chris Colin getting us pumped to head out whitewater rafting
(01:35):
and everyone heading out in our group today has been given a helmet,
neoprene wetsuit and paddling jacket.
So the Gauley River we're tackling the Upper Gauley today. We got 12 miles of paddling,
about 50 rapids to do today and five Class Vs. That last one is going to be a 14-foot waterfall.
Are you ready for that?
Are we going down a 14-foot waterfall?
(01:55):
We're going down a 14-foot waterfall today.
Yeah, just a 14-foot waterfall.
No problem!
But I felt better being out with Chris. He's been guiding on the Gauley since 2009.
You're gonna spin around 180 degrees.
If you can imagine him, he's over six feet tall,
and he has that commanding military type presence.
(02:16):
Makes you feel good about going out on the river that may make maybe a few people a little nervous.
Chris is a self-proclaimed river rat and all around adventure enthusiast.
When he's not conquering Class V rapids, he likes to get caught in tight rock spaces
exploring West Virginia caves.
You want that sort of guide and confidence leading you out on the Gauley because even if you have
(02:40):
no experience with whitewater rafting, you and your family or your group can be led by season
guides like Chris out on the Upper Gauley.
It's called the Beast of the East for a reason.
Now we were floating down a calmer stretch of the river at the beginning surrounded by rocky
tree-lined canyons. I felt all together peaceful.
(03:02):
On this stretch of the Gauley, you're within a 25-mile canyon.
It's lined with these beautiful trees and in September on our visit, the White Oak, the American
Beech, the Yellow Poplar, they were a verdant green and just starting to change colors with little
pops of orange and red in the distance.
Ahead of us I could see the canyon narrowing though, and massive boulders posing in on a series
(03:28):
of rapids. Remember the rocks are bad so stay away from the rocks.
If you happen to fall out down here in this monster Class V, swim hard to the left, hard to the
left and stay away from the rocks. Here we go, let's paddle ahead!
From the first weekend after Labor Day for another six weekends, the Gauley River is at its fullest.
This is when the Army Corps of Engineers provides a series of controlled releases
(03:53):
for the express purpose of downriver recreation.
What this means is that travelers can get in on the action,
taking on roller coaster waves and Class V. Intense.
If you've never been whitewater rafting, you might be prepared and not even know it.
If, for instance, you've already been training for the Army.
(04:15):
Paddle ahead, paddle ahead.
Or enjoyed a really forceful shower at home or at the swamp.
Wherever you've received instructions or not, if you get the Gauley, you're in the ride of your life.
[Music]
That's 18 seconds in whitewater coming up. You can really tell from this angle how much lower
(04:39):
in elevation the bottom of this rapid is.
You know when you see those Hollywood movies and someone like Harrison Ford is coming up on a
massive waterfall and he can only see that it looks like it's dropping into an abyss?
That's what Pillow Rock felt like to me. The Pillow Rock rapids are one of the most infamous of the
(04:59):
Class V on the Gauley and we were about to barrel into them. If you fall out in Pillow Rock,
hold your breath and count to ten and then when you pop up, swim away from the rocks.
If you weren't putting your all into paddling before, you will for Pillow Rock.
You'll see what I'm talking about but there are horrible undercuts, the current flows through them,
(05:21):
underneath of them but between them it's just a bad place to be swimming. So if you were to fall out
down here, get your butt going right and then you have to cut in behind them. Now I can tell you that
I didn't really paddle much as we got towards Pillow Rock. Our raft felt like it was at a 90 degree
angle as we descended down the rapids. The front of the raft where I was sitting,
(05:41):
rocked up into the air several feet and I could only focus on trying to stay in the raft itself.
Whoa!
Because I really didn't want to follow Chris's instructions on swimming away from the rocks if I
landed in the rapids. There's an awesome camaraderie that comes from being out with a group on an
(06:04):
adventure like this. Even if I didn't know anyone in the raft before I started, we all hit our
paddles together in celebration at the end. That was just a blur! Eladed to having survived and enjoyed one of the craziest
natural roller coasters on the planet. Whitewater rafting is an activity that the whole family can enjoy
(06:32):
but depending on the section of the river, there are age requirements of being 12 or older
or 14 to 16 depending on the area and adventure. If you're experienced in rafting, you can also go
out on your own or take on the river by kayaking. Another way that the entire family can enjoy
adventures on the gorge is during Bridge Day. It's quite the sight to see. I'm talking about the
(06:58):
third Saturday in October. It commemorates the 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge with
a festival. It's called Bridge Day. Now Bridge Day is sort of a choose your own adventure or eat
and drink and watch others take on crazy adventures, something for everyone. The New River Gorge Bridge is
the second highest bridge in the USA and the 13th highest in the world. If you've ever seen those
(07:24):
crazy Kiwis jumping from bridges over gorges in New Zealand, this is similar but it's in the heart of
West Virginia at the New River Gorge National Park. Having myself taken on the world's highest
commercial bungee in Macao, China at 764 feet, I can tell you it's not easy breezy.
(07:44):
That's me standing at the top of the Macao Tower. Can you tell I'm a little nervous?
Now I was bungee jumping but on Bridge Day, it's base jumping meaning these adrenaline seekers
are jumping from their base. This one being the New River Gorge Bridge using a parachute.
Once they take the leap within about two to three seconds, it's time to deploy their parachutes.
(08:10):
Sound like something you would do? To give you even more perspective, the New River Gorge Bridge
is higher than the Washington Monument, higher than the St. Louis Gateway Arch,
higher than Seattle Space Needle, and just under 200 feet lower than the top of the Eiffle Tower.
Well if you don't feel like jumping from the second highest bridge in the USA,
(08:35):
you can still enjoy this bridge adventure by repelling down from it,
riding across it on a high line. Or running over it on Bridge Day's 5k run.
Bridge day is unique in that it's the only day visitors may walk across the bridge.
Or perhaps you're just interested in shopping local and grabbing a hot dog or a craft beer
(08:58):
from one of the many local vendors out for Bridge Day. Because no matter what your vantage point is
on bridge day. You know when you're in and around West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park,
you're in for some spectacular, misty mountain views.
To get to the New River Gorge National Park in Preserve, you can fly into Charleston,
(09:21):
West Virginia which is about 70 miles northwest of the park. There are also some flights available
to nearby Beckley West Virginia. You'll ideally want a car to explore the Mountain State.
As someone who believes that travel has the power to enrich our minds, bodies, and souls,
I hope you've felt like you've gone on an adventure with me today and I hope you'll tune into
(09:44):
my next West Virginia podcast on scenic trains and the waterfall trail. It's going to be another
very sweet ride. I'm Darley Newman and thanks so much for joining me on "Travels With Darley",
Southern Trails in West Virginia.
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