Upper Gauley IV-V

AW River Reach

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Updates:

September 6 '08 GoPro of the Big Five of the UG video 4min 12mb NEW 9.15.08

September 3 '07 Jim Denvir's first UG run 400cfs video 4min 14mb

August 25 '07 Stacey Bowen's first UG run 500cfs

Video Slideshow (7mb 5min) 0f Chris Barry photos
Photo album of all pics from the day (Dam, Pillow, Lost Paddle, Iron Ring, Sweet's)

October 14 '06 - Sean Collins' first Upper Gauley Run 5 min 20 mb

October 14 '06 - JD album of MUWC at Pillow Rock

September 25 '06 - G-Fest day photos from Pillow Rock

March 11 '06 Update - Case's first UG run (MUWC and Friends)(100mb)

December 18 '05 Update - Sweets Mile (Sweets to UG takeout) of UG at 1100cfs (1 minute 5 mb)

November 12 '05 Update - 4500 cfs "Team Go Medium"

November '05 Update Low Water 800cfs - featuring video of Nathan's time-out in the room

+ an album for the whole day

Gauley Fest' 05 Update - Pillow Rock Highlights 2005 Video (high resolution 25 mb 1:45)

- Pillow Rock Highlights 2005 Video (low resolution 5 mb 1:45)

Pillow Rock Pics

Festival Pics

Videos

Bryan Kirk and Tanya Shuman

July '05 Midsummer UG Fun - Summer '05

Febuaray '05 Winter Time UG - 02.05.05 Update
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MUWC UG description:

The Upper Gauley is truly an amazing section of river. It has tons of character and is different at every level. Each of the big 5 are unique in their own way, but it is all the "no name" rapids that truly make this river. My guess is that there are about 30 rapids. A good background of feeling comfortable in big pushy water is important not to mention just being in overall good shape. During the fall release it is beautiful in the canyon with the colors of the leaves and the river itself. The Big 5 rapids are amazing. Here are some helpful hints when you go for your first run. Insignificant has some big holes and you have to follow your guide closely or you will get in one. The big hole will let you go but you'll have to hang in there. Watch out for the dude surfing at the bottom surf waves as well. At Pillow Rock if you find the "green highway" you will be in good shape, but just remember to make a decision past Pillow if you want to go right or left of Volkswagen rock because, if you ramp over it, you will spend some time in the Toilet bowl. Lost Paddle is a spectacular rapid that is broken down into four drops. When you are in the eddy, take 2 seconds to just look around because it is beautiful there. The second drop is one most people are concerned about because it is really shallow and a lot of people get hurt there. The curler flips people and then they drag across the bottom with their faces. In Lost Paddle you must stay aggressive. It is big but if you hit the lines it is big fun as well. Most people feel a lot better after the last drop. Lost paddle is about a half mile long or more! It is not far on down to Iron Ring. At Iron Ring it seems the key is to get to the right on the green tongue, but not too far right. If you go over the waves you will be in Woodstock hole, but don't worry it should let you go after some aerial tricks. Sweets is the last of the big 5. I can never seem to find the right spot but I plan to keep trying. I am usually too far left toward Dildo rock. Hopefully you saved some energy for the walk up the hill (don't forget good shoes!). Most people think of UG only during its release season, but in fact it runs most of the year at lots of fun levels. The lowest we have ran it was 400 cfs and there was tons of fun lines to find. And in most people opinion some things get harder and some things get easier, but it is still the UG. Here are some thoughts about the UG at low water. Insignificant is insignificant but still fun. The main line down the middle is more like just reading your way through but there is a nice eddy on the left half way down that will set you up for a nice slot against the river left bank. There is a bit hairier line by boofing the flake but this is really depending on river level (we ran it at 2000 cfs) so I recommend running it with something who is familiar with it. The intermediate rapids between the big ones are lots of fun but the general rule is if you don't know where to go look for the channel with the most water. Pillow is interesting at low water so don't underestimated. At 400-800 cfs the Room is the best place to go. Instead of the standard hug the rocks and hit the highway, a run down the left and eddying out in the room is a nice move that is finished off by surfing off the Pillow and on around. Swimming in the Room is a long day so once you are in the Room paddle up to the top or into the crack for the calmer water. If a swimmer is in the Room this is what we recommend. Drop a rope down with a carabiner and have the swimmer attach it to the boat and pull the boat out into the current or up the room to the eddy above. Drop a rope down to the swimmer and pull them out into the current. If the swimmer is capable they can "walk" their feet across the Pillow Rock and then get swept out into the current to get out of the Room. If their boat is out of the way there is a bit of a ledge in the crack where they can stand and take a break running their rescue. Have fun and be safe.

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Fall 2004 Videos

1. Pillow Rock at Release from a side view

2. Iron Ring - Andy Gwinn on a good line

3. Sweets Falls - Kenny Cooper and Andy Gwinn

Pictures