Greetings from Earth
Nobody ever said that life was always going to be fun. That may be so, but there's nothing that says that we can't try our best... This is our annual chance to get together and act like the crazy people that GSP's really are.
About this document: With any luck the ink on this paper contains everything that you'll need to know to survive the weekend (except maybe how to open a beer can). The main document contains general information and words of advice for rafting, camping, traveling, and what else you might want to do while in West Virginia. Appendix I is a list of who is going. Appendix II contains directions to the various interesting places (such as the campground), and Appendix III lists what items you'll probably want to bring along.
You did say that you could swim, didn't you?
In reality, I am living proof that one does not have to be a good swimmer to enjoy whitewater rafting. All that is required is a sense of adventure and a desire to have fun. We will be rafting at 9:45 AM on Saturday, July 7. We have reserved 48 spots, of which all but three are currently taken. As in the last two years our outfitter is Mountain River Tours. Raft assignments will be availaibe from me on Friday evening. I've tried to put everyone in rafts where they knew someone, and I think that I've suceeded. However, trading is welcome (even encouraged) as long as the number of people in each raft remains the same.
We MUST be at Mountain River Tours (MRT) 30 minutes or more before the trip! This is to allow time to change, collect wits, and enjoy their free coffee. You must also sign a release form which relieves MRT of any responsibility should you be attacked by a water monster or similar accident occurs. I plan to have copies of this form at the campsite on Friday evening.
MRT will provide the rafts, a guide, paddles, life jackets and helmets as part of the trip price, plus lunch on the river. Proper clothing depends on the weather - on a warm sunny day cutoffs and a T-shirt work fine. However, on a cool day (such as two years ago) wool clothing is highly recommended, and some people may want to rent wetsuits. Several people have experienced problems in past years with contacts moving around in their eyes or being lost. Therefore wearers of these objects should consider wearing glasses for rafting.
A note to those who are planning to bring cameras: Malcolm has proven for several years that it is quite possible to bring a camera along in the raft, if proper precautions are taken to protect it from water. Malcolm uses an inflatable waterproof sports bag to protect his. These are available from several sources via mailorder, and probably at local stores in your area too. Contact Malcolm for more information about these. MRT also provides waterproof bags, but I wouldn't trust them.
Watch Out For the Animals
As in previous years we will be camping at the Mountain Manor Campgrounds (MMC), just south of Summersville. Our campsite is the same one as two years ago, which is generally considered to be much better than the site than we had last year. The site is reserved for us Wednesday night through Saturday night. When you get to the campground you must stop at the office and check in. We are registered as "Purdue GSPs". There is a $2.50 per night per person fee for camping which you should pay at that time. Directions to the campground are included in Appendix II.
The campground has showers, latrines, junk food for sale, and (hopefully) a volleyball net. We must provide everything else, including tents, food, etc. There will be no mass food purchase this year, but we do plan to provide some of the basic necessities from the $5 optional donation solicited earlier this year (see Appendix III). Since running water is scarce the liquid refreshment of choice in past years has been beer, and lots of it! It's been a tradition that everyone bring some interesting local beer from wherever they live to share with the rest of the group (right kds?). This practice is encouraged again this year. There are grocery stores in the area where food can be purchased.
Every year we seem to need more tents than we have, so if you have one please plan to bring it! You should also be making plans for who you will be bunking with, and please make sure that your bunk mate(s) know of your plans for them. I can help coordinate this if needed. Also, if you are bringing an extra tent let me know.
Gentlemen, start your engines!
The most common way to get to West Virginia is by car. In past years most people have formed car pools, and this seems to be the general trend this year as well. To help facilitate this Paul Carlile has agreed to coordinate things in the North East, Rich Kulawiec will handle the Midwest, and I'll take care of everyone else. One of us should have already contacted you, but if not please contact me ASAP! There are two reasons why this is important: 1) so that everyone will have a way to get to W. Virginia, and 2) I have to notify MMC in advance as to when everyone is arriving at the campground. I reserve the right to shoot anyone who doesn't do this.
In the past we've travelled in groups of a few cars, but this certainly isn't mandatory. Of course, there are some advantages to this if there are problems on the road. It is a wonderful idea that you beg, borrow, steal, or whatever a CB radio for the trip. We've found these devices to be very useful both while traveling and during short hops around the mountains. The "official" GSP channel is 16 (2**4); we'll use channel 8 if that one is busy.
Of course there are other ways to get to West Virginia. If you desire to fly there is a large airport at Charleston which is serviced by several airlines. There is also a small airport at Summersville which serves private aircraft. In either case please let me know in advance so that someone will be available to pick you up, if necessary.
What shall I do now...
Ok, so you've survived the trip by car to West Virginia, setup your tent, and you've been greeted by all your old friends. Now what is there to do? Well, there's lots of things to do. One of the first things that comes to mind is drinking beer. That's probably the overall favorite, but most people tend to do other things as well.
One of the most popular places to visit is Babcock State Park, which is about twenty miles southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge (see directions in Appendix II). This is a very nice park with lots of trails, scenery, etc. There is one area in particular which features lots of large boulders for rockhopping and other general silliness.
Another favorite activity is to watch rafts coming down the river (this is mandatory for first year people). The best place to do this is at the Fayette Station Rapids, between 3 and 5 in the afternoon (see directions in Appendix II). These rapids are class V and are the only ones accessible by car. These rapids are also directly beneath the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the second highest continuous span bridge in the world. That's worth the trip in itself.
Our campground is next to Summersville Lake, which features fishing, boating, sun bathing, swimming, etc. This is also a popular place to spend time.
Other Stuff Worth Mentioning
Please examine the list of names in Appendix I to make sure that I have your name spelled correctly (or even have it at all!). Also, if you have not told either rsk, pc, or myself when you will arrive please call me ASAP. We have to know this information in order to inform the campground as to what's going on.
Things are pretty frantic around here. I just moved, and have a new project at work. My new work telephone number is (716) 427-1654. My new home adress is:
21 Vick Park A
Rochester, NY 14607
(716) 271-4348
If for any reason you need to get in touch with me the best place to find me (at any hour) is at work. Also please note that I will be out of town on business from Monday June 25 thru Thursday June 28.
Acknowledgements and Responsibilities
Ultimately I am responsible for this whole mess, but I refuse to go down without taking others with me. Seriously, several people deserve credit for various functions this year. In no particular order: Malcolm Slaney for starting this tradition three years ago, Rich Kulawiec and Paul Carlile for handling transportation from Purdue and the Northeast, Ken Long for helping coordinate group purchases, Dee Dorsey at MRT for shuffling their schedule to give us more flexibility, and all of the above plus many more for their advice, ideas, criticism, etc. throughout the year. Finally, I couldn't have pulled it off without all of you for being patient and cooperative as I figured out what was going on.
Appendix I
What follows is a list of who is attending this year's Raft Trip, as of June 18, 1984.
George Adams
Rick Adams
Scot Aurenz
Friendof Aurenz
Greg Barnett
Teresa Barnett
Stacy Barnett
Bill Bean
Stef Bean
Ed Bronson
Craig Bryant
Eileen Gelblat
Dan Brunner
Paul Carlile
Ray Clark
Jim Garrett
Friendof Garrett
Friendof Garrett
Friendof Garrett
George Gobel
Jill Hallenbeck
Pete Hallenbeck
Julie Hanover
Laura Herrmann
Gretchen Higgins
Steve Higgins
Leah Jamieson
Bill Klassen
Chris Kent
Rich Kulawiec
Ken Long
Dan McCarty
Kris Meade
Lee Moore
Barb Russell
Karen Russell
Bob Safranek
Ken Shoemaker
Melora Shultz
Malcolm Slaney
Kirk Smith
Sue Strang
Joy Taylor
Tom Taylor
Don Wegeng
Appendix II
Directions to Mountain Manor Campgrounds, Summersville WV.
MMC is located just south of Summersville, WV. Our contact is Mrs. Pat Murphy, their phone number is (304) 872-4200. We are registered as Purdue GSP's.
Directions: From Summersville follow US Route 19 south one mile. Turn right on Airport Road, then follow it two miles (west). Watch for the campground.
MMC monitors CB channel 13.
Directions to Babcock State Park
Babcock State Park is one of our favorite spots to visit while in West Virginia. It is located about twenty miles southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge.
Directions: From the campsite, take US 19 to US 60. Then take 60 east to State Road 41 (about 10 miles). Turn south, and follow 41 for five miles.
Directions to Fayette Station Rapids on the New River
This set of rapids is located below the New River Gorge Bridge, which is located south of Summersville on US 19 (I forget how far, but others will know. Sorry). The best time to watch rafts is between 3 and 5 PM.
There are two places to watch the rapids. One is from a high observation post at the top of the gorge. The other is from the bottom of the gorge. Newcomers shouldn't miss either of these.
Directions to the Observation Post: Head north on US 19 from the bridge for about a mile. The observation post is on the right (look for signs). There's lots of parking.
Directions to the Bottom of the Gorge: Follow US 19 south from the bridge one mile. You'll be at a stop light, and to the right is the road that used to be US 19. This road goes to the bottom of the gorge. From the top of the hill it's a three mile drive to the bottom. This road is very narrow, steep, and has lots of hairpin turns. Park at the bottom, and follow the sound of rapids thru the woods to the river.
Appendix III
What to Bring, and What Not to Bring Along
What follows are two lists. The first details what we (the organizers) will be providing for the trip. the second list is what you must provide yourself.
What we will provide
.......charcoal grills (of some sort)
.......charcoal
.......ice
.......ketchup, mustard, etc.
What You Must Bring
.......Tent
.......Raincoat/raingear
.......sleeping bag
.......extra blankets
.......towels
.......old shoes for rafting
.......good shoes (sneakers) for hiking
.......tennis shoes for rock hopping
.......bug repellant
.......CB radio
.......clothes (Including heavy jeans, extra socks, flannel shirt,swimsuit,
shorts)
.......medications (such as bee sting medicine)
.......suntan lotion
.......calumine lotion (for bug bites, etc)
.......plastic bag (for wet colthes)
.......clothes line (or some other means to hang wet colthes to dry)
.......cooking gear/utensils
.......water bottle
.......cooler (filled with food and drink)
.......lantern
.......camera
......sonic screwdriver