Gauley Grandeur

Gauley Grandeur

by Ann Berry Somers

Part three of Carolina Paddler’s “The Gauley Trilogy”

∞ Everything about the Upper Gauley River is grand–the rapids, the waves, the rocks, the amount of water, the number of people, the power, the stories.  Mostly it’s the power of the water that is so grand.  Getting on this river last weekend seemed a bit incredulous.  It was not my first time, though I’ll say that running the Upper Gauley in a 10-person commercial raft is very different from R2-ing it in a Shredder.  Every stroke makes a difference on a Shredder, not so on a commercial raft where your mistakes and inadequacies are masked by the number of people, the weight of the raft, and the skills of the guide. The Upper Gauley is big, really big. I am not a particularly courageous person, but I do have a tolerance for getting crunched-up, munched-up and bruised-up in big rapids without getting discouraged, so I was up for it. Not getting any younger I thought, better go for it now.

My shredding partner was the legendary Class V canoeist Dennis Huntley, which is the only reason this venture made sense.  We shredded the Upper Ocoee last summer during Week of Rivers and worked nicely as a team.  I’m a good Indian; he is a good Chief.  I’ve always loved good teamwork, which is one of the reasons why I find shredding so much fun.  And the big water really does give me a thrill.

So, there I was inflating the Shredder at the put-in when Dennis announced that our running buddies had partied-hardy (gotten drunk) the night before, woke late and decided to run the less demanding Lower Gauley. There we were all ready to go. No companions to fish us out should it be needed. Everyone knows you always go with companions so not having anyone was concerning. Dennis started hunting in the parking lot for prospects, but no great options turned up. So he decided we would give it a go on our own, at least to Pillow Rock and then assess how things were going. I was not about to say no, so off we went.

As we were putting on, Dennis says to me “Ann, you have balls.”

“Oh really,” I replied. “That’s interesting because I happen to have a great Shredder buddy and look who you have as a buddy – Me.  I think you are the one with balls, Dennis.”

Insignificant, the first of the five Class V rapids, is indeed significant at 2800 cfs as we all know. We had a great line and only got turned around at the end but climbing a ten foot wave backwards was fun. Some Class IIIs and IVs, then we came upon the famous Pillow Rock Rapid. Here all the water in the river piles up on a giant rock on the left creating an opportunity for highly skilled paddling as well as some spectacular carnage. In just a few minutes of watching the action on the river you see lots of both.

After scouting our line we ferried to the staging eddy on river right.  Just in front of us was a raft full of raft guides from other states, and in good river-guide fashion the girls had decided to add some spice to the event by shooting the moon.  Not a half-moon, plumber-butt, small-crack-showing affair, their pants were at their thighs with full moon shining – all while headed for the froth of the Pillow. We are only a few yards behind them.  Instead of picking up his paddle, Dennis dug out his camera and yelled “Show us some ass!” The girl-guides gleefully obliged and leaned forward as they giggled and wiggled. “Hey Dennis,” I said as we were approaching the green tongue that led to Inertia Hole, “Hey buddy, Dennis, hey Dennis, now would be a good time for you to pick up your paddle.”  He kept clicking and chuckling. “Focus Dennis, focus on the water” I urged. Stress was approaching panic. More clicking, more giggling. My nerves were shredding instead of us shredding the rapid. He finally picked up his paddle, and we had an absolutely beautiful run.  Later he said that picking up the camera instead of his paddle at the entrance to Pillow Rapid was a good sign because it meant that he had his priorities right. We will laugh about that one until the end of time.

We styled most everything else except the second drop of Lost Paddle, but even that worked out fine. We looked like pros going through Iron Ring…. it really helps that you can scout that one. Sweets Falls was oh-so-sweet, and we paid no postage at Postage Due,

The day was glorious in every way. It takes more than great paddling skill for a person like Dennis to pull off a spectacular run down the Upper Gauley with a person of much lesser skill like me. It takes being calm and confident and knowing how to be with your partner in such a way that they are calm and confident too. It brings out the best in the person and in the team. Dennis flunked on the keeping-his-partner-calm part of the equation as we approached Pillow Rock, but in the end I was no worse for the wear. Big thanks to Dennis as well as to everyone who encouraged me. That kind of thing means a whole, whole lot to me.

Editor’s note:  The above story was written by Ann a week after the day in September, 2011, shared on the Upper Gauley with Dennis Huntley. Ann’s piece has been lightly edited.

This article completes Carolina Paddler’s “Gauley Trilogy.”  Be sure to read the other stories, “Birth of the Shredder” and Dennis Huntley’s “First Time Shredding the Gauley”.  Dennis wrote his version of the Gauley paddle fourteen years after the event.  Seeing the story from both Dennis’ and Ann’s viewpoints, written at different times and with different emphasis gives us a unique picture of how we experience and remember thrilling events. What is most satisfying about the two versions is their shared excitement of the day and the respect and admiration they hold for each other.  And for the Shredder.

-Alton

Carolina Paddler’s Gauley Trilogy

Birth of a Shredder  by Alton Chewning

How a missing part created a new type of boat.

My First Time Shredding the Gauley By Dennis Huntley

The Upper Gauley was a good test run for Dennis, Ann and a Shredder.

Gauley Grandeur  By Ann Berry Somers

Balls, bottoms and a black boat. The Gauley delivers.