| Class Rating: |
Extreme Class IV - V+
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Click Here to See a Rapid Rating Chart |
| Offered: |
September and October on Select Days |
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| Boat: |
14-foot, 7 person raft |
Click Here to See a Discription Chart With All the Boats |
| Minimum Age*: |
15 years old
*For your safety, ACE reserves the right to change age requirement if unusual water
levels occur. |
| Put-In and Take-Out: |
Put-in: Summersville Dam
Take-out: Sugar Creek |
Click Here to See a Map of the Gauley River |
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| Length: |
23.5 miles;
8 hours on the water, 9 1/2 total including shuttle and lunch |
| Number of Rapids: |
65 Class III - V+ |
| Lunch: |
Hot grilled lunch at Sweet's Falls. Watch the thrills and spills as other rafters take on the single biggest drop on the Gauley! Primitive bathroom facilities and a covered eating area are exclusive to ACE's lunch spot. Heaters will warm you up on chilly fall days as you eat and watch the most exciting rapid of the day from your front row seat ACE provides! |
| The Season: |
Autumn colors and a festive atmosphere! Water is warmer as the season progresses into the end of October. This is due to the fact that at the beginning of the season, water is coming off the very bottom of the lake, and towards the end of the draw down the water is coming from closer to the top of the lake where it has been warmed by the sun. Wetsuits are highly recommended. This river is rated No. 2 in North America and No. 6 in the World. It's know for it's whitewater during the fall flow. |
| Trip Format: |
The Gauley Marathon offers the longest stretch of continuous white water in on day. After manuevering Lost Paddle Canyon, you will run Sweet's Fals and stop for front row seats of other rafters running the 14-foot drop as you enjoy a hot grilled lunch. Continue down the Gauley and take-out at Sugar Creek. This is our own private take-out, which cuts out 3.5 miles of flatwater other companies have to paddle.
The 14-foot rafts are lighter and more maneuverable, which makes a long day seem easier. They are able to take more extreme lines and surf in smaller holes. |
| What to Wear and Bring: |
Pile, wool or acrylic sweater
Polyester or wool long johns
wool and/or rubber gloves, ski Cap
Nylong Windbreaker
Wetsuits and neoprene booties are strongly recommended. Wetsuits are available for rent at ACE.
NO COTTON!!!!!!
More Information... |
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What to Expect
Trip Itinerary:
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- Arrive at ACE, check-in with your Trip Leader and fill out release forms for the trip(s) you are on (anyone under 17 years old must bring a waiver signed by both parents Click Here for Downloads Page ).
- Change into your river wear, a guide will issue a PFD (personal floatation device) and helmet, then load up and head for the river.
- Approximate 45 minute bus ride to put-in depending on water levels.
- On route or at put-in, your trip leader and guide deliver a safety talk covering the fundamentals of rafting and proper use of river equipment, and precautions.
- At the put-in the trip leader will then make the guide/guest assignments. There will be a guide in every raft. The guests and guides then go through their introductions. Each guide will then take over with more specific details for the group. Basic strokes, paddling techniques, and guide commands are demonstrated and practiced by the group before heading down river.
- Enjoy a hot grilled lunch at Sweet's Falls while watching as other rafters manuever the falls.
- At the take-out point, the gear is loaded onto our vehicles and we head back to ACE while enjoying a complimentary beverage. Approximate 45 minute bus ride back to ACE.
- Back at ACE enjoy a hot shower, shop at our Outfitter’s Store, check out our various lake & resort amenities, and dine at our Lakeside Dining Hall or the Lost Paddle Lounge - all located at ACE's 1400 acre Adventure Center.
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Tips for Group Organizer:
Click Here to Download a Group Organizer Kit
(This is a large file!) |
- Plan Ahead
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- Get your group together EARLY! Spread the word and schedule a planning/preliminary meeting
- Do your homework. Be familiar with the trips, lodging, and meal options
- Call to check availability of any trips and lodging you are considering
- Become familiar with our reservation/cancellation policies and age/height limits
- Direct participants to the printed material, our website at www.AceRaft.com or give us a call at
800-SURF-WVA (787-3982).
- Make a Group Plan
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- Decide what trip and time is right for your group
- Decide on lodging options
- Decide on meal options
- Get a head count of all participants - Use the Trip Planner (in the group organizer kit) to gather names and contact information
- Set a FIRM payment schedule with your participants - Make participants aware of the payment schedule and FOLLOW IT!
- Use the Trip Planner to keep track of deposits and payments
- Use the Trip Schedule Calendar (in the group organizer kit) to keep track of when payment are due
- Get Started With ACE
- Make your reservation
- Call 800-SURF-WVA (787-3982) and speak with one of our friendly reservationists
- Collect your deposit money.
- Due 10 days after the initial reservation is made with ACE
- If you reservation is made less than 30 days from your arrival/trip date, full payment is due at time reservation is made
- Review your confirmation and invoice
- Use your Trip Schedule Calendar to make notes of when and what your group is doing while at ACE
- Request any waiver forms needed for minors (a copy of each is in the back of the group organizer kit or Click Here to Download )
- All minors not accompanied by a parent or guardian are required to have a waiver form signed by both parents before participating in any activity! NO EXCEPTIONS!)
- Send your balance payment
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- September trip: Due by July 1st
- October trip: Due by August 1st
(If you make a reservation after the balance due date, you must pay in full at the time you book your trip.)
- Pre-Arrival Planning
- Get a final head count of all participants
- Copy material that each may need
- Get any maps, directions, etc. your participants may need
- Make sure each participant knows what they have booked and what is included
- Give them a copy of the packing list (in the group organizer kit or Click Here to Download )
- Give them the Check-In and Arrival Times
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| Download Maps: |
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| Download Waiver Forms: |
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| Download a Menu: |
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Download a
Confirmation Booklet: |
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