New River Gorge Guide Spring/Summer 2014 by New River Gorge Adventure Guide

Gorge Guide SPRING/SUMMER 2014

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New River Gorge Adventure Guide covers the beautiful natural playgrounds in and around the new river Gorge including the Gauley river and summersville lake area, the Bluestone river, the Meadow river, and more. it is based out of south-central west Virginia near the new river Gorge Bridge. PuBlisher/editor

Cristina Opdahl

coPY editor Martha Opdahl health/enVironMent editor

Ginger Danz

contriButinG writers Jonathan Danz, Pat Goodman, Katie Johnson, Keith Kinsey, Erin Larsen, Jim McCormac, Bryan Simon contriButinG PhotoGraPhers Christopher Danz, Pat Goodman, Colleen Laffey, Molly Wolff, Sam Richmond ADVERTISING send a request for a media kit to gorgeguide@gmail.com or call 304-573-8113 STORY AND PHOTO SUMBISSIONS editorial and photo submissions are welcome. send a brief description of your story idea or jpeg of the photo you are submitting to gorgeguide@gmail.com copyrightÂŠ 2014 by nickelville Press, llc. all rights reserved. reproduction in whole or part without written permission is expressly prohibited. New River Gorge Adventure Guide P.o. Box 372 Fayetteville, wV 25840 304-573-8113 outdoor activities are inherently risky, and participation can cause injury or loss of life. Please consult your doctor prior to beginning any workout program or sports activity, and seek out a qualified instructor. nickelville Press, llc will not be held responsible for your decision to play outdoors.

coVer: sarah chouinard finds balance at the new river Gorge. Photograph by Shullphoto.

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History, Culture & O utdoor Adventure

→ Fayette County Farmer’s Market Every Saturday beginning May 10th—October 25th 7:30—11:30am. Fayetteville CVB Parking Lot.

→ Market Day in Fayetteville Artisans and live music the first Saturday of every month. June—October, 7:30—11:30am. Janutolo Park. → Fayetteville Lion's Club 4th of July Celebration July 4 & 5, Downtown Fayetteville. → Historic Fayette Theater Contrite Spirit: Live theater production July 11, 12, 18, 19, 26, & 27 → Captain Thurmond's New River Gorge Challenge August 2, Downtown Fayetteville.

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Photos, oPPosite PaGe (toP to BottoM): saM richMond (leFt), Pat GoodMan (riGht), courtesY oF wV state ParKs, Michael BoYes (leFt), colleen laFFeY (riGht), nrGaG (BottoM)

Spring/Summer 2014 Issue

happenings

8. Pushing the envelope local whitewater suP paddlers are shredding Big wave and showing their sport what river surfing is all about.

9. stone cold what did you do during last winter’s polar vortex? we bet it wasn't anything as exciting as this.

9. water wiser a chemical spill to the northwest of the new river Gorge sets off a rallying cry for clean, safe water.

10. Guardians of Flight by Keith Kinsey

The Three rivers avian center stands watch over our winged cohabitants of the new river Gorge.

14. digging deep by Katie Johnson campsite can be hard—but the payoff is worth it.

Parenting on the trail, river, and

16. The under-18 tick list by amanda ashley

Because challenges are fun and you never know what you can do until you try: a tick list for younger outdoorspeople.

20. Mix it up

by amanda ashley why do just one sport in a day? These 5 crosstraining adventures will lead you to wonderful places.

24. small but Mighty

Biking, disc golf, nature watching, fishing, and more at the state parks surrounding the nrG area.

26. wanderer

by Geoff heeter There are those who hike trails and those who get kinda lost for a while.

28. water = life comes from.

by levi rose what you should know about where your water

29. nature’s Jackhammer

by Jim Mccormac noisy, prehistoric looking, and quite large, a pileated woodpecker hammers for her dinner on a tree near you.

30. event calendar

Three triathlons, two music festivals, and other not-to-be missed events in and around the new river Gorge.

32. Be well: sleeping under the stars shows that your sleeping environment matters.

32. new river 911 the trail, rock, and river.

by erin larsen research

by Bryan simon what to do when accidents happen on

35. The Gorge Guide restaurant Guide

hungry? let us help source your next meal. check this chart to find all the good food this area has to offer.

36. where to Find it services found here.

37. classifieds

adventure, cabins & hotels, restaurants, retail, and

Happenings pushing the envelope this June, the PaYette riVer GaMes in cascade, idaho, will shell out a $50,000 purse for the combined sprint and suP cross (think snowboarder cross) events. clearly stand up Paddleboarding, which has thrived in ocean environments where it started, is coming of age as a river sport. suP paddlers are successfully running harder and harder whitewater. a quick internet survey pulls up runs on the class iii –iV savage river in Maryland and class V south silver creek in california. local suP paddlers are pushing the frontier on our home rivers as well, running the lower Gauley river and the lower new. and they are gaining national attention on none other than the Big wave, an awesome, towering wave with a hefty foam pile found near the put-in to the new river dries just downstream of the rt. 16 bridge below hawks nest dam. Big wave has for years been the favorite training wave for a small group of elite freestyle kayakers. once, pro paddler Jimmy Blakeney paddled his surf board out to the wave at a whopping 34,000 cfs

(summer flows average 3,000 cfs), caught it first try, surfed it, paddled back to shore and never did it again. Pete iscaro first began surfing Big wave on his stand up Paddleboard in 2009 when few people were attempting Randy Fisher surfing up Big Wave on the New River Dries whitewater on suPs. The long after, he got a call from Boardworks, a suP dries, which only runs when the new river has company from california. he was invited to more than 10,000 cubic feet per second of water, join their ambassador program—he is now the was at relatively low levels. Then last July, it was only river surfer on the team. a high water year and the dries were pumping. if the new river Gorge area grows into iscaro invited fellow suP paddler randy even more of an suPing hotspot, it will Fisher to give Big wave a try. Fisher jumped in. largely be thanks to Melanie seiler. seiler, a “when i stuck the wave, logs were floating by,” team athlete for werner Paddles, has led the remembers Fisher. “it was crazy! now it is all i charge in suP instruction, demo days, and, want to do.” for three years running, a downriver suP race eventually Fisher put up a video of himself on the new. she is the first woman to earn an surfing the Big wave on Youtube. “it blew up,” american canoe association level teaching he said. “People in hawaii were sharing it.” not

Pat Goodman at Junkyard Cave, NRG

NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

“Polar” and “VorteX” were unwelcome words for most new river Gorge-based athletes last winter, but a week of below 0°c temperatures was good news to me and a few climbing buddies. That dense, cold air that we got so much of provided us with more than a dozen pleasant days of quality ice climbing this winter. with thermoses full of hot soup, we made the rounds to all the standard spots in the Gorge. during one cold snap, summersville lake was frozen solid (a sight to behold!) and we suspected we would find frozen smears and hanging pillars never before seen. we were right. at one location we scratched our way up bare, overhanging rock to a free-hanging pillar of ice that stood out from the wall more than an arm’s length. with one ice tool and cramponed feet hooked to tiny features in the rock, we leaned out away from the rock with the other tool in hand to swing over to the pillar. a barbaric ballet ensued: swing, kick, kick, balance, breathe, fight the pump, swing, hide your face from falling ice shards, balance, fight

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the pump…repeat. it’s forlorn and frigid, but the fun is unmistakable for the intrepid sort. temps need to be below freezing for at least a week for the ice to get good enough to climb. we hit the first waterfall you come to at Bridge Buttress. it’s a great ice climbing introduction to those with no experience because it can be top roped. Burma road and Junkyard were my go-to spots because of the easy access and varied terrain. (These areas also have beginner-friendly lines and top-ropeable routes.) we also climbed at beautiful cathedral Falls, applying what we learned on the shorter ice falls. dense Pack at whippoorwill, summersville lake, offered perhaps the grandest selection of good ice in our region. and then there was Big Daddy at Beauty Mountain, just to the right of Let’s Make a Deal: at 110 feet it is the longest, steepest ice pillar around. it rarely forms up, but this winter—thanks again, Polar Vortex—it appeared. and so did we. —Pat Goodman

this PaGe, toP: MeGhan roBerts; BottoM: Pat GoodMan

stone cold

Happenings certification for level 3 whitewater suP. she runs the lower Gauley and the lower new on a suP and is the only woman to surf Big wave on a suP so far. “The intimidation factor was huge,” she remembers of her first attempts. These days seiler shreds the wave with ease. so far, iscaro, seiler, and Fisher are consistently surfing Big wave between 18,000 and 28,000 cfs. as this trio continues to push their level, we will see how much higher the bar can go. and soon they will likely have company. “our area is becoming a destination for elite stand up paddlers,” states Fisher. —Maura Kistler

water wiser

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The Elk River upstream of the chemical spill

smelled a sweet licorice scent in the air. it was soon discovered that one of the storage tanks was leaking: upwards of 10,000 gallons of 4-methylcyclohexanemathanol (MchM) had leaked into the elk river 1 mile upstream of a large west Virginia american water intake, treatment, and distribution center. The MchM spill went down as one of the worst chemical accidents in west Virginia history and resulted in 300,000 people without potable water for 5 days. The ban has been lifted, but many residents still question the safety of the water. tap water for Fayette, raleigh, summers, and nicholas counties surrounding the new river Gorge was not affected, since water intakes for these counties are located upstream of the spill. But many locals helped out our neighboring counties with water drops. and nrG locals have joined in the upsurge of water protection activism calling for effective environmental oversight. levi rose gives us an in depth look at our water and what is being done to protect it on page 28, “water = life.”

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Guardians of Flight

by Keith Kinsey The bald eagle called Streaky by her admirers flies over the New River in March, 2014 March 8, 2014, Route 20, Summers County Perched on a wide stone wall a few hundred feet above Brooks Island, about 1 mile upstream of Sandstone Falls on the New River, sit two people with a keen eye for birds. They have an air of patience like birders must, as they alternate between scopes on tripods and their naked eyes to scan the New River Valley in front of them. They aren’t looking for scarlet tanagers, or warblers, or sparrows, or any of the beautiful winged creatures that draw bird watchers to the New River Gorge National River. Rather, a pair of nesting bald eagles that live on Brooks Island are in their sights today. They keep a lookout for any other eagles that happen by, for today is Part 2 of the 7th annual eagle count organized by the Three Rivers Avian Center in nearby Brooks, West Virginia. These seasoned birders’ names are

10 NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

Wendy and Ron Perrone, who run the TRAC. If you travel these Summers County roads frequently, you may spot Ron or Wendy roadside at an overlook with a big blue van, spotting different types of birds of prey. This overlook on State Route 20 has special significance for them because it offers a distant but direct view of a nest used by the same pair of bald eagles since 2010. Only 24 hours ago, they had received a report that one of these eagles had been struck by an Amtrak passenger train that follows the New River during part of its journey from New York to Chicago. It was the female they call Streaky because of her streaked markings when she was first discovered at Brooks Island with her partner Whitey in 2010. The same thing happened in March, 2013, to Streaky’s partner, Whitey. The collision and mile marker where it happened was reported immediately. While Wendy and other 100% recycled paper

volunteers watched the nest, Ron Perrone hiked the tracks looking for Whitey but found nothing. Then, 2 days later, he reappeared at the nest, looking a bit ruffled but OK. Now it was Streaky who had suffered a collision with an Amtrak and appeared. Experienced watchers noticed that she seemed to be having difficulty with her right leg, but the Perrones and others were relieved to see her. The Perrones have been getting calls about birds in peril since they opened Three Rivers Avian Center in January of 1990. The center has treated more than 3,500 birds that would have very small chance of survival without human intervention—songbirds, wading birds, and common varieties as well as birds of prey. Of these, they have been able to release almost half back into the wild. They are the ones called when a fledgling is found out of the nest somewhere

photos: this page and opposite, top: sam richmond. opposite page, bottom: nrgag

Wendy and Ron Perrone of Three Rivers Avian Center—and the volunteers who help them—stand watch over the most majestic residents of the New River Gorge National River and help out when they can.

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Wendy and Ron Perrone (left) at the 2014 eagle count near Brooks Island more than their share of young raptors: they in southern west Virginia. or when a fledgling have shown them how to be one of the most barred owl is found, dehydrated and almost powerful creatures in the animal kingdom. dead, in backyard woodlands. They arrange for however, some are permanently compromised X-rays to be taken and place most of the birds and will not make it on their own. trac has with one of the veterinarians in their network, taken a number of them in, like robbie, a lively for besides ron and wendy, there is a small army and talkative Barred owl; hoolie, a serene Great of volunteers who donate their time and efforts horned owl; and regis, their resident Bald to help out our winged friends in need. “twelve eagle who hops in and veterinary hospitals, out of his shelter, peaking 18 veterinarians, 40 at visitors. robbie and volunteers, interns, company travel with and an active Board of the Perrones for the directors and Board of numerous educational advisers” keep trac presentations they do at going, wendy points state Parks and schools. out. “There would be no trac was also involved organization without in the restoration of the work of these other peregrine falcon habitat people.” in the new river Gorge a common problem near Fayetteville, west with birds of prey is lead Virginia. although poisoning. Birds that this program has been feast on deer carcasses terminated, by 2011 it had and other animals released 120 peregrines. contaminated by lead ammunition take the toxin into their systems. an eaGle GettinG “Virtually all the hit by a train in nearly birds we take in have the same spot two years some amount of lead in a row seems like quite poisoning,” says wendy. a coincidence. it raises “we are trying to get the the question: how can word out to hunters and Three Rivers Avian Center an animal as intelligent fisherman.” and quick as an eagle get some birds do struck by a moving train? wind up at trac. according to ron Perrone, many of the trains if they are young and healthy enough to be going through the sandstone area carry grain on reintroduced into the wild, they may be trained by triangular-bottomed cars. These cars leak grain two surrogate avian mothers who live at trac. through the cracks in the bottom of the cars. if one red-shouldered hawk and a 23-year-old the train has to stop for some reason, this grain red-tailed hawk (with a missing wing) have raised will quickly accumulate on the tracks. The grain

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A juvenile bald eagle in its 4th year. Photograph taken near the New River, April, 2014. attracts deer and turkey, which find themselves directly in the train’s path and get hit. The eagles later find these animals as an easy meal and the danger continues, with the eagles then finding themselves in a train's path. eagles are very intelligent, but at 10 to 14 pounds with a wingspan of 72 to 90 inches, they are not able to take flight quickly. last year whitey was lucky, and continues to return to his nest a year after getting hit by the train. unfortunately, perhaps because streaky had left the eggs during the 3 days of whitey’s absence to find food, that year the eggs in the nest failed. But this warmish March day, it’s a new year and a new set of eggs are on the nest. streaky seems to be recovering from her encounter with the train. For hours we watch her sit on a tree branch perched over the new river, cleaning herself while whitey incubates the eggs on the nest. it is a good sign to see an injured bird preening itself, ron points out, as this is normal bird behavior. west Virginia’s first mating pair of eagles was recorded in 1981. our rivers in their natural state were originally not an ideal bald eagle habitat. They were too shallow and fast moving, although there were some golden eagles, which hunt different prey. after damming several rivers throughout the state,

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humans have created the deep, slow-running rivers that are ideal for bald eagle habitat. Their numbers have grown naturally with no bald eagle release programs. wendy, ron Perrone, and their team of volunteers do what they can to protect all birds and rehabilitate the ones who are injured and found. as results came in from the 11 observation sites for the annual eagle count, 7 of them reported eagle sightings. a total of 29 bald eagles and 6 golden eagles were spotted. it looks like eagle numbers are soaring.

2014 Numbers during trac’s spring eagle survey between 10am and 2pm on March 8, 2014, the following were observed at 8 sites on the new river, 1 on the Greenbrier, and 1 on indian creek. • Bald eagles: 7 adults, 10 first-year, 10 second-year, & 2 third-year = 29 bald eagles total • Golden eagles: 5 adults + 1 immature = 6 golden eagles Total: 35 eagles in the watch area

Events The Three rivers avian center opens for tours on the first saturday of each month, May through october, from 1pm to 5pm. trac also hosts educational programs, including: • May 10: Migration celebration at little Beaver state Park • August 30: Wings of wonder/Birds of Prey at Pipestem state Park Go to tracwv.org for a full schedule of 2014 events. 

Photos, oPPosite PaGe: saM richMond; this PaGe: nrGaG, nrGaG

April 17, 2014, Brooks, West Virginia we are sad to report that trac received a call on March 18, 2014, that a bald eagle was spotted in a ditch along river road across from the Brooks island nest. The Perrones went to the spot and found a thin and underweight streaky in bad shape and unable to walk. Presumably she had been hit by a vehicle. This was just 10 days after she was struck by a train. trac took her to their staff veterinarian in Princeton, wV, who found that she suffered from a broken beak, head trauma, and acute injuries to her right leg that prevented her from walking. tests revealed that she had elevated levels of lead in her system. streaky was taken to trac and treated for her injuries and the lead poisoning, given fluids and ample food, which she ate with relish. unfortunately, she remained unable to walk. in midapril, it became clear that she was suffering from liver failure and after attempts to improve her condition failed, she died peacefully. “Fly well in blue skies winged one,” wrote trac on their Facebook page. eagles and other birds in the area continue to thrive, however. a new female bald eagle had been sighted Robbie the Barred Owl “mating and taking up” with a male eagle, which close observers believe is whitey. “There are still 2 eagles at Brooks island and surrounding area,” writes wendy Perrone. “it will be interesting to see how they behave in the coming months.” —The editors The operation of Three rivers avain center is costly. to make a donation to the non-profit organization, go to www.tracwv.org.

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digging deep

How do you prepare your kids to step up to lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenges? let nature help. By Katie Johnson 14

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PhotoS, opposite page: colleen Laffey. This page: NRGAG

What do you want for your kids? Top of the list for my kids is for them to enjoy a long life of health and happiness. There are other things I want for them, too, like college scholarships, a good work ethic, and a crash-proof car. I’m sure you have your own list, but we all know these things aren’t really our choices to make, are they? My husband and I have recently entered the unflattering roll as parents of teens. The transition into King and Queen of Dorkdom has been like sinking into a hot tub. It stings at first, then you get used to it and even though your mind goes fuzzy it’s definitely better then standing out in the cold. I was in the car when I first noticed that I was losing my “almighty one” control. Someone had taught my children that there are more radio stations than NPR. When they first turned to that pop dial I was peeved. “I will not listen that crap in my car!” We battled for a few weeks and eventually I weakened. Now I don't even blink an eye when the next new hit comes on for the third time in an hour. I have relented because the songs my kids listen to are not the choices I most care about. When these teens were little, we gave them choices all of the time, tricking them because the wrong choice was not an offered option. “Would you like sweet potatoes or carrots? Should we go biking or paddling today?” Now that the kids are older and making decisions for themselves we can't hide the other tempting options like cookies or the XBox…or bad music. Our hope is that when they see all of the options laid out in front of them, they understand who they are, and which ones they need to accomplish their goals. When our kids were little, we took them outside and taught them as much as we could about having fun there. This is because we loved to be outside. And it was a bonus that nearly all the choices out there were healthy ones. At one point I realized that there was another big benefit: the challenges that naturally arose when we were playing outside. A trip we took with our 5 and 7 year old children made me realize this. We packed the truck with our bikes and drove to the highest point in West Virginia, Spruce Knob. Here we set up base camp. In the morning we took off biking along the headwaters of Seneca Creek. The grassy singletrack strail sloped downhill and we rode it almost effortlessly, smiling the whole way with the dog loping along beside us. We picnicked at a spring and then left the bikes to explore the cold creek, swimming and hiking another mile. When it was time to go back to camp,

we started back up the trail. The kids were instantly in tears. It dawned on me too late: the trail we’d happily coasted down now angled steeply uphill for miles. We’d been fooled by gravity and this was going to take forever. We had no other choice but to start trudging up the hill. They were able to ride their bikes a little, but mostly the uphill grade was so steep the kids had to push their bikes. And then somewhere just past absolute fatigue something happened to my exhausted, beyond-tears boy. He climbed onto his bike, put his head down and pedaled himself all of the way up that

mountain. I was stunned. This is the first time I noticed what I now privately refer to as “The Reserve,” a hidden ability in my otherwise mellow son to dig deep. A couple of weeks later he was tested by the school psychologist to get into the gifted program. His IQ was very high, but the psychologist told me that although he learned easily, my son seemed to have a barrier that stopped him when things got difficult. He suggested that we try to push on that barrier as much as we could and teach him how to dig deep. Our camping trip had been a perfect primer, for I knew just how to do it. Now, as a teenager, my son knows that a great reserve dwells inside him. He reaches into that place often whether it’s in his honors classes or on the soccer field. He knows that whatever he wants to do, he can do. He knows that it may not be easy but

that he can dig deep and find what it takes to achieve his goals. All kids are different. My daughter was always the first one out of the house when it snowed. As soon as she could get dressed by herself she would traipse around in the freshly fallen snow at the crack of dawn. Since she was barely two, I had to be quick and get outside before she could get herself into any trouble. When she was four she learned to ski. We took her to Winterplace where the snow blowers blow fake snow as much as possible. These blowers are brutal. They blast you with an ice-like mixture of stuff that sticks to your goggles and clothes and a wind veers you off course. When you pass you have to turn your face and make yourself small to minimize the fury. But not my girl. She would steer her little body as close as she could to the blowers, chin up, facing the forces with her shoulders thrown back as if saying “bring it on.” This courage and tenacity came naturally to her, but I am glad she’s had ample opportunities to practice it outdoors, for now that she’s a teen I see it all the time whether she’s paddling through the biggest waves or singing a solo in front of hundreds of people. She still gets nervous, but she is also quick to accept challenges and has taught herself to focus. Throughout my children’s youth, my husband and I set work aside as much as we could and did memorable, rewarding, interesting, and exciting things together as a family. We shared these things with other families. We rode in rafts and ski lifts together, and hiked trails. We picnicked and swam and chased little foam boats down steep creeks. We got tired and dirty, learned to face challenges, and we had great fun, everyone of us, no matter our age. The adventures that we shared back then (and still do) prepared our kids for life much more than we could have if we’d stuck inside. These adventures taught our children to face challenges, find focus, and dig deep, even when the trail goes steeply uphill. Our kids aren’t superkids. They just happen to be born to parents who think that playing outside is great fun, that it is important to our relationship as a family and to our development as people. Deep down even back then we knew that one day our kids would seek their independence. We knew that they would fly the coop. What we hope now is that when they do take off, they will want to fly back to visit and include us in an adventure or two.

spring/summer 2014 NRGORGEGUIDE.com 15

the under-18 tick list do these before you are old enough to vote.

Beginne r

1 Full Moon Hike, no flashlight

Become a nocturnal animal for a few hours. You’ll be surprised at how much you can see. nps. gov/neri/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

2 Thurmond Triathlon

open to anyone age 7 and above, this family-friendly triathlon tours the town of Thurmond via bike, ducky and foot: 2 miles bike, 1.5 mile flatwater paddle, 2 miles run). ThurmondWV.org

Burnwood Interp Trail

a 1-mile loop through rhododenron groves and hardwood forest. The trail accommodates strollers and is bordered by fun boulders, large huggable trees, and good times for all ages. nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/fayetteville_trails.htm

Send the Small Wall

The small wall hosts a 5-star lineup of routes rated from 5.4 to 5.7 plus easy access from Fayette station road and easy to set up for toprope climbing. hard rock climbing (304-574-0735, hardrockclimbing. com) offers a basic rock climbing clinic for ages 6 and up; new river Mountain Guides (800-7325462, newriverclimbing.com) holds kids rockclimbing camp in June.

5 Name that Leaf, Part I

learn how to identify poison ivy and you’ll be a hero some day. often shiny and green, usually with notched leaves, it always has 3 leaves.

Intermediate

Fern Creek Falls

Go Clipless

hiking and scrambling over rocks to the Falls is a full-on adventure. You’ll navigate rock corridors, ladders, boulders and steep terrain. For directions, see Hiking and Biking in the New River Gorge, found at most local outdoor stores. clipless pedals are a whole new level of commitment for your feet. transitioning from regular pedals to clipless on your mountain bike gives you more power and control. Bonus: you’ll no longer look like a rookie.

By Amanda Ashley

6 Adena Loop without Stopping

ride your first mountain bike singletrack on a straight, level trail like the southside or Mary ingles trails. once you are ready for real singletrack, tackle the 1.1-mile clovis trail, the easiest of the arrowhead stacked loop trail system. ride it enough and you’ll find your feet never touch the ground. downloadable map at nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/bicycling.htm.

7 Stand Up Paddleboard

start on your knees, get your balance, and slowly rise to your feet. Keep your head up and eyes focused on the horizon line, then start paddling. For lessons go to adventurewestvirginia.com (855379-8738); for rentals, aceadventuregear.com.

Kayak/Ducky the Upper New

The shoals and small rapids of the upper new are exciting enough to keep you thinking and relaxed enough for loads of swimming and fun. The new river Gorge cVB (800-927-0263; newrivergorgecvb.com/seeanddo/riverrafting ing) has a full list of outfitters.

9 Set Up Your Own Tent

it takes a little bit of patience and a whole lot of belief in yourself.

10 Learn to Cast

Fish don’t care how big the fisherman is. aotG (adventurewestvirginia.com, 855-3798738), ace (aceraft.com, ), and Pro river outfitters ((profishwv.com, 304-575-5252) offer family-friendly fishing trips.

Captain of Fayette Station

Fayette station rapid, easily accessible from Fayette station road, is a good first “big” rapid because at summer river levels the bottom eddy is large enough to catch you, should you get separated from your ship. whether in a raft, ducky, or kayak, the directions are the same: avoid the big hole at the top and ride the wave train to the take-out.

Change a Flat Tire

The difference between a 20-minute thrilling ride and a 1-hour walk-your-bike is whether or not you have this skill.

Photos, this PaGe, toP to BottoM: istocKPhoto, nrGaG, nrGaG; oPPosite PaGe, toP to BottoM: courtesY oF ace adVenture resort, courtesY oF new riVer Mountain Guides

Need some moti vation for the young people in your life? Re ad our 30-item tick list to your kids. Better yet, give it to them to read.

15 Learn to Eskimo Roll

Getting your eskimo roll is a huge turning point for any kayaker (pun intended). You’ve got to feel where your paddle goes because you can’t see (your head is too busy kissing your boat deck). The crux: keep your composure while upside down in the water. adventures on the Gorge (855-379-8738, adventurewestvirginia. com) and ace adventure center (800-787-3982, aceraft.com) offer kayak clinics and roll instruction.

First Aid and CPR Certification

You can get certified as young as 10. Being able to help out in times of need is an essential developmental skill for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Learn How to Read Whitewater

eddies, downstream V’s, eddy lines, waves, holes, pourovers…it’s all Greek until you know how to spot the features of a river and understand what they do to boats. try reading the late william nealy's Kayak: the Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique. even if you never want to sit in a kayak, it is full of wonderful illustrations of just what is going on in that white water.

Tie a Figure 8 and a Bowline

These knots, a must for all aspiring rock climbers, are pretty handy in the mortal world as well when you’re hanging a hammock or building a rope swing.

braking technique, body position for downhills and uphills, how to shift gears on uphills, how to navigate rocky sections, and the essential bunny hop. with each new skill you’ll be a better rider. new river Bikes (304574 2453, newriverbikes.com) offers tours with coaching to help you up your level.

Ad v ance d

Make a Fire without Matches

learn to start a fire without matches or a lighter using friction, lenses, a bow drill, or a flint and steel, and you will be one step closer to the amazing action hero you always knew you could be. Fire Skills: 50 Methods for Starting Fires Without Matches by Boy scout leader dave aman is a good place to start.

Geocache

using coordinates and hints written in code makes geocaching a modern treasure hunt. The new river Gorge has more than 100 hidden stashes to find from easy to difficult. start at geocache.com.

Name that Leaf, Part II

Ride the Dalton Trail

Featuring narrow singletrack and loop variations of up to 10.4 miles, the dalton trail has ridge lines, steep drops, rocky sections and banked turns. Find a map at nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/ bicycling.htm.

Spot at Least 3 Native Species in the Wild Great

Blue heron, yep. Box turtle and hellbender, check. This is fun. start at nps.gov/ neri/naturescience/animals.htm. next, go on a hike and keep your eyes wide open.

BIPLANE RIDES «

1.304.574.1150 Join Up! Fly the Gorge www.wildblueadventurecompany.com

Photos, this PaGe, toP to BottoM: dcrJsr, dr. PhoeniX. oPPosite PaGe: courtesY oF nr Mountain Guides

now that you know the most important plant (see “name that leaf, Part i”), learn to identify a dozen more of the bright green co-habitants of the new river Gorge area. some suggestions for your tree identification work: ☐ red oak ☐ white oak ☐ american beech ☐ rhododendron ☐ Birch ☐ Mountain laurel ☐ Magnolia ☐ hemlock ☐ white pine ☐ locust ☐ Poplar ☐ sycamore

Dial in your Mountain Biking Skills learn proper

with a Map and 28 Navigate Compass

Lead Climb

lead climbing requires a lot of mental and physical toughness. start on easy climbs and work with a trusted teacher to practice falling. hard rock climbing (304-574-0735, hardrockclimbing. com) offers a sport climbing clinics and other instruction based on skill level; new river Mountain Guides (800-732-5462, newriverclimbing.com) holds a teen rock camp.

Few people know how to navigate in our digital world. learn how to identify key features on maps, follow compass bearings, and plan a route. You won’t be reliant on battery power to know where you are. The nPs offers orienteering as part of their rangers-in-training program for 14-17 year olds (nps.gov/neri/forkids/rangersintraining. htm).

Kayak the Lower New

with 8 miles of class ii-iV whitewater, the lower new is serious business for intermediate to advanced kayakers who will need a solid combat eskimo roll. work your way up to this with many miles of other milder runs. adventures on the Gorge (855-3798738, adventurewestvirginia.com) and ace adventure center (800-787-3982, aceraft.com) offer kayak clinics and roll instruction.

29 Learn How to Belay

understanding rope systems and being able to belay your partner safely is an integral part of becoming a competent rock climber. hard rock climbing (304574-0735, hardrockclimbing.com) and new river Mountain Guides (800-732-5462, newriverclimbing.com) offer rock climbing instruction.

on a Climbing or Camping 30 Goor Boating Trip with Friends

Outsmart a Trout

catching anything on a flyrod is an accomplishment. if it’s trout you’re after, plan on outsmarting them. aotG (adventurewestvirginia.com, 855-379-8738) and Pro river outfitters ((profishwv.com, 304-5755252) offer fly fishing trips and angling lessons.

if you spend a lot of time outdoors honing your skills and learning (and respecting) the safety rules, you’ll be ready go on a real adventure with your friends, sans a guide or parents. Plan it yourself, gather your gear and load it yourself. Be safe and have a blast.

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p Mix it U

Cross-training Adventures that Combine your Favorite Sports

By Amanda Ashley

A kayaker paddles the Lower New

Kayak & Run or Bike Cunard to Fayette Station and Back Kayak: 6.5 miles Class III-IV Whitewater Run: 8 miles or Bike: 20 miles Born from necessity, this is a classic multisport adventure perfect for kayakers who can’t find help running a Lower New shuttle. If you’re doing it for the cross training, it’s also a convenient matchup: the kayaking will work your core, shoulders and back while the run or bike will work your gluteous maximus and legs.

Prep

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Prep for Option A, kayak & running, is pretty simple: pack your running clothes and shoes in a drybag and take them with you downriver. Option B, kayak & biking, will need a little more set-up. Stash your bike

20 NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

and dryland gear at the Fayette Station private boaters parking lot. Be sure to safely lock your bike to a tree or other structure.

Play by Play

→

The first leg of kayaking the Class III-IV whitewater of the Lower New River requires a bomber roll and plenty of whitewater experience. Put in at Cunard access point and head downstream 6.5 miles, through Upper and Lower Railroad rapids, the awesome Keeney’s Creek rapids, and technical Double Z. Takeout on river left, Fayette Station. From there, lock up your kayak, don your running shoes or mount your bike, and begin to head uphill as follows:

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Option A: Paddle & Run From Fayette Station, take Fayette Station Road uphill to Chicken Wire Turn, where you’ll find the trailhead for the Mary Ingles Trail. The Mary Ingles will take you to the Kaymoor Mine. From there, continue upstream on the Cunard to Kaymoor Trail, an old service road. This trail ends at Cunard. Option B: Paddle & Bike Because this route links so many different trails, a map is definitely recommended (grab one at New River Bikes or Marathon in Fayetteville). Bike up Fayette Station Road to the town of Fayetteville, and make your way to the Town Park. From there take the Town Park Trail to the Wolf Creek Trail. Get on the Timber Ridge Trail, cross over the Long Point Trail to Kaymoor Top, and then follow the Service Road to Cunard.

Photos, this page, ken Thomas; opposite page: pat goodman

Multi-sport adventures may take extra planning, and they definitely take more time. They will also take your fitness and enjoyment of the outdoors to a whole new level. Read on for five 2-sport combinations that tap into the unique routes, runs, and trails the New River Gorge area has to offer.

Mill Creek Cabins

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Beautiful and luxurious cabins in a peaceful West Virginia woodland setting

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NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER

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www.MillCreekCabins.com Mike Williams climbs Coaltrain (5.14), Beauty Mountain

Climbing and Running Beauty Mountain to Nuttallburg climb: 5.9 to 5.14 routes run: up to 7 miles of dirt road, gravel paths, and singletrack uPstreaM oF the FaMed endless wall sits Beauty Mountain, a place known by locals for spectacular views and by climbers for a mile-long section of high quality routes: splitter cracks, superb sport routes, and boulders, sport and traditional routes of every grade. conveniently located downhill of the climbing area are national Park service-maintained trails that go to and around the nuttallburg Mine, formerly operated by henry Ford, restored by the nPs in 2011, and now one of the most complete examples of an entire mining operation in appalachia.

Prep

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Throw your running shoes in with your climbing gear.

Play by Play

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The latest guidebook, New River Rock, volume 1 by Mike williams, has rock climbs for Beauty Mountain. it is available at water stone outdoors in Fayetteville. once your arms are toast, put on running shoes and access the trails to nuttallburg from the Beauty Mountain main parking area. take the Gravel road past the super Mario Boulder and descend into the Gorge. This road leads you to the nuttallburg headhouse. From there, a well-marked gravel trail with informative signs weaves around the remnants of the mine and foundations of former structures. Past the old tipple, there is a trail that switchbacks to the banks of the new river.

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Kayak & Mountain Bike Thurmond to Cunard and back Kayak: 9.5 miles class i-iii upper new river mountain Bike: 9.5 miles service road and singletrack

Prep

→

drop your bike and biking gear at cunard access point and

securely lock them to a tree or other structure.

Play by Play

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The put-in for the upper new is a national Park service maintained access point 1 mile upstream of Thurmond called stonecliff. From stonecliff beach paddle through Dimmock Shoals, Fire creek Pool, and Surpise rapid to cunard (river left).take out there and secure your kayaking gear with the same lock used for your bike. For the bike ride back to your car, locate the river access road just upstream of the professional outfitter area at cunard. take this road, which follows the river on a gentle uphill gradient. The road soon turns into a wide trail (an old railroad bed) called the southside Junction trail, which eventually shrinks into a splendid, tree-lined singletrack all the way back to Thurmond. The final mile to stonecliff is on paved road.

Riders on the Southside Trail

Hike or Run Long Point & Yoga Long Point Trail Hike or run: 3.2 miles round trip yoga: as much as desired Being outside makes you feel energized and alive and nowhere in the Gorge is that more true than at long Point. This classic trail places you on a series of flatish rocks perfect for asanas and vinyasas with breathtaking views of the new river, the Gorge, and the Bridge. doing yoga outside gives you a clearer, more focused mindset.

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Prep

no special preparation needed. The nuttall sandstone shelfs at the end of long Point trail offer excellent friction for downward dogs and other stances. You may have to deal with some dirt and bugs, but that is what yoga is about: accepting what is and letting go.

Play by Play

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From the long Point trail parking lot on newton road follow the signs to long Point

NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

Yoga at Long Point trail. The trail is easy to moderate until you reach the Point: be careful, as the trail’s climax takes you over cliff outcroppings with no rails. Find a flat spot in the center and get your yoga on.

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Keep your eyes peeled for hawks soaring and gliding through the Gorge. long Point is an out and back trail: return the way you came.

Photos, this PaGe: toP to BottoM: Michael BoYes, cristina oPdahl. oPPosite PaGe: courtesY oF ace adVenture resort

This multisport combination offers complementary mild whitewater and scenic singletrack mountain biking on the way back. The new river section of Thurmond to cunard has 9.5 miles of class i-iii whitewater with peaceful stretches of flatwater in between where bald eagles and other birds of prey are often spotted. The abandoned town of Thurmond is across the river from the road to the put-in and worth a stop. in its heyday, it was a wild and bustling coal town and had the longest running poker game in the world. times have changed, but the town is still there, along with the ubiquitous coal tipple—this one is beautiful in an industrial-era sort of way.

Walk beneath the New River Gorge Bridge, 851’ above the New River, on the 24” wide catwalk.

304 574-1300

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SUP & Water Bouldering Summersville Lake

stand up Paddle boarding, suP for short, is the most exciting watercraft sport recently invented. suPs are giant surfboards that you stand on while using a long, single-bladed paddle to propel yourself through the water. suP combines balance and strength while taking you on a water tour. summersville lake is 28,000 acres large and has 60 miles of shoreline containing spectacular rock walls, many of them with ledges and features enough to climb.

Prep

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Bring your own suP, or rent one (304-574-1900, aceadventuregear. com.). climbing shoes don’t work well when wet, so plan on climbing barefoot.

Play by Play

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Boat access points for summersville lake include Battle run campground and Beach, salmon run, and the summersville lake Marina. we recommend starting at salmon run put-in. climbable cliffs can be found to the right and to the left. Paddle up to the cliff and begin your pump fest. down climb or drop into the lake when you are done climbing.

Editors Note: cliff Jumping is banned at summersville lake. water boulderers report that they have been tolerated when they stay down close to the water, face the rock wall, and refrain from hurling themselves off the tops of the cliffs.

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Small but Mighty 8 adventures in 8 state parks

Bluestone Lake, Summers County, WV

The state parks surrounding the New River Gorge National River have a lot to offer. You could almost think of them as the specialized ninja warriors of recreation areas. Herewith, some of our favorite things to do at these small but mighty places.

Get Your Game On

Pedal Miles and Miles

If you are someone who likes to do something while enjoying nature rather than just walk in the woods, try disc golf in a wooded area, like the 3,900-foot to 4,761foot course at Pipestem. It is surrounded by woods, moderately hilly, and has 18 holes. Alternatively, the state park has a remotecontrol race track, bicycle rentals, golf, a nature center with a different activity almost daily, and a busy amphitheater. pipestemresort.com

The Greenbrier River Trail is a remote 78-mile-long path that follows the Greenbrier River for most of its way. Even more welcoming, the trail gradient doesn’t veer far from 1%—so you can get in the miles and the scenery at the same time. The wide rail-to-trail butts up against the Monongahela National Forest and cuts through some of the most remote areas of the state. Cross country skiing, backpacking, and horseback riding are also good things to do. green brierrailtrailstatepark.com

24 NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

100% recycled paper

Greenbrier River Trail

all photos this page and opposite: courtesy of wv state parks

Pipestem Resort and State Park

Get Fit

Little Beaver State Park The singletrack at little Beaver sP is well known for its technical difficulty and as the location for the annual chainring challenge. The 18 trails there are also fantastic for hiking and running. littlebeaverstatepark.com

RIO GRANDE

Hours: Mon–Sat 11AM–10PM Sunday 12PM–9PM

Replay History Carnifex Ferry Battlefield SP september 10, 1861: union troops forced confederate soldiers to evacuate their position and retreat across the Gauley river here. reenactments every two years. carnifex ferrybattlefieldstatepark.com

304.465.5434

571 Mall Road Come in and Enjoy Our Oak Hill, WV Authentic Mexican Cuisine!

Spot Wildlife

Babcock State Park at remote Babcock, which abuts a northeastern section of the new river Gorge national river, you’ve got a good chance of spotting wildlife like this downy woodpecker. The best places are somewhere on the 20 miles of hiking trails. babcocksp.com

800-582-0256 OpossumCreek.com Take a Boat Ride

Hawks Nest State Park a custom-built 21-foot covered jetboat can power up the currents of the new river and provide you with a great view from downstream of the 876-foot-high new river Gorge Bridge. hawksnestsp.com

Check Out for a While

Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area two mountains rise 700 and 900 feet above stunning Plum orchard lake, keeping it pristine and shutting out the rest of the world. plumorchardlakewma.com

Immerse Yourself in the Gorge Go Fish

Bluestone State Park don’t come here without a line and a lure or bait. The west Virginia state record for striped bass was caught at Bluestone lake: 40.88 inches and 29.56 pounds. bluestonesp.com

www.nrgorgeguide.com has • what’s happening • calendar of events • blogs • trail info • stories about all the fun things to do here •

Family Travel

wanderer

there is more to hiking than hiking By Geoff heeter

NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

The view from not in a hurry. Photograph by Kyle Heeter. hikes always take a lot longer to find your way back to the car so you are late for dinner with friends and they are worried about you. But when you get there who has the best story to tell? You do. some trails are better for some styles of hikers. i like the wide flat train grades from an old train track, without the tracks or cross ties of course. we have a lot of these in the new river Gorge and they lead to some amazing places. You don’t have to be on a steep single track to find your self oohhing and aahhing along the way. My other preference is an ill-defined deer trail heading off into the wilderness. often these lead to a dry flat rock with a sunny spot so i can stretch out and study cloud formations. i also like loop trails. They tend to be longer than the out-and-backs. on the loop you may have to go all the way around, depending on who you are with and what type of hiker you are that day. The out-and-back type of trail is deceiving. it will look like two different trails each direction you head. and—Fast walkers with some place to be, take note—you can just head back at any point. You do not have to be prepared to enjoy a hike. i know my grandfather is squirming in his boy scout uniform as i write this, but let’s face it: we do not always carry water, first aid, sunblock, matches, flashlight, and map. sometimes we are just out for some quick exercise down the road from our home. and maybe we did not have a “proper pair of hiking 100% recycled paper

shoes” in the car. Most of the train grades, wide and relatively flat, are okay for tennis shoes. and some hikes are perfectly appropriate for flip-flops. Maybe this is more of the slow, quiet meander with a close friend who needs to talk. sometimes you have to go with what you’ve got and look where you are stepping. My dress shoes are muddy. however, attention wanderers and Meanderers: there is a really good reason to wear high top lightweight hikers or high top tennis shoes on many hikes: ankle support. The trail is not the mall. we are in the woods and on sometimes very uneven ground. if you can, boot up. which brings me back to my wife, the Point a to B strider. i have figured out how to slow her down. i found an anchor that she cannot pull and the best part is she does not even know she is dragging it: a camera. she has always been a great photographer, even made her living doing it. But going for a walk did not mix with taking pictures until she recently began bringing a small camera along. now she has introduced me to another kind of hiker: the Photographer. she will stop on a dime to gather all her skill and creativity and focus it through the lens. This allows the rest of us Meanderers time to catch up and even pass her at times. it is possible to change, and really cool stuff happens when you do. Geoff Heeter designed and built their family owned and operated Opossum Creek Retreat with the family vacation in mind. (www.opossumcreek. com, 8005820256)

Photo: KYle heeter

i used to hate hiKinG with MY wiFe. You see, i have come to believe that there are many different styles of hikers, and she and i are two very different kinds. she is a strider. she has long legs, which she uses to ruthlessly get herself from Point a to Point B. she hikes for the exercise. she is an “i will come back and get you if you can’t keep up” kind of hiker. i am a—well, not that kind of hiker. i am an anything but that kind of hiker. i wander off the trail (she hates to follow me when i do this). i stop in midstride and lay down on the ground to get a better look at a flower or insect or at the back of my eyelids. on the trail she journeys from Point a to Point B and Back and i journey to all the points in between. There are the Fast walkers, who are “just out for some exercise” and have to be back in time to get to the store. and there are the strollers. strollers have a place they are aiming for. They will stop to look at something wonderful along the way, but they can still be relied on to make their destination. They would really like to see that view from long Point! and then there are the wanderers. if you are a wanderer, you may not even know where the trail you are on is going. You don’t know this because it doesn’t matter. You are just happy to be outdoors soaking it in. closely related to the wanderers are the Meanderers. Kids intuitively meander. They drift off the trail and wonder what this is or that is (or was). if you are not in a hurry or dead-set on a destination, kids are the best guides you could ask for. They bring spontaneity, surprise, and joy to a hike. Kids understand that it is a good thing to get sidetracked and forget why you came in the first place. The woods are a patient place, slow and constant. Kids will understand this if you do not get in their way. “life is a journey, not a destination.” (This famous remark is overquoted, but i bet few know who wrote it without first looking it up. answer: ralph waldo emerson). Kids know this in their souls! The trail means nothing except that it has a place to park your car. after that, whims are followed. rules are broken and exploration begins. ahh, the unknown. You could be the first person to ever put a foot down right here. This type of adventure comes with a price. sometimes you get sort of lost. You may have to cross a creek and get muddy and wet. These

Hawks Nest State Park

WEST VIRGINIA STATE PARKS

None finer!

A glimpse of the West Virginia state park areas found along the New River. Hawks Nest State Park 31-room lodge • restaurant • aerial tram 304-658-5212 • hawksnestsp.com

Babcock State Park

CARNIFEX FERRY BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK

Babcock State Park 28 vintage cabins • 52-site campground Glade Creek Grist Mill 304-438-3004 • babcocksp.com

GAULEY RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

SUMMERSVILLE LAKE WMA

NICHOLAS

HAWKS NEST STATE PARK FAY E T T E

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park Battle of 1861 • hiking • picnicking Reenactment on September 13-14, 2014 304-872-0825 • carnifexferrybattlefieldstatepark.com

BABCOCK STATE PARK NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER

RALEIGH

Little Beaver State Park

Carnifex Ferry 46-site campground • lake • fishing Battlefield State Park

304-763-2494 • littlebeaverstatepark.com

Little Beaver State Park

Pipestem Resort State Park 113-room McKeever Lodge 30-room Mountain Creek Lodge 26 vacation cabins • 82-site campground two golf courses • restaurants • disc golf swimming • horseback riding naturalist programs and activities 304-466-1800 • pipestemresort.com

GREENBRIER

LITTLE BEAVER STATE PARK

TWIN FALLS RESORT STATE PARK

SUMMERS

Greenbrier River

BLUESTONE STATE PARK

WYOMING

CAMP CREEK STATE PARK & FOREST

ive

n sto lue

BLUESTONE WMA PIPESTEM RESORT STATE PARK

MONROE

77 M E R C E R

Bluestone State Park 123-site campground • 26 vacation cabins • marina 304-466-2805 • bluestonesp.com Pipestem Resort State Park Bluestone State Park

And a wee bit west of the New River area Twin Falls Resort State Park 47-room lodge • 14 vacation cabins 50-site campground • restaurant • swimming hiking • Pioneer Farm 304-294-4000 • twinfallssp.com Discover the rest on wvstateparks.com Find a Park

wvstateparks.com

Environment

Water = Life

By Levi Rose “For many of us, water simply flows from a faucet, and we think little about it beyond this point of contact. We have lost a sense of respect for the wild river, for the complex workings of a wetland, for the intricate web of life that water supports.” —Sandra Postel, director and founder of the Global Water Policy Project Sandra Postel hit the nail on the head. How many people can say they know where their water comes from, and to a greater extent, how many people know what is “in” their water? West Virginia residents got an unfortunate water safety wakeup call last January when Charleston, West Virginiabased Freedom Industries spilled an estimated 7,500-10,000 gallons of toxic chemicals MCHM and PPH into a freshwater river, contaminating the water supply of 9 West Virginia counties and the water of up to 300,000 people (see “Water Wiser,” page 9). In the wake of the disaster, lingering questions remain about the safety of the water. One thing is certain: the trust and reliability of West Virginia’s leadership has been diminished. Many in West Virginia didn’t realize how much they depend on safe drinking water until it was gone. On some level, we all take water for granted. We bathe with it, we use it to wash

28 NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

our dishes, and we rely on it every day to sustain life processes. Luckily for New River Gorge area residents, businesses, and visitors, the 5 counties surrounding New River Gorge National River—Fayette, Nicholas, Greenbrier, Raleigh, and Summers—are located upstream of the accident, and thus our tap water was not effected (see map). In the aftermath of the chemical spill, where our tap water comes from has been a topic of renewed importance. West Virginia American Water operates the New River Regional Water Treatment Plant that provides water to Fayetteville customers and other communities in the region. The New River Plant is designed to treat 4 million gallons per day and source water is taken from the New River near the Hawks Nest Dam. The system went online in September of 2000 and provides service to over 27,000 customers in the region. What is “in” the water? In accordance with the federal Clean Water Act, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required to complete a comprehensive biennial report summarizing the quality of the state’s water. How do we know the water is safe? Water treatment processes at the New River Plant include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination. A computerized monitoring system, called a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, continually monitors water quality 100% recycled paper

at the New River Plant and reports its findings to operators in the control room. Water samples are analyzed in the plant’s on-site laboratory every two hours. But as we learned with the Freedom Industries Spill, not all pollutants or contaminants are monitored or can they be treated. That is why it is important to have a Source Water Protection Plan, in case an emergency occurs and source water is contaminated. Luckily for those on the New River Regional System, a Source Water Protection Plan was finalized in February of 2011, but the plan still needs a protection team to help oversee and implement the plan. West Virginia is rewarded with healthy annual rainfalls that keep our streams, rivers and lakes filled with fresh water supplies. Portions of Southern West Virginia are classified as temperate rain forests, and in these areas, orographic precipitation (rain shadow effect) causes weather systems coming from the west and from the Gulf of Mexico to drop more precipitation than in surrounding areas. West Virginia is very fortunate to have an abundance of fresh water compared to other locations, like Arizona or third world countries that struggle to find clean, safe drinking water. Yet despite this, our state leadership has a long history of using this water wastefully and is well known for its lax environmental regulations. According to the “2012 Final West Virginia Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report,” approximately 10,337-30,627 stream miles in West Virginia do not support public water use and are listed as impaired. Levi Rose is Plateau Action Network’s Watershed Coordinator and is a graduate student in the Department of Geography and Planning at Appalachian State University.

Nature and head, and white patches in the wings. a distinctive feature is their bold red crest: red all the way to the bill in males; females have a black forehead. Males are further distinguished by their red “moustache.” Their loud, laughing, maniacal calls carry long distances, often revealing the woodpecker’s presence long before it is seen. The listener is often surprised to learn that it’s a woodpecker that is creating these wild sounds. another surefire sign of their presence are large, oval-shaped holes, created as nest cavities and also as bore-holes into beetle- and ant-infested trees. For the most part pileateds shun feeders, preferring to stick to natural foods, although sometimes suet feeders lure them in. They are carpenter ant specialists, adeptly locating ant colonies within trees. when a woodpecker detects ants, it uses its massive chisel-like bill to pry away large slivers of wood and expose the ant galleries. woodpeckers are equipped with barbed tongues, and they are extremely effective at lapping lots of ants from their chambers. Pileated woodpeckers are birds of mature woodlands, and they are very common in heavily forested west Virginia. anyone who spends time hiking around Fayetteville or rafting the new river is sure to hear, if not see, these enormous hammerheads. having lots of pileated woodpeckers is important for multiple reasons. They are agents of control for various insect tree pests. Pileateds are also what biologists term a “keystone” species, because many other animals benefit from the woodpecker’s work. Their large nest cavities are often later used by everything from flying squirrels, screech-owls, wood ducks, to black rat snakes. Feeding sites are often raided by other woodpeckers, wrens, and various species that otherwise could not get at the food exposed by the big woodpeckers. Finally, pileateds are exciting to us: without doubt one of our grandest birds. everyone from veteran birders to people who know nothing about birds is stopped in their tracks by the sight of one. These huge woodpeckers greatly enrich west Virginia’s woodlands and we are fortunate to have them around.

Quaint & Quiet Garden Ground Mountain Cabins Mount Hope, WV Within New River Gorge National Park → Close to the Summit Boy Scout Reserve www.GardenGroundCabins.com

304-253-1083

Pear Tree Arts & Garden Dove’s Outlet Village, Rt 19 and Hinkle Rd. Fayetteville, WV

304-575-3730

OPEN: Tues-Sat 10-4

Locally handcrafted items   Pottery classes   Custom stepping stones   Paint your own ceramics  CHECK OUT OUR CLASSES ON FACEBOOK

nature’s Jackhammer

the noisy, beautiful pileated woodpecker By Jim mccormac a GarGantuan woodPecKer the size of a crow chiseling away at a tree is sure to grab the eye. People who work in the natural sciences regularly get calls and e-mails from people who are startled and fascinated by their first encounter with a pileated woodpecker (pronunciation: Pie-lee-ate-id). can’t blame ‘em—everything about these jumbo logchoppers is over the top. There are seven regularly occurring species of woodpeckers in west Virginia, most of which visit feeders and are familiar to backyard birders. The most frequent of the bunch is the downy woodpecker, a small black and white bird that often visits suet feeders. it would take about eleven downy woodpeckers to equal the mass of one pileated woodpecker. Pileated woodpeckers are unmistakable. no other woodpecker in west Virginia—or the united states— comes close in size. The only one that did was the now extinct ivory-billed woodpecker. Pileateds are mostly coal-black with prominent white stripes on the neck

Jim McCormac is an Ohiobased naturalist, author of three books on wildlife, and frequent blogger at jimmccormac.blogspot.com.

2978 Robert C. Byrd Dr. Beckley, WV 25801

(304) 255-2664

Ocean’s

Massage Therapy

Healing Body, Mind, & Spirit Heather M. Terrio • Swedish • • Deep Tissue • • Pregnancy • Hot Stone • • Intuitive & Integrative Therapies • • Couples Massage• • Cranio-sacral •

304-923-8489

 by appointment only 

OceansMassageTherapyWV.com WV LMT # 2006-2249

Raven

Event Calendar

may

■ May 3 Fayette County Farmers Market Opens Offering an array of professional publishing and writing services • Publishing • Marketing Materials • • Content • Newsletters • • Rack Cards • Email Marketing • • Design & Layout • Editing •

from the publishers of the New River Gorge Adventure Guide

304.573.8113 RavenCreativeWV.com ravenhasapen@gmail.com

official opening of the FcFM season at the new Farmers Market pavilion on Virginia street in oak hill. Beginning May 10, the farmers market will be on saturdays off court street in Fayetteville 7:30-11:30am and at the pavilion in oak hill on tuesdays , 4-7pm.

■ May 9-18 Manny and Moomoo

lively community Theater production at the historic Fayette Theater (304-5744655, historic fayettetheatre.com) in this play about winning the lottery.

■ May 10 6 Hours of Arrowhead

six hours around and around a 10-mile loop that is 90% groomed singletrack. register at bikereg.com.

■ May 10 Migration Celebration

Birds of prey educational programs, nature hikes, and family activities at little Beaver state Park, 9am to 5pm. tracwv.org

■ May 11 The Boatmen at Tamarack

1 million people visit the New River Gorge National River every year. Some come to look at the Bridge. Some to paddle whitewater or climb the rocks. And others come to commune with the barred owls. All of them want to know about your business. To advertise, contact gorgeguide@gmail.com or 304-573-8113.

www.NRGorgeGuide.com

The constantly evolving band inspired by rock, folk, motown, bluegrass and country. tamarackwv.com

■ May 17-18 ACA Swiftwater Rescue Training

an intermediate swiftwater rescue workshop that covers how to stay out of danger in whitewater environments, self rescue, and rescue techniques. nps.gov/neri/ planyourvisit/programs.htm

■ May 24 Bluestone National Scenic River Walks Begin at 10:00 am every saturday

from May 24 through october 11, 2014. Be sure to give yourself an extra 15 to 20 minutes for the tram ride down. nps.gov/ blue/planyourvisit/rangerprograms.htm

■ May 31 Appalachain Music & Arts Festival

eight hours of live music from blues to string bands, artist demonstrations, and treats at tamarack (304-256-6843, tamarackwv.com).

June

■ June 6-7 Mountain Music Festival

a high-end lineup at the first-ever Mountain Music Festival including the fabulous wood Brothers, Keller williams, and larry Keel and natural Bridge. at aceadventure resort, aceraft.com/mountainmusicfestival

■ June 7 Market Day

Farmers Market, artisans Market, and Flea Market converge on court street, downtown Fayetteville. visitfayettevillewv.com

■ June 7 Bluestone Turnpike Hike

a remote and beautiful 9.5 miles along the Bluestone river to Bluestone state Park, a hike not otherwise doable without arranging your own shuttle. Prereg required. 304-466-0417, nps.gov/blue/planyourvisit/ rangerprograms.htm

■ June 7 White Oak Rail Trail Expo

Vendors booths set up along the scenic white oak rail trail near downtown oak hill. newrivergorgecvb.com

■ June 17-19 Science Youth Nature Camp

a day camp featuring science in the outdoors from the national Park service specifically for 5th and 6th graders. nps.gov/neri/ planyourvisit/scienceyouthnaturecamp.htm

Photos, this PaGe (leFt ot riGht): nrGaG, PuBlic doMain; oPPosite PaGe: courtesY oF thurMond triathlon (toP), courtesY oF taMaracK (BottoM)

Creative

Event Calendar ■ June 19-22 Ansted Mountain Heritage Festival

Crafts, food, parade, and rides in Ansted, WV. newrivergorgecvb.com

■ June 22 Little Sparrow at Tamarack

A haunting and humorous duo that combines original well-crafted material with traditional songs. tamarackwv.com

July

■ July 4-5 4th of July Celebration

Old-fashioned 4th of July in downtown Fayetteville including the John Kemper Band at Historic Fayette Theater and fireworks at the Town Park. visitfayettevillewv.com

■ July 5 Bluestone Turnpike Hike

A remote and beautiful 9.5 miles along the Bluestone River to Bluestone State Park, a hike not otherwise doable without arranging your own shuttle. Sandstone Visitor Center (304-466-0417, nps.gov/blue/ planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm)

■ July 5-6 4th of July Weekend Celebrations

Fireworks and carnival at Adventures on the Gorge (adventurewestvirginia.com), Big air Blob contest at ACE Adventure Resort (aceraft.com).

■ July 5 Market Day

Farmers Market, Artisans Market, and Flea Market converge on Court Street, Fayetteville. visitfayettevillewv.com

■ July 11-27 The Contrite Spirit

Lively Community Theater production at the Historic Fayette Theater with a play about a ghosthaunted comic book writer. 304-574-4655, historicfayettetheatre.com

■ July 13 Scenic Mountain Triathlon

A traditional swim, bike, run triathlon in one of the most beautiful areas of West Virginia. A 0.5- mile swim, 17.1-mile bike, 6.2-mile run in the Cranberry Glades area. scenicmountaintriathlon.com

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and local residents fighting cancer. wheelsofhopewv.com

■ July 26 Zephyr Lightning Bolts

Bluegrass and Old-time music at the Pipestem ampitheater. pipestemresort. com/special.html

■ July 27 Little Beaver Chainring Challenge

Locally famous for its technically demanding trails, the Little Beaver singletrack hosts a 7, 14, or 21-mile mountain bike race. littlebeaverstatepark. com/events.html

■ July 30–August 3 Appalachian String Band Festival

A five-day gathering of stringed instruments, the musicians who play them, and the people who love to hear them at Camp Washington Carver, Clifftop, WV. wvculture.org/stringband

■ July 18-20 Climbing and Yoga Weekend Retreat

Alternate NRG climbing sessions with yoga sessions, catered meals, and relaxation. newrivermountainguides. com

■ July 19 Wheels of Hope Ride

Choose between 4 rides: 112 miles to 18 miles long. All the routes are through the lush and rollinghill countryside of the Greenbrier River Valley. Proceeds benefit the

spring/summer 2014 NRGORGEGUIDE.com 31

The New River Gorge Learning Co-op strives to: • Encourage children's natural desire to learn

• Teach students respect for each other and for our world

• Challenge each student at his/her individual level

The Montessori-based educational model has been shown to increase creativity, social adeptness, and problem solving abilities

Learn More at NRGLC.org.

Donate

at NRGLC.org. 32 NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

Health

Be Well

By Erin Larsen

Sleeping Under the Stars A recent study indicates that a week sleeping outside, unplugged from the distractions and electric light of society, can reset your body clock. Known as your circadian rhythm, this internal clock regulates your sleep cycle. Researchers looked at melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate our sleep and wake cycles. Our bodies produce melatonin as a response to darkness. Levels stay high while we are asleep, then taper off just before we wake up. Their results, published in the journal Current Biology’s August, 2013, issue, showed that after spending an extended amount of time outside, “the body clocks of eight volunteers synchronized with sunrise and sunset.” While the eight volunteers in this study were at home, they tended to stay up until after midnight and wake around 8 a.m. Although they were achieving the recommended average of eight hours of sleep, their melatonin levels remained high for several hours after they woke up, indicating that they were out of synch with their natural sleep/wake cycles. After camping for a week without flashlights and electronics, each participant’s sleep cycle shifted to an earlier time, more in accordance with sunrise and sunset. Their melatonin levels shifted as well. Interestingly, those that were night owls experienced the greatest shift in melatonin levels. According to the practices of Ayurveda, the traditional medical system in India, there are periods of the day that we should wake and sleep in order to maintain good health. These times of the day correspond with earth energy, a slower time of the day that allows us to make the transition to and from sleep. Ayurveda dictates awaking before 6am, and going to bed before 10pm. (Ayurveda also guides us to eat at least two to three hours before going to bed, allowing our body time to restore and repair cells following the 100% recycled paper

last meal of the day.) Melatonin has been associated with many aspects of our health from our immune system to libido to memory. I can attest to the powerful effect of a natural sleep cycle: For the last few years I have slept in a yurt directly under a dome skylight. When I built this yurt I carefully chose appliances that have no lights on them, not even small dots, as they emit a surprising amount of light. My radio has a button that allows me to completely dim the face clock. Since moving into my yurt, I’ve slept like a baby. When the sun rises, so do I. Some mornings, my alarm wakes me first, but on most mornings I beat it and wake as the rooster down in the holler is crowing and the birds begin chirping outside. Not everyone can stay completely in tune with sunrise and sunset; some have certain jobs that require nighttime hours, and winter cuts us short, not to mention the disruption caused by daylight savings time. However, you can be more aware of your exposure to external distractions that throw circadian rhythms out of whack. See if you can adjust the light emitted from your appliances, especially if they are in your bedroom. Turn off your television and computer at least one hour before you plan to sleep so that your brain and melatonin levels can start to make the transition to sleep time. If you tend to stay awake until midnight, try going to bed 15 minutes earlier every night until you approach the optimal 10 p.m. bedtime. Sleep with the curtain or window open if you can, particularly if there are few artificial lights surrounding your dwelling. Upon awaking, avoid turning on your electronics. Try doing a few stretches or taking a short walk. You may find that you have more energy during the day, and your body’s natural rhythms start to find balance as well. Our metabolism, digestion, and elimination are all affected by our sleep cycles. Honoring the cycles of nature can help our bodies return to normal patterns. Erin Larsen is a Health Coach and Yoga Instructor at Kula Community Yoga Studio in Fayetteville, WV. She has been guiding clients to find balance with nature for more than a decade. For help finding balance in your life, contact Erin at Eelyoga@gmail.com, www.eelyoga.com or 304640-7320.

PhotoS, This page :www.forestwander.com; opposite page: courtesy of sewell mountain sailing association (left), courtesy of West Virginia dept of culture and history (right)

Fayette County has a Montessori-based education option for preschool and elementary-aged children.

Event Calendar

August

gov/blue/planyourvisit/rangerprograms.htm)

■ August 3 Thurmond Triathlon

■ August 2 New River Gorge Captain Thurmond's Challenge a 15–mile mountain bike, 7-mile kayak down the lower new river Gorge, and 6.5mile run back up to the top. starting and ending in downtown Fayetteville, wV. CaptainThurmonds.com

■ August 2 Market Day

Farmers Market, artisans Market, and Flea Market converge on court street, Fayetteville. visitfayettevillewv.com

■ August 3 Bluestone Turnpike Hike

a remote and beautiful 9.5 miles along the Bluestone river to Bluestone state Park. sandstone Visitor center (304-466-0417, nps.

it’s a perfect length for a first triathlon: 2-mile bike, 1.5mile paddle, 2-mile run. Kids as young as 7 can enter, and adults and kids can pair up in double inflatable kayaks, free with preregistration. thurmondwv.org

past Gorge views. aceraft.com/trail

■ August 23-24 Mountain Mama Regatta

The 3rd annual regatta on summersville lake to benefit hospice of southern west Virginia. seven’ to 26’ divisions and an opportunity to watch the race up close enough to hear the crews holler. Good food and kids activities including a rain gutter race. soapysails.webs.com

■ August 30 Wings of Wonder, Birds of Prey

learn about the owls, hawks and eagles that are native to west Virginia at Pipestem resort state Park. pipestemresort.com/special.html

■ August 20-31 Oak Leaf Festival

Music, crafts, wine & cheese tasting, and inflatables for the kids in downtown oak hill, wV. newrivergorgecvb.com

■ August 23 New River Gorge-ous Trail Run & Hike

a 5-mile walk, 7.5-mile run, or 13.2-mile run on mountain roads and singletrack trails at ace adventure resort. The route is rolling, following ridgelines through deep, hardwood forests and

New River Gorge

Challenge Weekend

Pedal. Paddle. Run. E a sy

August 2-3, 2014

CAPTAIN THURMOND'S

Sunday, August

www.CaptainThurmonds.com

Saturday, August 2

Ex t re m e

BIKE 2 MILES RUN 2 MILES PADDLE 1.5 MILES Beginner friendly fun for the whole family!

THURMONDWV.ORG Duckies provided by ACE Adventure Resort with pre-registration.

Safety Local Hospitals & Urgent Care

When Things Go Wrong

Bridgeview Urgent Care 5447 Maple Lane, Fayetteville 25840 (304) 574-6900

By Bryan Simon

Mother Nature, home to a splendid array of wonders, also hosts dangers in the form of difficult terrain and potentially dangerous encounters with animals that reside in the eastern woodlands. Recognizing potential emergencies, how to avoid or mitigate them, and understanding how to respond to different scenarios will help you to enjoy your endeavors with confidence. Below are three situations that can occur for outdoor adventurers in the New River Gorge during the summer months.

Falls (Sprains, Strains, and broken bones) Scenario: After climbing all day

at Bubba City, you and your friends begin the walk out to the parking lot. Your friend is pulling himself up the rope ladder when he loses his footing on the rock and slides four feet to the muddy bottom. After quickly standing to get out of the mud, your friend says he “turned” his ankle on impact and complains of pain.

What To Do 1. No matter the area of injury, sit down and assess. Is the area tender or painful?

Plateau Medical Center 430 Main St. Oak Hill, WV 25901 (304) 469-8600 Raleigh General Hospital 1710 Harper Rd. Beckley, WV 25801 (304) 256-4100

An adult copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Snake Bite Scenario: After enjoying the beautiful and popular walk along the Long Point Trail, you emerge from the rhododendron grove onto the narrow approach to the overlook when you catch a glimpse of movement to your right. A large copperhead is shuffling away from you through the pine straw. What To Do The best method to care for a snake bite is to avoid it altogether by maintaining awareness while on a hike. The following steps will help you to provide care until reaching medical personnel.

1. Keep the victim calm. 2. Clean the area with water to remove any

2. If it is an ankle or knee injury, can the

remaining venom.

3. Think RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression,

heart and immobilize it if possible.

injured hiker stand and bear weight?

3. Keep the bitten area below the level of the

and Elevate.

4. Remove any jewelry or restrictive clothing. 5. Transport to a local hospital. Most hospitals

4. If the injury is serious, get help. Tip: A fall can yield injuries along

a wide spectrum from a minor ankle turn to a compound fracture of a femur. Assess the severity of the injury. If it is a slight sprain, follow the RICE acronym. For more severe injuries, splints and trained medical evacuation may be needed.

in the area carry a stock of antivenin. Call ahead to inquire about availability while in transport.

Tip: There are some persisting myths regarding snake bite treatment. Do NOT: cut or suck the wound, capture the snake, or apply a tourniquet or ice to the site of the bite.

Summersville Memorial Hospital 400 Fairview Heights Rd. Summersville, WV 26651 (304) 872-2891

Wounds, Cuts, and Abrasions Scenario: You and your friends

are emerging from the New after a great day on the river. As you pull your boat to shore, your buddy slips on a submerged rock. He pulls his leg from the water and he has a large cut to the outside of his calf.

What To Do 1. Assess the wound. If it is bleeding profusely, find the cleanest material (bandage, t-shirt, handkerchief), place it on the wound, elevate the wound, and apply firm, direct pressure. If you are unable to stop the bleeding using this method and the person is in danger of bleeding to death, consider application of a tourniquet and evacuation. 2.If the wound is minor, clean the

wound using water, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile dressing.

Tip: The best way to clean a wound is to use a forceful spray of water. A small hole in the bottom of a sandwich bag works well to direct a small forceful stream to the area needing irrigation. +

34 NEW RIVER GORGE ADVENTURE GUIDE

100% recycled paper

Gorge Guide Restaurant Guide

Photos, top to bottom: the chocolate peanut butter brownie terrine at Pies & Pints, BBQ at Adventures on the Gorge, the deck at Secret Sandwich Society, Hawaiian sea bass with local squash at Gumbo’s, and a fancy drink at Diogi’s

Meals

Restaurant

Address

Fare

The Burrito Bar at Breeze Hill 304-574-2750

Oscar White Rd. Lansing

“Mexican fusion”

Cathedral Café 304-574-0202

134 South Court St. Fayetteville

American

breakfast & lunch

Chetty’s Pub 888-650-1932

219 Chestnutburg Rd. Lansing

American

lunch & dinner

Country Thai Restaurant 304-900-1188

464 Ames Heights Rd. Lansing, WV 25862

Thai

Diogi’s 304-574-3647

312 North Court St. Fayetteville

Gumbo’s Cajun Restaurant 304-574-4704

South Court St. Fayetteville

Los Vaqueros 304-469-6505

2027 East Main St. Oak Hill

Pies and Pints Pizzeria 304-574-2200

219 West Maple Ave. Fayetteville

Rio Grande Restaurant 304-465-5434

571 Mall Rd. Oak Hill

Secret Sandwich Society 304-574-4777

1031/2 Keller Ave. Fayetteville

Smokies on the Gorge 888-650-1932

219 Chestnutburg Rd Lansing

Wild Flour Bakery 304-574-0001

105 West Maple Fayetteville

Latin American

Cajun & American

lunch & dinner

lunch & dinner closed Mon., Tues.

lunch & dinner

lunch, dinner, Sun brunch; closed Mondays

Mexican

lunch & dinner

Gourmet pizza

lunch & dinner

Mexican

lunch & dinner

Sandwiches, burgers and salads

lunch & dinner; closed Tuesdays

Gourmet buffet

breakfast & dinner

Bakery

breakfast & lunch; closed Sun., Mon.

spring/summer 2014 NRGORGEGUIDE.com 35

The degree of difficulty will vary from rapid to rapid and with water level. River users should consult with an experienced river runner or ranger before attempting river running.

Much of the land within the National Park Service areas remains private property; please respect the owners’ rights.

5 Miles

Picnic area

Public river access

Campground

Primitive campsite

Restaurants, Adventure, Cabins/Hotels, Retail & Services Dixie WHERE TO FIND THEM 16

er y ule Ga

Summersville Lake

Jodie 39

Riv er

Ga ule y

GAULEY RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Ho m i ny Cre ek

Mount Nebo

Carnifex Ferry State Park

Cabins & Hotels 9. Country Road Cabins 10. Garden Ground Cabins 11. Mill Creek Cabins 12. Opossum Creek Retreat 13. Quality Inn 14. Summersville Lake Retreat

er Riv

Riv e r

Summersville Dam 41 129

Gauley Bridge

Adventure 1. Ace Adventure Resort 2. Adventures on the Gorge 3. Bridge Walk 4. Hard Rock Climbing 5. Mountain Rail Adventures 6. New River Jetboats 7. Thurmond Triathlon 8. Wild Blue Adventure

R iv

Peter s Cree k

Swiss

Belva

129

ANSTED Hawks Nest State Park

naw ha

Hico

Cotton Hill

Victor

6 Hawks Nest Dam

12 11

Ames Heights

Lansing

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Lookout

Edmond

FAYETTEVILLE

31 16 28 8 16 19 35 15 18 34 31

Winona k ee Cr

Meadow

Riv e r

lf Wo

33 20

Clifftop Ma nn s

Cunard

C ree

OAK HILL

RAINELLE Minden

77 64

Babcock State Park

Thurmond

612

Whipple

Plum Orchard Lake

41 64

loup Creek Dun

Thurmond Historic District

Fayetteville Danese

Glen Jean

17 32

Plum Orchard Wildlife Management Area

to Charleston

Thayer

Restaurants 15. El Rio Grande 16. Gino's Pizza and Spaghetti House 17. Gumbo’s 18. Los Vaqueros Restaurante 19. Pies and Pints 20. Secret Sandwich Society 21. Tudor’s Biscuit World

Dowdy

ek Cre

Prince

Terry

ure

Quinnimont

64 77

Meadow Bridge

NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER

Grandview

k Cre e ow

20 64

ea d

r ee k

Piney Cre

C ill

Meadow Creek

k ree

Glad e

←

Retail 22. Budget Tapes & Records 23. Crossroads Mall 24. Elevation Sports 25. Marathon Bicycle Company 26. New River Bikes 27. Pear Tree Arts and Garden 28. Tamarack 29. Water Stone Outdoors

Lick

Green Sulphur Spring

Cr e

3 64 77

Sandstone Visitor Center

BECKLEY

Sandstone 16 307

Beaver

307

L au rel Cr e e

Little Beaver Lake

Daniels

Brooks

Little Beaver State Park 20

Shady Spring Glade Creek Reservoir

ad am

C re

HINTON 107

Bellepoint

Bluestone State Park Ghent Flat Top Lake

tle Lit

Bluestone Dam

iver rR

Creek

Greenbri e 3

ne River sto ue Bl

BL U

K E LA TON ES E

BLUESTONE NATIONAL

Services 30. Action Printing 31. Bridgeview Urgent Care 32. Canyon Massage & Bodywork & Kula Community Yoga Studio 33. Fayetteville, WV CVB 34. New River Gorge CVB 35. Ocean's Massage Therapy

Classifieds                          

Recreation

Real Estate

Services

BIKE RENTALS REPAIRS ACCESSORIES & GIFTS

BIKE RENTALS

Raven

REPAIRS

ACCESSORIES & GIFTS

Creative MARATHON BICYCLE CO.

MARATHON BICYCLE CO.

304-574-2337

Services Offering an array of professional publishing and writing services

Praxis Electrical, Inc. 304-465-3654

• Publishing • • Email Marketing • • Copywriting • Rack Cards • • Sales Letters • Newsletters • • Press Releases • Brochures • • Articles • Publications • • Design & Layout • Editing • • Web Content •

Dry Needling 10% off ﬁrst appointment



A HOLISTIC TREATMENT PERFORMED BY A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL

Erin Larsen

304.573.8113 RavenCreativeWV.com ravenhasapen@gmail.com

Personal and Group Yoga Instruction and Individualized Health Coaching

eelyoga@gmail.com www.eelyoga.com

(304) 578-8658

praxis.electrical@gmail.com

Healing Body, Mind, & Spirit Heather M. Terrio

&Yoga Instructor 304-640-7320

Electrical Contractor #WV048491

Ocean’s Massage Therapy



Holistic Health Coach

from the publishers of the New River Gorge Adventure Guide

Christopher G. Danz Licensed Electrician

• Swedish • Deep Tissue • Pregnancy • • Hot Stone • Acupressure • • Couples Massages •

304-923-8489

 by appointment only 

OceansMassageTherapyWV.com WV LMT # 2006-2249

Advertise in the Gorge Guide Classifieds.

Action Printing 

Why? It's Inexpensive, for one. And our readers are an active demographic with disposable income. On shelves for 3 whole months.

• PRINTING • LAMINATING • • PHOTO RESTORATION • TYPING • • LAMINATING • DESKTOP PUBLISHING •

services  real estate  recreation  For sale  announcements

next issue: august 1, 2014. ads due by July 9. contact: gorgeguide@gmail.com, 304-573-8113.

Photo by Gabor eszes

813 Main Street, Oak Hill, WV

304-465-1407 phone action@westlake-wv.com

sprinG/summer 2014

NRGORGEGUIDE.com

Gallery

Local photographer Molly Wolff was shooting at Stone Cliff Beach and Thurmond, West Virginia, early one morning. She snapped shots of the New River and the bridge into Thurmond, but had been unlucky in meeting a train, one of her favorite subjects. Just after she loaded her equipment into her car to leave, she heard the low rumble of a train on its way. “Frantically I jumped out of the car,” she explained in an email to NRGAG, “ran with my gear, popped up the tripod, locked down my settings and barely caught the train before it was gone.”

Photograph by Molly Wolff

To submit a photograph for the Gallery, email a jpeg to gorgeguide@gmail.com.

Let

yourself

GO.

TREETOPS

Canopy Tour

TIMBERTREK

The East’s largest selection of

Aerial Park

AERIAL ADVENTURES! Nearly five miles of out-of-this world aerial adventures. Season passes available. Trips leave daily May through October.

GRAVITY

Zip Lines Leading the world outdoors

’

DINE on

different.

SMOKEY’S

on the Gorge

CHETTY’S The height of

Pub

CULINARY ADVENTURE! Experience our irresistible, mouthwatering dining options where the views will take your breath away. New River Gorge, WV.

BUFFLER’S

BBQ & Pizza

Leading the world outdoors

N E W R I V E R G O R G E G E TAWAY. C O M

888.383.9933