Here is a video of a really good kayaking and rafting trip to the Big Sandy that the Wilderness Voyageurs staff took last Monday. Some of the rookies are really shaping up, so we brought them along to let them strut their stuff. A blast was had by all as the weather was excellent and the water was plentiful and cool.

The other day some of Wilderness Voyageurs' guests had the rare priveledge of taking a guided Big Sandy trip. We are very fortunate this year to have such an awesome, adventuresome staff and clientele.

The Big Sandy is a Class 5 run in West Virginia, but at this point in the season if you are interested in extreme east coast whitewater check out the Upper Yough. There is still a good bit of natural flow in that river, so with the added water from the release you can have an inordinate amount of high adventure fun in the sun!

By the way, video editing sofware is way too much fun, and makes it far too easy to get wacky with creativity. I'm curious to know what people think of the videos they've been seeing on this blog. Please feel free to leave comments!

Lou

Rain, rain, don't go away. We love it. If there was to be a time for a trip to visit the yough river in Ohiopyle this would be it. Water levels are outstanding providing high adventure and excitement. Big water rafting cannot be beat and with water levels matching that of the Gauley and New rivers action with much less of a drive. Guest numbers are still low so trips are small and personable. Guides are trying to make the most of the time knowing all too well that low water will be here soon. Kayaking action is at its hight as temperatures rise and the winter rust is shaken off, folks are going big with every opportunity that presents itself. If you are looking for a new run and need someone to boat with the wilderness voyageurs staff have the runs down. The Cheat river continues to hold strong providing huge water action in one of the most beautiful canyons in all of the East Coast. If you are looking for high adventure regarless of what the pesimistic forcaster might say ohiopyle is your place to be to enjoy the liquid sunshine. See you out there. Josh

Last Wednesday, Wilderness Voyageurs' climbing swami, Lou, ran a staff climbing trip to Cooper's Rock in West Virginia off I-68. While our climbing guides are the best in the state, a climbing culture is something that's always been lacking in the rest of the staff. However, this year there is a remarkable amount of interest in the sport.

We headed out of Ohiopyle at 5:00pm and were roping up for climbs by 6:15. Several folks did their very first climb while others learned how to belay and tie the basic knots. We only climbed for a couple of hours, but by the time we packed up we were all plenty tired, having each done 2 or 3 climbs on mostly virgin arms.

Here are some pictures to give you a sense of what Cooper's is like:

This is Roger (of Immersion Research fame) on a cool 5.5. This climb is quite vertical with some big moves, so a great challenge for a beginner-oriented climb.











Here's Callie on the same climb doing a "high-step" move. Way to go Callie!














Finally, a shot of Amanda belaying. Just look at the concentration on her face. She's not gonna let that climber fall, no way, no how.

If this is along the lines of something you'd like to try, give Wilderness Voyageurs a call. We run trips for all ability levels on real, actual rock, and offer a great selection of outdoor gear that will get you up the rock safely and comfortably.

See you at the crag.

Its Raining!!!!  We headed to the Big Sandy yesterday at a beefy 7.1 ft for some of West Virginia's finest creeking.  Drew's line over wonder was pretty smooth...
At big splat nearly everyone was sending it on the main drop (no one wanted near the horseshoe above).  When the only playboater made the drop but got sucked back into be endered and swim out we decided to continue downstream and not mess with the river gods anymore for the day.   Check out Lou's line off the drop.

It might have been freezing, there might have been a swimmer and maybe we got back really late...but we still know how to have an awesome time on the river.

Zan

No one doesn't like spring here in the Laurel Highlands.  Periods of summer-like warmth dispersed between days of pure rain showers.  Some days are still chilly, but occasionally there is that day where the river is high and the sun couldn't be any brighter.  The Cheat Canyon is known for days like this.

Seeing small streams turn into waterfalls as they drop over the colorful canyon wall on river left as you drop into the crashing waves of the rapid High Falls might be one of the most beautiful sights of all West Virginia river rafting.  The transition into spring also means the full spectrum of the color green is filling in the mountain sides, dotted with bright purple Redbud flowers.   Just another moment where I find myself sitting back in my kayak
wondering how my life got to be this good. 

So there are pretty trees and unique rock formations, but let's be honest, we're here to crash into big holes and fly over the top of huge waves, paddling as hard as we can to avoid a very rough swim.  Here is a taste of one of our rafting trips on this incredibly scenic, always exciting, east coast river.





Don't let spring pass you by this year. Get out on

those rivers while they are running and see what

you're been missing!

Fun group high adventure trips are what summer on the Youghiogheny are all about. If you are looking for similar Pennsylvania fun or are considering River Rafting in West Virginia join us for the best of East Coast Rafting.   For more information, send us an email: rafting@wilderness-voyageurs.com and we will be glad to help make this the best summer ever.

Outdoor Activities Near Washington DC

Here is a small taste of West Virginia Class 5 White Water Rafting. This creek requires significant rain to run, but on days when the Upper Yough is too high to safely navigate, we have been known to guide commercial rafting trips on the Big Sandy, a class V tributary of the Cheat River.

It's also a favorite kayaking run among the Wilderness Voyageurs staff. Yesterday Susan and I braved the cold and sleet to take in the awesome scenery and excellent rapids. The level was perfect - about 6.5ft on the bridge gauge. We decided to film some of the rapids, and this video is my cut of the footage. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for watching!

Lou