Hey all you outdoor gear fans!

The rumors are true: Wilderness Voyageurs has opened a new outfitter store at the take out of the Upper Yough in Friendsville, MD, in the old Mountain Surf building. The building reopened on Friday, June 20th and will keep business hours from 10 to 6 on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. We are really excited about the great reception we've gotten from paddlers and Friendsville residents: Thanks for the support!!

Here is a map showing the location of the building (click to open full size in a new window):

And now for answers to some frequently asked questions:
1. YES, kayakers, you can still take out at the bridge! Stop in and see us if you like. We'll have boating videos running and tons of cool stuff to check out.

2. YES, we are offering demos on the Upper Yough. Call 800 272 4141 to talk to our Ohiopyle store so we can make sure we have the boat in Friendsville for you.

3. YES, you are welcome to use our public restrooms.

4. YES, we have grand plans for the building. We're going to open the deck back up as a place to hang out. With any luck, there will be live music during releases! We are also considering a massage parlor for the upstairs.

5. YES, we are investigating the possibility of renting canoes from Friendsville to some point downstream.

6. YES, we are eventually going to offer our standard HUGE selection of outdoor gear, including paddling, clothing, camping, fly fishing and more.

Did I miss a question you had, or did you have a suggestion for us? Leave us a comment because we'd love to hear from you.

See you in Friendsville!
Lou

While many people are drawn to Ohiopyle State Park for the awesome adventure sports -- Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, kayaking, and so forth -- there is much to see and do here that doesn't involve a near-death experience or attaining your maximum heart rate.

One such attraction: the numerous overlooks and vistas speckled throughout the park. Notice the photo icons on this downloadable map of the park. The key thing to remember here is that when Ohiopyle State Park puts a photo icon on the map, they are not messing around. Much of the park is quite beautiful, but the indicated vistas are supremely magestic. Let's run down my top 4:

1. Laurel Highlands trail. Approximately 2.5 miles from the end of Garrett St on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a rocky outcropping that offers a magnificent view of the Great Bend in the Middle Yough. Hike in your camera for this one - you will see miles of trees and river valley, with the river itself flowing far below you.

2. Kentuck. Two benches sit atop a hill, facing a gap in the opposing hillside through which you can see the ridge system in the distance. The kind of spot that makes you feel like you just might be the first one to see this sight.

3. Tharp Knob. Easily my current favorite. You can drive to the softball field area and walk around the Kentuck Trail loop, or you can really earn this view and go up Great Gorge trail, turn left on Kentuck -- passing the Kentuck overlook -- and reach Tharp Knob that way. From this spot you can see the entire town of Ohiopyle (what there is of it) and much of the Middle Yough. Wilderness Voyageurs is just visible to the left of the railway tracks in the picture below:

Beware: this image is zoomed in. For the full view, you will have to go there yourself.

4. Sugarloaf Road. Driving on Sugarloaf road from Ohiopyle to Confluence, you will see an overlook sign on your left. Park in the pulloff and walk up to the rocky outcropping. This is another spectacular view of the Middle Yough.

Do you have any other favorite vistas in Ohiopyle (there's one just outside the park on 381 N just past Scarlett Knob campground, for instance)? Leave a comment and let us know.

Lou

"How far away is Indianapolis from Ohiopyle, anyways?" I get asked this question at least a few times a week; mostly because I talk about Ohiopyle daily - and most people just think Pennsylvania is REALLY far away. But reality is, its not. You can get from Indianapolis to Ohiopyle in about 6 hours! So this weekend, instead of driving the distance alone I took a few Hoosiers with me to do some East Coast rafting! :)
We had a fantastic time on the Lower Yough Saturday morning. I figured for some first timers, the class 5 whitewater rafting might be a little much so we cruised down with the earliest Wilderness Voyaguers trip that puts on the Lower Yough (class 3) @ 10:00AM.We spent the day in the Laurel Highlands watching first time rafters work through the rapids, the WV guides hustle, swimming and having a great time!

To top off the trip.. this weekend marked the 7th Annual Beer & Gear Fest - which, like it sounds, was a festival of micro brewery beer and outdoor gear. Some of the best parts about this festival is that it was that it only costs $12 to get in AND you get a really awesome pint glass to drink out of and keep as a souvenir. And this years cup was designed by one of Ohiopyle's cool cats Megan (pictured). 

So overall we had a blast! Came back and when we came back I talked about it so much that I am going to be bringing a huge group from work back the weekend of July 26th! And because its Ohiopyle, there is always something going on. This weekend Wizdom will be playing at the Falls City Pub! Always a fun time had by all!

    The 2008 rafting season is shaping up to be one of high adventure!  Wilderness Voyageurs is proud to have recruited some of the company's strongest, friendliest, most knowledgable and experienced "rookies" ever.  Some came with years of experience on rivers all over the country, some came with class V kayaking skills while others just came with the determination and eagerness to learn as much as possible.
    Training began back in April when the water was colder and so was the air.  Returning every weekend to learn such skills as raft handling, trip management and first aid, these fresh river guides were put to the test both physically and mentally.  After 5 intense weekends and at least 20 training runs down the Lower Youghiogheny only the best were invited back to become full time river guides for the 2008 summer season. 

Here is Callie from California (yes, it is just a coincidence).  Callie is new to rivers but comes with experience in other adventure sports such as skiing and snowboarding.  She was one of the first to check out on the river, getting her training trips in as quick as possible while also taking every opportunity to explore other rivers, building upon her experience even more. 





Next we have Nick, or "Darkness."  Here nick shows off his quick reflexes and big guns by getting his crew back in the raft faster than you can say paddle!
Brian comes to Wilderness Voyageurs with raft guiding experience on rivers such as the New and Upper Gauley.  His strong work ethic and commitment have allowed him to jump right into the trip leader position.  He has also been able to work on his kayaking skills by getting on many local creeks and rivers during our spring high water season.







Here is Kent.  He means business.


    These, and all of our other new river guides, have allowed us to start off the season with a bang.  Their hard work and dedication to improving their skills and having a great time mean that your day on the river will be the best ever.  Come out to Wilderness Voyageurs in the Laurel Highlands for Yough River Rafting at its greatest!

    Ohiopyle State Park offers an extensive trail system that allows anyone to enjoy many different ecosystems and natural features no matter your skill level.  Over 79 total miles of hiking trails makes it really difficult to grow tired of any one trail.  This also means there are enough trails that vary in gradient and difficulty, you are sure to find one that fits your needs for that day.  Here are a couple of my favorite:


Great Gorge trail to Beech Trail:
    This loop can be accessed via the Bike path from the town of Ohiopyle.  The bike path serves as a great connector for many of the trails in the park that are deeper and more tiresome to access via foot. 
     I warm up by running along the bike bath from Wilderness Voyageurs' Outfitter Store to the trailhead after the high bridge above Railroad rapid on the Lower Yough.  However, this is tricky.  Just after you cross the bridge there is a sign on the left to enter Great Gorge Trail.  This will take you in the OPPOSITE direction.  Instead, continue along the bike path another 30 yards and take the next trail off to the left.  This is just an unmarked way to enter the Great Gorge Trail.  If you see signs to the campground you have gone too far.  This trail begins by winding through the woods, growing steeper.  The last bit of trail is the steepest of the entire run so just think about getting it over with early.  The trail hits Kentuck Trail where you will turn Right.  This trail leads up to the campground access road which you will cross and reenter the trail off the road onto the right.  This will take you past the Ampitheater.  After passing this you will follow signs for Beech Trail, taking a Left when the trail hits a Y.  Another 40 yards follow Beech trail to the Right. 
    From here, enjoy a long stretch of winding through the woods with minimal change in gradient.  Soon the trail will begin to slowly go downhill, meeting up with a creek near a large rock face on the left hand side.  The trail eventually bends to the right (no need to turn off trail) where it somewhat follows the bike path with a few hills thrown in for good measure.  The trail eventually leads to the Campground access trail (gravel) where you will go left to hit the bike path again, or right to head to the campground.
    This is one of my favorites because it starts off with a bang and turns into a mellower run for the 2nd half.  It usually takes me about an hour to run.

Another great loop is the Great Gorge to Meadow Run Trail Loop:

    This loop can also be accessed via the bike path, turning Left just after the High Bridge over Railroad rapid (the trail is marked Great Gorge here).  This part of Great gorge is a much wider, flat trail that follows the Lower Youghiogheny's loop section.  The trail eventually leads to the beautiful Cucumber Falls where you can cool off by walking behind or even under the falls.
    You can stop here as Rt 381 passes just over the trail, or continue the trail under 381 where it leads to the Natural Water Slides.  The trail turns into Meadow Run Trail here as it follows the creek known as Meadow.  During high water, this creek is frequented by local kayakers.  Fishermen also enjoy these waters all year long.  The trail remains relatively flat with the occasional hill and winds through much denser wooded areas.  Often times the trail is only wide enough for me with thick rhododendron on either side. 
    Be sure to follow sings up the Cascades.  This is a slide/waterfall that drops around 20 feet overall.  Another great place to stop and take a dip in the river. 
    Here you can either turn around or continue along the trail as it bends to the right and loops back upon itself.  Sometimes I find myself ending up in the top Meadow Run parking lot, but no worries...there is a trail that leads back down to the creek.

For a full trail map of Ohiopyle State Park click here

The Laurel Highlands and Ohiopyle State Park are excellent locations for hiking and exploring Pennsylvania's natural beauty.  Amazing rock formations with the occasional cave, forest floors covered with brilliantly green ferns or hidden waterfalls are all common on any of the hikes. 

Ever need a trail recommendation?  Stop by Wilderness Voyageurs' Outfitter store and we'll be happy to point you toward a trail that will fit your needs for that day!

See you out there!

-Zan

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

Just in our backyard here at Wilderness Voyageurs is the beautiful Middle Youghiogheny, the perfect place to learn to whitewater kayak.  This river begins at the outflow of the Youghiogheny Dam and meanders through 10 miles of lush Pennsylvania Mountainside.  Since very little land along the river is developed this stretch of water can be incredibly peaceful.  With plenty of calm water stretches as well as several class I and II rapids, the day has the perfect balance of excitment and relaxation.

This group of fathers and sons decided to see what all the hype was about and take a 2-day kayak lesson with Wilderness Voyageurs.  The first day was spent learning stroking technique as well as getting to know how the boat responds to these movements.  Like most beginners, these guys found the hardest part was trying to keep the boat going in a straight line.  That afternoon we headed out to the upper section of the Middle Yough where skills such as ferrying and eddy turns were practiced.  The second day was spent on the entire Middle Yough, practicing our strokes as well as maneuvering through class II rapids.  However, mostly we just enjoyed our time on the water and the beautiful scenery of the Middle Youghiogheny.

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

When kayaking on whitewater rivers you’ll end at some point with your head submerged in the river. Weather it’s it from a swim, a roll, or just a big wave blasting you in the head you will get water in your ears. I have a big problem with getting the water out of my ears once it gets in there. For me one of my most important pieces of outdoor gear that I use almost every time I go kayaking is a pair of DOC’S PRO PLUGS. They are easy to put in, they stay in, they are pretty comfortable, I can hear almost was well with or with out them, they only cost $10, and the best part is I do not have to spend hours after a day of boating trying to get the water out of my ears. I use the only ones they sell at Wilderness Voyageurs store (which has other great outdoor gear), the vented ones with a leash. At the store they will custom fit you with the correct size. Size matters in ears. I’ve tried some other ear plugs and I had trouble hearing when using them and they all made my ears ring when using them. With Doc’s vented plugs there is no ringing and very little loss of hearing when using them. Comfort, well it does take a few minuets to yet used to them, but once you start paddling and surfing you’ll soon forget you have them in. $10 at Wilderness Voyageurs store in Ohiopyle PA (800-272-4141), or on line at www.gearfetch.com  but I’d get them at the store where they size them for you.

A great day for some Pennsylvania Trout Fishing!

After a morning of grass cutting, I headed into Ohiopyle to get some info and check the local scene at Wilderness Voyageurs. I have been doing some fly fishing trips for them and I thought I would stop in to get a cup of coffee (best coffee in Ohiopyle) and say hello before hitting the stream.

It was warm day but cloud covered with a light shower here and there. I had a good feeling about the fishing and bug activity. When I pulled into the parking lot at Meadow Run, I knew right away that I had most of the stream to myself. There was one guy, an older fella and fly fisherman from Pittsburgh fishing the riffles and pocket water near the bridge. We had a few laughs and I moved on down to a favorite spot that Dale had clued me into.

Upon arrival it didn't take long to realize that bugs were coming off in bunches with a lot of variety. I saw some BWO's, March Browns, Midges (of course) and some Hendrickson's coming off. Despite all the bugs, there were very few rises at the time. I knew then to tie on an emeger, which is just what I did. I had a cream colored pattern that I tied myself to represent a cream caddis larvae for the most part--although it can suggest a lot. I was anxious to see if it worked. It doesn't really match anything specific per-say, but to me it has that 'look'. It paid off. I do believe the fish were taking it as a Hendrickson Emerger--with the light color and wing. Needless to say by the end of the trip, it was pretty beat up. Guess I need to tie a few more. Ok, now the action.

First cast I landed a nice looking rainbow, in the 12-14" range. After a safe release, two maybe three casts later, I hooked into the biggest fish of the day. A beautifully colored Brown Trout which was in the 17-20" range and fat. It was a great catch and a solid fight. She took me on a 10 minute walk before I finally managed to get her in my net. What a beautiful fish! Meadow Run is by far one of my favorite streams in SW Pennsylvania. After a safe release, the action continued steady for the next 45 minutes, landing a few browns and a couple more rainbows. By the time an hour had passed I had landed 10+ trout and had a smile from ear to ear. If I didn't have to get back home I would've stayed until dark, but even just an hour on the stream was enough action to leave me feeling very much exuberated, making the drive home even better.

Thank goodness I had my camera phone! Here are just a few pics. Not the best quality but for a camera phone, not bad.

First cast:


A nice Meadow Run Brown!



A few more random pics:






I hope to see you on the river for some great Pennsylvania Fishing! Stop by Wilderness Voyageurs for the best in town!

~ David

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.

You see that kayak on the river all the time.  It boofs like a master, it smooths all the hard lines, it surfs like a king.  Its not all the paddler, that boat was sculpted to perform.  Its about time you got in one and tried it for yourself!

If you are looking to upgrade your kayak, or even just wondering what that boat feels like on the river, come try one of our 38 Demo kayaks. 
Pyranha Kayaks:

    Burn: S, M, L
    Everest
    Ammo: S, M, L
    Recoil: S, M, L
    Rev: S, M, M/Long
    Speeder

Wave Sport Kayaks:

    Project: 45, 52, 62
    ZG: 48, 54
    EZG:  42, 50, 60
    Fuse: 35, 48 (coming soon 56)
    Habitat: 74, 80
    Diesel: 65, 75

LIquidlogic Kayaks:

    Ronin: 49, 59
    CR: 80 (coming soon 125, 250)
    Remix: 47, 59, 69, 79
    Jefe: Chico, Regular, Grande
   






Remember that trying new boats only makes you a better kayaker, more easily adaptable to different conditions and different boat styles.  You never know when you will need to borrow someone else's kayak.  Also, manufacturers are constantly innovating old boat designs so that they perform better for today's kayaker.  Don't get left behind because you are so attached to that old kayak. 

The demo fleet is also available for our kayak instruction.  Learn how to use these boats better from first-timers to upping-the-anty on the Upper Yough. 

It has never been more easy to explore your kayak options right here in Ohiopyle, PA!

Can I just give a shout out to my partner in crime...the baby Burn.  This kayak has done me real good over the past few years.  Through the generosity of my closest friends at graduation, she became mine.  Since then we've experienced many soaring boofs on rivers like the Upper Yough, Blackwater and Otter; carved out beautiful surfs on the Loop, Pigeon, Big Sandy; and sailed over huge waves on the Cheat and Gauley. 



The Burn allows me to be more aggressive on rivers where making the move really matters.  I use the planar hull and carving edges to make crisper, cleaner moves through different river features.  Sometimes it seems like she just knows where I want her to be.  I also find that I have a sharper roll, using the edges as leverage, rather than relying so much on my paddle stroke. 


When surfing, these edges aid in carving back and forth, as well as transitioning when spinning.  If I close my eyes, sometimes I feel like I'm ripping through powder on my snowboard, moving smoothly from edge to edge with each turn. 

Even off the rivers, my Baby Burn makes my life easier.  When hiking through the woods to and from the river I never fail to be grateful for the handle in my bow that allows weight to be distributed between my arm, upper back and shoulder rather than solely on my shoulder.  This also lets me carry more easily on my left shoulder, something I would never have thought to be comfortable. 



I have never had so much love for a piece of outdoor gear before now.  I can teach kayak lessons, play on every river and even take it to the next level with my best friend, the Baby Burn.

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!

...because I sure do.

The Lower Yough has earned its reputation as one of the best and most popular rivers on the East Coast, because it's great fun all summer long.

But now is the time to go! The water is higher and the crowds are fewer in the spring. Bigger fun, less waiting, plus off-season rates. Worried about being cold? Rent a wetsuit or splash top. Besides, you've got edge-of-your-seat adrenaline and paddling like a maniac to keep you warm. Done the Lower Yough a dozen times? Come in the spring; it will feel like your first time.

The same philosophy applies to the class 5 gem of the East, the Upper Yough. Deep Creek hydro station follows the release schedule regardless of natural flow, which means jucier rafting at this time of year. Ask any river guide what's better than the Upper Yough and they'll tell you, "The only thing better is the Upper Yough with more water."

Bottom line: if you are a true whitewater afficionado, or just a summer fan looking for a better ride, then Your Time Is Now.

Lou

What an awesome start to the day: a bike ride / commute to work. An early spring morning -  with buds starting to turn, daffodils everywhere, birds chirping and layers needed to take off the chill. My favorite biking weather. I started road biking about 2 years ago and I am hooked, especially since riding in the Laurel Highlands is spectacular! The rides seem endless with the perfect combination of hills to climb and cruiser roads. You have to be a tad careful since "share the lane" isn't all that well know in these parts. On some roads, the shoulder is non-existent and cars tend to speed along the backroads. But at the same time, there isn't a lot of traffic. 
 
A lot of great rides start straight out of Ohiopyle. Get ready though - a good climb will greet you in any direction. Rt 381 is a Scenic Byway running through the Laurel Highlands. If you ride south out of Ohiopyle, you can stay on RT 381 all the way to Wharton Furnace road. Turn right until you come to Fayette Springs Road. Turn right again and you'll ride past Christian Clay Winery. Cross RT 40, hop on the Ohiopyle Chalk Hill Road and enjoy a mostly downhill cruise back to Ohiopyle. It's not a super long route, maybe 30 miles or so, but a nice cruise. That's just one of many options. Stop by Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle for other ideas. Not just road biking, Mountain Biking, hiking and just general information. It's also a great place to pick up biking gear and general outdoor gear. There is usually a bike mechanic on duty. You can try mapmyride for biking ideas as well.

I just wanted to write and thank Josh and Kaila for guiding me down the Upper Yough. (yes, this is the before picture)  I'd had some Kayak Instruction from Josh in the past and was pretty comfortable paddeling the lower Yough in Ohiopyle.  What wasn't sure of was my ability to do a high adventure run on Class 5 white water.

Well I'm happy to report that the Kayak Instruction and the great Wilderness Voyageurs guides made it a very fun (I didn't say relaxing) day.    Kayak Lessons aren't just for beginners I guess :-)

Lou?  Will you take me to the Top Yough this summer?

Duh??   I know silly question.   Kayaking is a blast!  We are blessed in Pennsylvania to have a terrific resource in the Yough river.  Unlike a lot of rivers where the water dries up in the Summer, the Youghiogheny in Ohiopyle is dam controlled and therefore has great water all summer long.

Kayaking is a great sport and accessible to anyone who is able to swim.  Wilderness Voyageurs offers instruction in all forms of white water as well as flat water paddling. We offer multi day lessons as well as one or two hour introduction sessions.  Come on down for some High Adventure and take some Kayak Lessons.  For more information please send us an email....  :-)