Virginia is known for its outdoor opportunities. Mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and white water rafting–all of these great ways to get outdoors in a physical way are available to us here. But as summer turns to fall, it’s important to remember we’ve still got outdoorsy activities despite the cooling weather.
Virginia is known for its outdoor opportunities. Mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and white water rafting–all of these great ways to get outdoors in a physical way are available to us here. But as summer turns to fall, it’s important to remember we’ve still got outdoorsy activities despite the cooling weather.
Dave Bassage is Chief of Staff as ACE Adventure Resort. He’s been working on the river for over 30 years and can’t sing enough praises of what it’s like being on the water.
“There’s something about interacting with moving water that you just can’t get any other way,” said the white water veteran. “I imagine sailors and pilots might feel the same way about what they do. There’s no two days the same on the river, and every day’s a new challenge.”
While Bassage and his company offer a variety of outdoor activities, he’s got a soft spot for getting out in a raft and hitting the rapids hard.
We spoke with Bassage about what folks should look out for and how they should prepare themselves if they decide to head out on a river this fall.
“Come prepared to get wet,” Bassage said. Bathing suit, or synthetic clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap. Foot wear should be something that can get wet and won’t easily fall off their feet – no flip flops.
Rivers and their rapids have a semiofficial rating system, similar to ski slopes. They’re rated from 1 to 6, with a 6 being un-runnable – most Virginia rivers fall into the 3-4 range, but sometimes 5. Ratings only apply to certain rapids, and depending on water level, difficulty can change just as… rapidly.
Water is highest in the spring, and then lower in the summer, but the Gully river stays high in the fall because it’s a damned river and the damn is released in the late summer.
Speak with Dave or other folks at ACE Outdoor Adventures at http://www.aceraft.com/ or give them a call – 1-800-787-3982
