— go back
— go back to the guide
When we get there, it turns out that the river is 13 feet above its normal level, and in lively flow. Our outing will be led by a new recruit to the rafting firm, a young West Virginian, the first native son to join. There are also about eight students who are being trained. We put on our wetsuits and other gear, and get into the raft. It is below freezing (28o Fahrenheit). Our leader is very good. He starts by giving us all some initial training, such as steering and back-paddling according to his commands. We set off along the turbulent river. Despite the cold, and some initial nervousness about the turbulence of the river, I begin to enjoy it a lot. He points out landmarks in this remote terrain, such as a now abandoned town said to have been the location of a well-known high-rolling poker game which lasted a full week, night and day, a century before. Occasionally we see enormously long freight trains passing on the track on the other side of the wide river. Coal, I think.