Archive for October, 2009

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A Weather Update

Thursday, October 15th, 2009
NRG Bridge 10/15/09 5 p.m.

NRG Bridge 10/15/09 5 p.m. Not bad for a Blackberry.

When you go somewhere, people usually say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes.”

The difference is, in the New River Gorge, it’s usually true.

We’ll be posting unofficial weather reports all weekend long here on the blog.  Also, we will be automatically updating the weather forecast here on the site.  So keep an eye out for us, and feel free to pass these posts along.

Right now, weather.com has an hour-by-hour forecast for the gorge area for Saturday that’s stating about 40 degrees F and 30% chance of rain.

For jumpers, the forecast is winds out of the NW at 8 mph.

Expect these numbers to change.  The new river gorge is right in the heart of the Appalachians, and the mountains can often shift weather to the north or south.

More updates coming.  Bundle up, get warm, and go crazy- Bridge Day is almost here…

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White Water Below The Bridge

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

One of the biggest draws on Bridge Day, besides the bridge, is the river below.  The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world.  And it’s home to some famous white water.

They look kind of far away

They look kind of far away

Tons of people come to Bridge Day to see it from a raft.  It’s one of the more interesting aspects of the festival.  Yes, you can walk out on the big bridge, but how many huge festivals can you arrive at via whitewater raft?

Here are the rapids that you can see from the bridge:

Looking east, which is the direction the jumpers go off, the rapid almost immediately below the bridge is Fayette Station rapid.  That’s the busy one.

Fayette Station is a well known piece of whitewater.  It’s one of the only rapids in the gorge with road access.  When the water gets high, Fayette Station starts raging- it’s a full fledged class IV rapid with 10 and 12 foot waves.

Usually, Bridge Day sees lower water levels, which thankfully means that the rapid is not a factor for jumpers.  Just below the Fayette Station Rapid is the under-the-bridge area, with a nice big recovery pool for jumpers that don’t quite make it to the Landing Zone.

Farther upstream is another famous rapid called Thread The Needle.  During Bridge Day, Thread The Needle looks less like a rapid and more like a couple of giant boulders out in the middle of the river.  Thread the Needle is a class II-III rapid, depending on the water level.

The last rapid you can see upstream is Miller’s Folly.  It’s the longest rapid in the New River Gorge, and one of the best.  Miller’s was also called Undercut Rock for the enormous boulder set against the bank at the top of the rapid.  When the water is high, Miller’s Folly is a giant whitewater rollercoaster.

The rapid that’s immediately downstream of the bridge (as in, almost directly underneath it) is called Flea Flicker.  At high water, there are a couple of ways that fold up in the middle that can send rafters flying. At Bridge Day levels, it’s pretty tame, though there is one spot near the bank where you might see a raft get stuck for a long, long time.

Finally, the last rapid you can see from the bridge on the downstream side is called Ol’ Nasty.  This one gets it’s name from being so close to the takeout- if the water is high enough for the huge rock in the center to become a huge wave, there’s a chance rafters might miss their ride back to base camp.

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What You’ll See On Bridge Day

Thursday, October 15th, 2009
The Bridge Catwalk

The Bridge Catwalk

Bridge Day is West Virginia’s biggest festival.  There’s a reason for that.

People can come to Bridge Day expecting to see things that, really, just aren’t assembled anywhere else.  And, some stuff that you will.  The old favorites.

Here’s a bit of an overview of both…

The big attraction is, of course, the world’s largest BASE jumping festival.  BASE, if you don’t know, stands for Building Antenna Span and Earth.  Those are the 4 catagories of fixed objects that people parachute from in the sport.

The basic setup goes like this: The bridge is open only to pedestrian traffic during the event.  Right in the middle of the span is a large platform- the launch ramp.

Jumpers are lined up around the launch ramp with thousands of spectators around to watch.  The atmosphere is pretty exciting.  After all, these people are about to leap from an 876 foot high bridge.

And then they jump.  One after the other.

Bright parachutes, rescue boats in the river below, and a hot landing zone are all par for the course while the festival is going on.  The jumpers go pretty much non-stop through out the day.

On the southern side of the bridge, 800 foot long ropes are visible, hanging down below the arch.  This is where the rappellers are rigged up and ready.

Rapellers actually kick off Bridge Day by raising the U.S., West Virginia, and this year, National Park Service flags up the ropes closest to the center of the bridge.

Vendors always help to make for a great festival.  But the ones at Bridge Day are… a little different.  Not only will you find eats of all stripes, but there are crafts vendors, musicians, and lots of artisans, as well.

The vendor area is just off the bridge on both the north and the south sides.

You’ll also see a lot going on in downtown Fayetteville.  The shops run specials all weekend, and you can shop for outdoor gear, art, clothes, and music.  After the festival, expect to find plenty of people um in town at the 1st annual Bridge Day Chili Festival.

The bridge is a one-of-a-kind place, and Bridge Day is a celebration to match.  If you’ve never been, you’re going to see a lot more than you’re used to.

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The Cat’s Meow – The Catwalk

Thursday, October 15th, 2009
The Author Wendy Williams

The Author Wendy Williams

I thought I was the cat’s meow until I walked on the catwalk and found out what the cat was meowing about.

It’s pretty cool to walk across the bridge while it’s shut down to motorized vehicles, but it’s even more cool to walk on that catwalk 800 feet above the river under the bridge.

If you get a chance to do the highline…do it. And even better, if you get a chance to be on a rappel team…do it. If it sounds exciting to ride a gradually, sloping rope about 700 feet to the ground on the highline, think about riding one about the same distance but straight down. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.

Special Guest Post By:

Wendy Williams, 2009

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Why Is Bridge Day Awesome For First Time BASE Jumpers?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Why Is Bridge Day Awesome For First Time BASE Jumpers?

‘Cause it’s in West Virginia?

Nice to know they're down there

Nice to know they're down there

Well, sure, there’s some hometown pride there, but there are other reasons, too.  I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the things that get a person ready for their 1st BASE jump, and why so many people come to Bridge Day in the New River Gorge to do it…

First off, there are two first-timer intro courses offered at the event itself.   Both courses are offered right here in Fayette County by instructors from the Snake River BASE Academy.

One is a four day long workshop that covers Bridge Day from A to Z.  The other is a specialized 6 to 8 hour run-down of all the essential training necessary for a great 1st jump.

Taking one of the courses is a requirement for first time jumpers at Bridge Day, unless they’ve been trained by an approved mentor.  Mentors have to have over 100 BASE jumps as well as previous Bridge Day experience.

All that speaks to just how in touch and safety oriented the BASE jumping community surrounding Bridge Day is.  With only 6 hours each year for bridge based jumps, the participants are very keyed-in to what makes a great event greater.  And that’s safety.

Bridge Day jump coordinators Vertical Visions have mapped out all the requirements for first timers in a FAQ that has pretty much everything you could want to know if you’re considering a jump.

First timers can’t register for Bridge Day without having at least 100 other parachute jumps (skydive or BASE).  That’s a good start to the experience needed to jump off the bridge.

And do you need to have gone skydiving before BASE jumping?  Well, let’s just say that it’s a really, really, very, extremely good idea.  Why?  Because BASE jumping without knowing how to skydive first is stupid :-)

I think we can all agree with the logic there.

There’s one more great reason for first time BASE jumpers to chose Bridge Day:  The New River.  The gorge is lined with trees and boulders, and the actual landing zone is room enough for seasoned veterans, but a river landing for a first timer is a great option.

Why?  Because the water is soft, and, as far as being a target, it’s easy to hit.  Oh, and the river is full of what might be the most experienced river rescue team in the world.  It’s said that the folks in the boats below the bridge on Bridge Day can get a jumper from the water before their head gets wet.

I’m sure there’s some truth to that, in most cases.  But what it really means goes back to the whole reason Bridge Day is good for first timers in the first place:  Safety.

Anyone out there going for their 1st jump at Bridge Day?  Share your thoughts with us in the comments…

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What You Need To Know About The Weather On Bridge Day

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Bridge Day happens rain or shine.  Or clouds.  Or cold.  Or whatever.

West Virginia’s largest festival wouldn’t let a little thing like weather get in the way, and this Saturday (October 17th 2009) there will be a 100% chance of some kind of weather.  So come prepared.

The BASE  jumpers?  They’re already prepared.  Short of very strong winds, which are pretty rare in the New River Gorge, jumpers can jump.  On Bridge Day, BASE jumpers use their experience and the combined experience of their community to determine when it’s safe to leap.

Weather is a concern, and delays can happen.  But Bridge Day BASE jumping has never -NEVER- been canceled due to weather.

For the 90-whatever % of us who aren’t jumping, the weather’s also a concern.  Here are some tips for proper Bridge Day weather-ization :-)

  • Dress Warm and Waterproof-  As the old saying goes, “It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”   Bring jackets and raingear so you can be comfortable during the event.
  • Layer Up-  The best method of heat retention is to wear multiple layers of clothing.  On the  plus side:  if you get too warm, you can shed layers to adjust.
  • Wear A Hat-  Mom was right.  Always bring a warm hat that covers your ears to help keep that warmth inside.  A warm scaf, balaclava, or neck gaiter to go along with the hat is even more helpful.
  • Cotton Bad, Synthetic Good-  I love cotton.  Unless it’s wet and cold.  That’s because cotton is a terrible insulator once it gets wet.  That big ‘ol hoody sweatshirt?  Once it gets wet, it’s going to make you cold.
  • Plan Ahead-  There are no backpacks allowed out on the bridge during bridge day.  Make sure that you’re wearing what you need to stay warm if it’s cold out, and leave the backpacks behind.
  • Use your head-  If you’re out on the bridge and the weather is starting to get to you, find some shelter.  Grab a hot drink.  Go warm up.  It’s much easier to prevent hypothermia from happening (dangerous loss of body heat) than to fix it once it happens.

Bridge Day is always the 3rd Saturday in October.  So we always have to factor in weather for the event.  It’s just a part of it.  Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s not, but it’s always there.

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Motorcycles? Safety? Bridge Day? You Bet

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Bridge Day 2009.  What a great day to be in Southern West Virginia.

Like this, but on the New River Gorge Bridge

Like this, but on the New River Gorge Bridge

The state’s largest one day festival is an absolute blast, and if you haven’t been to the festival, you don’t know what you’re missing. With arts, crafts, food, rappelling, high line rides, fall foliage, and plenty of BASE jumpers, the Bridge Day is not to be missed.

This is the one day during the year that you can walk on the Western Hemisphere’s largest single arch bridge, and take in the view of the New River Gorge. Fall colors are at their peak, and the bridge offers a wonderful vista over one of the world’s oldest places.

This Bridge Day is also the Second Annual West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program Ride. This ride is to promote more awareness of motorcycles on the highways and safe interaction with other motor vehicles.

As motorcycle ridership has increased, so have accidents. There is a need to make all motorists aware of motorcycles and to watch closely for them during the riding season, which runs April through November.

The ride will be held on Saturday October 17 at 10 am (Bridge Day). Riders will meet at Songer Whitewater in Hico and travel south on Rt 19 across the bridge then, following Rt 16 North and Rt 60 East, back to Hico. This route crosses the New River and the bridge to highlight motorcycles on the highways to a large number of motorists attending Bridge Day.

The route also offers riders a scenic route through Southern West Virginia with views of the gorge and the fall colors. Riders will then have time to return to the bridge to enjoy the festivities.

While registration has closed for this year, we do want people to know that this is an ongoing event.  If you ride, but aren’t registered, you can still watch for us to come rolling across the bridge, right in the middle of all the action.

If you ride a bike and would like to participate in the ride in 2010, check the website for details. If you have not been to Bridge Day, make plans to do so. You won’t be disappointed!

Special Guest Post By:

Len Hanger over at Songer Whitewater, he helps organize the annual Bridge Day Motorcycle safety awareness ride.

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What To Taste at A Taste Of Bridge Day

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Taste of Bridge Day Friday Oct. 16th 5 – 9 p.m.

Start with dessert.

Taste of Bridge Day

Taste of Bridge Day

That’s just a little piece of advice if you’re planning on attending A Taste Of Bridge Day. It’s a party held annually the night before the big day, where everyone comes together to try out the best food the New River Gorge has to offer.

So, yes, because there’s no one telling you not to, try the dessert. It’s the best part anyway. Last year’s winner was this insane caramel bread pudding that made you question your definition of awesome for everything that you had ever eaten before it.

This year, something might beat it. So try the dessert first.

If you still have room, make sure you sample everything else there, and here’s why. The gorge is famous for combining down home style with world class cuisine. It’s cornbread meets cordon-bleu. There is definitely something that you’ve yet to try from the more than 100 participants at the Taste.

Another plus is the location. Smokey’s on the Gorge is not only a great restaurant, but it also overlooks the new river gorge. It’s a timber-frame, open air venue that shares as much in ambiance as it does with the fine foods that will be on the menu.

Finally, A Taste of Bridge Day is where all of the participants get to meet and greet for another year of Bridge Day. The atmosphere is fun, the people are family friendly, and a good time is guaranteed to be had by all.

Especially if you have dessert first :-)

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The Secret To Parking On Bridge Day

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Bridge Day is filled with cool stuff.  It’s like a New River Gorge Showcase in a day.  Plus parachutes.

But for everything that goes on that day (this year, Saturday October 17th), there’s one thing that people want to know more than anything else:  “Where do I park?”

Hey, it’s a fair question.  If you’re going to be attending West Virginia’s biggest festival, it’s an important piece of the puzzle.

So, here’s the secret to everything you need to know about parking on Bridge Day:  Planning.

With just a bit of advance planning, you can easily be at the event and out on the bridge with no trouble at all.

Let’s start with some logistics.  During Bridge Day itself, the bridge is closed to traffic.  From 7 A.M. to 5 P.M., only pedestrians, emergency vehichles, and the occasional rafting bus can cross the bridge.

That means you’ll have to drive around the bridge if you want to go by car to the opposite side.  And here’s the route: From Fayetteville, it’s Rt 16 west to Chimney Corner, then Rt 60 east through Ansted to Rt 19.  If you’re coming from the north, just reverse that:  60 west through Ansted to Chimney Corner, then 16 east to Fayetteville.

For the VAST majority of people, it’s easier just to park on one side of the bridge and stay there.  Then if you want to cross, you just walk across.  That’s part of what bridge day is all about anyway, right.

There is no parking right at the bridge.  Never has been, never will be- (except for handicap parking, which is plentiful on both sides).  Lucky for us, there are shuttle buses running on both sides of the bridge.  Here’s a rundown of where the shuttle stops are (all parking places are just off U.S. 19):

ON THE NORTH SIDE:

1.  Millroy Gross Rd, at the New River Campground

2.  Smales Branch Rd, in front of the Lighthouse Worship Center

3.  There’s some parking, but no shuttle stop, along Ames Heights Rd and Lansing Rd.  These leave you with about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile walk to the bridge.  Get there early for a space- otherwise, hit one of the shuttle stop parking areas.

ON THE SOUTH SIDE:

1.  Kroger/K-mart in Oak Hill

2.  Wal-Mart in Fayetteville

3.  Fayetteville High School

4.  Fayetteville Court House

The buses will all take you right up to the bridge.  When you’re finished, you can take a bus right back to where you started from.  Easy, peasy, mac-n-cheesy.

There’s an in depth chart and description right here, and you can download and print a map of all the shuttle stops.

And, if there’s anything we can do to help you plan a little more, just give us a call:  800-927-0263

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Bridge Day Chili Cookoff

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Is your chili hotter than the month of July or do you make a milder version that elicits raves instead of tears??

Regardless, the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau invites you to enter its first-ever “Bridge Day Chili Cookoff “ Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 3PM-9PM at the Courthouse Square in Fayetteville. Awards will be presented at 7:00 p.m. by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Chili chefs from all walks of life are encouraged to enter…individuals, restaurants, businesses fire departments, rafting companies, schools, civic organizations, etc. come compete with your hot chili in a cool town.

The Chili Cookoff will award cash prizes in three categories: Red and Verde chili and People’s Choice. Preparation should be done at home for the Red and Verde chili with a minimum of 5 gallons brought for the tasting. We will provide containers for the competition. Fill with chili and bring to the judging area between 4:45 and 5:00 p.m. Entry fee is $10.00. Download your entry form and enter.

Of course, in West Virginia a pot of chili isn’t complete without a pan of cornbread, so the Chili Cookoff will award trophies and cash prizes for traditional and non-traditional cornbread prepared at home. Containers will be provided for the competition. Fill with cornbread and bring to the judging area between 5:45 and 6:00 p.m. Cornbread entry is free.

Chili will be judged on taste, consistency, aroma, color and bite/aftertaste. Red chili cash prizes are $100. first ~ $50.second ~ $25. third. The People’s Choice winner will take home $100. First place in Verde chili will be $50.~ 2nd place $25.~ 3rd place $15.. Cornbread winners in each category will receive trophies and cash awards of $30.~ $20.~ $15. respectively.

Plan to serve chili from 4 to 7 p.m. or until you run out.

This event will be a great way to turn your Bridge Day into a full day. Shuttles will be provided until 10:00 p.m. for returns to the scheduled Bridge Day shuttle stops. There will be live music throughout the afternoon and evening, a harvest celebration including the local Farmers Market, a quilt show, flower and produce exhibits and children’s’ events, broadcasting of the football game between state rivals WVU and Marshall, a beer garden, wine tasting, specials offered at the local shops and restaurants, Fun Factory Inflatable Carnival for the kids and much more. Entertainment will continue until 9:30 ish.

Watch ‘em jump off, then watch ‘em cook off! Rain or shine, the chili will be devine.

The 1st Annual Bridge Day Chili Cookoff is brought to you by the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau and the following partners: the WV Department of Agriculture, Swirl and the Fayetteville Lion’s Club.

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