Monday, September 25, 2006 -- Summersville, WV
The ANIMAL Upper Gauley Race (iPO Event Id#: 7753)

2006 ANIMAL: [Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [JR's Photos] [Julz's Photos]

Past Coverage: [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001] [2004] [2005]

Story and photos by Julie Black with additional photos by JR Petsko (JR's website)

Wildwater boats slice the boil at Pillow Rock Rapid

The Beast of the East is a nickname that only one river can live up to, the Gauley. Dropping more than 668 feet through 24 miles of rock cliff canyon lands, the dam releases an incredible volume of water, 2800 cfs in the fall season, creating huge waves and technical runs.

The big five rapids on the Upper section are Class IV-V, and the entire ANIMAL race took place on all five runs. Paddlers encountered the five class V's in this order, Insignificant, Pillow Rock, Lost Paddle, Iron Ring, and ending at Sweet's Falls. The best photo spot was Pillow and all of our race photos were taken from there.