The Gauley River is not for the timid. Each year for 22 days in late summer the Summersville Dam is released and river rats from all over flock to the river to test their manhood.There are rapids from Class I to Class V on the river where the chutes have names such as Lost Paddle, Shipwreck and Iron Ring. Most trips start at the Summersville Dam and go for about ten miles, at which point some camp for the night cookout and traverse the rest of the river the following day. As many as a dozen different outfitters take people down the river. There are jump rocks, naturally fed jacuzzi's at camp and a patronage that borders on the psychotic. Other rapid names are known as Pure Screaming Hell and Hungry Mother. The Gauley river is known as the toughest river to run east of the Mississippi. The Gauley River is not for the timid. Each year for 22 days in late summer the Summersville Dam is released and river rats from all over flock to the river to test their manhood.There are rapids from Class I to Class V on the river where the chutes have names such as Lost Paddle, Shipwreck and Iron Ring. Most trips start at the Summersville Dam and go for about ten miles, at which point some camp for the night cookout and traverse the rest of the river the following day. As many as a dozen different outfitters take people down the river. There are jump rocks, naturally fed jacuzzi's at camp and a patronage that borders on the psychotic. Other rapid names are known as Pure Screaming Hell and Hungry Mother. The Gauley river is known as the toughest river to run east of the Mississippi.