Upper Gauley

Hungry Mother

INFORMATION

RAPID NAME: Hungry Mother

RAPID RATING: Class III

RIVER SECTION: Upper Gauley

The Hungry Mother is a powerful hydraulic in the center of the river, which makes for a great but retentive surf if you wish to test it. The hole can be easily missed to the right.

Below Hungry Mother, the river washes around to both sides of a small rocky island. The water that washes to the right of the island pushes into a deeply undercut boulder with a sizable log jammed into it. This is very dangerous. Be sure to avoid it by staying to the left side of the island.

View Aerial Images of Hungry Mother Rapid

Video - Hungry Mother at 2800 cfs

Great surfing footage at the Hungry Mother Surf Hydraulic. Surfing by both kayaks and rafts.

Video - Dangerous Undercut Downstream of Surf

Special public service bulletin: avoid the right channel if you happen to float into the rapid downstream of Hungry Mother.