Upper Gauley
Thumper
INFORMATION
RAPID NAME: Thumper
RAPID RATING: Class III
RIVER SECTION: Upper Gauley
Below Sweet’s Falls, the river lets up a bit as it meanders its way through some large boulders and breathtaking scenery. You will know that you are approaching Thumper when your view downstream becomes blocked by a sizable accumulation of boulders. Kayakers have the option of entering to the left or to the right; however rafts should choose the left entrance because it provides a much wider channel for navigation. The main flow of the rapid moves from left to right and over a bumpy ledge system.
View Aerial Images of Thumper Rapid
Thumper Rapid at 2800 cfs
Filmed from upstream, this video describes the features present in Thumper Rapid and includes footage of whitewater rafting through the rapid..
SELECT A RAPID BELOW
- Entrance
- Initiation
- Little Z
- Upper Collison Creek
- Lower Collison Creek
- Geek Wave
- Slant Rock
- Bud’s Boner
- Insignificant
- Screaming S-Turn
- Pick a Slot
- Iron Curtain
- Pillow Rock (V)
- Scales
- Bubble Rock
- Hungry Mother
- Meadow View
- First Drop of Lost Paddle
- Second Drop of Lost Paddle (V)
- Fourth Drop (AKA Tumblehome)
- Conestoga
- Shipwreck Rock
- Iron Ring
- Keegan’s Falls
- Double Dilemma
- Fingernail Rock
- Sweet’s Falls
- Thumper
- Nemesis
- Gillespie’s Hole
- Chicken Ender