How to run Sweet Falls Rapid
Sweet Falls is the final major rapid of the Upper Gauley River, and really ends with a bang. There’s nowhere really to go but to blow up this ledge hole right down the middle. Get as much momentum as humanly possible, and stay away from the left and right banks of this rapid, both of which have hazards. The right side of the drop is lot a steeper and retentive, whereas the left side has a nasty rock that you will definitely not want to hit. Take this feature head on, and hang on.
Downstream of the main ledge hole, watch out for the large boulder, which you will definitely want to work to stay right of. The left channel takes you through a mostly unnavigable rock garden. Do your best to stay out of here.