Lost Paddle (V) - Just below the Gauley's confluence with the Meadow River and the historic Carnifex Ferry site, the river bends sharply to the right and into Lost Paddle (V). It is the longest single rapid on the river and is broken up into four main drops, although above 4000 cfs, it all runs together into a huge continuous mess. Because of it's length and gradient, Lost Paddle is impossible to scout in its entirety from one location. The vegetation on the banks is also pretty thick throughout and there are lots of copperheads down there on the rocks. In other words, the shore can be more uninviting than the water, so be careful. It is a real good idea to check the river gauges before running the Gauley. The Meadow River can at times contribute considerable volume to the Gauley, and it doesn't take much water to make a significant change in the nature of the run.

The top of the rapid is rocky and shallow. There are only a few channels that are wide enough to accommodate rafts, all of which start in the center and funnel to the right. I like to key off of the pyrimid rock in the center of the river at the very top of the rapid. I like to enter just to the left of it. There are numerous possible entrances for kayakers. The current quickly converges over to the right and funnels down into a well defined wave train. It is good to stay to the left side of this wave train to avoid some undercut rocks on the right bank.

The main channel on the Second Drop is made up of of fast moving shallow, rocky water. The most notable feature here is the Hawaii 5-0 wave on the left side of the channel. It's a great hit followed by a steep drop and a quick acceleration. There are numerous undercuts on the far right side of the Second Drop that should be avoided. The water at the bottom of this section pushes directly towards Six Pack Rock in the center of the river. It can be avoided on both the right and the left. The house sized boulder below Six Pack on the right is extremely undercut.

The most notable feature in the Third Drop is the shallow and violent hole in the middle of the channel. It can be missed both to the left and the right. There is a bit of slack water at the bottom of the third drop, and a big eddy on the right. Copperheads can almost always be found in the ledges on the shore between the Third and Fourth Drops, so watch where you step if you're getting out to scout the last and most technical section of Lost Paddle.

The entrance to Tumble Home, Lost Paddle's Fourth Drop, is split by a large jagged boulder in the middle of the river. The right hand route, though more technical, avoids the chance of messing up and getting funneled into one of the death traps on the left side. You will enter to the right of this jagged boulder and immediately ferry to the left to avoid the slanted undercut on the bank. You should then be looking to drop down a left to right slot between boulders. Once through here, the current charges quickly for the exit which is broken into four slots by some large boulders. The two on the far left are wide and clean. The two foot wide Mail Slot is the next one to the right; and should be avoided like the plague. At high water (above 4000 cfs), it is possible to exit out the far right slot, to avoid ferrying in front of the mail slot.

The left line is a bit less technical than the right, however the consequences for error could be very severe. The left line starts near the shore with a slide over a sloping ledge into a weak hydraulic. Once through this you will immediately want to ferry over to the first wide channel on the right to reconnect with those who chose the right entrance.. Almost every rock in Tumble Home is undercut.