New River Gorge National River

New River Gorge Bridge Hosted 1,062 BASE Jumps on Bridge Day, and Jumpers Say that is Not Nearly Enough

Submitted by Bob Janiskee on November 3, 2008 - 5:25pm

The 29th annual Bridge Day Festival that was held October 18 on New River Gorge Bridge attracted 155,000 people, including 383 BASE-jumpers. During the course of the day the jumpers collected 1,062 jumps, two fractures, and one impromptu trip (sans raft) through class IV whitewater. Will jumpers get more access to the bridge in the future?

At New River Gorge National River, an Iconic Bridge Attracts Suicide Jumpers

Submitted by Bob Janiskee on September 16, 2008 - 2:00am

In the predawn darkness of September 9, a 25-year old Ohio man leaped to his death from the New River Gorge Bridge at New River Gorge National River. In his car, investigators found a Mapquest map with directions from his home to the bridge. Like many before him, this victim had carefully planned to end his life at an architectural icon far from his home.

Delaware Can Relax; The New National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Series Will Celebrate “National Sites” Too

Submitted by Bob Janiskee on July 26, 2008 - 9:23am

Congress is likely to authorize a national parks quarter dollar coin series. Emulating the popular 50 States Quarter® Program, the proposed series would issue five new park quarters per year beginning in 2010. Each state, territory, and the District of Columbia would be represented. Even Delaware.

Waterfall Along Dunloup Creek

National Park Quiz 3: Bridges

Submitted by Bob Janiskee on May 21, 2008 - 2:43am

Bridges are among the most favored of all human structures. They serve us well, make a bold visual statement, and open the door to a storehouse of memories. Who doesn’t admire the elegant lines of a suspension bridge? Who can look at a covered bridge without thinking of a time when life was simpler and slower and friendlier? This week's quiz will find out how much you know about the bridges and bridge-related things in our national parks. Answers are at the end. No peeking.

Creature Feature: Hellbenders

Submitted by Chance Finegan on April 14, 2008 - 2:30am

Despite their curious name, “hellbenders” are not demons of the night but rather amphibious environmental monitors of Southeastern creeks and streams. Known to some old-timers as “walking catfish,” these super-sized salamanders gained the “hellbender” moniker for their freakish size and dark, moody color.

Jumping Off Bridge an Annual Tradition in New River Gorge

Submitted by jersu on October 22, 2007 - 3:11am

Annually, on the third weekend of October, thousands of spectators watch over the course of the day as hundreds of BASE jumpers leap from the top of New River Gorge Bridge with the hope their parachutes take them safely to the river's shore, 876 feet below.