In addition to Pete’s work with the Sierra Club in Blacksburg, Pete and his wife, Beth, spent many summers leading canoe trips down the New River of Virginia, primarily in the Blacksburg area and west. One run they often took was Ripplemead to Hale’s Landing (Bluff City). (see map)

“One of the best whitewater runs in all of Virginia offering Class I and II’s throughout the entire length of the float. In addition to scenic, towering bluffs along the banks, this is one of the top paddling trips in the southeast. Big Stony Creek, a stocked trout stream, enters on river right about halfway through the trip and Clendenin Shoals, located about 2 miles from the takeout, is a strong Class II rapid with large wave trains throughout. Smallmouth and musky fishing is good throughout the float, particularly in the oxygenated riffles during the warmer months. Take out on river left just below the Route 460 Bridge.”