See the list further below if this is the kind of rafting trip you are looking to start out with. Class II rapids are easy to navigate, generally broad sections of water moving fast enough to create 1 - 3 foot whitecaps.
These are waves that are readily seen amidst broad channels that can be spotted without scouting the route from the shoreline. Some maneuvering is required to keep boat headed straight into each approaching wave. Class III rapids feature waves up to 4 or 5 feet tall that will crash over the bow.
Currents hydraulics will feel stronger, possibly channeling between brief narrow passages such as boulders or a cliff wall. Boats will shimmy and jolt with the increased punch of these larger waves, but generally the jolt is brief, with calmer and wider recovery area below each obstacle or wave.
Plenty of excitement and fun with a guide at the helm! Non-guided rafters can find themselves in trouble in Class III rapids. Larger waves, narrow passages and multiple obstacles to avoid, which require precise maneuvering to avoid upset. These rapids tend to be longer, steeper and more "technical" which translates to turns, spins and lateral moves across the current. Another deserved level up from Class IV rapids, these look different bigger and more intense.
Expect vertical drops, strong currents, big waves, boulders and holes large enough to flip or hold boats in their more powerful hydraulics. Generally considered "un-navigable" or "un-runnable", these are amplified versions of what you would find in Class V rapids. Western River Expeditions matches the size of it's boats to the size of the whitewater, so in many ways it depends more on the raft you choose, or where you sit on that raft than which river you choose.
If you can grip a rope and follow the guide's instructions, you are as ready as you need to be for starting out. On rivers where the rapids are more moderate may vary on water levels , we may bring along paddleboats and inflatable kayaks to let the more adventurous get their thrill while the more conservative can simply grip the ropes on an oar-powered raft.
When the rapids are large mid-high water Cataract Canyon and all season in Grand Canyon , we use our patented J-rig raft that is more stable and offers a very fun ride. Sit up front for the whitewater rodeo, or stay back in the middle of the raft a. Several of our trips offer a way to get your feet wet pun intended with whitewater rafting!
You don't have to know a lot before getting to the river, our guides can give you all the instruction you need. Rapids on this stretch are fun, but not intimidating. Two nights of comfort in town and one night camping along a more mellow stretch of the Colorado River in gorgeous Castle Valley near Moab, Utah.
See: Southwest Sampler. Possibly the best river trip for satisfying kids from ages 5 to Enjoy nearly 60 rapids that are more fun than scary in an oar boat or an inflatable kayak.
Massive flash flood events in side canyons rip up boulders and send them hurtling into the river, creating debris fields at the mouth of the canyon. These debris fields form technical rapids choked with obstacles.
Straightforward, wide rapids with several clearly navigable channels. Some easy maneuvering may be required. Rapids have strong eddies and currents and moderately sized waves. Good boat control is required, but major hazards are easily avoidable. Rapids are powerful and turbulent with large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages. Safe navigation requires precise boat handling. Rapids often require "must-make" moves to avoid dangerous hazards.
Rapids are long, obstructed, and violent with exposure to substantial risk. They require expert-level boat handling to navigate unavoidable waves and holes or steep, narrow chutes. Class VI runs are un-runnable to to all but the most advanced paddlers, and are the frontier of whitewater difficulty.
Rapids must be run without error, and rescue may be impossible. The river is a very dynamic setting, with many factors coming into play. The grading of rapids is very subjective and can vary from region to region. If you are unsure remember to start small. Nick Wright is a river guide at Northwest Rafting Company.
Some rapids become more technical and more difficult at lower water levels. Second, the classification system does not take into account the type of boat being paddled.
Some rapids may present particular challenges for rafts, while other rapids may be more difficult for a whitewater paddler in a kayak. Finally, major events like landslides, ice storms or floods can change the shape of rapids, thus altering their classification. The bottom line is that assigning numbers to rivers is inherently subjective. Rivers are a natural force subject to change at anytime. Please call us at Wet Planet if you have any questions about which rivers are appropriate for your group.
Privacy Policies Sitemap Contact. Start planning next year's adventures and thinking about holiday gifts! Don't miss out - sign up for the newsletter now. Reserve Now. Whitewater Classification System from flat moving water to not advised to run chaos. The classification system for whitewater rivers is not an exact science. At Wet Planet, we use the following internationally accepted rating system: Class I: Moving water with a few riffles and small waves.
Class II: Easy rapids with smaller waves, clear channels that are obvious without scouting. Class III: Rapids with high, irregular waves. Class IV: Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require complex maneuvering in turbulent water. Class V: Extremely difficult, long, and very violent rapids with highly congested routes, which should be scouted from shore.
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