The most dangerous rapids in the world

Ok so I don't know if thats true, but that is what the Niagra Falls tour guides are saying.
I have been on level 4 and that was scary for me, I can't even imagine taking these on!!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Niagra
• Falls
• rapids
• river
• fast
• water

[Kaybi76]

these are the niagra falls rapids and they are level 6, they dont let people go down them because of all the deaths, so you decide.

[TheNineveh]

No actually the Tsangpo river in China has the most dangerous rapids.

[callumbix]

No, this in not the most difficult rapid in the world, though a difficult big water run it is, people have done it, as well as more difficult and dangerous rapids and waterfalls. Many more would run it if it were legal. It is class five by every official whitewater source, the guides just say it is a six because they don't want people who have gone rafting once on class four runs like the Gauley and been told they are class fives running it and dieing.

[technoobyaful]

isnt that the snake river?

[AlSwearengen15]

@WanabeWingsuitPilot

You are right, ratings are subjective. One person's V is another's IV+, and so on. For me, class VI would be whitewater that is on the utter fringe of navigability. Stuff that puts the classic class V's like the Gauley or Gore Canyon to shame but can still be run by top experts in the best conditions. Class VII I wouldn't call class VII but what guidebooks often list as (P) or (U). Rapids or waterfalls that simply are not and never will be runnable. Anyway, happy paddling!

[WanabeWingsuitPilot]

@AlSwearengen15 Then what exactly differentiates a class 6 from 7? Seems to be the same to me, besides AW even states that their system isn't exact. Sounds like a pompous pride thing to me lol. <-- The idea, not you. You seem intelligent and seasoned.

Also From American Whitewater: "... American version of a rating system...to compare river difficulty ... This system is not exact; rivers do not always fit easily into one category... " quote is a bit longer, wouldn't fit

[AlSwearengen15]

@WanabeWingsuitPilot

From American Whitewater:

"Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run."

[AlSwearengen15]

@WanabeWingsuitPilot Try any guidebook that lists something like V+(P). The "P" stands for portage, which is exactly what I am talking about with a "new" grade beyond class VI. The description of the grades in "Colorado Rivers and Creeks" explains it. We have several class "VI" rapids here in colorado that get run occasionally, such as Harmon Falls on South Boulder Creek in Eldo Canyon or Paralyzer on Lake Creek. I taught kayaking for ten years, so I too have some river experience.

[WanabeWingsuitPilot]

@AlSwearengen15 Strange that I can't find any information to back that up (any links?).. Nothing about it on the internet, and none of my fellow river guides can attest either. Since the "classifications" ( or grade, their interchangeable but i don't think you know that due to your perentheses) are already based on boatibility I don't see a reason to create a new class for an unrunnable rapid. Usually what happens when a class 6 rapid has been run enough times, it gets dropped to a 5+...

[AlSwearengen15]

@WanabeWingsuitPilot "actually class 6 does exists, it's considered UNRUNNABLE.... the highest RUNNABLE level is 5+ and that alone will make you sh** your pants"

That's not considered true anymore. People started running stuff that was formerly rated class VI so they opened the scale. Nowadays class VI rapids are ones that are at the utter fringe of boatability. A new "grade" has been created beyond class VI which encompasses rapids that are not humanly possible to negotiate.

[stillrob420]

you can wade across that, easily