Gear Garage Live Show | August 20th, 2024

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater.

Topics and links that Zach talked about this episode

• AW Accident Database
• Cataraft Flip Line
• Answer Questions

Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode

Topic: Class V Rafting

I recently R2ed down Gore Canyon on the Colorado for the first time. I went because the water level was perfect, the group was trustworthy, and I personally think I am experienced enough for class V. I have 2 years commercial guiding experience and 6 years of private boating, mostly in class IV. My R2 partner and I hit all our lines perfectly and it was an incredible day.

That being said, I was still surprised at the difficulty and danger level of the river. To me, rafting class V consistently seems like you are rolling the dice on getting hurt or killed. Some class V rapids come down to a wave surging at the right time or the wrong time. Unlike class I-IV, it looks like the difference between swimming and not swimming is not purely skill, but also some randomness. If you hit a class V rapid often enough, you may find yourself in a sieve simply because you got unlucky.

Do you agree? Or do you think that with enough training, experience, fitness, and skill, people can raft class V with total control over their situation. I would like to think that this is true, because damn did I love Gore Canyon...