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Tour West Credits: Site photography provided by Tom Hansen
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International Scale of River Difficulty
| CLASS | RIVER AND RAPID DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
I |
Easy: small waves, riffles; correct course easy to find; minor obstacles. |
II |
Medium: Continuous current, regular waves, and frequent rapids; course generally easy to recognize. |
III |
Difficult: High irregular waves, obstacles, and rapids require maneuvering; course not easily recognizeable; swamps open canoes. |
IV |
Very difficult: Long and continuous rapids, powerful waves, boiling eddies, and holes that will keep a boat; scouting mandatory. |
V |
Exceedingly difficult: Long, violent rapids with difficult, irregular, unavoidable high waves and holes; extreme obstruction; rescue difficult. |
VI |
Limit of navigability: All difficulties increased to the limit; cannot be attempted without risk of life. |