Animas

A couple of notes to add to Tom's excellent

description:

Above about 3,500 CFS, those class V- rapids

become more like class V rapids, particularly

No Name, with dire swim consequences (a

mile or more of continuous IV+ following).

Also, Tom doesn't mention the Rockwood Box.

It is a notch up in difficulty (and danger) from

the rest of the run. So if you're running the rest

of the river and on your edge, the Box is NOT

recommended. I've run it at 4,500, and that

was the most intense 20 minutes I've spent in

30 years of boating (very different from the run

at 2,500 cfs). I don't know what to call it rating-

wise, but adrenaline-wise it was V++ at the

high water. It's great if you're capable of

staying in control in the box, but rescues at

high water will be impossible and swims

deadly. If in doubt, take one of the alternative

routes out.