Upset Rapid

8/21/2024 - Colorado River mile 150.1, class VIII Upset rapid on day eleven of sixteen on a private trip from Lee's Ferry to Pearce Ferry. We made a stop at the top of this rapid to scout. There's the line to the right, which is what I attempted, but failed to line up properly at the hole towards the end of the rapid. This nearly tossed me out and fortunately did not flip the raft. There is also a line to river left, up against the wall. We ran another 10.4 miles and set up camp at Mile 160.5 camp that evening. The classification system that is currently used in the US for rapids is the well-known "Class I - Class V" -- for all rivers EXCEPT the Colorado in Grand Canyon and Cataract Canyon above Lake Powell. This classifications system actually started in Grand Canyon several decades ago to rate all the rapids in Grand Canyon. Originally, this system had a 1 - 10 scale, which is very helpful (kinda necessary) in rating the 160+ rapids. The 1-10 ratings also allow for different rapids at different water levels. Since the Colorado is damn-controlled, water flows can vary greatly from day to day, and even by the hour. Some rapids get much easier at lower level, and some get much, much more difficult. Vice-versa.