Upper Animas River into Rockwood Box, Carnage at Mandatory Thrashing, Epic Durango Day Trip: Part 2

Second part of the Cascade Creek (3rd Gorge Lime Creek) run. Around 8 miles on the Animas River, including 2 miles through the Rockwood Box. Had the beta for Mandatory Thrashing wrong and got led down the left side instead of the right. Most of us cleared it, but one unlucky boater took a thrashing, which led to a series of swims through the vertical walled canyon. Fortunately, the crew was able to wrangle the boat and paddle a couple hundred yards downstream.
Rapids:
Mandatory Thrashing 2:09
Red Wall 8:57

[@pezeshki]

Ran that 30 years ago at 5.5K. When I dropped into Mandatory Thrash (on the right side) I remember thinking "huh -- well at least I know why they call it Mandatory Thrash..."

[@travishalford5223]

You can tell that was a cold and miserable swim. Hats off boys

[@kenaipeninsulawhitewater5650]

Cool canyon, looks like mostly class IV? Also... near epic barely avoided

[@derekhankins]

Yes, class IV at these flows, pushes V at high water

[@gallonofcactus]

Pogies and shorty dry top lol. People from the square state are odd.

[@derekhankins]

It was nice and warm at the put in, then he got cold halfway down and had to borrow some pogies 😂

[@mikeprue2707]

Looks like someone was unprepared for the adventure, and they make weird Animal noises. Ha

[@derekhankins]

Haha one bad line can mess up your day in there for sure