River's End

Perhaps the toughest rapid on the Lower Yough, this one has a couple of rocks with pinning potential. The normal line is to start in the center with increasing left angle, and work strongly to eddy out behind the big rock on the left called "Whale Rock". The objective is to stay away from the wall like rock on the right called "The Wall" AKA "Flat Iron" unless you intend to eddy out to the right and power ferry across. There are a line of rocks running into the current in a line from "The Wall"/"Flat Iron" rock called (in order) "Snaggletooth," several "pinning" rocks, and "Wash Up" rock which you are trying to avoid by staying tight to the left behind "Whale Rock". Finally, some boaters like to run a hard tight line between "Snaggletooth" and "The Wall"/"Flat Iron" into the eddy below. There is a nice big eddy immediately below the rocks on the line from "The Wall"/"Flat Iron". The rapid continues with the main current going from left to center with additional eddies to catch and another big rock to dodge with a pool below.

High water comments: 1) This is a rapid that does not "wash out," - the main line remains the same - but requires more and more skill and power. 2) At higher water, there is a rarely done Class IV creek line to the right of "The Wall"/"Flat Iron" rock, but watch out for strainers...

Low water comment: Low water exposes additional rocks and a mid channel ledge. Many paddlers find, at low water, that it is easier to eddy right in the beginning of the rapid and power ferry across to one of the eddies behind "Whale Rock". This allows you to see the additional rocks and ledge and plan a better line -- but don't get blown on the ferry...