GNAR PROFILE: Big Falls, South Fork of the Payette

This week's feature Gnar Profile is Big Falls on the South Fork of the Payette. This famous rapid has chewed up and spit out rafters, kayakers, creature crafters, and just about anyone else who doesn't stick their lines for years. Once considered nearly unrunnable, this rapid is scarcely less feared today. The following are a series of videos that give an excellent idea of why this rapid deserves a nomination and inclusion in the Gnar Monkeys Hall of Shame.

MEGA BEATDOWN AT HIGH WATER
This video of a kayaker getting trashed at Big Falls at high water will steal your breath. Lucky to have a plentiful rescue team on hand to pull him out of the gnarly backwash!




MULTIPLE KAYAKERS ATTEMPTING BIG FALLS AT MEDIUM WATER
Multiple kayakers descending Big Falls at medium water, including some successful lines and some...well... less successful lines:

 

CREATURE CRAFT BEATDOWN

Nasty experience with a creature craft at Big Falls. Proof these boats are not infallible!

Wow! An impressive collection of Big Falls videos all of which display the gnarly nature of this rapid and its eminence as one of Idaho and the West's most challenging rapids.

VIDEO: South Fork of the Payette Carnage

This is a video of a serious beatdown on Big Falls of Idaho's South Fork of the Payette. This video shows the dangers of high water and (in my opinion) hubris as this paddler let his ego and the pressure of the cameras get in the way of his better judgement. He is lucky to escape with just a a few lungfuls of water and a harrowing story.