Danger River, 1947

[Music] these are the most dangerous Waters known to man a wild and angry flood surging boiling rushing headlong through the deep and treacherous Gorge of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado From the Canyon South Rim the mighty Colorado is a seemingly Broad and Placid stream winding its peaceful way toward the Gulf of [Music] California but to those Intrepid explorers who stake their lives against a safe passage down its turbulent Rapids it is known as danger River roaring an everlasting challenge to that spirit in man which would tame the untameable over 125 men have attempted to run these Dangerous Waters less than 60 have succeeded meet Norman Neville world's number one roughwater Boatman he's in charge of our Expedition careful preparations are made the plywood boats are reinforced with strips of Oak the heavy IR iron orlocks are wrapped to protect the ore no detail is too small no precaution too [Music] exactive only the beest essentials are taken along finally after weeks of tedious preparation the Expedition gets underway the boats are carted to Lee's Ferry starting point for the Hazardous [Music] Adventure rationed Provisions are carefully stowed in watertight compartments the first stretch of dangerous water Badger Rapids Neville gives final instruction to the apprehensive vatman nervous no wonder once you start there's no turning [Music] back no arguments about wearing life jackets here there they go Stern first into the Raging t keep away from that hole look out a half ton of boat flipped like a pancake swimming in these Rapids is impossible it's hang on or else they were lucky that time the bo is bailed up ready for the next run here's how it should be done the Bist one Stern first into the rapid you face your danger here it's where you're going the towns not where you've been [Music] oh what handed stuff eh you're going to get wet [Music] [Music] hey stay away from that explosion way there's a 40t suction hole in front of it here's a reminder of an ill- fated Expedition and the these are the remains of a Boatman who tempted fate once too often now for a little exploration 2,000 ft above the water Cliff Dwellings once the home of the basket Weavers ancient pbl Indians they lived in these caves over a thousand years ago [Music] a side trip up a canyon off the Colorado talk about an Angler's Paradise fresh rainbow trout and when you've been on rations of hardack and muddy coffee for weeks brother that's a treat hi there bu how did you get down in this Canyon now back to business and danger River this is the Fain sck doer rapid in Granite Gorge called the graveyard of the Colorado those waves are 30 ft High [Music] watch the boats closely on this rock you will see them sucked under Disappear Completely there they go this is rapid number 233 the last of the rough water like the pot of gold at Rainbow's End is this yellow Mountain we've come to Lake me the Mighty Colorado has been [Music] conquered fors continue to Roar to fire fit their lives against its R River Eternal challenge to man's un [Music]