Verdon — Grand Canyon (Pont de Carajuan to Pont du Galetas / Lac de Sainte-Croix)

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Classe IV-V (VI/X, mandatory portages at Styx-Imbut). One of Europe's legendary canyon descents: 24 km between 300 m limestone walls with no escape except by river once past the Couloir Samson below Point Sublime. Named rapids include Le Niagara, Le Cyclope, Le Styx, L'Imbut, Les Molosses and Les Assomoirs; the Styx/Imbut zone is riddled with siphons and undercuts where the entire river can disappear under boulders - several passages are always portaged and the Styx is a known killer. Scouting from the water is hard; go with someone who knows the lines, time the release window carefully, and expect a full expedition day finishing across Lac de Sainte-Croix flatwater to the Galetas bridge. Expert class V teams only. Season: EDF release dependent (Chaudanne ~22 m3/s, 07:00-12:00 release reaching Carajuan ~3 h and Galetas ~8 h later); July-August typically Tuesdays and Fridays only Gauge reference: EDF Chaudanne/Castillon release schedule (info-lâchers Verdon); releases ~22 m3/s

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