A Whitewater guide to the rivers of chile
Estero Lechoso is an intense, class V+ committing run of great beauty. Directly below the put-in lies a majestic, runnable slot canyon with a navigable cataract at the bottom. The river then meanders for a couple of hundred meters until the walls constrict again. At this point, the gradient increases dramatically as the Lechoso topples [...]
Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Robby Dastin
Filed under: chile, class 5, Region XI | No Comments »
Like a cement truck, the Teno’s cold, gray torrent churns through a short, sheer-walled canyon 22 km above Los Queñes. This mini-gorge sharply contrasts with the glacially-carved valley above and below it. Virtually the entire run is visible from the road that parallels the river. Portage around an ugly combination of sieves, logs, and a [...]
Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 3, class 4, Region VII | No Comments »
At low water, the Mañihuales sports several good play spots amidst a few class III–IV rapids that can be partially scouted from the road that parallels the river. Clear, green water courses through a spacious, pastoral valley offering great views of distant peaks. Its wide riverbed indicates a potentially good big water run in the [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 3, class 4, Region XI | No Comments »
This beautiful creek flows between two unrunnable canyons. Easily scouted from the road, the Claro starts out class IV in difficulty, eases up a bit, then returns to class IV. After turning away from the road, the river drops through a unrunnable, convoluted slot canyon. The water volume doubles by late afternoon due to daily [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 4, Region XI | No Comments »
Following description was provided by former Sobek river guide Monty Becker In contrast to the tumultuous whitewater upstream, the lower Baker is a beautiful, muy tranquilo, multi-day float through the heart of central Patagonia. The first descent of the river in 1983 by Francisco Valle and Luis Ortega was part of their epic, month-long circumnavigation [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 2, Region XI | No Comments »
Only 1 km in length this short, difficult run (class V+•VI ) is quite different from the section upstream. After bursting over the lip of the 8 m high falls dowstrream of the hydroplant, the Cochrane explodes in a series of drops that require caution. From Cochrane, 337 km south of Coiyaique, drive out of [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 5, Region XI | No Comments »
We were dead tired after many days of nonstop scouting and boating when we crossed Puente Cañal. Draining the glittering heights of Cordon Contreras (2602 m), the Río El Cañal flows out of the westernmost edge of Campo de Hielo Norte. Even though the sight of this milky green, glacial creek tumbling out of the [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 4, class 5, Region XI | No Comments »
This short 6 km, class V trip makes for an interesting combination of tight, technical boating on the Bosque averaging 53 mpk or 280 FPM @ 300 CFS, culminating with a high volume flush thru the Río Ibañez narrows. The Bosque’s clear water contrasts sharply with the brown, silty water of the Ibañez. Start your [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 5, Region XI | No Comments »
The Rio Jeinemeni flows through a very unique part of Chile. Located in Aiysen in the 11th Region of Southern Patagonia, the Jeinemeni is one of the upper tributaries of the Baker and empties its waters into South America´s second largest lake Lago general Carrera at 202 meters above sea level. Born in the glaciers [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: chile, class 3, class 4, Region XI | No Comments »
The Río Los Maitenes is only recommended for that paddler who loves the commitment of a slot canyon, is willing to climb on crumbly rock, and thrash through thick, inpenetrable thorn bushes. At medium-to-high flows, you will have to endure these hazards during a mandatory portage that requires you to climb out of the canyon, [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 5, Region XI | No Comments »
The Río Avilés is my favorite of the many streams that empty into Lago General Carrera. First explored by Arnd Schaeftlein, Bernd Sommer, Josh Lowry, Dave Kashinski, Oliver Grau, and Manuel Arnu in January 1996, this committing trip requires a 2-3 hour scout from both canyon rims to confirm that its slot canyon is free [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 5, Region XI | No Comments »
The best stretch of boating on the upper Maichín consists of a section of a class III-IV rapids above Puente Basas. Approximately 1 km below the put-in, the river flows through a 1.5 km long-columnar basalt gorge. The drops are straightforward and boat scoutable from eddies. The cold, clear river flows through a bucolic countryside [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 3, class 4, pucon, Region IX | No Comments »
While paddling down the still free flowing stretch of the Upper Bío-Bío, the magnificent view of Volcán Callaqui (3050 m) first comes into view at the confluence with the Río Llanquén. This little drainage offers a fun, short, steep creek run for the energetic boat hiker. The tight moves in the narrow streambed require precise [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 4, class 5, Region VIII | No Comments »
Like the beads of a lapis lazuli necklace, Lagos Riñihue, Panguipulli, Neltume and Pirehuico are linked together by the Rios San Pedro, Enco, Neltume, and Fuy. For beginning kayakers, the Enco is a good place to practice the basics of ferry angles, eddy turns, bracing, and rolling, with little manuevering required in the wide-open rapids. [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 2, Region XIV De Los Rios | No Comments »
Very similar in character to the nearby Río Ralco, the Chalquilvin is the Lomín’s other major tributary. Its sustained gradient creates many boat-scoutable, pool-drop rapids in a tight, shallow gorge. Unfortunately, when the bridge collapsed over the Lomín, easy access to the Chaquilvin was lost. Now only die-hard boat hikers or horses make the journey [...]
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 4, Region IX | Comments Off
The terminator stretch combines big water playboating potential with the heart stomping option of running the gut of its biggest rapid terminator. The water is irridescent blue and generally warm and the scenery spectacular. Due to an upstream dam in Argentina the river has year round water. Winter months are cold and the river is [...]
Posted on October 21st, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: chile, class 4, class 5, Region X | No Comments »
This is a 9 km run with a drop of 124 meters or average of 16 m/km (80 FPM). Best run in spring or early summer when flows exceed 700 CFS but can also be run well into summer at lower flows. The river originates from the snowfields on Volcan Lonquimay 2865 meters so the [...]
Posted on October 21st, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: chile, class 3, class 4, Region IX | No Comments »
The run is 4km long with average gradient of 165 FPM. Put in is at 1100 meters at Salto Las Chilcas and takeout is at the ENDESA reservoir 975 meters. Class 4 +/5- run best in spring and summer. The Río Laja rips through a geologic wonderland upstream from Salto del Laja, a popular roadside [...]
Posted on October 21st, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 5, Region VII | No Comments »
The class 4, class 4+ Río Ralco flows through an enchanting, basalt canyon drenched in luscious springs, and draped with water-loving chilcos (Fuchsia magellanica), a fuchsia-like flower with bright red sepals and bluish-purple petals. Its sparkling water courses through a maze of boat-scoutable, pool-drop rapids. None of the drops are very tough, but be wary [...]
Posted on October 20th, 2009 by John Foss (posthumously)
Filed under: chile, class 4, Region VII | No Comments »
The Rio Tolten is a scenic float and a fisherman’s paradise. The river has no big rapids but has very continuous current with some pushy turbulent whirlpools and eddy lines. It is a great river to do with children and on family outings. The put in is at the exit of Lago Villarrica (213 meters [...]
Posted on October 20th, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: chile, class 2, pucon | No Comments »
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