A Whitewater guide to the rivers of chile
The famed Bío-Bío, Chile’s second longest river, originates in the heart of Mapuche-Pehuenche territory. The nacimiento, or birthplace of the river, is primeval and unforgettable. Araucarias, one of the Earth’s three oldest surviving tree species, stand sentinel along a shore framed by distant peaks straddling the border between Chile and Argentina.
Float this headwater run [...]
Posted on November 25th, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: Region IX, chile, class 2, class 3 | No Comments »
Although the upper canyons now lay dormant under man made reservoirs, the lowest section of the Bío-Bío still offers intermittent whitewater, easy access, and pleasant scenery and a reminder of what was lost upstream. Its class II-III rapids will challenge, terrify, and delight the novice. During the mellow interludes, you will have plenty of time [...]
Posted on November 25th, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: Region IX, chile, class 2, class 3 | No Comments »
The Renegado is a seldom run creek that plummets off of Volcan Chillan (3186 meters). It is small so usually gone by beginning of December but might come up in summer months after several days of heavy rain.
Mellow takeout on the Renegado
The normal stretch is a class 4, 8 km section with ideal flows of [...]
Posted on November 24th, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: Region VII, chile, class 4 | No Comments »
To reach the put-in from Curracautín go west on the paved road towards Victoria and you will cross Puente Dillo in 4-1/2 kilometers (first you will pass over Puente Amantible). After crossing the bridge immediately turn right and drive up a private road until you reach a locked gate. We were given permission from landowner [...]
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: Region IX, chile, class 3, class 4 | No Comments »
The Captren flows off the snow-covered, north western flank of Volcan Llaima (3125 meters) and has it’s headwaters within The Parque Nacional Conguillio at Laguna Captren. The river, however, is not runnable in its upper reaches but instead provides the right combination of gradient and flow for it’s final 3 km descent to the confluence [...]
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: Region IX, chile, class 3, class 4, waterfalls | No Comments »
The Rio Blanco is an easy access, class 3 run flowing off the snowfields on the southern flank of Volcan Tolhuaca.
Tolhuaca Volcano view from put in
The run is best done during peak spring runoff or after extended periods of heavy rain. The water is ice cold. It is perhaps the only run in Chile where [...]
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: Region IX, chile, class 3 | No Comments »
Draining the South Western flank of Volcan Llaima (3125 meters) is the deceivingly innocent Rio Calbuco. After meandering thru braided debris flows coming off the flanks of the volcano, the river tightens up at Puente Calbuco for it’s thundering 8 km descent to the confluence with Rio Quepe below town of Cherquenco.
Fields Marshall at confluence [...]
Posted on November 22nd, 2009 by kurt casey
Filed under: Region IX, chile, class 3, class 4 | No Comments »
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