Pablo casey and Mike Rock duckying the Tigre

From Palena take the gravel road out of the sw corner of town…The road climbs initially then descends towards the Tigre Valley. In 5.2 KM there is a Y in the road. To reach the put in go left and follow the road approximately 3.5 km until it ends and work your way down to the river to begin the class 3 section. To reach normal takeout stay to the right at the Y and continue 3 km to Puente El Tigre..Good possible camp spots just downstream on river right side of bridge.

Mike Rock at Puente El Tigre

For more class 4 action including a class 4+ canyon shoulder your boat and follow the well used trail upriver

To reach the takeout return to the same Y and go left and follow road 3 km to Puente Tigre. As an option you can continue another 5 km downstream for class 2 water with high quality fishing. After crossing a small wooden bridge over a rocky creek take an immediate right and you will once again be alongside the El Tigre. Takeout anywhere convenient..

Pablo and Mike at takeout

River is best run in summer months after rains and optimal flow anything over 1000 CFS but can be run down to 500 CFS…Care should be taken not to enter the upper canyon at high flows..

Topo map titled Palena I-034

Other nearby rivers include Corcovado, Hielo, Futaleufu, Palena, Azul, Espolon y Noroeste

Looking for a place to put in

To reach the river go 49 km East from Lanco on Ruta 5 to Panguipuilli then east another 41 km to Choshuenco on the eastern edge of Lago Panguipuilli. Upon reaching the lake turn left and go south 10.9 km alongside the Enco river valley to Puente Rio Blanco. This is takeout at 125 meters elevation and GPS coordinates 39.908486° latitude and 72.149124° longitude.

Scouting on the Rio Blanco

To reach the put in continue 200 meters past the bridge to gate on your left. If the gate is open you are lucky and can drive up the farm road but most likely it will be locked and from here you shoulder your boat for the 3-1/2 km hike in. After about an hour of walking the road turns into more of a track and at one point (just before another wooden gate) a faint track veres off towards the river and provides a sketchy trail down to the river put in which is at GPS coordinates 39.896537 latitude 72.125368 longitude elevation 260 meters

Blanco whitewater

The put in point is 300 km below what the locals call ¨La Escalera¨ which is a most likely un-runnable 15 meter falls flowed by some class 5+, 6 whitewater. Accessing this rad stretch is almost impossible due to vertical walls of the canyon and dense undergrowth.

Blanco falls

Rodrigo Tuschner bashing his way to the put in

Class 6 Gnar stretch

Total drop on river is 135 meters in 3.2 KM for 42 m/km average (210 FPM). The gradient is concentrated in the first half then relaxes considerably so actual drop in upper stretch approaches 60 m/km but with mature, boulder choked bedrock river is very manageable.

Volcan Mocho

Other nearby rivers include the Fuy, Neltume, San Pedro (soon to be dammed), Llancahue, Reyehueco and Llizan

IGM Topo map for the area is titled Choshuenco G122

Section of top map

Whitewater on Rio Rucue

To reach the river go east from Los Angeles for 66 km to town of Antuco. In town turn right at a supermercado on Calle Santiago Aldea. Follow it for a few blocks until it dead ends in La Peña. Go right until another T intersection with Almagro and go left. Follow this road up and then down a step grade for 7.1 km and you will cross a small creek. Continue another 2.3 km and you will come to the Rucue river and takeout point. GPS coordinates 37.388819°, 71.676521°elevation 580 meters.

Continue upstream to the put in just before the locked gate of fundo Las Mellizas at 680 meters elevation.. 37.403319 latitude, 71.646819 longitude. If you can get through the gate, or are willing to walk there are another 8 km of unexplored kilometros from starting point of 900 meters elevation.

The 3.5 km stretch I did averages 28.5 m/km or 140 FPM. When I ran river on November 27, 2011 the flow was around 350 CFS which is for sure a minimal flow. Best to run river in September and early October. Higher flows will present class 4 rapids.

Other nearby Rivers include Duqueco, Laja, Polcura, Diguillin, Queuco, Quillaleo, Pangue and Lower Bio Bio

Useful topo map is IGM series G-020 titled Antuco a portion of which is scanned below

Scan of Rucue topo

Note: After running the river I learned there is a swinging bridge with easy road access 2 km downstream. An earlier turn (on the road from Antuco) onto a dirt road leads 800 meters to the swinging bridge. This road can be identified by a sign saying Camping Los Mañios. One might consider boating further downstream but it is not advised as 5 km downstream half the water is diverted into a canal and another 5 km beyond that almost all of the remaining juice is diverted into another canal.

Located in the comuna de Cunco, Region de la Araucania, Chile´s 9th region… A low elevation run flowing off the north western flank of the permanent snowfields of Nevados de Solipulli with adequate water levels in the winter-early spring months from August to mid October or after a period of several days of substantial rain. This river is a tributary of the Rio Allipén.

Typical boulder garden style rapids

To reach the river from Temuco on ruta 5 take the paved road east 59 km to Cunco or from Pucon you reach Cunco easiest via the paved road from Villarrica to Freire 55 km then paved road 57 km to Cunco.

Once in Cunco go east 9.1 km and turn right at sign to Curacalco. Continue 2.4 km to the T intersection passing Allipén river bridge en route. Turn right and in 1.3 k you come reach a fork in the road. Go right and after a few hundred meters you come to a bridge over the Curacalco. The river is braided here so continue to the second bridge and make this your takeout.. Return to previous fork in road and head upstream 4 km to the suspended bridge over the river. It is possible at this point to get to river level, but due to the falls landing in the cave rapid immediately beneath the bridge, you should shoulder boats and head a few hundred meters downstream to find a way to get into the canyon (it is real bitch!!) The reward will be an un-run class 5 stretch with 3 significant rapids. Once you drop in there is no portaging or turning back so scout carefully before committing. We spent 3 hours scouting on our first descent and understood each of the 3 rapids and where to go but we simply gave up on trying to find a way down to the river. I am sure there is a way with rappelling being the last option…

As an alternative return the car about 1 km downstream to just after the second farmhouse. From here there is one gate to cross and a grassy road to the river.

From this point down the river is a fun, continuous 250 FPM boulder garden. We had low flow of around 200 CFS on our Nov10, 2011 first descent but it was not scrappy until 2 km downstream where a piscicultura is taking water from the river. Ideal flow would be 300-500 CFS

If you put in near the bridge elevation 570 meters, the first km will be a canyon with average gradient in excess of 70 m/km then it tapers out to 50 m/km for 2 km and final km at 30 m/km. Takeout bridge is at 370 meters.
put

8 meters falls landing in Cave immediately under bridge

First Drop in canyon stretch

Second drop in canyon that feeds right into third

Aerial view of third drop-the 10 meter falls

10 meter drop viewed from below

Local kids near takeout

Entry rapid on Curacalco

IGM Topo map is titled Villa Garcia G-085

GPS coordinates Put-in 38.943329°, 71.872962° Take-out 38.931738°, 71.908976°

Other nearby rivers include Codihue, Calbuco, Truful Truful, Trafampulli and Quepe

To arrive from Chillan take the paved road northeast to Coihueco then follow the road to Ñiblinto crossing the Cato bridge en route. In the town of Bustamante head east up the dirt road alongside the Rio Cato. Along the way there are several nice campsites and swim holes. After 17 KM you come to a bridge over a tight canyon on the the river.This is the takeout From here you have to jump a gate, shoulder your boat, and head upriver. River left is more flat so a better choice but an old logging road on river right is also an option.

Hiking in to the Cato

Put in at 520 meters elevation and takeout at 390…Run is 5.5 km in length and drops an average of 24 m/km or 120 FPM. On our November 1st run we had a scratchy flow of 250 CFS..Optimal flow would be 500 CFS or more and those levels would be found in winter months to mid October. In the summer months the river is almost dry.

Topo map of Cato River<

youtube video just under 2 minutes..Shot just before sunset

The GPS coordinates of the takeout bridge are 36.630467° south latitude and

71.635102° longitude. topo map from IGM is titled San Fabian de Alico F-102

A cool little detail is that the bridges over the Cato and the Ñiblinto on the Coihueco-Bustamante road are only 250 meters apart so that the water levels of both can be checked almost simultaneously.

Other nearby rivers include Ñuble, Las Truchas, Ñiblinto, Chillan and Renegado

Rio Quillaleo

The Quillaleo has its headwaters in the Cordillera Tricauco with the most outstanding peak being the snowcapped behemoth Cerro Macizo 2224 meters above sea level.

For 20 years I had driven over the Huequecura on the way up the Bio Bio and always wondered what was upstream. Low water levels is what kept me from exploring but this year with a high snow pack and early season run off the river valley beckoned for some exploration. Rodrigo Tuschner had just returned from a season in Italy and joined me for some exploration. The lower elevation snowpack makes this river runnable in only the winter months of July to early spring. Most likely the river is not runnable after end of October, unless after a period of very sustained rainfall..

Rodrigo Tuschner at put-in

The logistics are easy. From the Los Angeles exit on Ruta 5 follow the paved road to Santa Barbara. From Santa Barbara continue west 15 KM towards Ralco. Turn left at the sign for El Huachi and follow the gravel road 15 km into El Huachi then another 4 km to the river and Puente Las Balsas. One km upstream is a low head dam with a class 4-5 rapid below it. Take out here or at another bridge 450 meters upstream. The elevation is 431 meters above sea level and GPS coordinates 37.652 south latitude and 71.713 degrees longitude. Beside the bridge is a house owned by Don Segundo Viviano Araya who provided us with local information and let us leave our bicycle for shuttle.

Takeout rapid below the damm

To reach the put-in continue driving upstream 3.7 KM and you will come to a metal gate Ruca Trayen. If the river gate is locked you have to park and continue walking upstream. From this point onwards you are in land belonging to the indigenous Mapuche community of Ayan Mapu so, although not populated, be respectful. On our descent we walked another 3 km upstream from the locked gate and put-in 500 meters above an abandoned campground at elevation 578 meters.

Collecting eggs with Don Segundo

I would estimate the flow at the put –in on our October 5, 2011 descent of 250 CFS which reached 400 CFS by takeout. The class 3 run drops 138 meters in 6.7 km for average gradient of 20 m/km or 100 FPM. There are no portages and the river is raft able if the level is strong.

Note: It is possible to continue walking or driving upstream another 7 km to the Estero Monton de Trigo at elevation 875 meters. The river tightens up in this section and drops an average of 45 m/km so should have class 4 and maybe some class 5 rapids at average of 225 FPM.

It is also possible to continue downstream from takeout another 14.6 km down the Huequecura to the Bio bio confluence at 283 meters. The confluence, however, is just upstream of the newest dam being built on the Bio Bio so as the dam is completed and starts to fill the lower reaches of the river (probably 5 km or more) will become a lake. We heard there are some small waterfalls on Upper Huequecura tributary but we did not have time to explore.

It is nice to have a 1:50,000-topo map of the region, which is G-031, titled Cordillera Tricauco.

Other nearby rivers include the Duequeco, Queuco, Ñirementum, Pangue and Laja.

The Rio Claro is a small creek in downtown Pucon..It is more of a novelty run for locals in the winter months or when everything else is too high.. Logistics are absolutely simple.

The creek flows off the NE flank of Villarrica Volcano and is a source of Pucon´s drinking water. It is 3 KM long and drops 120 meters with average gradient of 40 m/km or 200FPM…Good flow is estimated to be 150 CFS or 5 CMS

From downtown Pucon take the international road East towards the airport. About 500 meters after the traffic circle you will cross Puente Claro. Proceed another 150 meters and you will see a second bridge off to your right. This is the takeout. At 39º17´27.65¨S, 71º55´51.56¨W, elevation 245 meters

To reach the put-in continue heading East for 2 KM. The airport runways will be on your left when you find an optional turn to the right at an old abandoned yellow school. A sign here says Club de Huasos Pucon. Follow this road for exactly 2 KM. the first 1 KM is relatively flat then the road curves and climbs steeply for another 1 km. Park on the side of this small country road and jump over the barbed wire fence, head across a field and descend down to the creek.

There is a water pumping station that serves as a good access point to river but be aware of a potential low head bridge just downstream. Coordinates are 39º18´39.81¨S, 71º55´30.15¨W elevation 365 meters

The first 1 km is basically one continuous rapid that quickly tapers off into swift moving flatwater. The dangers are from trees that have fallen into the river or that are alive and growing in the river channel. We had a few portages where it was too overgrown to boat and around one dangerous barbed wire fence.

Overall summary of river is interesting but not really worth doing unless someone does some chain saw work to allow for a higher put in.

The first descent of this run was done by Ben May and Kurt Casey after heavy rains on June 10, 2011.

First descent Rio Mosco Feb. 2011

The Mosco was a nice little river with one steeper, short section to it, pushing class four. We had low water in the river, but with an average flow this river must be a gem. The canyon you paddle is only about 3 kms long, but very beautiful and worth the hike-in. We did not go all the way up to the glaciar, but it might be worth it, especially if you hike on river right side. On this side the horses can not get up though, due to trees, so you are on your own.

The Mosco is mainly class three, hidden in a nice little canyon, with a short steeper section of bouldergarden action before you hit the gravelbed just outside of town.

First descented in February 2011 by Ron Fischer, Severin Haeberling and Mariann Saether.

Nice rapid on Rio Frey

The Rio Frey is the name of the big volume river in Argentina that is the birth of the Futaleufu. The river is completely within Los Alerces National Park and has no road access. The River drains Lago Krügger and is above the Futaleufu damm so is a free flowing paradise.

Motorized transportation to the put in

To get to river one starts in either the Argentinian town of Trevelin or in Esquel. Follow the paved road into the southern park entrance of Los Alerces. Non Argentinians will be required to pay an entrance fee and will likely be required to pressure wash their boats to avoid the potential spread of the parasitic algae known as Didymo.

View to the north of Lago Futalafquen

From the park gate follow the road 27 km around Lago Futalafquen to Puerto Mattos. From here there is daily service in summer months via motorized ferry to Lodge Krügger 8 KM away on Lake Krügger. The ferry, the lodge and a campground in Krügger are all operated by EPA expediciones of Esquel. www.epaexpediciones.com epa@grupoepa.com Country code 54 phone (02945) 457015 Owner (also kayaker and owner of rafting company) Dany Badiola

Departures from Puerto Mattos are at 12:10 and returns from Krügger are at 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM.

The ferry crosses Lago Futalafquen and passes through the narrow estrechos de los monstruos named for the huge trout and into Lago Krügger. The lodge sits at the other side of the lake where the Rio Frey is born.

The area resembles Chile with snowpeaks and huge, ancient Coigüe trees, kingfishers, Colihue, and Arrayanes..

Put in at the beach at mouth of lake and float into the Frey 71°43’55.15″W
42°53’29.57″S, 516 meters above sea level. The whitewater run is 4.6 KM long and finishes at Las Palganas 42°55’42.96″S, 71°42’58.73″W. From here shoulder your boat and walk back to the lodge. An alternative is to continue down the Frey another 10 km into the embalse formed by the dam. From here it is 14 km across the lake to the dam site where there is road access.

The river fluctuates in volume from high water spring runoff of 350 cubic meters per second to low late summer flows of 100 CMS. (10,000 CFS to 3500 CFS). At low flows the river is fun class 3 with one class 4 rapid. At high flows there is 4+, 5- action in the big rapid and some stout whirlpools. Daily flow rates for Rio Frey can be seen on web at http://www.chfutaleufu.com.ar/parte/parte.pdf

Kayaker Eva Luna Ramirez

There are three distinct sections to the river. The upper, seldom run class 4-5 stretch requires permission to enter Estancia Tecka 7 KM below Sectional Caridad at 700 meters elevation 71°19’34.14″W, 43°41’13.22″S and has its take out on the Corcovado-Rio Pico road at Arroyo Poncho Morro 43°41’44.31″S, 71°23’49.00″W, elevation 492 meters. The 10 KM stretch involves a 90 plus km shuttle and a few portages thru a stout canyon.

10 year old Pablo Casey in front of the ducky

The lower stretch (also known as border run has its put in at the bridge of the Corcovado-Carrenleufu road at elevation 336 meters and takeout somewhere around 16 KM downstream below the town of Carrenleufú near 235 meters elevation. This stretch of river has a few class 4 rapids in beautiful canyon and its lower stretch has the added waters of the Rio Hielo.

Peruvian raft guide Alvaro Ibañez

The section, however, described here is the tradition commercially rafted section called the middle. The takeout is at the bridge 7 km from the town of Corcovado on the road between to Carrenleufú at elevation 336 meters 43°31’39.32″S, 71°33’19.07″W.

To reach put in return towards Corcovado and 1 km before reaching town turn south on gravel road 41 towards Rio Pico. Go just over 1 KM to the bridge over the river at elevation 386 meters, 43°32’36.66″S, 71°29’13.47″W

Arequipa boater ¨Chatto¨

The river is in an arid canyon with friendly class 2-3 boulder drop rapids. It is an 8 KM stretch that can be run in 2 hours. Late summer flows are around 15 CMS or 450 CFS which is more than enough for rafts. Flows are pushier with spring and early summer flows in excess of 40 CMS or 1200 CFS. EPA Expediciones of Esquel runs commercial raft trips on this section in the summer months and has base operation near the put in bridge. For more info

www.epaexpediciones.com

Eva Luna Ramirez

Nearby rivers include the Futaleufú, Palena, Frey, and Michinmahuida..Bring a fishing rod as big trout are present.

Hike in to Pilmaiquen

From Ruta 5 take the Osorno exit and go east on paved road 47 km to town of Entre Lagos. From Entre Lagos the put in is reached by returning 5.3 KM and turning right in Pilmaiquen and proceeding 2 km´s to La Central. Cross over the dam wall and there is a place to park on right side just before coming to the gate to enter power plant. Walk into the magical, old growth forest on the left and walk about 200 meters and take second fork in trail to the left. It leads to some steps and another trail that leads down to old river corridor. Put in as soon as you have water and paddle out below the dam discharge and the main flow. From here it is almost one continuous class 3 wave train rapid to the takeout at Puente Rucatayo 7 km downstream. The GPS coordinates of this point are 40°38’17.88″S and 72°38’59.57″W.

Beginning of river

To get to the takeout return back to the paved road and turn right towards Osorno. Go 6.1 KM then turn right towards Rucatayo. The road forks and stay to left and you reach takeout bridge in 2 km. Cross bridge and enter a field. The obvious trail leads to a religious shrine so walk upstream about 150 meters to find the trail the reaches the river. Takeout GPS coordinates of this point are 40°36’56.81″S and 72°42’48.69″W

On our Jan 22, 2011 trip we had an estimated flow of 3000 CFS.. It was big and fun but there is no limit to how high you can run the river. Probably the bigger the better.

Giant Arrayan tree on hike-in

On a sad note the river could shortly be gone. Just above the takeout we came to a dam site buzzing with activity. Damm walls are already being built but a local told us the project will be halted for 1 year. This is a cool river so get it before it is gone.

Nearby town of Entre Lagos is a nice place. There is a great restaurant called K on Pedro de Valdivia 307.

Other nearby rivers include the Gol Gol, Iculpe and Rio Bueno

Topo map of region is titled Entre Lagos IGM 025

To reach the river from Ruta 5 take the paved road to Puerto Octay. From here travel east around the north side of the lake for 44 km. Take the gravel road to the left for 25 km. En route you will pass over Puente Blanco (which offers a short 2 km low volume run) and Puente Chapulco before traveling up the Coihueco drainage. We reached a locked gate on our Jan 2011 exploratory run so made this our takeout. At this point there is an unlocked side-road which leads down to the river. The GPS coordinates of this point are 40°57’35.22″S and 72°28’12.76″W and the elevation 275 meters. The flow we had in January at the takeout was around 500 CFS.

The giant Mañio tree that marks trail to put- in

To reach the put in we shouldered our boats and climbed over the fence and started walking upstream on a logging road. After 6 km a small hidden trail leads down to the river. The trail can be spotted as it is opposite a massive Mañio tree. Here the river is about 1/4th of the size as at the takeout but it quickly grows while heading downstream. Put in elevation is 340 meters.

Fields Marshall at put-in

The 7 km stretch drops on average 11 meters per kilometer or 55 FPM. Although lacking in whitewater the trip is a pleasant float through Chilean forest with lots of birds and camping opportunites.

Other nearby rivers include Petrohue, Bonito, and Rio Blanco de Coihueco

Topo map of area is titled Cabildo Rupanco IGM034 and Cerro Puntiagudo IGM 035

Put in Rio Blanco de Coihueco

To reach the river from Ruta 5 take the paved road to Puerto Octay. From here travel east around the north side of the lake for 44 km. Take the gravel road to the left for 10.8 KM and you will reach Puente Blanco. There is a pisicultura on the left so best to put in 100 meters downstream on river right. The GPS coordinates of this point are 40° 58´21.76¨S and 72°35´15.77¨W and elevation 250 meters.

To reach the takeout return 1.2 KM on gravel road and turn right right. Follow this secondary road 1.5 km to log bridge over the river. Part of this road is steep and might require 4 wheel drive. Takeout is at 200 meters elevation.

The 2 km stretch drops on average 25 meters per kilometer or 125 FPM. We ran the creek in mid January and it about 150 CFS which was low but reasonable.

There are no big rapids, a few dangerous logs but plenty of boogy water. The creek is by no means a classic but is on the same road as for the main Coihueco run so can easily be combined.

Other nearby rivers include Petrohue, Bonito, and Coihueco

Topo map of area is titled Cabildo Rupanco IGM034

Fileds Marshall below first drop of middle canyon

The river is crystal clear and offers boating opportunities from class 4-5 creeking, to bigger volume class 5 river running and finally mellow and scenic class 2-3 floating into the lake. The headwaters are in the 2000-meter peaks on the Argentine border and are more rain fed than snowmelt.

final drop in middle canyon

The drainage is in Chile´s Region de Los Rios and is best reached from the Futrono turn off on ruta 5, 17 km below Los Lagos. From here it is 44 km of paved road to Futrono on shores of Lago Ranco. Continue another 28 km on good paved road around the north shore of Lago Ranco to Llifén. From here it is another 35 km to Puerto Hueinahue at the mouth of the river and on the eastern side of Lago Mahuie. The elevation here is 81 meters above sea level.

The beautiful Lago Mahuie

The put in for the middle and lower sections is reached by following the new road upstream along the river. The lower put in is at a field, 6 km upstream just before the point where the road goes from flat to steep. From this point the river is class 2-3 boulder gardens all the way to the lake. We ran the river in mid January after several days of rain and had nice level of around 1800 CFS. The elevation at lower put in is 150 meters giving the 6 km stretch an average gradient of 12 m/km or 60 FPM.

Slide leading into falls on upper Hueinahue

If one continues upstream another 1.2 km you will cross over a log bridge over the Hueinahue Canyon with a thundering waterfall. It is here that one leaves the car. There is a small gate on the right leading up to the home of Antonio Rossi (cell phone 9-78541368) who is the caretaker for El Fundo La Encantado and after asking permission you can follow a trail down to La Junta, or the put-in for the middle stretch. Here the elevation is 200 meters and the one km stretch drops 50 m/km or 250 FPM. The rapids are big and long and interspersed with flat stretches. The first two rapids are solid class 5, followed by two class 3 rapids then one, long final class 5+ which at normal flows can not be portaged at river level. The middle stretch is more runnable when the lower stretch getting low.

Above the waterfall the main branch of Hueinahue is much lower volumen and more creek like. The Access requires shouldering the boat and walking up a good trail on river right. The river is bedrock and reminiscent of the Rio Nevados. A 3 km walk will provide 2 km of class 5 kayaking that averages 50 m/km.

The upper and lower sections of the river are best run in spring months of November/December and the middle section can be run lower.

The IGM topo map of the área is titled Hueinahue 018