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

Fields Marshall Rio Noroeste

From town of Futaleufu in Chile´s 11th region take the road road out of the north end of town on Calle Pedro Aguire Cedra and go 2 km and cross over Puente Bellavista 1. Continue another 200 meters and turn right on gravel road. Continue 1.7 km (veering left at one point) to a small bridge over the creek. This is the best takeout. Park on other side and start hiking up the alongside the river under the power lines. Soon the trail gets very steep and stays so for over an hour hiking. Finally the trail levels off and as soon as you glimpse Lago Rosa in the distance you need to peel off and find a trail down to a green pampa down below. Once at the pampa it is 200 meter bush whack down to river level at mouth of lake.

The standard run back to the small bridge takes over an hour with ideal flows off 300 to 750 CFS. Runs is basically continuous class 4 but with water good flow can be pushy. If you want you can continue downstream a few more kilometers into the Espolon and boat to town or even continue into the Inferno Canyon of Futaleufu. Note the lower Rio noroeste is choked in with willow trees so not really recommended.

View of Espolon valley and town of Futaleufu from hike to Put in

Usually runnable after periods of rain

Length 2.3 km, averaging 50 m/km or 250 Feet per mile

Put in coordinates 71.92° longitude, 43.157569° latitude, 470 meters elevation

Take out -43.169160° -71.901357° , 360 meters elevation

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

Topo map of region title Futaleufu I-011

Nachito Roberts and first descent crew scouting the class 5

From Argentinian town of Corcovado (KM zero) go north towards Trevelin for 19.5 KM and turn left (KM markers are on the barb wire fence). At 21.4 km you reach first gate. At 24.9 km you reach second gate. At 26.6 you reach third gate then descend over the Rio Frio via the first bridge crossing. Continue to a second bridge on the Rio Greda tributary and put in. This point is 30 KM from Corcovado…

Stout drop on the Hielo

To reach the takeout return to Corcovado and turn west towards the Chilean border. Soon after exiting town you will see turn off towards Rio Pico but continue straight on road towards the border and town of Carrinleufu. Just before reaching the concrete bridge over the Corcovado river there is a turn off to the right that says Trevelin. Go right and continue 3.5 KM where an unnamed road y´s off to the left and drops 900 meters to the cable car over the Hielo river.

Entrance to the canyon on Rio Greda tributary

Note there is a shortcut from put in to take out. After leaving the put in return 11.5 km to main road. Turn right towards Corcovado and take first major right towards Centinella (about 6 km). After about 5.5 km Pass thru Centinella and continue approximately 4.5 additional km and look for the turn down to the river

Put in 43.424659 latitude°, -71.649349° longitude 485 meters above sea level

Take out 43.514565° latitude, -71.610051° longitude , 340 meters above sea level

Total drop off 145 meters in 13.5 KM or 11 m/km average (55 FPM)

Ideal flow level 500 to 2000 CFS

Other nearby rivers include Corcovado, El Tigre, Futaleufu, Palena, Azul, Espolon and Noroeste

Topo map of Chilean side that shows the lower portion of the river only and is titled Palena I-034

Clay Wright first descent of Rio Blanco

On our first descent January 25th, 2012 Clay Wright and I were pleasantly surprised to find a group of Canyoneers. A Puerto Varas company called Pachamagua does organized tours in the spring and summer months. www.pachamagua.com

We ran many of the drops together and they were nice and enough to let Clay toss his boat and rapel of the final 30 meter drop.

To arrive go east from Puerto Montt on the paved road towards the Puelche Ferry (over Seno de Reloncavi). Just before the Puente Chamiza turn left and travel north to small town of Correntoso. En route the road turns from pavement to gravel. In Correntoso turn left towards Lago Chapo and floow signs to Rio Blanco. It is 5.2 km to a parking area by a pisicultura. From here shoulder your boat and follow a nice boardwalk trail through a Tepa, Alerce and Cipress forest. After 10 minutes you come to a fork in the trail. The left fork goes to base of 30 meter falls and the right climbs up a series of steps to the national park entrance. From the guardaparque entrance continue walking another 10-15 minutes until you cross a bridge over the river. Once on the other side climb up a steep sloping slab where you will reach the top of the first 5-stage series of falls.

This river is a fun option for those taking the carretera Austral route to the Futaleufu River…

Do not be concerned if the river looks ridiculously low. It takes almost no water to run these drops and if I had to guess would say 5-10 CFS. Work your way down 1-2 km to the lip of the 30 meter falls . Here is the takeout but perhaps at higher flows this stout drop is runnable. The falls are bolted with anchors so rapping off is an option but it is also easy to simply walk back down the steps.

Summertime View of Calbuco Volcano below the takeout

Jumping off a portion of the 30 meter drop

Other nearby rivers include Petrohue, Negro, Blanco de Hornopiren, Bonito and Coihueco

GPS coordinates 41.388 degrees south latitude and 72.644 degrees longitude

IGM 1:50,000 topo map is titled Correntoso

]]> http://riversofchile.com/rio-blanco-de-calbuco/feed/ 0 http://riversofchile.com/rio-blanco-del-enco/ http://riversofchile.com/rio-blanco-del-enco/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:08:18 +0000 kurt casey http://riversofchile.com/?p=1341 Flowing off the Western flank of Volcan El Mocho (2422 meters) in Chile´s 14th Region de Los Lagos is a fun, springtime, steep-creek. The river is fed by crystal clear snowmelt with a short springtime season. The class 3-4 creek is very steep with average gradient of 42 m/km (210 FPM) and requires very little water. Too much water (> 300 CFS) will make for a class 5 bob sled run. The river feeds into the Enco river which drains Lago Pangupulli into Lago Riñihue.

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

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

The put-in is at the Reserva Nacional de Los Huemules del Ñiblinto ranger station in the Comuna de Coihueco in the country´s 8th region. Huemules are en endangered elk-like animal and this park was formed in 1978 to protect one of their last remaining habitats.

Jake Greenbaum first descent of Rio Ñiblinto

The 250 FPM (50 m/km) average gradient makes for an exciting, albeit short, 2 km run. Native forests, good camping and lack of human beings are added bonuses which more than offset the relatively difficult access.

Rio Ñiblinto

It can be difficult to get to the river because of the potential for not only locked gates but for a myriad of criss crossing logging roads. These directions are pretty accurate and can help guide you to the river but keep in mind the final descent to river might be impassable after rains and good clearance and 4 wheel drive are a must.

From Chillan take paved road 27 km east to Coihueco then continue North East out of town to town of Ñiblinto. Here you will cross a bridge over the river and can view the level. If the flow is what is shown below or more you should be okay.

View from bridge crossing 25 km downstream-this is a good level for what lies upstream

Turn right on the north side of the bridge towards Minas Del Prado and zero out the odometer. It is 12.1 KM to the former mining town now forestry town of Minas del Prado. Just before entering town veer onto the main gravel road that circles around the town and at 13.7 km you might encounter a locked gate forest. We did and were able to drive around the right side of the gate. At KM 14 you come to a T intersection and should go right. At KM 16.5 follow fork left towards Hijuela (not campamento). At 18.5 KM you encounter a sign indicating entrance to the corridor Biologico. At KM 23.8 the road enters a distinct eucalyptus forest (everything else is pine). Upon exiting this forest at KM 25.5 there is an obvious, very large Coigue tree on the right. Continue 50 meters and go right onto a dirt road that descends very sharply to the river at KM 30. At KM 30.2 there is an abandoned house then some very good camping spots which we used for takeout. Probably best to leave the car somewhere around the park gate at KM 30.9 and start hiking to the park entrance which is another 2 KM upstream.

This sketch bridge is one of the reasons it is best to carry your boat the final 1.5 KM to put in
Put in at the upper end of the camping sites where a short trail leads one to the river at elevation 650 meters and takeout 2 km downstream at 550 meters.

Ñiblinto sign at ranger station

An alternative is to keep boating another 13 KM to elevation 350 meter (15 m/km or 75 FPM average) where another road accesses the river

GPS coordinates of takeout are 36.717969° latitude and 71.584379° longitude
Topo map of area is helpful and available from IGM and titled San Fabian de Alico F102

Other nearby Rivers include Catio, Ñuble, Chillan, Renegado, Duiguillin

Note: The park does not normally open until November 1 which in a normal year will towards the end of runnable flow. On November 2, as we were hiking up, we met the park ranger Juan Sepulveda coming down on a motorcycle. In the months prior to November one might encounter additional locked gates.

Short video clip of typical Ñiblinto rapid

To arrive at the river follow the paved road east out of Chillan towards the Termas de Chillan. Pass through town of Pinto and at KM post 36 go right on gravel road following sign to Los Pellines

From this turn off it is 9 KM to a nice camp along the river, which can also serve as one of many put-ins or take outs for the lower run. At 12.3KM you come to Puente Mañiguales which is probably the best put in for lower part of river. Continuing upstream one reaches Fundo Los Ciegos at KM 14.2. Park here and walk 100 meters to see the as of yet, still un-run, 35 meter Salto Pellines.

Salto De Pellines

Upstream at KM 15.2 is a gate in front of a bridge over the river. Once across the river Fundo Los Pellines is to the left and Fundo El Plan to the right (upstream). The gate is likely to be locked so be prepared to walk from this point. If you are lucky and gate is open cross the bridge and continue following road upstream for another 4 KM (or more if one is willing to keep walking) To find the bridge with Google Earth use GPS coordinates 36.826707° South Latitude and 71.615750° Longitude

Jake Greenbaum headcam shot Rio Chillan

This 5 KM upper stretch is likely to have 300 CFS in early spring (Sept-October) and be too small from November to July. Average gradient is roughly 30 m/km or 150 FPM. It is highly recommended to scout the falls before running the river. A very enticing 100 meter long slot canyon leads to the lip of the falls.. If you find your way into the slot canyon you will be doing a first D of the falls assuming you make it past the decapitation flake at the lip.

Typical action Rio Chillan

The falls are a logical takeout with easy access to the road 100 meters away. Portaging the falls is possible (best of river right) but looks like a real bitch over loose talus. A more wide open river is available below the falls and can be run for an additional 13 km to a downstream bridge at 450 meters elevation.

Short video clip of river by Jake Greenbaum

The IGM Topo map is titled Recinto F-111

Other nearby rivers include Diguillin, Renegado, Ñiblinto, Cato and Ñuble

Puente Ñirementum

This walk in creek is only runnable in winter or early spring in years with good snowpack or after periods of prolonged rainfall. (September/October) In the shadow of Volcan Callaqui, the principal source of this river is the Cordon Ñirementum (pronounced Nyreh-men-tum) and the volcano itself at 3164 meters.

To reach the put in take the Los Angeles exit off ruta 5 then head east up the Bio Bio drainage thru Santa Barbara and on the Ralco. In Ralco follow the gravel road north towards Trapa Trapa. After 35.4 km you come to Puente Ñirementum at lattidtude 37.715 and longitude 71.406 and elevation 700 meters.. The put-in is 5 km upstream where a foot bridge crosses the river. Start hiking at the caribinero station on river left side of bridge.

Hike is 2 hours and put in elevation is 848 meters. The 5 KM stretch averages 30 m/km of 150 FPM. Volume is around 300 CFS. The river is very continuous but with no big drops. The main danger are trees growing in the river.

Hike in view of river

Typical action Ñirementum

After the river continue up the Queuco 11 km to the Termas de Nitrao which are part of the Trapa Trapa community and worth a soak for $ 1000 pesos. We had lunch with local Cacique or headman 1 km upstream from the termas before heading back downstream.

Rodrigo and Kurt waiting for lunch

Mapuche woman arriving on horse to Temas De Nitrao

A topo map is useful for the area but not necessary. The 1:50,000 map is titled Queuco G-032.. Nearby rivers include Pangue, Duequeco, Quillaleo, and Laja but the best option is the Upper Queuco starting at swinging bridge 1 KM above Termas de Nitrao and taking out 9.4 km below the Malla Malla Canyon. This class 4* section can be done as a short day stretch or combined into a multi-day with middle and Lower Queuco for over 60 km of whitewater.

Class five lead up to the waterfall

The takeout is only 90 km from Pucon so makes for a good day run or because of its high quality camping options, can be combined with other local runs to serve up a multi-day itinerary.

6 meter falls into the pothole

To arrive from Pucon first travel to Villarrica then turn north and follow interlagos road towards Cunco. Before reaching Cunco turn towards Lago Colico. A few kms before reaching the lake is a left hand turn that says Tres Horquetas and Codihue. Take this turn and pass a Pisicultura (fish farm). In 2 KM you will come to a bridge which is the simplest takeout option. At elevation 400 meters.

Continue 5 KM upstream to elevation 600 meters and put in where ever you have seen enough. The road can be very rough and muddy after a strom and will require 4 wheel drive in some spots and good clearance.

The 5 KM run drops 200 meters or 40 m/km average with the bulk of the class 4 action in the first 3 km tapering off to class 2. A good level is anything over 250 CFS.
In the first km you will come to a class 5 rapid leading into a 6 meter waterfall that lands in a pothole. This drop can not be seen from the road so take care approaching it. The right wall cliffs out so a portage on the right is not an option .

scouting on the first descent

This run requires a lot of rain so is only runnable after prolonged precipitation.

Other nearby runs include Trafampulli, Calbuco, Truful Truful and Curaco

Although a short run there are 3 overlapping topo runs that cover its course. Lago Huilipilun G-095, Nevados de Carburgua G-096 and villa Garcia G-085

Note: Although the topo maps indicate the river up the Codihue continues up and over mountains into the Allipen drainage, this is not the case. The road dead ends high up in Alto Codihue

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.

River wide hole Rio Mayer

Patagonian landscape Rio Mayer

There are two main canyons in the Rio Mayer. The first one starts off with easy rapids, class three, in a beautiful gorge with amazing rock formations. The actions picks up at the end with a river wide hole you have to punch right, or portage right, then some easier rapids till you get to a super nice class four which you can scout on river left. The first hole claimed a swim from Jakub Sedivy and a rodeo ride from Max Siecht, while Ron and myself got away with our runs. The Rio Mayer is big volume paddling, and sure has some push to it, but this first canyon is all nice and managable.

Big water canyon Rio Mayer

From here the canyon opens up and you will float a few kms, thinking that the action might be over. But, this is where the canyon closes in again, and you are in for some serious navigation/bushing/portaging depending on the river level. The first few rapids are nice class three, then the main obstacle presents itself with a massive hole that is not paddleable (though the Swissies did almost think so), and you can not portage at river level. At least not with the levels we had in January 2011. The next 3 kms is a serious canyon, where scouting and portaging can be an issue. Due to the levels we hiked around this whole section, on river right, and dropped back into the last two rapids of the canyon. Class four and fun, the river then mellows out a bit, runs through another class four big volume gorge that all goes, and that provided some excellent surfspots, before ending at take-out. The whole misson can be done in a day if you start early, but it is better to prepare for a two-day and take your time as the scenery is breathtaking, pristine and remote. On river left before the serious canyon number two you can hike out to the road if needed, there is somewhat of a trail, and it takes about 40 minutes if you don´t get lost.

Bridge crossing Rio Mayer

First descent crew: Ron Fischer, Anne Hubner (1st canyon), Severin Haeberling, Jakub Sedivy, Seppi Strohmeier, Mariann Saether and Max Siecht. January 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.

Slide drop rapid

Waterfall

Scouting a big drop people are in upper right corner of foto

Mariann Saether first descent Rio Perez

Put-in on the Lago Christie and paddle to the outlet. This put-in is among the most beautiful in all of Chile, with a deep blue lake sparkling in the sun as we put on. The road is newly built and in a good condition. From the put-in, paddle downstream till the gradient eases, about 4 kms downstream. The character is pool-drop, and there are no portages, execpt from the 20 meter which is portaged on the left.  

Anne Hubner on Rio Perez

This river can definitely take some juice, so if rivers are high in the area, the Perez could be your local park-n-huck backyard pool-drop run… Just make sure you have a 4×4. First descented in February 2011 by Ron Fischer, Severin Haberling, Stefan Paetsch, Max Siech, Anne Hubner, Mariann Saether, Seppi Strohmeier and Jakub Sedivy.

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

Fields Marshall below first drop

This small volume creek has easy access and requires little water to make it runnable. The volcanic riverbed provides for multiple small waterfalls and in between continuous, boulder garden rapids.

Typical view on the Iculpe

From ruta 5 take the La union exit towards Rio Bueno and follow highway T-85, 50 kms to town of Lago Ranco on southern shore of lake of same name. Go east 2 km and you cross Puente Iculpe. Here the flows can look low but very little water is needed for the run upstream. Continue east 1.2 KM and turn right onto a road leading to Salto Los Mañios. Continue 7.2 km from this point and you will reach the takeout. The forest is very dense along the river and a small cliff band makes access and egress difficult. Every 200 meters there are small yellow km markings hanging on trees on right side of road as you head upstream but you need to be paying attention to see them. At km 7.2 there is a break in the barb wire fence just big enough for a car to enter. Immediately turn left and you will find a trail that heads some 200 meters down to the river where a small gauge is installed at On our scratchy Jan 21, 2011 first descent the gauge read just under 60 and I estimate the flow at 150 CFS. I would guess a perfect flow would be 65 to 70 on same gauge and around 300 CFS.

Sunset over Lang Ranco with views of Molcho Volcano to North

To reach the put in continue upstream 2 km from takeout and put in below the second bridge. The first bridge is over an un-named tributary.

Fields Marshall on upper Iculpe

The 2 KM stretch described here is class 4. Adding another 2 km below this takeout will provide non stop class 5 low volume creeking. Carefully choose your takeout or you might wind up on the 200 meter or 650 foot Salto Los Mañios…….

Topo map of area is called Lago Ranco IGM 016

Other nearby Rivers include Hueinahue, Riñinahue, Curringue, Canahue, Rio Bueno, and Nilahue.

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