The Rio Llancahue located on the southeastern slope of Volcan Villarica is reached via Conaripe.  It is roughly an hour and a half drive from Pucon. It is easily found by following signs to the famous hot springs “Termas Geometricas”. The upper section is a well known classic class 4-5 creek run that was first descented by John Foss and Zack Cowan in 1995.  The upper section is most frequented by boaters and is a warm up run compared to what lurks downstream.
The middle section, contains some unrun rapids and is usually skipped for an easier take out option for the upper section located where the road is first visable from the river, after the “class 5″ rapid, often portaged river right during high water due to a must make eddy at the bottom.  Anyone who has run the middle section usually parked their car at the Termas Vergara, there is an unrun rapid you want to get out above.  The middle is considered a “park n huck” to the daring ones with intentions of running the biggest drop on the river which also marks the end of the middle section… or now… maybe the beginning of the lower section, and is arguably the most bad ass 60′ waterfall in Chile. The drop is called “Gerd’s drop”, first descented by Gerd Serrasolses in 2006. It has since been run by only 6 other huckers. Immediately following this monster drop is one of the cleanest 30′ waterfalls in Chile, called the “Suavemente” or the “Purty Thirty”. In the past when boaters would run this drop they would climb back out of the gorge in fear of what may be around the corner due to a diffucult to scout gorge that appeared to be unrunnable. Numerous groups throughout the years peered into the canyon through dense brush and steep cliffed walls, but no one ever mustered up the courage to drop in to this unknown.

Until, December 23rd 2011 a group of 5 brave kayakers, Jared Seiler, Evan Garcia, Ian Garcia, 3 of the 7 who have run Gerd’s drop, Jonny Meyers, and Anton Immler decided it was time to drop in for the first descent of the Lower section. Before dropping in the crew researched the section with Google Earth and found the run to be 9 km to Puente Llancahue, with the steepest part of the run being in the first 3km, in total dropping over 400 meters of gradient. Roughly 200Fpm, with the steepest 1km at probably around 400fpm. They figured if they could get through the first 1 km they could expect a gradual tapering off of the steep gradient. The day before the mission a crew led by Jared Seiler scouted most of the first 1 km after the “Purty thirty” which proved the findings from Google Earth to be the steepest and most continuous section. What the crew found was very promisingly runnable looking slides and waterfalls stacked between tiny catchable eddies and a potentially portageable left bank at a seemingly perfect water level. Jared informed the boys of the epicness of the run and made plans to drop in the next day. Coming from Pucon in the morning the crew put on below Gerd’s drop at 2 in the afternoon on a bright sunny day. Starting with the “Purty Thirty” they got out to scout on the left. A runnable 15′ first slide to autoboof put them in a must make eddy before a very continuous looking section. On the 2nd descent a boater missed this eddy and was forced to run the succeeding drops blind…The boys spent about an hour scouting an approximately 200′ long slide with a technical 2 part lead in rapid. After much debate Jared Seiler decided to go for it and ran the entire slide cleanly until spinning around backwards and flipping in the last 20′ of the slide. After a quick roll and celebration he caught the small must make eddy on the right at the bottom before another long slide. After a thumbs up, Evan Garcia and Anton Immler followed Seiler’s line with a little carnage of their own, but mostly cleaned it. Ian and Jonny opted for a seal launch half way down the slide which slightly tamed the rowdy beast. The lead in drops to this slide become worse at lower levels and a boater was badly pinned on a separate descent a week later in the lip of the first drop for over 20 minutes before he could be rescued. The entire slide can be portaged on the left. Seiler decided to call the slide “La Longaniza”.

Graham Seiler running the bottom half of  “La Longaniza”

The crew briefly scouted the next slide which they ran down a left channel where the river is split by an island with both left and right channels looking runnable and the crew chose the left which ended in a 15′ waterfall. The line turned out to be pretty stout and was named “Survivor slide” aka “fight club”. The right channel has been run since and is equally challenging.  Immediately following the 15′ waterfall the crew caught an eddy on the left above the last slide of the steepest section where their shuttle driver awaited with a rope in case someone was swept into the last slide that ended with a heinous hydraulic and boxed in walls. The crew called this one “the Gambler”. This drop has since been run. A short pool led to the start of a section later named, the “Quality and Quantity” section which begins with a 6′ boof run down the middle then a series of 2 class 4 boogie water sections broken up by a calm section and proceeds into another continuous rapid which Evan nearly ran blind before catching a small eddy to have a look. Good thing because this rapid had one of the ugliest siphons on the run followed immediately by a 6′ weir hole. Evan ran a clean line down the left and boofed the hole in the middle. The siphon on river right was later named “cancha tomate” and the following weir hole “wachito culiado”. Best scouted and portaged on the right. Small eddies on either sides afterwards allowed a set up to run the next 6′ horseshoe hole boofing right of center named “puta la wea”. Continuing mostly down the left through class 4 boogie you come to a drop run left under two big old growth logs perched in an A-frame position. Another half a km brought the crew to a narrow slot boof into a fairly large pool marking the end of the “QQ” section. Continuing roughly a half a kilometer you come to a rapid where the water ramps off the left wall through a fluffy hole. More boogie arrives at a manky slot rapid portaged on the right. Potentially run right. More boogie gradually mellowing out brought the group to 2 stout looking converging channels dropping into a big hole partially backed by a boulder on the right. Scout and portaged left. This drop was later run on the 2nd descent down the left channel and was named “the shitter” upon finding a toilet seat lid at the bottom The river continues at a fun pace and gradually goes flat. At this point the 1st crew thought they were finished with the run, but 4 more 15′ drops awaited downstream along with a landslide that diverted the river through a forest! The first 15′ after the “false run out”was only run by Evan on the first descent where a bad line on the left through a manky pile of rocks coined the name “ass banger”. Jared ran the drop on the 2nd descent with a more thought out line that turned out better off the middle clearing the rocks in the landing zone. More boogie water leads quickly into the 2nd of the last four 15′. Called “el nombre de mi polola” or “La Pacha Mama” one of the best drops on the run. A stout lead in down the left splits two directions with both 15′ drops on either side proved runnable. Big logs piled in the middle between the two falls characterizes the drop. This drop is difficult to see coming and is best scouted by scraping over a far right channel into a small eddy on the right. This drop may be mandatory, but if you feel the need to portage you probably shouldn’t be on the run. Wood could be an issue in this drop in which case a throw and go portage from the logs could be done or maybe hellish bush whacking through the woods on the right would be the best option. Soon after this falls is the landslide forest. Run cautiously through a maze of trees and strainers on the left. More boogie…seriously very little flat water on this run, brings you to a super gnar 15′ falls into a tunnel like siphon on the right, run only by scraping down the FAR LEFT, as far from this potential boater swallowing siphon as possible, one of the nastiest siphons I’ve seen! More boogie water leads to the last drop, 15′ down the middle boof with a possible plug line on the left. Dubbed the 4.20 drop.  Finally, finishing off with 2 km of shallow run out to Puente Llancahue. A gauge for the run can be judged by the middle bridge embutment 3 inches showing on the river right corner of the lowest concrete slab is optimal.  If water is over this the run will become very dangerous due to washed out eddies. The first descent was done in a very low water year in late December. During a regular season I would imagine this section will be runnable in late January. The river holds water very well and if you think it may be too high don’t go!!! (I believe higher water descents will be possible in the future- but not unless you know the run very well-as you will not be able to stop in some of the steep sections).  You can also judge the flow at the put-in by looking at the lip of Gerd’s drop. If water is spilling over a right channel at the lip it is probably too high. This run requires class 5+ skill level with exceptional eddy catching skills. Arguably, the stoutest steep creek run in Chile! Cuidado mother F@*&er$!!!
photos taken by Andraz Krpic

Check out this video with the 1st Descent

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

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.

French kayaker Valentin Grollemund

I first started looking at this creek in 1995 but it was not until 2009 that I was able to get back to run it. Equipped with a good topo map, several days of rain, a good group and a newly constructed access road everything fell into place to add another class 4-5 steep creek to the countless options in the Pucon area.

In the canyon of the Trafanpulli

The river is a bit of a geological mystery as it comes within 400 meters of entering Lago Caburgua but then swings northwest and continues another 12 KM before entering Lago Colico. At very high flows some water spills into a flood channel and indeed enters Lago Carburgua. This unique feature means that one river can split and feed two distinct drainages that each runs its parallel course before once again joining each other 80 km downstream where the Allipen joins the Tolten.

To get to the river from Pucon there are two options. Both options take more than two hours although neither option is more than 140 KM. Option 1 is go west to Villarrica and cross over Tolten bridge on main road towards Temuco. Immediately turn right and follow newly constructed road to Pedregozo. From there continue north either on the Interlagos road or the road towards Los Laureles. At a T junction turn right towards Lago Colico and follow its north shore to Puerto Trafanpulli. Continue east and you will begin passing over bridges over the Rio Trfanpulli. Each has a sign with its own bridge number.

The other option is leave Pucon and go east to Curarrehue then north up the Machin valley thru Reigolil and westward down to the Trafanpulli.

Elevations of bridges 2-5 are as follows along with distance between them.

Bridge 2 is at 359 meters and it is 3 km to bridge 3 at 393 meters elevation. It is then 5 km to bridge 4 at 424 meters elevation and another 6.9 km to bridge # 5 at 481 meters elevation. Whitewater is minimal on the bridge to bridge sections but logistics are simple. For the real whitewater us bridge 5 as takeout and proceed east on main road for about 3 km. There will be a turn off to the left with a sign “Al Cercon”. Most likely this gate will be locked and you will need to park the vehicle, climb over the fence and begin hiking with all your gear. After hiking for 3 km (40 minutes) and climbing 200 vertical meters you will come to gravel road forking off to the left with a sign saying “El Zapato”. Follow this road for approximately ½ km as it descends down to a bridge over the river.

This section of river is 4 km down to bridge number 5. The put in is at around 685 meters. We chose to get off the river about 1 km prior to bridge # 5 where we could see the road and from there walked back to get our vehicle 1 KM upstream. The 3 km stretch we ran dropped 185 meters for average gradient of 62 MPK or 310 FPM. We had a estimated flow of 250 CFS which was scratchy and a bit disconcerting at the beginning but as the river quickly channelized in a mature bedrock canyon, the flow proved to be acceptable. Another 100 CFS would be optimal but anything over 500 CFS would be too high. There were 2 short portages that may have been runnable with a little extra juice otherwise the drops were continuous and clean with the largest being a 5 meter falls. For the intrepid boat hiker the maps indicate an additional 2 km stretch upstream with average gradient of 50 mpk but one 300 meter section where river drops 50 meters that must be peppered with waterfalls.

I have seen the river in late January and it had the same flow as when we did it on a rainy spring day on December 1st. For that reason I would guess the run is boatable thru the summer months as the main source of water is snowmelt and groundwater.

Note: Take food and beer and fill your vehicles tank as the nearest stores are at least an hour away.

Other nearby rivers include Blanco de Caburgua, Solipulli, and Truful Truful

Topo maps are very useful and 1:50,000 are available from the IGM Instituto Geographica Militar. The river spills onto two maps with titles being Nevados De Caburgua G-06 and Lago Caburgua 3900-7145

From Curarrehue, 32 km east of Pucón, drive upstream past the lower run 36 km to Puente Basas Chico, the put-in at 745 meters elevation. Walk upstream 25 m from the bridge on river left to access the river. Beware of a dangerous strainer directly below the bridge. Take out 6.5 km down the road at Puente Maichín elevation 645 meters

Topo map is Reigolil. Nearby rivers include Lower Machin, Solipulli, Rio Blanco de Caburgua, and the Puesco section of Trancura. River can be run in winter and spring months with flows approaching 1000 CFS or early summer when flows drop to 400 CFS minimum before getting to low. Average drop is 80 FPM.

The put in is at the exit of Lago Villarrica (213 meters elevation) and the takeout is at the confluence of the Rio Pedregozo (guess on elevation is 125 meters). The run is over 20 km in length and takes a solid 4 hours. A safe place to leave your vehicle at the put in is the pescadero launch where the local fishing guides launch their wooden boats. You can also contract one of these fisherman to take you drift fishing in their wooden dories for 25,000 pesos per person per day which includes equipment and shuttle.

The river can be run year round with low summer flows of 1200 CFS and winter flows in excess of 20,000 CFS.

To reach the takeout (from the Tolten bridge in Villarrica) drive 16.3 KM towards Temuco to Puente Pedregozo. You can park your vehicle just before the bridge on the left hand side in front of someone’s house. There is a steep but good trail down to the river in front of the same house.

Another option is continue downstream another 20 KM or so to another takeout point called Balsadero Coipue and/or the town of Pitrufquen. The river is much calmer in this stretch and requires another 5-6 hours of paddling. For the adventurous types or those looking for a multi day trip switch into sea kayaks

On any given summer day dozens of raft trips will be challenging its class 3 rapids. Year round flows, a paved shuttle road and close proximity to town make for easy logisitics.

To reach the take out follow the main road out of town towards Argentina. Just outside of town turn left on Balsa Quelhue and go 2.7 KM on gravel road to the river. There is public access and parking at the river just before the private egress for the Trancura rafting Company. (note some people prefer to takeout upstream at Pasarela Quelhue. For this takeout continue further on paved road and turn on the gravel road that gives access to airport and follow 2.2 KM to swinging bridge)

To reach the put in take the paved road towards Carburgua. It is 9.2 KM to Puente Metreñehue which crosses over the Trancura. You can park or get dropped here and hike down to the river. I would, however, suggest an alternative put in upstream. Continue ½ KM towards Carburgua and make right hand turn towards Menetue. Continue 1 KM on this gravel road and make first right hand turn just after the Trancura private put-in. Follow this road 500 meters to the river. You will pass a house on the way with lots of ducks and animals. Expect to pay 2 to 3 thousand pesos for private and secure parking with a change house.

The run down the river usually takes 2 hours. Flows at takeout range from 1500 CFS to over 10,000 CFS depending on time of year (river can be run all year long). Rapids are mostly read and run class 2-3. Notable rapids are “El Pescador” which has pushy wave train at entrance leading into a river wide hole at hi flows. Below the Confluence (“ La Junta”) with the Liucura River the flow doubles and the largest rapid of the trip is encountered called La Leona

The Trancura river is the main drainage for the snowpeaks of Parque Nacional Villarica. Given clear weather the three volcanos Quetrupillan, Lanín and Villarica can be seen while descending the river. After running the river there are lots of places in Pucón for good food and cold beer.

For additional action and one step up in difficulty check out the upper Trancura and or the Puesco Section whose descriptions are also found on this website.

From Pucon cross the Trancura over Puente Meterenehue and continue 8 KM and make the turn to Huife. From here it is 4.8 KM thru town of San Pedro to takeout bridge over Coilaco. To reach put in continue towards Huife 500 meters and take right turn towards Laguna San Jorge. Go approximately 2 km to where bridge crosses the creek.

It is 1 KM of meandering flatwater from here to “duck and huck” which is a 9-10 meter falls that requires you to duck at the lip under a tree growing out horizontally. The approach to the falls needs to be portaged due to log jam so best to seal launch in just above the lip.

Below the falls the river passes through a colihue thicket (bamboo) than begins a screaming 1 KM super continuous rapid with almost no possibilities of any eddy. Be very very careful in this section due to logs and by no means flip over in the razor sharp jumble of rocks.

an option instead of taking out at bridge is to continue another 2 plus km down to Liucura and run several km’s of nice class 3 whitewater to takeout at Puente Liucura.

I am going to call the creek class 5 but not sure if that is really the right call. Volume is low around 150-300 CFS and creek is usually running after intense periods of rain, in winter, or in peak spring run off (October-november and sometimes December)

Creek was found and first run by Robby Dastin on a scouting mission in 2004.

Nearby rivers include Desague, Carhuello, turbio, Palguin, Trancura, Liucura, Maichin

Polk Deters on Llancalil portage

To get to this stretch first find the takeout which can be reached by driving past the Termas De Huife for another 2 KM until you cross a bridge over the small Llancalil creek. This is the takeout and is at approx 640 meters elevation.

To reach put in back track road about 1/2 km past Termas de Huife and turn left. You will climb a steep road and pass Lago Huife. Continue another 2 km or so until you find a farmers road peeling off to the river. We got lucky and found one that took us almost to the river. We asked permission of farmer to leave our vehicle and we walked our boats down to the trickle of a river. Here it is about 750 meters elevation and you begin to scrape your way down about 2 km to where the discharge of Lago Huife significantly bumps up the flow. From here in the final KM the river drops close to 70 meters of 350 FPM to the takeout.

There are several portages none of which are very difficult. Again this creeky run is more of a novelty that quality whitewater and is best left to those that have time and like to explore….

I would not go out of way to run this river but given its simple logistics if you are in the area it is worth putting in.

From Reigolil it is 5.3 km west to the wooden takeout bridge over the river. Here the elevation is 921 meters.

To reach the put in continue west 2.2 KM to small tributary. Put in here at 961 meters and scrape your way past an Aruacaria tree to confluence with main branch. Here you enter a canyon and float thru crystal clear water to the takeout. GPS coordinates are 39 degree 4.035 minutes latitude and 71 degrees 30.91 minutes longitude.

Easy shuttle to walk or run or bike. It is about 2-1/4 hours from Pucon and good to mix in with runs on Maichin. Follow international road from Pucon to Curarrehue then up past Reigolil.

I first looked at this river in 1994 but it was almost impossible to scout. Although there is a road above the runnable section is in a deep tight gorge with lots of vegetation making it hard to see the river.

The boys on a Blanco portage

In 2004 I was back in the area with the LMV crew and took another look at it. Since it was not possible to scout, the decision was made to drop into the canyon and give it a go. We put in using a steep and very faint fisherman’s trail that dropped to base of some falls at the confluence of two drainages. One drainage is the Rio Quililche and the other is the Rio Blanco 4-5 KM below the Termas de Rio Blanco. It is also about 6 km up from where the river enters the eastern end of Lago Caburgua.

The put in GPS coordinates are 39 degrees 4.776 minutes south lattititude and 71 degrees 37.961 minutes west longitude. The altitude at put in is 610 meters. The takeout is 2.5 KM away at confluence of rio Miraflores 510 meters elevation. the 2.5 KM run drops 100 meter or average gradient of 40 m/km or 200 FPM. It is low volume boulder garden type rapids with several portages due to log jams.

We ran river in December and even though it was small we figured it was probably a relatively high water level. I returned in low water month of Feb. 2009 and was surprised to see it had the same level as years earlier in the peak summer run off. In summary the river seems to have a runnable flow throughout spring, summer and into fall.

The class 4 rapids offered some excitement but it was more of a canyoneering experience down in a deep slot. I would highly recomend the nearby Termas de Rio Blanco hot springs or the hike from there up thru Huerquehue National Park to the other side of the lake.

To reach the river from Pucon you can go east to Currarehue then up past Regolil or you can go west to Villarica then north and eventually turn east and follow the north shore of Lago Colico.

At a distance of only 67 KM from Pucon is the put-in for one of Chile’s premier creek runs. This section of river has been dubbed the Puesco section and should be on every class 5 kayakers “TO DO LIST”.

The crystal clear water and extreme gradient make for an unforgettable day run.

To reach the river take the international road from Pucon to Argentina heading towards Paso Tromen or Mahuil Malal. From Pucon to Curarrehue (turn of for Maichin) it is 42 KM of paved road. From here to Put-in at Puente Puesco it is another 25 KM on what is now gravel road but soon to be paved. Before crossing Puente Puesco there is a turn off to the right. Head back this dirt track 100 meters, park and put-in on the calm waters of the Rio Puesco. Do not block this road as it is used by local residents.

At the put-in The Rio Puesco is very small but within approximately 500 meters the Rio Momolluco enters from the right and more than doubles the flow. From this point down the river (now actually the Trancura) gets very steep with countless ledge and boulder drops. About 1 KM down the river one will encounter a particularly burly drop called Tres Troncos which was aptly named for the 3 logs which are commonly pinned into the right channel of the drop. Depending on logs every drop on the river is run-able but everything can also be portaged.

3 KM into the run you will pass under a wooden bridge then a café on river left. The road is nearby and this is a possible takeout. One can continue another 4 KM downstream with lots more challenging whitewater that has less gradient than the upper 3 KM. Once you reach some braided gravel bars it is time to get out and hike back to the road. From the river it is hard to know where to get out but from the road a good marker is blue church on river left approximately 7 KM below put-in.

River rating:

Class v- for flows under 400 CFS or 12 cubic meters per second
Class V for flows between 400-600 CFS or 12 to 20 CMS
Class V+ for flows over 600 CFS or 20 CMS

“Feet first” foto by John Mattson

The Palguín never gets too low so apart from a period of high water in the winter/spring months it provides an attractive option for year round paddling.

Pete Iscaro final drop of Tres Huevones foto Chris Larsen

To get to the put in drive East from Pucon 7km and turn right on the international road towards Curarrehue From here continue for another 10 – 15km until you see a sign for the Termas Palguín then turn right. The gravel road (which might be paved in near future) heads up the drainage. From this point set the odometer on your vehicle to “0″.

At the lip of 70 footer foto by Eva Luna Luna Ramirez

The traditional upper put in is 6.9 KM up this road. The parking area is marginal and is just downstream of the 25 meter Salto Palguín which as of this date still has not been run. From here walk across the road and look for the small, steep trail that will lead you down to a small natural bridge spanning the river. Cross the arch bridge and seal launch in on the other side. There is an optional put in on the other side of the river thru Ben May’s property. Ben is the owner of Kayak Chile and his storefront can be found on the main street of O’Higgins in center of Pucon. Kayak Chile

There are four distinct drops on the run. The first is called “Tres Huevones” and consists of 3 drops with part three ending in a 3 meter falls. The second rapid, “Eva Luna” is a 5-6 meter falls at the end of a slot canyon. The third rapid is another falls called “Ecstasy” and has a 7 meter vertical drop with runs on on either the left or right of the center rock island. The fourth drop is called “feet first” and is run in the center slot which is a sloping 6 meter sluiceway whose width is slightly more than that of a kayak. Downstream is an almost never run, double-drop falls. Many choose to throw or lower their boats off the falls and jump the 15 meters into the deep pool below. Do not miss the eddy on river left above this falls.

Steve Melnick Ectasy Falls foto Chris Larsen

Following the large double drop the river continues through class 2-3 rapids for another kilometer until it passes under a small road bridge. The rapid leading into and under the bridge is known as squeezebox. This is a good takeout and has car access. It is slightly less than 2 KM by road to this point from Upper put in. From here one can continue on what was once called the Middle section if big waterfalls are on the menu.

Juanito Ugarte Upper Palguín Foto by Chris Larsen

This section is not to be taken lightly and should be scouted before proceeding. The first rapid is a long twisting micro gorge that in the recent years has been clogged with wood and is therefore portaged. Below are the large signature waterfalls of the Palguín. First up is a powerful 8 meter falls landing in a large hole. A moving pool then leads into the heart of the run. Until 2006 three linked waterfalls ranging in height from 3m, 13 meters and 17 meters were stacked directly on top of one another. A mystical geological phenomenon occurred that caused the second two drops to fuse into on massive 24 meter falls. The new falls was first probed in February 2007 by Ian
Garcia, Chris Korbulic and Rodrigo Tuschner of Kayak Pucon. From here the river continues dropping at a class four rate until meeting up with the road/takeout point another Kilometer downstream.

Evan Garcia huckin’ the MP

Note: 4 KM up the Palguín road one comes to a future tea room on river left. This is an access point for spectators wanting to see the big falls. If the land owner is there expect to get charged for entrance.

Ian Garcia

For more fotos of the falls and other rivers click on this link Ian Garcia’s Blog

View from above on the first canyon

The Maichí­n runs for most of the summer months but is best in the month of December and early January when higher flows in the 1000-1500 CFS range make for some powerful hydraulics and long explosive rapids. The river is run through the period January-March but the falling flow takes away “the punch” of December flows and can be very rocky. Venturing in during high flows of the winter months is possible but unless one already knows the river it is highly discouraged.

Begining of the Maichin River

To reach the takeout drive 36 KM east on the paved road from Pucón to Curarrehue. On the eastern side of town turn left and cross the Trancura river bridge following signs for Re­golil. Go 8.5 KM and you will reach a high bridge over the Maichí­n. Cross the bridge and make the first left and follow this road approximately 2 KM downstream to the takeout point. The takeout point is somewhat arbitrary but can best be found at the point just where the road finishes going downhill and also before it starts to go back uphill. There is a place to park on the left and a gate into a field on your left side. The river is accessible via a 100 meter walk thru the field. There are some small beaches here at this takeout so if the weather is nice it is a good place to hang out for shuttle drivers and people with kids. Be respectful as this is private property and do not park your vehicles inside or block access to the gate. To reach the put in head back upstream 2 km to road junction. Continue on road to Re­golil another 6 KM until you can finally see the river at a point where it is only 10 meters away from the road. Park on this level spot and walk to the river. The first 1 km is pretty mellow and passes under a bridge then the river starts to enter a canyon with some class 4 drops. On the run you will come to a class 5+ rapid dubbed “Achtung Baby”. Portage on left with care or run the drop with care. The reason I say portage with care is because the last part of the portage (if done on river left) involves a seal launch back into the river and the strong current pushes unsespecting boaters into an undercut wall. Multiple large holes need to be punched while running this drop and three distinct undercuts magnetically attract the daredevil kayakers.

Pete Iscaro in often portaged “Achtung Baby” foto by Lars Peterson

Further into the run comes a crux section which often involves a scout on river right and then an unscoutable horizon line. When you run part one of this drop and are approaching the unscoutable part two choose the center chute and launch straight off the far left side of this chute to avoid a hole at the bottom. This 2-3 hour run can be combined with other nearby runs such as Puesco or Panqui to make for a very full day of kayaking.

Note: There is a class 3-4 section above the common put-in that sports one distinct canyon section. To extend or modify the run continue upstream towards Re­golil and stop wherever you see something you like as the river is basically visible from the road on most of this section.

A good day on the Maichí­n

Chris Larsen going big on the Panqui

To reach the river drive 34 KM east on paved road to Curarrehue. I KM before reaching town turn left and cross over the Trancura river on a bridge. To reach the normal takeout turn left and follow the road downstream along the Trancura for approximately 3 KM until you come to a bridge over the Panqui. Usually this is the end of the road as the gate is locked on other side of bridge. This is the takeout point.

Christie Glissmire Rio Panqui foto by Mike Deacon

To reach the put in return the 3 KM on same road you just followed and then turn left and follow signs towards Termas de Panqui. It is 15 KM on a gravel road to the Termas which are a highly reccomended addition to the river trip. there is an upper streatch of river that starts just below the Termas which I have not done. If this top section is running the bottoms ection will likely be too high. All I know of this approx 8 KM upper stretch is that Josh Lowry lost a kayak on their first descent.

The lower stretch can be reach from two access points both of which are 2 KM apart. I would suggest the lower access which avoids almost 2 KM of flatwater. To reach this point you make a turn to the left after climbing for about 6 KM. I recall the road immediately drops down hill and winds its way to the river. There is a bridge at the river which collapsed in 2005 and last time I was there a truck which had falled from the bridge was still in the river. From this point the river immediately enters a mini canyon. Laying not too far ahead is a 25-30 meter falls. To the best of knowledge this has not yet been run but it is only a matter of time so take note all waterfall junkies. the falls can be portaged on the left on an excelent trail that wraps around and back down to the river to the base of a second 15 plus meter cascade that follows the big falls.

Panqui drops foto by Chris Larsen

A few class five falls/drops can be run that bring you to a runnable 10 meter falls that can be scouted on the right. Be careful with this falls as the current at the base pushes boats into an undercut wall. After the falls the river is in a box canyon but with no significant drops. The river mellows as it passes some homes in Reliacura Bajo and it feels like the action is done. This is not the case. The river changes character and enters boulder garden rapids including an easy class five called Araña.

There are two ways to reach the takeout. The first and quickest is to follow the paved road from Carburgua. About 1 KM after passing the entrance to Ojos De Carburgua you turn left at El Cristo bus stop. You will cross a bridge over the Deague and and go about two km on gravel road then turn right and drive approx 1 KM and pass a cementary. The road starts climbing uphill and you will come to a sign for Salto Copihue. Continue for about another 2 KM and along the way you will pass signs for Salton Bellavista. You will pass an old pickup truck perched in the trees on the right and about 200 meters later you will have first glimpse of the river about 15 meters below. At this point you want to park. There is barely space to park and allow other occasional cars to pass as they head to theirs homes upstream. You can run the creek when it looks to be barely floatable at levels I estimate to be as low as 75 CFS.

To reach the takeout return downstream 3 km to the T intersection. Go right about 1-1/2 KM until you come to the bridge over the Carhuello. An optional way to reach

Juanito Ugarte Part 1 Salto Javali

The takeout from Pucon is to take the Pasarela quelhue bridge over the Trancura and travel all the way up the Liucura on the road to Carburgua. This is a popular bike trip and pretty but somewhat slower.

The put in elevation here is 600 meters. The takeout is approx. 4 KM downstream at 300 meters.

The beginning of the kayak run has a few hundred meters of boulder gardens and some channelized rapids. When the foot bridge comes into view you need to get out some 30 meters upstream and portage a nasty 20 meter falls (that lands on a rock) on a well defined trail. you will walk over a small side stream and through a gate. Continue walking uphill. The first turn to the left will take you to the base of the falls which provides a good view but not a good place to get back in your boat. To reach a good put in spot walk along the tree line and look for a trail down to the river. When you get there put in wherever you are comfortable. There are lots of steep boulder choked rapids so some may choose to continue walking downstream an additional 200 meters.
Once on the water you will soon come to Salto Javali which consists of two 5 meter falls. After a few more rapids comes the monster 4 part 25 meter drop that until our trip on November 30, 2005 had always been portaged. Gigo Castillo missed the last eddy and disappeared over the first drop backwards. By some miracle he survived the ensuing carnage without a scrap. the first drop is a two meter falls into a robust hole that immediately feeds into an almost vertical seies of slides. At the base of the slides you have time for 1-2 strokes before the big 6-7 meter falls which you need to enter on the left for fear of decapitation on the bottom right. The base of the falls are ina cauldron which exits to the left with another 3 meter drop. The faint of heart can portage parts 1-3 and seal launch into the Cauldron for part 4.

Rio Carhuello

After seeing Gigo had survived the drop Juanito Ugarte lined up and ran the drop. Word immediately spread around town that this drop was open for business and within days hardcore boaters were testing their limits on this drop. Below this are a few more good drops then one comes to the entrance to Salto Copihue. To the best of my knowledge this has not yet been run. It is best portaged from above on river left by climbing up to a house and the road itself before returning to the river for an addition 3/4 km runout to the car.

Scouting Salto Copihue

Carhuello Falls

Perfect falls on the LLancahue

From Pucon there are two ways to get to the river. the shortest distance is to drive up the Palguin drainage and over the pass between the two volcanoes. The drive is absolutely spectacular but the road can be deplorable and can only be attempted in good weather with a bomber four wheel drive vehcile with high clearance. At the top of the Palguin drainage you enter the Villarica National Park and the road is unmaintained. To find put in follow directions shown below for standard route.

Leave Pucon to town of Villarica then go south to Lican Ray then around shores of Lago Calafquen to town of Coñaripe. In center of town take left, following signs to Termas Geometrica. After traveling for 13.8 KM you come to the Termas de Vergara. Continue upstream to where you can first see the river and use the pull out on the right as takeout. If you continue boating past this point heads up as you are entering the middle stretch which has some heinous and un run drops.

Travel upstream on same road and you will pass the turn off to the Termas geometricas in 3.2 KM but continue on and in less than 1 KM you will come to a bridge over a tributary called Rio El Venado. There is no sign for the bridge or river but this is one possible put in point. If you choose to put in here there is a waterfall a few hundred meters downstream just above the confluence. Be careful as one year a tree was wedged into these falls. Common option is to drive over the bridge and not very far to the next bridge over main branch. Park at the entrance to Termas de Rincon and put in under the bridge. The elevation here is 900 meters and the takeout elevation is approx 720 m. the river drops 180 meters in 4.4 km for average drop of 40 m/km or 200 FPM. Flow is estimated at 250 to 400 CFS. If you have access to tope maps the river can be found on Liquine. Other nearby runs include Reyeheuco and LLizan. The river is good to do on the way to the Fuy.

The run is a good class 5 creek with crytal clear water and several waterfalls and possibly several portages. There are several nice things about the Llancahue. One is that if you have had enough at any point you can get out and walk to the road with relative ease. Secondly there are several hotsprings including Vergara, El Rincon and Geometrica. Geometrica is pricey at 10,000 pesos but one of the best in Chile. A third point is that you can find nice car camping at several points along the river. A fourth point is that river really never gets to low so can be run year round.

Several groups have ventured further than the above mentioned takeout. In December 2011 Jared Seiler and crew were the first to succesfully run the complete lower stretch. See separate description for this 5+ stretch of stomping whitewater. The downstream action is described as burly, intense, and committing with some massive drops and equally difficult portages/scouts.

After a run on the creek and a soak in one of the nearby hot springs and you can be back in Pucon sipping Pisco sours within 2 hours.

Pura Vida – Kurt Casey

Nate Mack on Llancahue

Lower part of 7 meter falls

The river can only be run in late spring and early summer after significant rain or snowmelt. Ideal time is usually late november and December. The run is approximately 2 KM long and drops from 600 meters to 475 for an average of 62.5 m/km or 315 FPM.

Daniel on approach to waterfall that can not be portaged

The river has a low volume steep-creek feel with a little bit of everything including a classic Califonia style slide, waterfalls, and dozens of steep technical drops. The river can be run at low and medium flows but would be suicidal at high flows.

Catching air on the “California slide”

To reach the put in leave Pucon and head east towards Argentina. After you cross the bridge over the Turbio stay straight and do not take turn on the international road to Argentina. You will be on the road to Lago Caburgua. After 7 KM turn right on the now paved road towards Huife. In approximately 13 KM you twill signs for a turn to left to Parque Huerquehue or Tres Saltos. Do not turn here but continue 1 KM more to huife and take the next left following signs to Lefincul (if you reach termas de Quimey-Co you have gone to far so return and make the next turn). You will cross a bridge over the Lefuncul/Liucura river. Stay straight and you wills tart up the Nevado drainage. Park just before the road starts to get real steep. you will not see the river at this point but when you climb out later you will find your vehicle.

Peruvian Juanito Ugarte
From the way to the put in is obvious. Go up the incredibly steep dirt road approx 2 km until it crosses the the bridge over the Nevado. You can park a 100 meters on the other side of the bridge as it begins its first switchback. The put in is just upstream of the bridge and offers an adrenaline packed jump start to the intimidating canyon below. The run is full contact class 5+ boating so bring your elbow pads, your rope and your A game.

The first canyon has about 6 difficult rapids including one difficult portage. After the frist canyon there are some boulder drops which eventually lead into the california style slide which feeds into a 6 meter falls. The base of the falls is a narrow canyon that feeds into another rapid which I recall can not be scouted? Be careful is this section as I have seen a hole force people to swim when the creek had water. After this it is a blur of rapids including a mandatory 7 meter falls.

Nate Elliot in Plata Canyon

The run was first pioneered by locals Robbie Dastin and Gigo Castillo along with visiting Colorado boys Chris Larsen and Steve “Este” Melnick in December 2003. The following year I hit the second run with a big group including Nate Elliot, Russell Kelley, Daniel DeLaVernge, Riley?, Jay Moffet, and two others names unknown.

The creek is a tight, deep canyon with multiple big drops with the highest being in the 10 meter range. To determine if the creek has proper flow leave Pcuon and follow directions to the takeout of the lower Trancura. Cross the Pasarela Quelhue (swinging bridge) to the other side of the river and go to road deadends. Turn left and follow road for several kilometers until you dead end into the creek. Walk partway upstream and look just upstream of the foot bridge. If you think you can barely scrape down the lever should be good. If it looks like you can float down without problem the creek is too high and you should not enter the constricted canyon above.

Finding the put in is an incredible challenge and will take several hours of hiking with your boat. To reach the put in first cross the river (in your boat or on the foot bridge as there is no vehiclke bridge at time of this writing) and walk about 200 meters until you come to a gate on the road. the gat emay be closed and you will need to jump over. Continue walking uphill on the gravel road for a few hundred more meters until the raod begins to level off. there will be barb wired fence on your right and at some point a place where you can open the fence to let animals or mabe even a vehicle in. Enter here and start walking diagonally to the right. You will come to an old road that then turns and steeply climbs. Stay on the this for about 40 minutes until you climb a steep series of switchbacks with a farmhouse on your left. When you reach the top pass to the right of the house ona rightward diagaonal and stay on the road track as you cross some more gates. The road levels off then climbs again to more pastures. The road at this point is hard to distinguish but keep climbing and the road will eventually come into view again as more of a dirt tract in the grass. While you are hiking the creek is hundreds of feet below you in a jungle filled canyon. you will see absolutely nothing looking down so do not even try to climb out on the cliffs as it is a waste of time. Eventually you will come to final gate that is a formed by series of wooden timbers placed horizontally. Go thru this gate and stay on what appears to be an ancient logging trail. you will cross a rushing small stream and you need to stay on this tract for approximately 1/2 to 1 KM. this is the hardest part of the hike. You need to find a way down to the river and it is not easy. On our trip we split up and spread out about 100 meters apart and each made an attempt. If you ar elicky you will find the trail down. If you are not you will chase some cow path only to find yourself cliffed out.

When you do get to the river the water is crystal clear, cold and drinkable without a filter. The first 1/2 KM may be scrappy but then the 5+ action picks up with 2.5 KM that includes numerous falls and big drops.

The lake is at 240 meters above sea level. The put in is at 500 meters. In the 3 KM run the creek drops 260 meters for average drop of 88 meters per KM or 440 FPM average. I would estimate the flow at 100 to 150 CFS.

Plan on a whole day to run this and remember once you enter the canyon the only way out is to boat your way to the end. An accident or broken boat could prove most problematic.

Robbie Dastin 10 meter drop

Gigo Castillo wall boof

Final drop on La Plata

Robbie Dastin early action on La Plata

Put in for the Rio Plata Dec 2004