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/lower-llancahue/ http://riversofchile.com/lower-llancahue/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:56:58 +0000 jared http://riversofchile.com/?p=1377
Jared Seiler dropping the “Suavemente” aka “Purty Thirty” at the start of the Lower section.

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

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

Packing it in

For years this river was overlooked because it has no road access and people really had no idea that it had water. It´s natural course would be to enter the Laja Valley but Endesa diverted every drop into canals prior to the confluence with the Laja thus it appears to not even exist. In fact the Polcura provides 25 km of stomping whitewater in a pristine, Roadless environment.

Getting on and off the river presents its own challenge. To reach the river you need horses or need to be willing to walk 25 km with your gear up and over a pretty big pass. Here is my suggestion and what Paul Van Cura and I did on our Nov 25, 2011 first descent.

Nightime view of the river from 100 meters above

Drive East from Chillan to village of Recinto then just before reaching Los Lleuques turn right following sign to Duguillin. In 8 km you reach Puente Antacalco. Just prior to the bridge go left and follow road upriver to an often locked chain at Fundo Los Cipresses. This is private land and you will likely need to pay 2,000 pesos to pass your vehicle. Proceed 150 meters and then follow fork in road to left through a gate. Follow this brutal 4 wheel drive only road another 7 km until it ends at El Trumao swinging bridge. This is also the put in for the Upper Diguillin River. From this point you need horses which can be arranged from Miguel Antonio Ocares miguelocares29@gmail.com phone 76219797. Miguel was a park ranger in the Ñuble for 10 years and knows the park intimately. He will leave Los Lleuques 2.5 hours earlier in day so that the horses are there waiting when you arrive. I would highly suggest one mule for each pair of empty kayaks then each person rides their own horse with their gear in a backpack (which Miguel can bring back when he returns).

Map of Reserva Ñuble

It is a 25 km or 5 hour horse trek up and over pass into Blanquillo Valley eventually arriving at Polcura River in the Sector El Candado on other side of National Park..

En route the trail passes by the 40 meter high (estimated) Salto Blanquillo on the Blanquillo tributary. The Blanquillo enters the Polcura 2 km below the put in.

Salto Blanquillo

Fishing is amazing at this point so plan to camp and eat fish. Miguel will camp with you and leave the next day for his return trip. At this point, anything you do not need or can not carry in your boat (backpack, boots, etc) give to Miguel and he will take back.

At the put in we found an ideal flow of about 800 CFS which grew to an estimated 2000 CFS by end of trip. The river started off with 2 km of class 4-4+ whitewater until its confluence with the Rio Blanquillo. From this point there were 3 km of class 2-3 water through incredible basalt plugs, followed by an additional 3 km stretch having intermittent class 5 rapids and some nice beaches for camping. Next up are 4 km of some of the most pumping class 5+ water in Chile. Everything is portagable and with good flows sneak chutes open up. Upon reaching the Estero Attravesado (entering on river right) the river backs off to class 4 then quickly down to class 3 for final 15 km to takeout. An old abandoned logging road follows this final section on river right. Takeout is at the Endesa bridge upstream of where river goes into a canal.

Put in rapid

It took us 12 hours on day one to get to Estero Attravesado then another 2 hours next day to reach the bridge. I would strongly suggest camping before the wild stretch and starting into this section fresh on day 2. Everything is runnable but is so continuous that things could easily get out of hand. We had a boat get pinned.

Pinned boat

Class 5 action on Polcura

Take out situation is also tricky because you are 13 km up from an ENDESA gate. Private vehicles are not allowed in without permission so plan this part carefully or expect a 13 km walk out (as the river below is dewatered). We used a shuttle driver that grew up in the Endesa community and knew how to get permission to get in. He lives near Termas de Chillan in Las Trancas and his name is Maxiliano Sandoval 85604046 or 89599824. Max rode with his to put-in then return with our vehicle to his home. He then met us at takeout at prearranged time 2 days later. It is a 6 hour (250km) shuttle drive so plan this part out carefully as well as put in logistics.

Trashed shuttle ride near takeout

The rewards of this trip and the efforts put forth to make it happen are well worth it. Put in elevation is 1075 meters (high for Chile) and takeout is 800 meter. The river drops 275 meters in 25 km. At first glance the average gradient of 11 m/km would appear to be pretty mellow but in reality the gradient is concentrated in multiple sections averaging over 100 FPM and with 1500-2000 CFS you have some boisterous sections..

Typical class 5 action on Polcura

Note: Upon crossing the Diguillin River at beginning of hose trek to put-in you will be entering the National Park and are required to pay an entrance fee of 2200 pesos per person.

The topo map for the bulk of the river is called Puntilla Chillan G-010. I would highly suggest having a copy. We lost a kayak in a sieve and had to hike a person out. Having the map allowed us to figure the best way of finding a trail. Due to higher than normal altitude for Chilean Rivers, The Polcura drainage has cold nights and ultra cold water so come prepared.

Scan image of portion of G-010 topo map

GPS coordinates Put-in 37.076115°, 71.394636°
GPS coordinates at take out 37.269223°, 71.459928°

Other nearby rivers include Rio Chillan, Diguillin, Laja, Rucue, and Renegado

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

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 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

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.

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.

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.

Chilean authorities now have 24 working days to decide whether or not to permit this US$7 billion project of five dams on the Baker and Pascua rivers and an over 1,200 mile-long transmission line with its accompanying 100-yard-wide clear-cut through national parks and protected areas.

A poll released in early April, 2011 shows that public opposition to HidroAysén has reached it’s highest level yet, with 61.1% of Chileans against dam construction in Patagonia. That’s nearly double the opposition of only 2 years ago!

Please join me in sending letters now to the Chilean president and other decision-makers asking them to reject HidroAysén and protect Patagonia from short-sighted and unnecessary destruction. Every person makes a difference.

El 11 de abril, HidroAysén por tercera vez entregó el Estudio de Impacto Ambiental (EIA) para su aprobación. El gobierno chileno debe decidir el aprobar o no el proyecto.

Autoridades chilenas deberán decidir en los siguientes 24 días si se llevará a cabo el proyecto de 7,000 millones de dólares, el cual incluye la construcción de cinco presas en los ríos Baker y Pascua y una línea de transmisión de 2,300km (el tamaño de Senegal) a través de parques nacionales y áreas protegidas.

Una votación mostró la semana pasada que la oposición chilena ha alcanzado su más alto nivel, con un 61.1% manifestándose en contra de la construcción en Patagonia. Eso duplica la oposición de hace tan sólo dos años.

Por favor únete a mandar una carta al presidente de Chile y a los demás mandatarios pidiéndoles que rechacen el proyecto HidroAysén y que protejan la Patagonia. Cada persona hace la diferencia.