History of First Descents

The following information has been put together over many years. Much of the “early years” information came from John Foss who spent many years preparing to write a guidebook prior to his untimely death in July 1998. The list starts with rivers in the north and moves progressively southwards.

Some rivers are listed here without details as it is known they have been run but not by whom or when. As the info is confirmed it will be added and over time many of the river descriptions added to this site as well.

SANTIAGO METROPOLITAN AREA

Rio Aconcagua
Salto del Soldado Canyon: Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson; January, 1985.
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Rio Colorado (Aconcagua)
John Foss, Greg Moore; December, 1993.
Rio Mapocho
El Arrayan: Andres Hermosilla, Greg Moore; ???
Farellones: Andres Hermosilla? 1986 or 87 ??
Rio Maipo
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Middle: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Upper: Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Larry Dunn, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson, Bryan Seeholzer; January, 1985.
Rio Clarillo
Andres Hermosilla, Pedro Jux; November, 1986.
Rio Colorado (Maipo tributary)
John Armstrong, Lars Holbek; January, 1983.
Rio Yeso
Richard Montgomery, Mike Schlax; January, 1981.
Rio Volcán
Lower: Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Larry Dunn, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson, Bryan Seeholzer; January, 1985.
Upper: Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Larry Dunn, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson, Bryan Seeholzer; January, 1985.
Rio Coyanco
Ian Garcia, Evan Garcia, Pangal Astorga, Nicolas Buenaventura
October 2008
Rio Cachapoal
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Upper: Mark Allen, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson, DNF (took out at horrendous canyon); January, 1985. Greg Moore, Jerry Kaufmann, DNF; February, 1988
Rio Pangal
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Upper:
Rio Cipreses
John Foss, Aaron Pruzan, John Hart Feb. 1998
Rio Blanco (Cachapoal tributary)
Jon Barker, John Foss; March, 1994.

SOUTHCENTRAL ANDES
Rio Tinguiririca
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Middle: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Upper: Newsome Holmes, Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1981.
Rio Claro
Andres Hermosilla, Pedro Jux; November, 1986.
Rio Teno
La Juale-Los Quenes: Armando Grand, Alejandro Küpfer, Carol Kramer, Francisco Valle; 1982.
Rio Claro
Los Queñes run: Armando Grand, Alejandro Küpfer, Carol Kramer, Francisco Valle; 1982.
Rio Lontué
Lower: Pierre Dubanth, Andres Hermosilla; September, 1990.
Upper: John Foss, Brennan Guth, Arnd Schaeftlein, Bernd Sommer; 23 February, 1995.
Rio Colorado (Lontué tributary)
15 KM lower stretch John Foss, Brennan Guth, Arnd Schaeftlein, Bernd Sommer; 24 February, 1995.
Upper 35 km stretch from near Argentina Todd Ericson, Andy Meyer and Gonzalo Doerr March 2013
From headwaters Glenn Dagliesh, Gonzalo Doerr March 2015
Rio Claro
El Radal: Sergio Andrade, Andres Canas, Luis Ortega; November, 1981.
Las Siete Tazas: Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson; January, 1985.
Veintidos Saltos: Mike Fentress, Lars Holbek, Dieter King, Jaroslav Mach, Rocket, Dean Tomko; January, 1989.
Rio Maule
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins, 10 February, 1980.
La Mina run: Chris Spelius; February, 1980.
Upper: ?
Rio Melado
Upper section: Zack Cowan, Kurt Casey, Robbie Dastin December 2005
Quebrada El Toro
John Foss, Kurt casey, Josh Lowry, Robbie Dastin December 1997
Rio Ancoa
Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson; January, 1985.
Rio Achibueno
Lower: JuanFe Zuazo, Giancarlo Guglielmetti; December, 1988.
Upper: Lars Holbek, Beth Rypins; January, 1994.
Rio Longaví
From Puente Molcho Josh Lowry, Robbie Dastin, Kurt casey December 16, 1997

Rio Bullileo Upper section Fields Marshall, Nathan Sullivan, Kurt Casey December 17, 2016
Rio Perquilauquén
November 2003 – Jon Clark and Matt Jennings

Rio Ñuble
Altue and Channel 7 TV: Omar Babul, Luis Ortega, Francisco Valle, plus Chilean journalists; 1986.
Rio Los Sauces
John Foss, Josh Lowry, Clay Wright; 6 December, 1994.
Rio Gonzalez
John Foss, Josh Lowry, Clay Wright; 7 December, 1994.
Rio de Las Truchas
Jon Clark, Warren Williams, Ben Perrin; November 2007
Estero de Las Damas
Jon Clark, Jason McClure, Jeremy Anderson; November 2007
Rio Cato
Jake Greenbaum, Kurt Casey November 1, 2011
Rio Ñiblinto
Jake Greenbaum, Kurt Casey November 2, 2011
Rio Chillan
???????
Rio Renegado
???????
Rio Polcura
Paul Van Cura, Kurt Casey November 25-26, 2011
Rio Cholguan
Ben May, Kurt Casey November 6, 2018
Rio Huepíl Fields Marshall, Nathan Sullivan, Kurt Casey December 18, 2016
Rio Laja
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; 23 January, 1981.
Upper: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; 22 January, 1981.
Rio Rucue
Kurt Casey November 27, 2011
Rio Duqueco
Phil DeReimer, Hayden Glatte, Bryan Tooley; January, 1986.
Rio Quillaleo
Rodrigo Tuschner, Kurt Casey October 4, 2011
Rio Queuco
Lower: Dave Black, John Foss; December, 1992.
Upper: Yerko Ivelic, Hugh …?
Rio Ñirementum
Rodrigo Tuschner, Kurt Casey October 5, 2011
Rio Pangue
???????
Rio Lolco
Fields Marshall, Nathan Sullivan, Kurt Casey December 21, 2016
Rio Bio-Bio
Lower: SOBEK; January, 1978.
Royal Flush Canyon: SOBEK; January, 1978.
Cien Saltos Canyon: SOBEK; January, 1978.
Nireco Canyon: SOBEK; January, 1978.
Lonquimay-Quepuca: SOBEK; January, 1978.
Upper: Mapuches? SOBEK; January, 1978.
Rio Lomín
Ken Kastorff, Chris Spelius; January, 1988.
Rio Ralco
Ken Kastorff, Chris Spelius; January, 1988.
Rio Chalquilvin
Ken Kastorff, Rick Wright, Randy Rurico, Morgan Smith; January, 1988.
Rio Llanquen
Dave Black, John Foss, Mark Kocina; December, 1992
Rio Renaico
Ben May, Kurt Casey November 7, 2018
Rio Amargo
Ben May, Kurt Casey November 8, 2018
Rio Malleco
Nathan Sullivan and crew; December 2004
Rio Dillo:: Emilio LeDonne, Ken Craig, Roger Pyle, Fields Marshall, Keith Schloss and Kurt Casey; November 19, 2009
Rio Cautín
Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Rio Calbuco: Emilio LeDonne, Ken Craig, Roger Pyle, Fields Marshall, Keith Schloss and Kurt Casey; november 20, 2009
Rio Huichahue
Ben May, Kurt Casey June 1, 2012
Rio Pichipinga or Llaima
Ian Garcia, Rodrigo Tuschner, Jake Greenbaum Kurt Casey October 3, 2012
Rio Curacalco
Rodrigo Tuschner, Kurt Casey November 10,2011
Rio Truful-Truful
Horst Simon III year unknown
Rio Queupude/Alpehue
Kurt Casey, John Foss, Josh Lowry, Clay Wright; 3 January, 1995.
Rio Quepe
Ian Collings, David Collings, Kurt Casey December 5, 2005
Rio Codihue
Ben May, Kurt Casey August 30, 2011
Rio Trafanpulli
Mariane Saether, Steve Fisher, Kurt Casey, Valentin Grollemund, Jakub Šedivý, December 1, 2009
Rio Pichipedregozo
Kurt Casey DNF December 2004
Rio Trancura
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Upper: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Puesco: Giancarlo Guglemetti, Juan Federico Zuazo, French ‘Sans Frontieres’ (many portages); December, 1990.
John Foss; January, 1994.
Rio Blanco de Caburgua
Lower: Daniel de LaVergne, Nate Elliot, Polk Deters, Kurt Casey, Toby McDerrmot and Riley; Dec 6, 2004
Upper: Rodrigo Tushner, Jared Seiler, Evan Garcia; Dec 2009
Rio Llancalil
Daniel de LaVergne, Nate Elliot, Polk Deters, Kurt Casey, Toby McDerrmot and Riley Cathwright Dec 7, 2004
Rio Caren
Rio Panqui
Lower section Josh Howell, Robbie dastin, Rick Bravo
Big falls Ian Garcia and Rodrigo Tushner November 2008
Upper section: Josh Lowry and ?
Rio Nevado
Daniel de LaVergne, Nate Elliot, Polk Deters, Kurt Casey, Toby McDerrmot and Riley Cathwright (It was Polk’s birthday), Dec 5, 2004
Lower canyon Rodriog Tushner, Evan Garcia, Jared Seiler, Graham Seiler November 2008
Rio Liucura
Lower: Newsome Holmes, Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; 26 January 1981.
Upper:
Estero Coilaco
Robbie Dastin 2004
Rio Desague or Caburgua
Yvon Chouinard, Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins, John Wasson; 27 January 1984.
Rio Carhuello
Robbie dastin, Gigo Castillo, Rick Bravo November 1994
Rio de la Plata
Robbie Dastin, Gigo Castillo, Chris Larsen and Steve “Este” Melnick December 2003
Rio Palguin
Upper: Christine Blask, John Foss; February, 1990.
Lower: Arnd Schaeftlein, Bernd Sommer (Los Saltos Trillisos), John Foss; 25 February, 1995.
Rio Turbio (correntoso)
Robbie Dastin October 2003
Rio Claro
Ben May, Kurt Casey June 10, 2011
Rio Maichín
Upper: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.
Lower: Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1980.

Rio Blanco (del Enco)
Rodrigo Tuschner, Kurt Casey December 5, 2011
Rio San Pedro
Suzanne Jordan, Wesley Smith, Josh Lowry, Kevin Johnson; February, 1986.
Rio Chesque
Eva Luna Ramirez, Kurt Casey November 2005
Rio Llancahue
Upper run: ?
Lower run: Jared Seiler, Evan Garcia, Anton Immler, Jonny Meyers, Ian Garcia December 23rd 2011
Rio Reyehueco
Lower run: Beech Huntsman, Kurt Casey, Mike Deacon December 8, 2005
Upper run: Beech Huntsman, Kurt Casey, Mike Deacon December 8, 2005
Rio Llizán
Lower run: Zack Cowan, John Foss March 1997
Upper run: Josh Lowry, Robbie dastin March 1998
Rio Caunehue
Arnd Schaeftlein, Bernd Sommer; 9 February 1995.
Rio Panco
Momo Catillo, Ian Garcia, Sergio Vidal August 2012
Rio Mañio
Momo Catillo, Ian Garcia, Kurt Casey, Ben May, Gringo Soto September 8,2012
Rio Puñir
Gigo Castillo, Ben May, David Joos, Nathan Sullivan December 2007
Rio Reca
Eva Luna Ramirez, David Joos, Ben May, Kurt Casey, Daniel June 21, 2012
Rio Fuy
Lower: Newsome Holmes, Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; 31 January, 1981
Huilo-Huilo Gorge: Larry Dunn, Bryan Seeholzer, DNF; February, 1985. Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson; February, 1985.
Upper: Newsome Holmes, Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins; February, 1981.
Rio Florin
Ben Stookesberrry, Ryan Knight, Eric Seymour December 2004
Rio Curringüe
Mateo Wilson, Russell Kelly, Robbie Dastin December 2004
Rio Hueinahue Lower and middle
Fields Marshall, Kurt Casey Jan 20, 2011
Rio Nilahue
Arnd Schaeftlein, Bernd Sommer, Claude Stahel; 8 February 1995
Rio Pillanleufú
Yvon Chouinard, Royal Robbins, Doug Tompkins, John Wasson; 24 January 1984.
Rio Iculpe
Kurt Casey and fields Marshall Jan 21, 2011
Rio Gol Gol
Lower: Sport International; February, 1993.
Upper: Kurt Casey, John Foss, John Mattson; February, 1993.
Rio Pilmaiquen
Fields Marshall, Kurt Casey Jan 22, 2011
Rio Bonito
Fields Marshall, Kurt Casey Jan 23, 2011
Coihueco
Fields Marshall, Kurt Casey Jan 23, 2011
Rio Blanco de Coihueco
Fields Marshall, Kurt Casey Jan 23, 2011
Rio Petrohue
Upper: Chris Spelius & Steve Curry Expeditions; 1985.
Rio Chamiza
Cameron O’Connor, Kim Leatham, John Wasson, Nancy Wiley; February, 1984.
Rio Blanco de Calbuco
Kurt Casey, Clay Wright January 25th, 2012

PATAGONIA
Rio Cochamó and La Junta
John Foss, 24 December 1995.
Rio Puelo
Cameron O’Connor, Kim Leatham, John Wasson, Nancy Wiley; February, 1984.
Rio Manso
Upper: Germans; 1987.
Lower: John Arthur, Antonio Bahamonde, Lars Holbek, David Kalange, David Kemp, Diego Rodriguez; 6 February, 1995.
Rio Negro
Rio Blanco
Jennie Goldberg, Greg Moore, Karen Wattenmaker; January, 1988.
Rio Palvitad
Rio Futaleufú

Lower: Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson; January, 1985.
Upper: Mark Allen, Phil DeReimer, Lars Holbek, Eric Magneson; January, 1985.
Rio El Tigre (Lower ??)
Rio El Tigre Upper
February 1998, Joe Larrow, John Hart, Aaron Pruzan, Robby Dastin, John Foss
Rio El Tigre Alto
Laguna Falso engano, all the way to the Valle california (In Argentina)
Nacho Roberts, Jeronimo Canton, Santiago lo greco, Matias Nuñez March 2012
Rio Palena
Jennie Goldberg, Greg Moore, Karen Wattenmaker; January, 1988.
Rio Figueroa
Chris Spelius (before the road); 1986.
Rio Ventisqueros
Kurt Casey, John Foss; February, 1993.
Rio Cisnes
Piedra el Gato Canyon: Mary Hayes, Mike Hipsher, John Kennedy, Dave Talamo; February,1985.
Upper: Chris Spelius; 1985.
Rio Simpson
Lower:
Cajón de Farrellones:
Rio Mañihuales

Rio Blanco (Parque Nacional Cerro Castillo)
John Foss, Josh Lowry, Clay Wright; 18 December, 1994.
Rio Exploradores
Francisco Valle and friends
Rio Cajón
German January 1997
Estero Del bosque
Rio Claro (Ibañez)
Estero Lechoso
Gordon banks, John Foss, Robbie Dastin December 1997
Rio Resbalón
Rio El Cañal
Josh Lowry, Arnd Schaeftlin,Bernd Sommer, Dave Kasinski, Oliver grau, Manuel Arnu Jan 1996
Rio Avilés
Josh Lowry, Arnd Schaeftlin,Bernd Sommer, Dave Kasinski, Oliver grau, Manuel Arnu Jan 1996
Rio Los Maitenes
John Foss, Josh Lowry, Clay Wright; 26-27 December, 1994.
Rio Jeinimeni
Rio Baker
Lower: Luis Ortega, Francisco Valle; February, 1983.
Upper: Monty Becker, Rex Bryngelson, Barbara Neary, Dave Shore, John Yost, Chuck Carpenter, Rocket; March, 1992. Third Canyon Jan 1996 Josh Lowry, Arnd Schaeftlein, Bernd Sommer, Manual Arno and Dave Kashinski
Rio Cochrane
Rio Bravo
Rafa Parot solo attempt DNF
Tyler Curtis(CAN, Simon Hirter (SUI), Marc Gacond (SUI), Benjamin Hjort (NOR), Raphael Thiebeaut (FRA) and Mariann Saether. /Fico Gallese (Peru) as shuttle driver.. .legend..
Rio Pascua
Josh Lowry, Robbie Dastin, Aaron Pruzan March 2000
Rip Maier
Ron Fischer, Anne Hubner (1st canyon), Severin Haeberling, Jakub Sedivy, Seppi Strohmeier, Mariann Saether and Max Siecht. January 2011
Rio Perez
Ron Fischer, Severin Haberling, Stefan Paetsch, Max Siech, Anne Hubner, Mariann Saether, Seppi Strohmeier and Jakub Sedivy February 2011
Rio Mosco
Ron Fischer, Severin Haeberling and Mariann Saether February 2011
Rio Serrano
Francisco Valle, CONAF, Rene Aussert 1985.
Rio Grey
Francisco Valle, CONAF, Rene Aussert 1985.

Selected history for Argentina

Rio Azul
section lower Cajon del Azul El Bolson, Argentina.
from la playita to the intersection with the Encanto Blanco river.
location, september 2010, class 4 and 5

3 attempts to finish the section. ran different/overlapping sections
on each.
first try: Matias Nuñez, Shea Jordan, Julian Tisato, Santiago Hardt
second try: Matias Nuñez, Diego Rodriguez, Nate Mack
third try:: Matias Nuñez, Nate Mack

Rio Esperanza
april 2011 El Bolson, Lago Puelo area, Turbio Valley, class 4 and 5, very remote
Matias Nuñez, Diego Rodriguez, Kelly Jordan, Julian Tisato.

Arroyo La Cuervera
November 2011, El Bolson
class 5, more than 80 meters tall canyon walls lots of wood and rapelling.

1rst attempt: Matias Nuñez, Santiago Hardt, Simon de giusto.
2d attempt: Matias Nuñez, Julian Tisato, Manuel Carignian, Santiago Hardt
3rd attempt, Matias Nuñez Julian Tisato, Manuel Carignian,

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