Rivers of Chile

Rio Macae

Fields Marshall — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:16:52 +0000

Rio Macaé is a river in Brasil within three hours by car from Rio De Janiero. Rio Macaé that stretches approximately 136 kilometers from its source in Nova Friburgo to its mouth in the city of Macaé. Rio Macaé is a popular destination for whitewater kayakers in Brazil as this river offers a variety of rapids, making it suitable for both novice and experienced kayakers.

Bruno Rutman and Fields Marshall pictured above in Encontro Dos Rios (Lumiar)

Whitewater Kayaking on Macaé River

Diverse Rapids: This river features rapids ranging from Class I to Class V with warm water in the lush Atlantic Forest.
Popular Sections: While this river can be divided in many ways. For kayakers there are essentially three sections of the Macaé river. The upper ( class 3 + ) , middle ( class 4 – 5 ) and lower (class 4+ ) at normal flows. The rainy season lasts from December to April.
Guided Tours: There are several adventure companies offering guided kayaking and rafting tours on the Rio Macaé, I am recommending Bruno Rutman whose pousada (Encontro Dos Rios Pousada) is found where the Macaé river meets the river Bonito.

Macaé River Sections

Upper Macaé

Lower Macae Bruno Rutman and Fields Marshall – photo Nilo Maia

Is a short section of class three plus that takes place near the Encontro De Los Rios where the Bonito and Macaé river meet. Starting at Encontro Dos Rios and ending near Ponte em Sao Luiza

Middle Macaé

Middle Macae Dragon’s Cavern Rapid – Photo Bruno Rutman

Not only is the middle Macaé rated at a difficulty level of class 4 and 5 during the wet season. The middle Macaé is hard to walk out of because it goes away from the road. The middle Macaé starts near Ponte em Sao Luiza and ends at the Pousada Cascata.

Lower Macaé

Chill section of the lower

This is a 15 km long section that took a bit over 4 hours to complete and involved 3 portages. Normally always 2 portages. One portage was after the Fumaca waterfall right at the beginning of the run. The lower Macaé starts near the Pousada Cascata and ends near Nativa Rafting

Conservation Efforts and Opposition to Hydroelectric Projects:

In recent years, there has been significant concern regarding proposals to construct small hydroelectric plants (Pequenas Centrais Hidrelétricas – PCHs) along the Rio Macaé. Much development pose threats to the river’s free flow, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on it.

In May 2022, the “Encontro Rio Macaé Livre” event was held in Lumiar, gathering over 30 canoeists from various parts of Brazil.his event combined the thrill of the sport with environmental activism, aiming to raise awareness about the potential ecological and social impacts of damming the river.articipants navigated sections of the river, including areas proposed for dam construction, to highlight the importance of preserving its natural state

Advocates for the river emphasize its ecological significance, potential for sustainable tourism, and role in supporting local communities.hey argue that the construction of dams would lead to irreversible environmental damage and advocate for the recognition of Rio Macaé as a national treasure, serving as a model for environmental conservation for future generations.

The movement to protect Rio Macaé underscores the broader global conversation about balancing energy development with environmental preservation and the rights of local communities.

Free Flowing Rivers Movement

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Rio Niblinto de Malleco

kurt casey — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 20:40:12 +0000

This class 2-3 tributary of the Malleco is best run after massive rainfall or in the high water winter months of July-August. It is a small volume river with crystal clear water flowing out of the Reserva Nacional Malleco in Chile’s 9th region. Ideal flows are anything above 10 cubic meters per second (300 CFS) The hills surrounding the river have been heavily logged but the river corridor itself has native forest and verdant vegetation.

To reach the takeout leave Ruta 5 at Collipulli and follow paved road 9.7 KM through Curaco. Continue another 31.7 KM until end of pavement and turn right. Go 17.2 KM on gravel road to Puente Niblinto. This is takeout at 575 meters elevation. Cross bridge and turn right for another 7.1 KM and put-in at Puente Centenario which is at Park headquarters. Average gradient on this section is 15 m/km or 75 FPM.

There are some nice campsites along river. Topo map of area is title Laguna Malleco 051. Nearby hot springs at Termas Tolhuaca are worth a visit. Other rivers in the area are Malleco, Dillo, Renaico, Amargo, Cautin, Captren, and Blanco del Sur

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Río Amargo

Fields Marshall — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 14:19:41 +0000

This springtime gem is full on micro kayaking.

Bring a good crew, bring your A game and expect to spend a long day scouting and setting safety.

A full face mask and body armor are highly recommended. After finishing the first descent Ben May commented that if the Puesco and Nevados had an evil child it would be the Amargo.

For hair boaters this may be Chile´s new classic run.

Ben May scouting the Upper Amargo

Directions: From Ruta 5 in Collipulli take paved road towards Curaco. The pavement ends at KM 45 and gravel roads continues into town of El Amargo km 56?. There is a good takeout in town at the confluence of the Renaico and the Río Amargo which also serves as an free and safe campsite.. (Renaico is also an excellent run: see separate description). To reach put incross back over bridge coming into town and turn left and go 8 KM to put in at Puente Amargo.

Put in bridge at Puente Amargo

At the put in the creek is very small but do not be fooled. The whitewater starts almost immediately and the small volume proves to be optimal.

Whitewater at start of river

Very quickly the horizon line appears and the scouts start. For the first 1 km a good animal trail is on river left to facilitate scouting and portaging. When the river falls into a vertical walled canyon things become much more difficult and continue this way for 2.5 km to km 4.6 (the road has distance marks every 20 meters)…Here there is a house with a very good trail to the river. This would also serve as an alternative put in making the run class 3-4 from this point to takeout. Note at the crest of the road km 6.44 there is a turnout and one can walk down and be very high on the cliffs above the river. Peering down into the canyon from this point will give a feel as to what one can expect before committing to the run.

Fury of the upper canyon

Length 7.55 km
Put in elevation 697
Takeout elevation 390 m
Total drop 307 meters
Average gradient 41 m/km or 200 FPM with sections over 80 m/km
Class 5+
Flow put in 100
Flow takeout 300
Map Laguna Malleco G-051

GPS Put in Latitude -38.094005°
Longitude -71.806402°
GPS Take out Latitude -38.075891°
Longitude -71.872247°

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Río Renaico

kurt casey — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 14:15:59 +0000

This Winter/Spring run flows of the northwestern flanks of Volcan Tolhuaca 2806 meters and forms the border between Chile´s 8 th Region Bio Bio and The Arauacanía 9th region. Most of the river lies within the Reserva Nacional Malleco

The river is free-flowing and in early season is fed by snowmelt as well as rain. The valley the river flows through is pristine with native forests, crystalline waters and friendly people.

Snowpeaks at Renaico put in

Directions: From Ruta 5 in Collipulli take paved road towards Curaco. The pavement ends at KM 45 and gravel roads continues into town of El Amargo km 56?. There is a good takeout in town at the confluence of the Renaico and the Río Amargo (Amargo is also an excellent run: see separate description) which also serves as an free and safe campsite. Continue up the Pemehue valle to the put in at the absolute end of the road. En route one will pass the park offices of the Reserva Malleco, hot springs of both Las Mentas and Pemehue as well as a mini brewery in a green barn. The put in was on upper reaches of Renaiaco about 4 km beyond Termas de Pemehue or at approx. km 83.

The river starts very small at around 100 CFS but within 3 km doubles with a tributary and quickly builds after that. Staring out as class three things changed about 4 km downstream at km 79. Here we ran a class 4-5 drop that was immediately followed by two more class 5 drops the last of which had massive flake to deal with then a nasty looking ledge hole. We portaged a bit back upstream on river left and then roped our boats up and were soon at the road. After walking down the road 100 meters one can make it back to the river. From here the river entered a very pronounced canyon and took on qualities of the Maichen with thick forests and aqua clear water and nice class 4 drops. The Río Diablo enters river right and doubles the flow. The largest drop we came to we dubbed the Cochamo rapid as it looked like something from the Cocahmo with a complicated upper portion finishing with a large river wide hole. We chose to portage on river right. As the canyon tapered out the river entered channels where the trees seems to touch from each side. Take out is where Rio Amargo enters from river left in town of El Amargo. On our first descent Ben May and I finished river in 5 hours.

Cochamo rapids in Renaico Canyon

The run is continuous in nature with class 3-6 rapids filled in with nice wave trains. We took out 24 KM downstream at confluence with Rio Amargo.

Beauty of Renaico canyon

GPS Put in Latitude -38.112366°
Longitude
-71.706696°
GPS Take out Latitude -38.075891°
Longitude -71.872247°

Length 24 km
Put in elevation 793 meters
Takeout elevation 390 meters
Total drop 403 meters
Average gradient 16.8 m/km or 84 FPM
Class 4 to 5+
Flow put in 100
Flow takeout 700
Map Laguna Malleco G-051

Nearby rivers include Malleco, Dillo, Amargo, Ñiblinto de Malleco, Duqueco, Quillaileo, Quepe, Ñirementum

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Río Cholguan

kurt casey — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 14:14:27 +0000

This Winter/Spring run flows of the peaks of Cordon Infiernillo (1972 meters) , Blanquillo (1780 meters) and Cordon Cholguan (2148 meters) and forms the border between Provincia Bio Bio and Ñuble both of which are in Chile´s 8th Region. Cholguan derives from a Mapuche word meaning clam.

First view of river near takeout Rio Cholguan

The river is freeflowing and in early season is snowmelt and later rain fed. A hydroelectric diversion project called Proyecto El Pinar is being built just upstream of the put-in and it remains unclear how or if this will affect future boating.

Conluence of Rio Cholguan with Rio Congrejo

Directions: From Ruta 5 in Los Angeles take road towards Antuco (Rio Laja) for 30 km. Go north for 43 km to town of Yungay. Zerp out your odometer and head east on paved road (Calle Angamos) for 12.5 km. Here the road turns to gravel. At km 21.3 turn right towards Santa Lucia. Follow road down to valley floor. We choose a takeout about 1 km up the river and had a nice riverside camp about 2.2 km above our takeout. Continue up river to a small bridge over the tributary Río Congrejo. We put on at this point on a small 100 CFS tributary and flowed it down to a branch of the Cholguan where the flow increased to 350 CFS. After another 1-2 km other branches of river converged bringing flow up to 700 CFS for remainder of trip.

The run is continuous class 3 with nice wave trains. We took out 13.4 KM downstream at
ions: From Ruta 5 in Los Angeles take road towards Antuco (Rio Laja) for 30 km. Go north for 43 km to town of Yungay. Zerp out your odometer and head east on paved road (Calle Angamos) for 12.5 km. Here the road turns to gravel. At km 21.3 turn right towards Santa Lucia. Follow road down to valley floor. We choose a takeout about 1 km up the river and had a nice riverside camp about 2.2 km above our takeout. Continue up river to a small bridge over the tributary Río Congrejo. We put on at this point on a small 100 CFS tributary and flowed it down to a branch of the Cholguan where the flow increased to 350 CFS. After another 1-2 km other branches of river converged bringing flow up to 700 CFS for remainder of trip.

The run is continuous class 3 with nice wave trains. We took out 13.4 KM downstream about two km up from where the road descends of the high ridge.

Take out latitude -37.110907°
Take out longitude -71.770920°

Put in Latitude -37.131447°
Put in Longitude -71.649900°

DirectLength 13.4 km
Put in elevation 638
Takeout elevation 425
Total drop 213 meters
Average gradient 16.38 m/km or 82 FPM
Class 3
Flow put in 100 CFS
Flow takeout 700 CFS
Map Colonia Santa Lucia G-009

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Rio Huepíl

Fields Marshall — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 15:25:18 +0000

Meaning rainbow in local language the Huepíl is nailbiting run through an overlooked part of Chile´s 8th region… The river would normally have paltry flows in summer months but due to hydrological rerouting water from both the Rio Molcho and Rio Laja are diverted into the Huepíl to supply the agricultural needs of central Chile.

Open section on Rio Huepíl

To reach the takeout from Ruta 5 exit at Los Angeles if coming from the south or at Cabrero if coming from the North…go to town of Huepíl and leave vehicle at bridge on the Yungay-Huepíl road.

The put in is reached by going east from Huepil on paved road to town of Trupan (meaning Paso del Leon). From the village of Trupan turn north on the westernmost part of town at a large white building and follow a winding gravel road for 1 km until arriving at a bridge over the canal bringing water from the exit of Laguna Trupan. Start at this bridge or continue downstream another 500 meters until the confluence with the upper Huepíl. The locals refer to the this area as El Molino.If you cant find it ask the Caribineros in Trupan. They came with us and showed us how to get to the river.

Portaging on Huepil

Immediately upon entering the river rages into an overgrown canopy of Sauces and Arrayanes with pushy whitewater, few eddies and difficult portages and scouts

Fields Mashall scouting the whitewater under the jungle canopy

2 KM into the run you will reach the Salto de Leon which is an impressive lead in rapid into a slot canyon that squeezes down to 1 meter. Locals say it was here that Puma used to cross the river.

Fields Marshall below El Salto de Leon

On our first descent we aborted 3 km into the run and climbed out on river left up through a cliff band and eventually reached a planted Eucalyptus forest and finally the paved road. We were told we had reached a place called La Obra and that from where we bailed out the river completely mellowed out for remainder of 7.5 km course into town of Huepil.

Other nearby rivers include

Laja
Polcura
Rucue
Duqueco
Cholguan
Renegado
Chillan

GPS coordinates

Put in -37.26, -71.84 430 meters

Takeout -37.23 S, -71.94, 300 meters

Note: This run is more dangerous than it is fun….By the time of this reading it likely no longer exists anyway…We were told a plan was well under way to send the complete flow of the Huepíl through a pipe and generating station

Average gradient for run is 12.4 m/km over 10.5 km length but bulk of drop is in first 3 km

Topo map is titled Huepíl G-008

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Rio Bullileo

Fields Marshall — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 13:34:53 +0000

The rivers name is taken from Mapundungun language and means river of scales which sounds strange until you realize that the river is a tributary of the Longaví which in same language means Head of the serpent.

This run is via a dam release in Chile´s 7th region so often runs well into summer (until the lake is too low) and also runs with with natural flow in the winter months.

The Bullileo River is an important source of water for the region, providing irrigation for agriculture and hydroelectric power. It is also home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, including several species of fish and birds. In recent years, the Bullileo River has faced challenges due to increased demand for water and potential threats from development and pollution.

Despite these challenges, the Bullileo River remains a vital resource for the people and ecosystems of the Los Ríos Region. Efforts are being made to protect and preserve the river, including the creation of conservation areas and the implementation of sustainable water management practices.

Lower Bullieo just above Longaví confluence

Directions: Take the paved road from Parral and it is 47 KM to put in just below the discharge of the damm on Embalse Bullileo. There is a Caribinero station close to damm and soon after that a parking area where you can leave vehicle, shoulder boat and head down to the river. We put on at end of a soccer field about 150 meters below the dam discharge.

Nathan Sullivan Lower Bullileo

After putting on there is immediately 2 km of very steep creeking which subsides at Puente Avejares. From there the river is very mellow in its 5.0 km middle section passing Puente Las Tiendas 1 km further downstream and a river gauge station 900 meters after that at 530 meters elevation. Just above Puente Bullileo the river again picks up steam for its final plunge into the Longaví…We took out at the gauging station (471 meters above sea level) 9.5 KM downstream from put in on the road back to Parral.

Fields Marshall Upper Bullileo

Other rivers in area include

Longaví
Achibueno
Perquilaquen
Ñuble
Put in elevation 590 meters?Take out elevation 471 metersTrip length 9.5 KMAverage Gradient 12.72 m/km or 60 FPMGPS points for put in at base of Embalse , 36.31°S, 71.4° 590m s.n.m

GPS points for take out -36.23S, -71.49

Too map Bullileo F-093

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Rio Lolco

Tyler Williams — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 18:51:11 +0000

An isolated tributary of the Upper Bio Bio watershed flowing of the Northside of both Volcan Longquimay and Volcan Tolhuaca. In local Mapadungun language Lolco means Earth Water….

With a flow of around 500 CFS at takeout the Lolco provides an incredibly beautiful run through crystal clear watershed… Old growth Coigüe trees and the occasional Araucaria add to its surreal appeal. At put in the river is small but soon doubles with the combined flow of Rio de la Nalcas coming off the flanks of Volcan Tolhuaca.

The run is for the most part easy class 3 but there is one one class 4+ canyon about 4 km into the run which features one very distinct drop. On our first descent run in December 2016 this rapid caught us off guard but luckily caused no major problems.

Rio Lolco below Nalcas confluence

The added bonus of this run is the incredible drive to and from the river up and over the Longquimay Volcano with stunning views of lava fields and surrounding peaks of Crater Navidad, Tolhuaca, Antuco and Copihue…From Ruta 5 take the road to Curacautin (from Lautaro if coming from South or from Victoria if coming from North) Continue up to Malalcahuello then follow signs towards Corralco Ski area…Just after the Conaf National Park entrance take the first right hand turn and here zero out the odometer… From this point it is 24.6 km until you come to Puente Lolco…..You can put in here but we chose to continue another 4 km where it was a short hike down to the river. From our put in it was 6 km to takeout at a logging bridge that goes to Villacura. A locked gate on the main road prevented us from riving down to the river but it was only a 10 minute hike with our boats back up to the road and to where we left a vehicle…

-FIelds Marshall

Note: an optional way in or out of the drainage is via the upper Bio Bio water shed and towns of Lonquimay and Nitro…

John Govi and I put-in not quite a kilometer north of the pine tree farm/forest that is evident on satellite imagery. This was a couple kilometers upstream of the Nalcas confluence, where a small creek meets the river. Approximate coordinates: -38.234000 S -71.458000 W. There are a few potential put-ins in this area. None are obvious. Most involve crossing cow pastures rife with horseflies.

We took out on the reservoir a couple kilometers north of the village of Lolco, at a pasture gate just before the road starts climbing above the water.

The run is enjoyable boulder garden class III with a few class IVs. The very distinct drop that Fields mentions above comes below the Nalcas confluence, immediately after two class IV rapids. At our medium water level, there was a good scout eddy and portage route on river right.

-Tyler Williams

Put in elevation 890 meters

Take out elevation 760 meters

Trip length 6 KM

Average gradient 22 meters per kilometer or 110 FPM

Rio Lolco at put in

Other rivers in area include

Bio Bio
Llanquen
Cautin
Dillo
Truful Truful
Ralco
Blanco del Sur
Captren

Topo map is titled Lolco G-053

GPS coordinates takeout -38.15S, -71.42

Put in -38.21S, -71.455

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Futaleufu RiverKeeper

Fields Marshall — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 15:45:31 +0000

Thanks to Zorzalo Woods for the photo.

Recently, the past October 2014 there has been some good news in regards to stopping the hydro projects for the Futaleufu River in Chile. Here is a link to the waterkeeper announcement : In short the hydro projects are now temporarily on hold. While this is a small victory as Endesa ( the international power company still owns the water rights) , kayakers throughout Chile are nonetheless happy that for now the Futaleufu is safe from destruction.

While technically this maybe a small temporary victory , psychologically, it represents a big win. Endesa and others can be stopped from destroying these rivers. It maybe be a long difficult road but it is possible. Although many organizations and people have fought to keep the Futaleufu from hydropower, recently Futaleufu Riverkeeper has been taking a very active role www.futaleufuriverkeeper.org . Futaleufu Riverkeeper has a high powered Board of directors and offers some real hope in protecting Futaleufu river. Riverkeepers as an organizational structure have an interesting history dating back to protecting the Hudson River valley in New York state in which they have been very successful.

Note: Futaleufu river keeper is working alongside other conservation organizations for the protection of other rivers in Chile as well and to try to change the over all mentality toward hydropower and mining.

If you are a kayaker there are various things you can do to get involved. The easiest would be to fill out there paddler survey form – Here it is in English – http://www.futaleufuriverkeeper.org/paddlers/ and in Spanish – http://www.futaleufuriverkeeper.org/es/remo/. The next step after that would be to donate to Futaleufu riverkeeper – http://www.futaleufuriverkeeper.org/donate/

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Rio Blanco Del Sur

Jeff Colgrove — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:46:56 +0000

The Rio Blanco Del Sur near Curacautin has a fantastic 10 meter drop that has a very long season,
can be done as a park ‘n huck, and is day trip distance from Pucon. The falls itself has a nice
rolling lip and a big pool afterwards. Some solid teamwork helps a lot with getting boats
out of the gorge afterwards, but it isn’t too difficult. Most people who come here will likely do
a couple of laps. This falls is perfect for practicing freefall technique.

A perfect drop

There is a small entry rapid that looked too tight at the levels we were there at, but it may clean up
with more water. There is a nice seal launch spot below the rapid with an eddy you can catch before
taking the plunge.

We were there on December 28th, and the falls had a decent amount of water. It could be run with less
water than that, and it could certainly be run with a fair bit more. More water would make it even
nicer, but chocolate-coloured raging flood wouldn`t be ideal. A fantastic trip would be to come earlier
in the season and combine this drop with some of the other river sections in the valley, such as the
Cautin when they are at nice flows, Dillo, Blanco de Cautín, Captren,Calbuco and Quepe. At times of low
flow it could be combined with the Truful-Truful as a nice overnight trip from Pucon. The Truful has good
summer flows, a burly rapid for those inclined,and the drive from the Truful to Curacautin through Parque National
Conguillio is gorgeous.

A big pool to pick up the pieces

To reach the falls, take R-925 South from Curacautin (this is the road that goes to Conguillio National Park).
After about 13 km you will pass the bridge over the Blanco Sur. The bridge is marked as such. Immediately
after the bridge turn right onto a gravel road. After a few hundred meters there is a tiny road on the right
leading into the forest. After weaving around a few firepits you come into a field. Follow the left vehicle
tracks to the end of the field, and then make the 30 second walk to the falls. The satellite image is probably
better than text for wrapping your head around this last bit.

The entry rapid, seal launch spot, and the eddy

Judging by the amount of beer cans present this is likely a locals hangout spot, so perhaps you’ll have a cheering crowd.

The coordinates of the drop are 38.515409 S, 71.838663 W

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Whitewater Grand Prix

kurt casey — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:16:46 +0000

30 of the world´s top paddlers are competeting in chile. For up to date coverage visit Facebook site at

Chile whitewater Grand prix

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Rio Pichapinga or Llaima

kurt casey — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:29:04 +0000

Known as the Rio Pichapinga in it´s upper section and Rio Llaima in the lowers stretch this is a winter/springtime creek run in Chile´s 9th Region de la Aruacania. The river flows northwest of the flanks of Nevados de Solipulli into the Allipén drainage.

Put in bridge

Directions: It is a 2.5 hour drive from Pucon to the take out. Go west to Villarrica then north to Cunco. Go eAst towards Melipeuco for 18.8 km turning right where there is sign for Terma Balvoa. Cross new bridge over Allipen River and continue approx 5 km on paved road to first right hand turn with sign to Curacalco.Follow gravel road 1.5 km to first intersection and go left 560 meters and cross Puente Coña. this is high water takeout but more likely continue upstream 900 meters to a small bridge at elevation 430 meters.

Take out with view of Llaima volcano

To reach put in return to paved road and turn right through small village of Santa Maria de Llaima and stay on main gravel road towards Termas Balvoa o Molulco. It is 18.2 km shuttle to put in bridge at Puente Pichapinga at 730 meters elevation. You can continue over bridge and put in an additional 1.5 km upstream at either of the 2 hot springs elevation 800 meters.

Rodrigo Tushner

From Puente Pichipinga to takeout is 8.2 km and total elevation drop of 300 meters or average 36.5 m/km or 182 FPM

Normally September/October would have good flow but on our first descent October 3, 2012 Jake, Rodrigo, Ian and myself found paltry flow of around 100 CFS at put in and 300 CFS at takeout. The run was bony but surprisingly very boatable class 3-4 with two optional portages around trees. With higher flows action would pick up to class 4 with maybe even some class 5.

I had previously seen both the put in and take out of this river in mid November 2011 and at that time there was at least twice the flow so in normal water years river should runnable from winter months to the beginning of December.

5 KM into the run the estero Pallanilahue enters from the right significantly increasing the river volume. At this point a road reaches the river from the Eastern side but does not cross the river although a log foot bridge does.

rapid on lower stretch

GPS coordinates

Put in 38.946535°, 71.718877°

Take out 38.887372°, 71.766852°

Useful topo maps Melipueuco G-086 and Villa Garcia G-085

Other nearby rivers include Truful Truful, Curacalco, Alpehue, Queupude, Codihue, Huichahue, Calbuco, Quepe

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Rio Mañio

kurt casey — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 18:05:24 +0000

This river also called the Rio Nalcalhue (and in its lower sections the Zahuil or Huanehue) is only boatable after extremely heavy rains or during winter high water season. The river is born in the Cordillera de Quinchilca whose largest peak (Cerro Colohue) is 1632 meters above sea level. The river flows from East to West and drains into the Rio Huanehue which also drains Lago Calafquen into Lago Panguipulli in Chile´s 14th Region de Los Rios. It is only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Pucon to the takeout and 25 minutes from takeout to the lower Fuy.

Rio Mañio

Put in elevation is 300 meters and takeout 175 meters. Run is 6.5 km in length and averages 20 m/km but much of that is concentrated in one big-mean rapid. Volume at put in during September 5, 2012 first descent was estimated to be 400 CFS at put in and 750 CFS at takeout. On the trip were Ben May, Ian Garcia, Momo Castillo, Gringo Soto and Kurt Casey

Scouting on Mañio

Within 400 Meters of put in the Rio Panco enters from the right then 2 km below that the Rio Los Ñadis from the left and finally the Rio Ranguiñtulelfu from the right 2 KM lower. From this point it is less than 2 km to takeout on river left.

The river is mostly class 2-3 with one long rapid 500 meters long that we decided to portage. Not possible to take a raft from the bridge put-in.

Momo Castillo Lower Mañio

Directions:

From Pucon travel to Villarrica then south to Lican Ray. Follow road towards Panuipulli for 15 km. At first stop sign in Huitag go left and follow road 5.1 km to another stop sign. Go left on T-225 towards Calafquen for 3.3 km then turn right on gravel road and follow south for 4.7 km to stop sign at paved road. Go left and shortly take the Y to the right towards Choshuenco. Almost immediately you cross Puente Huanehue. This is the simplest takeout point but involves an additional 6 km including some some flatwater.

To reach the upper takeout as well as the road to the point in cross the bridge over Huanehue and make immediate left on gravel roads towards Cayumapu Bajo. Go 2.4 KM then make a left on a narrow dirt track between two fences and follow 900 meters to the river.

To reach put in return 900 km to gravel road and turn left. Follow 2.7 km until road merges into another in Cayumapu Alto. Go left and follow this road approxiamtely km to wooden bridge over the Mañio.

Note: There is a pasarela swinging bridge about halfway between the Rio Los Ñadis and the Ranguiñtulelfu. Currently a road is being built down to this bridge which will serve as an excelent put in for the lower stretch

Note 2: Two weeks prior to our descent Ian Garcia, Momo Castillo and Sergio Vidal ran the lower stretch of the Panco which includes a double waterfall

Rio Panco

put in 39.625387° 72.153310°
Takeout 39.606987, 72.197341°

Other nearby rivers include Fuy,Llancahue, San Pedro, Rio Blanco de Choshuenco, Reyehueco, Reca, Puñir, and Neltume, Ranguiñtulelfu

Topo map is useful and titled Pullingue G-112

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Rio Reca

kurt casey — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:52:31 +0000

A class 3-4 winter creek run in Chile’s 14th Region de Los Rios..During the winter months when everything else is too high there is a good chance the Rio Reca will be running. The river flows into the North east side of Pangapuilli lake.

After getting turned away from another river due to high water we looked at the Rio Reca and found a perfect level for our June 2012 first descent.

Low head dam above the Reca Falls

Directions: From Pucon follow the directions for the Fuy. Puente Toledo is the takeout and is 11 km before reaching the bridge over Lower Fuy. To reach put in cross bridge and turn left. Follow road for 4 km until reaching the generating facility of a mini hydro project. Here the water reenters the river via tubes. We went up and looked at the 1 km section just above the hydro discharge. This section drops almost 100 meters in 1 km and has 5+ whitewater leading into what appears to be 30 plus meter falls…Is it runnable? Not sure as it was very hard to see from above or from below.. The picture below is part of the lead in rapid to the falls which did have some trees right above the lip.

Class 5+ above the falls

We estimated flow at put in of 400 CFS…run was mostly class 2-3 with two distinct class 4 sections one of which had a double portage around trees.

Eva on the Reca

Ben paddling up the hydro discharge canal

Put in at 200 meters elevation and takeout at Puente Toledo 130 meters elevation (just before river enters Lago Panguipulli). Total drop 70 meters in 4 KM or average 17.5 m/km or 87 FPM
Other nearby rivers include Fuy, Puñir, San Pedro, Rio Blanco del Enco, Enco, Llancahue, Reyehueco

Useful top maps: Choshuenco G-122 and Pullingue G-112

Takeout 39.777889°, 72.117741°

Put in 39.755840°, 72.074694°

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Rio Huichahue

kurt casey — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 02:56:56 +0000

When the winter rains hit Chile there are a ton of rivers to kayak that are dry in the summer months…One of these is the Huichahue

Ben May Rio Huichahue

Located in the 9th region of the Araucania, the river flows out of the Cordillera Melo just west of the Llaima Volcano. It is a relatively low elevation drainage and only runnable after extensive rainfall so most likely to have juice from June to September.

Huichahue, pronounced Wee-Chaw-Wee, is a Mapuche word meaning Pull of the river´s current

The river is a 1.5 hour drive from Pucon via good roads near the town of Cunco. To reach the takeout from Pucon follow the road to villarrica then turn north on the recently paved Ruta Inter Lagos for 12 KM to Pedregoso. After crossing the bridge continue 18 km north on gravel road and at T instersection go left on paved road for 8 KM to Los Laureles. Turn right and pass through town and on other side take first paved road to the right towards Cunco. 1.2 KM after reaching an intersection turn left at sign that says Faja 6000. Go 5.2 km to the swinging bridge Puente Huichahue

To reach the put in return the 5.2 KM to paved road and turn left (east) towards Cunco. Zero out your odomter at this point and it is just over 5 km to outskirts of Cunco. Continue through town following signs for Melipeuco and when odomoter says 6.1 km turn left on Baquedano which turns to gravel and starts to climb to the North. When odometer is at 11.1 you come to a junction with faja 2000 and go right. At 17.4 km you reach Puente Huichahue and the put in. The river should look very full in order to have a good run. (See foto=

The river is continuous whitewater from start to finish with not a hint of flatwater,. There are no portages and only one spot where Ben May and myself had to get out of our boats to find a line on our June 1, 2012 first descent. At the put in we had an estimated 400 CFS and by the end of the run the river had doubled in flow to around 800 CFS mostly from the additional tributary Rio Calbuco. The river is remarkably free of wood. Basically class 3+ with perhaps one class 4 rapid.

GPS coordinates:

Put in 38.861, 72.031 545 meters elevation
Takeout 38.888 lat 72.083 long 370 meters elevation

175 meter elevation drop in 6 km or average 29 m/km or 145 FPM

Other nearby rivers include Codihue, Calbuco, Quepe, Truful Truful, Curaco, Alpehue, Curacalco, Queupude,

Useful topo map titled Cucno G-084

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Rio El Tigre

kurt casey — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:03:09 +0000

Located near the Argentinian border in the Patagonian province of Palena in Chile´s 10th Region de los Lagos, The Rio El Tigre serves as a major tributary of the Palena. The run features good road side class 2-3 boating with outstanding fishing and scenery plus a more challenging class 4 stretch accessible only by boat hiking or using horses. The river has a mature streambed with granite boulders that form boulder garden rapids with crystal clear water.

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

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Rio Noroeste

kurt casey — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:59:26 +0000

Short steep tributary creek of the Rio Espolon just outside of the town of Futalueufu. Flowing out of Lago Rosas the river plunges through a short but formidable canyon. Also known locally as Arroyo Loco or “crazy creek” the run is logistically simple.

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

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Rio Hielo

kurt casey — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:38:52 +0000

Crystal clear water in a very impressive canyon.. This class 4 stretch of water lies just over the Argentinian border in province of Chubut and is a tributary of the Corcovado (Upper Palena). Run is usually boat-able throughout the summer. After excessive rain and with high flows the river turns brown and steps up to some pushy class 5 in a walled canyon.

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

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Rio Blanco de Calbuco

kurt casey — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:51:07 +0000

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

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Rio Llancahue (Lower)

jared — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:56:58 +0000

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

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