Whitewater
Class III/IV & camping
The azure Futaleufu is still an undiscovered river legend that will
soon see many more paddlers. Be among the first to run this spectacular
fun river. (Our fourth season) This really is no ordinary river. It
is the most glorious combination of pristine wilderness, expansive
beauty and explosive untamed white water unparalleled anywhere in
the world. it is being considered by Endesa (Chilean energy company)
as a possible source of cheap hydro power and may be dammed. We need
your help to illustrate that this river should be preserved as a 'wild
and scenic" sanctuary to find it's place amongst the World Heritage
sites. As the locals say "a place so lovely that it must have
been "Painted by God" |
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| Day 1
PUERTO MONTT - CHAITEN - CAMP IN FUTALEUFU |
| Flight
from Puerto Montt to Chaiten (40 minutes) . In Chaitén, will
be our representative waiting for you. Lunch in a typical restaurant.
In the afternoon we go by regular bus to the Camp. The drive is spectacular
with magnificent granite cliffs and steep glaciers flanking the lush
temperate rain forest valley that we drive through. The Rio Futaleufu
flows into Lago Yelcho, a world class trout fishing lake that is also
home to the Coho Salmon that swim unimpeded up the Futaleufu to Argentina
or back down to the Pacific at Chaiten. We pass a few small farms
that are carved into the ancient rain forest and get a glimpse of
frontier living Chilean style. We arrive at the base camp in time
for a late lunch and a swim in the Futaleufu River. We will hold a
pre- departure meeting during happy hour and go over camp procedures.
We will be based at this campsite for all but one night of our time
in this region. |
| Day 2
RAFTING IN THE RIVER FUTALEUFU |
| Our first
morning to wake up on the banks of the Fu! The mornings tend to be
crisp and dewy and we rise with the warmth of the sun. After breakfast
we will launch from our base camp after a thorough safety briefing.
The first part of any rafting trip is very much a learning exercise.
Our guides will demonstrate carefully the safety and rescue procedures
we adopt while on the river. This learning exercise is not restricted
to the first day but is ongoing and you will become more confident
by the day. Each raft is captained by a highly trained guide who controls
the boat from a stern-mounted oar frame. The first section we raft
from camp down to Puente Futaleufu is only 10 km, but offers more
rapids per 100 meters than anywhere else on the river. It not only
is the perfect warm-up run, it is just non stop fun especially with
rapids like El Cojin and Mundaca. We will then meet our van and Land
cruiser for the 20 minute transfer back to camp. We gather around
the camp fire and enjoy Chilean wine or herbal tea as dinner is cooking.
After a sumptuous and hearty dinner was tire ready for the next day
of big white water. |
| Day 3
THE FIRST REAL WHITE WATER EXPERIENCE |
| We now
settle into a rhythm that will be employed in order to successfully
raft our next few days on the Fu. We paddle past the Puente Futaleufu
and immediately around the corner meet a big continuous cascade known
as Mas o Menos (More or Less). This is a good step towards our first
class five technical rapid: Casa de Piedra which forms like a series
of water wheels. After this rapid we have a mellow raft to the Casa
de Empanadas - no hair raising white water here, just hot cocoa and
oven fresh apple empanadas prepared for us by Señora Ramirez
and her children. We then have a 30 minutes drive back to camp where
dinner awaits us. |
| Day 4
FUTALEUFU CAMP - CHAITEN - PUERTO MONTT |
| We will
wake up early, to go back in regular bus to Chaitén, where
we take the flight to Puerto Montt. End of our services. |
| Season:
From mid December to March |
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| Note:
Booking domestic flights can be requested in advance to get better
round trip rates; therefore we consider the earliest LAN-CHILE flight
from Santiago (SCL) to Puerto Montt (PMC) on the first day and the
latest evening flight from PMC back to SCL |
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INCLUDED :
- Air and land transportation round trip Puerto Montt-Puerto Montt
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3
- 3 nights in our Base Camp - Expert guides and camping personnel
- Equipped vehicles for land assistance
- Camping and cooking equipment
- Professional equipment for whitewater rafting.
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Any type of insurance
- Gratuities and personal extras as communications costs, laundry,
meals or alcoholic drinks or transportation out of the program
and other personal items
- Medical expenses in case of illness or injury
- Sleeping bag and pad.
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| You should
be in good health for these wilderness trips. The minimum age for
the trip is 17 years. There is no upper age limit, but older guests
should be aware of the rigors of a whitewater expedition. Previous
experience is suggested. Oar-rigged (center and stern frame) rafts
will be rowed by our staff. You have the option of walking around
any of the rapids. Experienced safety kayakers will help to cover
all the safety aspects while we are in the river. |
| What to
bring? |
- 2 pairs of river shorts. (River shorts as quick drying, durable).
- Farmer John wetsuit. (required)
- Paddle Jacket. If you do not have one, we will supply you with
one.
- Polypropylene long sleeve shirt, Polypro long underwear. They
will keep you warm when they get wet, and they dry out very quickly.
- River Foot wears. Check out the line of toe-protected river
foot wear. (Wet suit booties also work well)
- 1 hat, visor or large brimmed sombrero, with a string.
- Sun glasses with securing straps. (Chums)
- Hiking shorts with pockets, a belt. Shoes for camp, sandals
and light hiking boots.
- Toiletry kit, shampoo, soap, tooth brush etc.
- Flashlight and or head lamp, extra batteries.
- Sleeping bag: A 30 degree bag is warm enough. Sleeping pad:
This is very important, and not something you want to skimp on.
Thermarest makes a good inflatable pad. Thermarest Lounge chair
cover, to turn your pad into a great chair!
- Camera: A water proof camera is nice to have.
- Lotion and sun screen: Not much Ozone left in the southern hemisphere!
- Book: There is plenty of time for rest and relaxation, so bring
along a book or journal. A favorite poem to share around the campfire
- 1 fleece sweat shirt, 2 T shirts, Baggy pants or fleece sweatpants.
- Travel clothes. Rain jacket and pants.
- Towel: a swimmers chamois towel is used by some and saves space.
- Energy Bars: PRbars, Powerbars, Cliff Bars, pack a handful of
these great fuel boosters.
- We recommend that you pack using a duffel bag or a back pack.
We use a base camp, so whatever you bring to camp will not travel
down river. See you in Chile!
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The Futaleufu river valley attracts all types of weather all year
round. The Pacific Ocean feeds its moist climate with frequent storms.
The sunny months are usually February and March; however, when packing,
think of cold and wet weather as well as sunny and warm and you will
be a happy camper. Plan ahead and bring warm clothes and a good rain
shell. This also means that the river level can change dramatically
if an unusual "tormenta" or rain storm passes through. We
will only raft when the river is at an agreeable level. Let nature
be as nature does and we will heed the beat of our own drummer. |
Every once in a great while you come across a river that just blows
you away in terms of its magical powers. These powers enthrall you
and make you feel special and lucky to be alive. The Fu is just such
a river. If you have ever stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon, or
better yet, looked up at the rim from the Colorado river, or gazed
at the Granite Walls of Yosemite, or have sat in quiet revery by the
Snake river over looking the Grand Tetons and have been deeply impressed
by the magnificence of nature, then you can begin to imagine what
it will be like to find yourself in the Futaleufu river valley. It
is an amazing place. You might wonder how the force of nature in its
raw form can create such places of incredible beauty that you remain
stunned and think that we cannot possibly improve upon nature, but
can only quietly watch and then spring forth with such energy that
you want to sing out and, say 'yes, this is the most beautiful place
I have ever been. |
We hardly
suggest having your own personal travel insurance. This must include:
evacuation from remote sites, emergency repatriation and medical &
hospital expenses. Also it should cover cancellation & curtailment
and personal effects.
Chile requires no vaccinations for entry from any country. There is
no malaria or yellow fever, the tap water in most cities is chlorinated
and the general standard of hygiene is one of the highest in South
America. |
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