Rain, Snow, Big Drops, Big Slides, and Chocolate!

Well, ALOT has happened since my last post.

First we left Chile, headed for Bariloche. On the way, we ran Salto Del Indio, a really popular big drop on the Gol Gol, which is a classic run on the boarder of Argentina and Chile, on the Chilean side. It was pouring down rain, and the run was WAY to high to survive, but a different line on the Salto opened up to the river left of the main line making it into one vertical 40 footer. Alex and Kyle muscled up and ran it even though it was freezing cold and raining. Both had great lines and it was Kyle´s biggest vertical drop, Alex´s second biggest.

Next we found a couple of first descents, one was fun, and one was epic and not at all recommended. I´ve honestly never hiked out through thicker bamboo on a steeper slope. I didn´t even know that bamboo that thick existed Epic! I ended up crawling on my belly because it was easier to make head way like that then to walk through the thicket.

Then we rented a boat, searched out some drops that pour into lake Nahel Huapi where we ran the biggest slide of my life called Cascada Blanco. It was amazingly beautiful, and one of the few sunny days of our trip. Four of us ran it and all had great lines!

We spent a lot of time, probably too much time, in Bariloche waiting for levels to drop but it was really fun. Bariloche is one of the most beautiful cities I´ve ever seen. While there, we stayed in a great hostel where we met lots of good people. If you´re going to Bariloche stay at Hostel 1004, it´s; on the top floor of the tallest building in Bariloche with an amazing view of the lake and surrounding mountains. The coolest hostel I´ve been to yet. I got robbed in the same hostel, we partied until sunrise multiple times, and we also ate lots of chocolate. Bariloche is the Chocolate capital of Argentina according to the Lonely Planet guide to Argentina. So the town has cool people, amazing views, amazing wine, tons of chocolate, and big drops. It´s a centrally located base for tons of outdoor activities as well. Not bad.

We then left Bariloche, and went to the Rio Bueno, 100k north. We waited for two days for the rain to stop so we could run the 70 footer on the Rio Bueno. On the third day it stopped and turned to snow. Fed up with waiting and itching to run a big drop, LJ and I hucked in the 30 degree weather. So much for the endless summer in south america! I guess we´ll be ready for a wet cold season of hucks when we get back to Oregon!

Since we left Pucon three weeks ago, it has probably rained 17 of the 21 days. We are back in Pucon and it is still raining. That´s probably OK though cause we´ve got a couple of interesting and seldom paddled descents planned. One´s a park and huck 60 footer, and the other is a short trip to Argentina for a tripple drop on the boarder, and a big huck, check back for more!

Despite the rain, this has been an amazing trip with lots of big hucks and amazing creek boating. I´d recommend Chile and Argentina to every boater out there.

Our trip is getting close to the end, probably 8 more days of paddling, and the forcast is for all of them to be sunny. Finally!

Then it´s off to Santiago to sell our car. If anyone is interested in buying a car in Chile, we are selling a perfect kayaking trip car. Tons of room, 3 racks on the roof, and it runs great. 92 Pugeot Staition Wagon, $2200. Email me: trip@epicocity.com

Paz, Trip