Upper Palguin Kayak Cross

Yesterday was the first Upper Palquin boater cross race. The competitors meeting was set up around 10 AM in Kayak Chile. After we signed up for the race and after some time we all head up to the Upper Palguin put in.

TC and Logan signing up

There were 9 heats of 3 people with the fastest kayaker going to the next round. The Upper is amazing for such a race. There is a technical double drop (where most of the carnage happens), followed by a left hand 12ft waterfall with a nasty hole. After clearing those, there is a nice clear fall and couple rapids to the finish. Mix it with 3 racing kayakers and you get an amazing racing course. There were 9 heats of 3 kayakers with the winner progressing to the next round.

Evan Garcia leading his heat

The "carnage" heat, Aniol, Jared and Ian

 

I was doing quite well until the first double drop where I touched a rock that messed up my line and was passed by Ian Garcia. Overall the race was great with a lot of action and carnage. Six more swims were added to this years Pucon swim club.:)

Ian/ Skirt implosion

Ladies support

The second drop

Finals- EG dropping on Keegan

After getting through the rounds, EG (USA), Aniol (SPA) and Keegan (CAN) made it into the finals and Keegan took the gold. Congrats.

The race was followed by a BBQ at the Ben's house right at the Take out/ Put in and a crazy night in down town Pucon...

Andy shooting a bootie...

Todd...

Just chilling afer a great day...

Overall this was an amazing event. Today I have been just chilling and getting ready fro a road trip with TC, Logan and Anton. Still waiting for the car- today or tomorrow, then we should finallu hit the road...

Outdoorshow 2010

Hey, just got to know about an interesting race in slovenia in May. So, if anyone is touring Europe or planning a trip this way... Kayakcross through Kobarid sounds like fun:)

Outdoor Show Kobarid 2009 from Planet Šport on Vimeo.

Rio Trafanpui

This river was a first D. Yeeehaaaa.... We loaded Mariann's truck and together with Steve Fisher, Val Grollemund, Mariann and local legend Kurt Casey, we were off for another mission in Pucon area. Well not exactly, first of all the 2.5 hour drive stretched a bit due to flat tire. Getting so typical for Chile doesn't it?

Kurt and Steve at work

Mariann getting her hands dirty :)

Volcanisacion?

Our search for nearest Vulkanisazion (tyre repair shop), took a while and we due to a locked gate we were ready to start walking to the river by 4pm.

Mariann "fishing" for reception

The plans were made to put on in after like 1 hour walk. The walk was on a nice road, so no bushwhacking and after an hour or so we put on on the lower stretch of the run.

Resting on the way up

It contains of mostly technical chilean style riverruning and couple gorges with nice drops.

Steve scouting the portage

Portage

Me at one of the drops (photo Steve Fisher)

Valentin running the clean drop at the lower part of second gorge (photo Steve Fisher)

The run was really cool and with two portages, we made it down to our take out in like 2.5 hours. There is still the upper part waiting for us.... Some good stuff to be done.

Rio Ancoa

This was mixed feelings mission. After we were turned out at the Maule by an armed guide

with a spanish explanation we could not understand. Well, the gate remained closed and we

headed to our another destination- river Ancoa.

Mike stoked with a local stash of Coke...

The dark caught us on the way and with rain

falling steadily, we were looking for a shelter. No cabanas around, so after some searching we

settled down for an old barn. Stylish kayaker bums accommodation. Well, we were dry which

counts.

Barn, ***** accomodation

On the way to put in

The morning was sunny and after a short drive we got to Ancoa. We were really surprised

by the site. Instead of the typical beautiful Chilean valley, we encountered industrial site full of

heavy machinery building a possible dam. So sad and irritating. After a while we found our

put in.

Mike Goglin, leading into first rapid

Mira Kodada going for it

Me at the first combo (photo Mike Goglin)

The run was interrupted by the building site and at some points the river was

channelized in artificial channel. There are still some fun rapids scattered in the gorge but

taking out at construction zone with trucks around you kind of ruins the experience.

Artificial river

Construction site

Mike showing his opinion

So overall another river soon to be destroyed by the progressive damming. Such a shame :(((

TRES (DOS) Saltos

Hola everyone,

just a quick update from yesterdays trip to Tres Saltos waterfalls. Those drops are amazing site of 3 drops and couple mandatory portages. The whole mission started in front of Kayak Pucon shop, where the group steadily grew until we left in Rodrigo's van and one truck. After paying the 700 pesos each for the entrance, we were ready to get our boats and hiked up the trail to the put in. The and the most famous drop was unfortunately too low to run so we settled up for the first two. The first drop is a tricky entrance into a slide ending with like a 15ft drop.

The first drop/ me

Jerad styling it

There is a second drop just after it which is a photogenic but quite messy slide drop which tends (and does) kicflip you at the bottom part. Just hold on...

Second drop slide/ me

Valentin on the second drop

After the second drop, there is another portage and in our case the take out. THe get out of the river is almost impossible without a set throw-bag from the top. Really scetchy take out...

Jake after he hit the water and his glasses smashed his face

Smoking volcan Villarica- amazing views

Middle Palquin fall

Today after some typical chilean planning and couple text messages I met Steve Fisher, Mariann Saether and Vallentin Grollemund in front of the Kayak Chile shop again. The weather was great and we left to paddle the upper Palguin. Steve and Val went to check the upper drop but the lead in is quite ugly, there is not a clean line into the lip and yep... it's pretty tall to be upside down there.

View from the top

Looking for a possible line

Upper Palguin was again a great fun run. We were done in like 20 minutes and after short ride turned up to the Middle Palguin waterfall.

Me at the top of the waterfall (photo Val Grollemund)

This fall is around 7o ft (21 metres) tall. The whole adventure starts with a tricky seal launch straight into the boly water above the fall itself. The boils are pretty tricky at this water level. From there on, the way is just down.

Mariann running first after she won her round of rock/paper/scissors :) (photo Steve Fisher)

My run (photos by Steve Fisher)

Valentin styling it (photo by Steve Fisher)