First Day Kayaking in Chile!

Well, after more than 36 hours of bus riding, and a few extra days of soaking up the culture in Buenos Aires, the EP crew has reunited in Pucon Chile. LJ and Alex did an amazing job of car shopping in Santiago. (props to them for working while Andy, Carley and I were enjoying BA!) We ended up buying a Peugeot stationwagon with 7 seats, three racks on top, and except just barely idling, it runs great. We paid $2800US, it´s baby blue, and I`m pretty psyched about it. Most of all, the ladies will love it.


Alex Hucks the portage on the Upper Palgien near Pucon Chile! To check out more photos, click here

We also joined up with another group of Eugene, OR friends, Lane Jacobs, Erin Rettig, Ian Garcia, and John Meyers along with myself, LJ, Andy, Alex, and Kyle Wetlaugher, a friend from Portland, makes quite a crew on the river. I can`t believe how much skill and straight up balls are involved in this possy. Lane`s smoother than anyone but Andrew Holcomb, Alex suddenly quit portaging this year, LJ is always down to ace a huge waterfall, and Andy is bombproof, super safe, and runs the gnar. I haven`t paddled with Ian and John, but they both have reputations as strong paddlers. We have until christmas when most of us fly back to the states, which allows plenty of time for us to huck. The water is perfect, the weather is beautiful, I`m fired up!

The 36 bus hours, the plane rides, the hours of working construction, and catering all were made completely worth it today when we hit the put in of the Upper Palgien. There`s an amazing 70 to 85 footer at the put in that I´m sure will be run one day, today it just added to the spectacular beauty of the area. The upper Palgien is a mellow waterfall run full of fun 10 and 20 footers. At today`s pretty high level, there were some stout holes, but overall, just good clean waterfall fun. It`s mostly class IV, but Alex decided to help the group out and seal launch into the portage half way down and at least make it a class V day for one of us. He stomped his line, we continued on to take out above the Middle, a full on waterfall park and huck for 4 burley drops. These will pobably be on tap for tomorow. They are featured in Bigger Than Rodeo, and they´re fun! A challenging 20 footer, pool, sketchy 15footer into a 30 footer, big pool sucking pretty hard into a 50 footer. This trip is about to really get started!

Peace,
Trip