So its been about about a month here in Chile. The water levels are still high due to the unseasonably cool weather and massive amounts of rain. I have found some new and old friends to paddle with providing me with good company on and off the creeks.
It´s funny, since traveling chasing the kayaking seasons I have run into people I have met from all over the globe. I am reminded of how small our world kayaking community really is. I also am stoked to have good friends from all over the globe with in whom I can truly call friends.
From Australia, Uganda, South Africa, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Philadelphia, Montana, Alaska, and Chile, all are here and all are brothers in kayaking. Pucon is going off right now and its awesome to see and be a part of it. I hope you enjoy looking at the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Keep coming back. Ill keep posting more pics
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
lets try this again
. Ok, so I admit, Im not too good at updating this blog. In my defence I was busy last year finishing my degree while in chile. This meant typing alot and alot of email which left me with little time or want for more computer time. Im sorry though, and am happy to try and keep up to date this time.
I have arrived four days ago in Santiago, where my friend im made from last year, Bastie, picked me up at the airport and took me back to his apartment. This was much nicer then last years crazy experience of taxies, buses, and trains to get to Chillan. However,I was not allowed by Copa airlines to bring my trusty kayak. This was my first time with an airline that strait up refused me bringing a kayak. After being devastated I and others, mainly my super cool mom worked on other options on trying to get me a kayak. Turns out my old and new contacts Jared S. and Ian G. had a line on an Pyrana Everest for me in pucon.
While in Santiago I have borrowed some boats for some of the sweet runs around, but am headed to Curacao, and then Pucon for the steeps. Before I leave Santiago though I was hoping to hop on the Rio Yeso, Colorodo, Upper Maipo, and Maipocho. But, this all depends on if I can secure a creek boat those days. Otherwise, vamose to the south.
I should have some pictures soon. For now im still transitioning though. So till next time, CHOW!
Ps. thanks to Patty, Tom, Meghan, and my other friends who have been taking time out of there days to help me here. with out you, I can not imagine doing this. You allow my dreams to come to fruition. Bungunalow, thanks from all of my heart
I have arrived four days ago in Santiago, where my friend im made from last year, Bastie, picked me up at the airport and took me back to his apartment. This was much nicer then last years crazy experience of taxies, buses, and trains to get to Chillan. However,I was not allowed by Copa airlines to bring my trusty kayak. This was my first time with an airline that strait up refused me bringing a kayak. After being devastated I and others, mainly my super cool mom worked on other options on trying to get me a kayak. Turns out my old and new contacts Jared S. and Ian G. had a line on an Pyrana Everest for me in pucon.
While in Santiago I have borrowed some boats for some of the sweet runs around, but am headed to Curacao, and then Pucon for the steeps. Before I leave Santiago though I was hoping to hop on the Rio Yeso, Colorodo, Upper Maipo, and Maipocho. But, this all depends on if I can secure a creek boat those days. Otherwise, vamose to the south.
I should have some pictures soon. For now im still transitioning though. So till next time, CHOW!
Ps. thanks to Patty, Tom, Meghan, and my other friends who have been taking time out of there days to help me here. with out you, I can not imagine doing this. You allow my dreams to come to fruition. Bungunalow, thanks from all of my heart
Friday, March 6, 2009
week 2, mission del Sur
So, it´s has been two weeks here in Chile. From Santiago, I headed to Pucon and was lucky to have met up with a group headed south chasing the water. The group was six people, two Chileans, two Belgium’s, one German, and one Italian. With Will and I, it was at 8 and maximum capacity for the small Peugeot delivery van we were to tour around in.
The first stop on the trip was the Rio Futaleufu. Here there was a festival and many kayakers from all over South America and the world. The festival was in response to the future damming of some Patagonian rivers, amongst which included the Futaleufu and the Baker. The festival was put on by Patagonia Sin Represas, and was a demonstration to gain support for the preservation of these rivers and give awareness to the potential future of the Futaleufu.
We showed up at the festival later than expected because all the boarders and roads headed to Futaleufu were closed due to a volcano eruption in Chaiten. It rained ash for half a day and made a dusty mess. When we finally got there the first event, boater-cross was going on and they let us in. Imagine how I felt. Two days flying, one day in a bus, three days in a van, and my first time down the class four Futaleufu was to be in a race. Big holes, big waves, black eyes from another racers paddles, and it was all new to me. I loved it, and it was quite a unforgettable experience. The next few days allowed for a chance to take in the river and its surroundings.
I can´t do justice in words or pictures as to how absolutely stunning the area is, but I’ll try. I was told that Futaleufu essentially means painted by God. I think that’s very appropriate. Teal water, huge steep snow caped peaks, lush green every ware, and a local community that was aware and truly loved their area. I would love to stay here forever. But, vamoose!
We were headed south after a week in Futaleufu. We had hoped to run the Rio´s Baker and Bravo, buy unfortunately, our not so trusty Peugeot broke down near the town of Caiaque and we were stuck. After two days we rallied together and found a driver and a van that could take us the Baker. Unfortunately, this dug into our budget and time and the Baker, which has only been paddled by two other groups, had to be sacrificed. So, here we were in a smaller van, cramped, tired, smelly, and very excited to finally be headed to the Baker again.
The first stop on the trip was the Rio Futaleufu. Here there was a festival and many kayakers from all over South America and the world. The festival was in response to the future damming of some Patagonian rivers, amongst which included the Futaleufu and the Baker. The festival was put on by Patagonia Sin Represas, and was a demonstration to gain support for the preservation of these rivers and give awareness to the potential future of the Futaleufu.
We showed up at the festival later than expected because all the boarders and roads headed to Futaleufu were closed due to a volcano eruption in Chaiten. It rained ash for half a day and made a dusty mess. When we finally got there the first event, boater-cross was going on and they let us in. Imagine how I felt. Two days flying, one day in a bus, three days in a van, and my first time down the class four Futaleufu was to be in a race. Big holes, big waves, black eyes from another racers paddles, and it was all new to me. I loved it, and it was quite a unforgettable experience. The next few days allowed for a chance to take in the river and its surroundings.
I can´t do justice in words or pictures as to how absolutely stunning the area is, but I’ll try. I was told that Futaleufu essentially means painted by God. I think that’s very appropriate. Teal water, huge steep snow caped peaks, lush green every ware, and a local community that was aware and truly loved their area. I would love to stay here forever. But, vamoose!
We were headed south after a week in Futaleufu. We had hoped to run the Rio´s Baker and Bravo, buy unfortunately, our not so trusty Peugeot broke down near the town of Caiaque and we were stuck. After two days we rallied together and found a driver and a van that could take us the Baker. Unfortunately, this dug into our budget and time and the Baker, which has only been paddled by two other groups, had to be sacrificed. So, here we were in a smaller van, cramped, tired, smelly, and very excited to finally be headed to the Baker again.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Day one, Santiago hustle
Well after a 24 hr layover in Atlanta GA, I've made it to Santiago. It was no surprise for me to here Spanish when I landed. What was a surprise was that fact that most of the locals speak about as much English as I speak Spanish, not much. After my primarily English speaking Ugandan experience, I’ve gotten lingualy lazy. As usual though, I was blessed, a nice local, my taxi driver, helped me figure out the trains. It was funny though, he too didn't speak any English.
I'm getting really good at non verbal, gestures and facial expressions as a means to convey and respond to communication. No worries though, I have two and half months to learn up on my extremely weak Spanish. For now I’m just killing another day waiting for another form of transportation, the train. My train leaves tonight for Chillan, where I will somehow, hopefully find my friend Will and his contact. Once again I find myself wondering where I’ll sleep tonight. I should have some pics posted in the next week so as always, keep checking.
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