The Paddler ezine WW kayak collection 2013 | Page 78
ThePaddler 78
Our preparation for the project
The preparation for the descent of the upper
Amazon is coming to an end. In the past five
days, we have managed a first descent of the Rio
Salka and spent three days on the Rio Apurimac.
On the Rio Salka we put in at 4,200m above sea
level. This was a test to see how our bodies deal
with paddling on these altitudes.
Considering everything, the river isn't a real
highlight for us whitewater kayakers. Steep
canyons are full of siphons and the fast running
river disappears suddenly under the mountains of
Peru in a cave to appear after a few hundred
metres. Leaving out the aspects, caves and siphons,
the river compensates you with beautiful steep and
remote canyons with a wonderful panoramic view
onto a glacier and big mountains.
Our multi-day on the Rio Apurimac was our last
point of preparation. It contains several rapids
up to class V whitewater in a steep canyon with
the only exit by kayak. Help is far away and there
are no options if something goes wrong.
On the afternoon on the 15th November 2012
they started their 1,100km long journey to their
final destination: Laguna Lauricocha close to
Cero de Pasco.
First descent
very upper
Amazon done!
Absolute despair and total exhaustion can be
seen in our faces... The entire creek disappears
under a huge rock fall – no way to continue the
journey by kayak. Initially, we are still motivated
to rope up our boats with pulleys to the top of
the first big rock. The whole dimension of the
blockade can hardly be seen from this point and
we're asking ourselves if it makes sense to
continue our journey. What will be around the
next corner?
Our local contact person, Alonso, has organized
a car for our expedition to the most upper
Amazon. In front of the house we're living in,
there's a taxi of the type ‘Toyota Probox’. A roomy
car with enough space for four people with all
their baggage. We're just not sure about its crosscountry mobility but soon we're on our way
north to the Laguna Lauricocha.
first descent
In the past five days, we have managed a
of the Rio Salka and spent
three days on the Rio Apurimac