PADDLER 94
PADDLER 94
They dropped us off on the wrong river, and we found ourselves on some obscure grade 5 + creek, which resulted in hours of scouting, crash bang boat abuse and portaging, and then a long walk out. So, as I said, a few misadventures my first time in Ecuador. I learnt a lot from that trip, with the importance of planning and trusting the leader, as they don’ t all have a magic halo, and sometimes you have to make your own decisions. The importance of communication and these reflections changed my perceptions of how I should operate on the river with planning, communication and safety, to which I apply these rules today.
THE GOOD STUFF
Anyway, the epics are over, so let me tell you about the good stuff. As mentioned, there are two main areas where most boaters head, the first one being Tena, which is in the central-eastern area of Ecuador. Tena is a big town with plenty of cheap hostels, restaurants, and nightlife. Here we are down in the drainage and headwaters to the mighty Amazon River and deep into the jungle, so it’ s very hot with an average of 28-32 degrees and not far off 100 per cent humidity. Many rivers here are remote, deep into the jungle and committing; however, unlike the other areas, there are easier graded rivers and different styles to please different abilities.
THE MISAHUALLI RIVER
The first river is the upper( grade 4 / 4 +) and middle( grade 3 / 3 +) Misahualli, which has easy access. Both sections are bolder creeky pool drop low volume style with beautiful green clear water, so they delight UK boaters familiar with this boating style. You have perfect 2-3m clean drops, slides, flairs, and slots, and it is boof heaven; although close to roads, you are still in the jungle with magnificent scenery and wildlife. Not to be missed!
THE JONDACHI RIVER
The next one is the Jondachi. This river has three sections. The upper is similar to the Misahualli but steeper, more committing, and harder, with a couple of class 5s to deal with. It’ s also a long walk-in( get the locals to carry your boats), but if you are up for it, then it’ s world-class. Be prepared for a long day and plenty of scouting if it’ s your first time. The middle is movefriendly and has a technical bolder pool drop style.
This section starts at a road bridge. It still has some tricky technical grade 4 / 4 + rapids but also many fantastic reads and runs grade 3 / 3 +; everybody who does this run comes off with whoops, high fives, and massive grins. The final section is the lower, which sees more traffic, including regular rafting trips. It’ s a walk-in and is remote as it goes away from the road deep into the jungle before returning.
The Hollin River joins this one around halfway and can turn the run from a lower technical boulder style to big volume action. However, even being a river of two halves, it’ s mostly grade 3 with a few notable grade 4s. Therefore, it is one of the most classic popular runs in the area and is never crowded. It’ s out there, and you will see a spectacular, pristine jungle. wildlife, birds and blue morph butterflies with waterfalls cascading down the jungle walls. It’ s breathtaking, a true Amazon jungle run experience.
It’ s worth mentioning that the River Hollin( over 50km), which the Jondachi joins, can be done on its own with a two-day descent for those who want that real sleeping out in the jungle experience. Although only graded at 3 / 4, it’ s very remote, and getting out would be a mission; therefore, it is very committed; most kayak groups will get raft support for the kit as it could turn into a threedayer. It’ s another one with a long walk-in, or there is the option of a couple of big waterfalls to run about 500m above the regular put-in.( Most are sensible and are put below these.) It’ s a run I’ ve always wanted to do, and in 2022, I got the chance. It’ s a dream trip with some fantastic, memorable rapids. It is an expedition in its own right, being so remote and committed.
THE JATUNYACU RIVER
Another run, again popular with the rafting companies, is the Jatunyacu; I usually warm up on this one, with it being only grade 3 / 3 +. Unlike the other rivers mentioned, this is a bigger volume and a wider jungle run with plenty of big rollers and play waves to go at. It’ s another long run at about 30km but can be cut shorter. Unfortunately, in its second half, there has been and still is illegal gold mining going off along its river banks, besides the eyesore, this is having a massive impact on the environment with deforestation destroying natural habitats for plants and wildlife, chemicals going into the water source and the effect all this has on the local communities. Something has to be done, and it’ s a prime example of the destruction humans can have on our planet just for greed.
THE PIATUA RIVER
The Piatua River, south of Tena, is very remote. Wow! What can I say, low volume, crystal clear water, continual creeking heaven. I’ m not going to say too much about this one, but it’ s incredible; so good that one of the guys who joined our 2024 trip( Ian Jones) did his write-up about this run in the Paddler magazine( https:// paddlerezine. com / the-piatua-ecuador /). It’ s a river of lifetime memories, so just read the article.
There are many more runs in the Tena area, too many to write about. But other rivers you may wish to check are the Anzu( Similar to the Piatua), Tena, and Pano.