Easter Island was supposed to be the big finale of the South American part of the trip, as well as being a potential highlight in the exhibition come May. I was pretty gutted when I couldn’t make it out there last week and the difficulties in making alternative plans, or even just arranging transport to Santiago to catch my flight on the 12th made it all the more frustrating. It was almost desperation that drove me to head down to the Futaleufu river in Chile.
I couldn’t see how I was going to top Easter Island as a destination for taking photographs, so I didn’t even try: instead I opted to get back in a kayak. Other than a couple of hours on a grade three run in Pucon a few weeks ago, I’ve not been on moving water in almost three years. Not knowing much about the river had no idea if I’d even be able to tackle it when I got there, assuming that there was space and kit for me when (if!) I arrived. This is where I owe a huge debt of thanks to Mark and the folks at Bio Bio Expeditions.
Mark somehow managed to sort out my tangled travel issues and arrange a transfer across the border for me, and allowed me to join a group of clients that he had in for the week. It meant I was joining them a few days into their schedule and leaving early but they were a great crowd, both guides and punters, and I got to enjoy three excellent days on the water with them all.
And what a river! Beautiful big rapids, a perfect level, great weather and a magnificent setting. You really couldn’t ask for more, unless you wanted pampering with an open bar and a hot tub to enjoy a beer in at the campsite after your day’s paddling. Which you have! You can even get a massage if you want one. Bio Bio really do run a pretty slick operation down there.
The irony of it all is that the river valley was one of the most naturally beautiful places I’ve been in Patagonia: I could have spent weeks there with the camera, touring around and taking photos. I only had three days though, and with the river running right past the camp I’m afraid that the camera was seldom out. I hope you’ll forgive me for not being able to show you what the place was like properly, but perhaps the shots below will explain why I was concentrating on other things….
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