River Map with all the major rapids and the class levels. |
I am in the background on a rock waiting for the rafters to show up. |
High point view of the Class V Terminator |
The Terminator rapid is 300m long filled with huge boulders (scroll to right). |
The crew arrives: Brian's cat got stuck on the rock. |
The crew is taking a break ... |
the guides (top left corner) are scoping out a safer route |
Terminator rapid requires a staff meeting |
The safety net goes first: Piero and Jorge in kayaks, Pete and Brian in cats. |
After a hi-five, Phil's raft is ready to go. |
Phil's crew: Alan, Allan, Kelly, Lisa, Emily and Chris |
Phil's raft disappears at the bottom of the rapid |
It then slowly reappears. |
the end of a successful run |
Alex's raft is next to go. |
Crew: Michel, Joel, Heather, Kyle, Jan and Gwen |
All of a sudden, the crew finds themselves backing into the next large wave |
Everyone is tossed inside the boat, only Kyle is able to continue paddling. |
Alex loses his grip on an oar in the process, but gets it back quickly |
All on board! |
Lunch time means a break from the wet suit. |
The sky is as clear as ever. |
Piero and Phil are taking a much needed nap. |
Entering Entrada with Cats and Kayaks leading the rafts. |
Piero tangos with Jorge at Mundaca. |
Jorge makes it look so effortless. |
Here comes Phil's raft submerging in Mundaca's waves |
Emily attempts to dig deep into the wave. |
Phil yells: forward! |
Ready to celebrate(L-R): Lisa, Ursula, Emily, Kelly, Allan, Alan, and Phil |
Alex's raft is swept right into the rapids. |
perhaps Alex is about to call high side!!! |
Instead of calling high side, Alex lets his crew battle the white water, while he poses for the video camera. |
Alex to video camera "Hey look at me" |
Alex to video camera "take a close-up, please" |
looking good |
leaving Mundaca with a high five, sort of (L-R): Joel, Gwen, Alex, Heather, Jan and Michel |
Casa de Piedras - House of Stones. The big stone is as big as a house |
Kyle made it safely thru with Chris aboard. |
Piero, Norwood and Jorge are at the ready. |
Rapid > huge; rock > huge; - Phil's raft > not hugel!! |
They are greeted by a hard wave... |
that knocks the oar from Phil's hand. |
More waves send the raft tilting while Norwood looks on. |
a wave splashes Kelly |
The raft re-orients... |
facing more waves straight on. |
The raft climbs up a steep wave - but there is no swimmer |
Alex's raft -- the calm becomes the storm. |