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Peiying Mo | profile | all galleries >> Travel >> Patagonia >> Rio Futaleufú, Chile >> Whitewater Rafting tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Whitewater Rafting

This was the last full day at the camp. After a week of practising on the water, most of the team members mentally and physically were ready for the full run from Terminator to Casa de Piedras (House of Stones). After spending four days rafting two runs between Entrada and Postre on Rio Fu, and kayaking on Rio Azul and Rio Espolon, I decided to put on my photographer hat for a change. In the morning, I, along with several people, climbed on the rocks at the bank of Terminator segment to watch the action live. In the afternoon, I followed videographer John to Entrada, Mundaca and Casa de Piedras, hoping to capture more actions - as you can see how easily one can deplete a memory card.
River Map with all the major rapids and the class levels.
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.
I am in the background on a rock waiting for the rafters to show up.
High point view of the Class V Terminator
High point view of the Class V Terminator
The Terminator rapid is 300m long filled with huge boulders (scroll to right).
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 arrives: Brian's cat got stuck on the rock.
The crew is taking a break ...
The crew is taking a break ...
the guides (top left corner) are scoping out a safer route
the guides (top left corner) are scoping out a safer route
Terminator rapid requires a staff meeting
Terminator rapid requires a staff meeting
The safety net goes first: Piero and Jorge in kayaks, Pete and Brian in cats.
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.
After a hi-five, Phil's raft is ready to go.
Phil's crew: Alan, Allan, Kelly, Lisa, Emily and Chris
Phil's crew: Alan, Allan, Kelly, Lisa, Emily and Chris
Phil's raft disappears at the bottom of the rapid
Phil's raft disappears at the bottom of the rapid
It then slowly reappears.
It then slowly reappears.
the end of a successful run
the end of a successful run
Alex's raft is next to go.
Alex's raft is next to go.
Crew: Michel, Joel, Heather, Kyle, Jan and Gwen
Crew: Michel, Joel, Heather, Kyle, Jan and Gwen
All of a sudden, the crew finds themselves backing into the next large wave
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.
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
Alex loses his grip on an oar in the process, but gets it back quickly
All on board!
All on board!
Lunch time means a break from the wet suit.
Lunch time means a break from the wet suit.
The sky is as clear as ever.
The sky is as clear as ever.
Piero and Phil are taking a much needed nap.
Piero and Phil are taking a much needed nap.
Entering Entrada with Cats and Kayaks leading the rafts.
Entering Entrada with Cats and Kayaks leading the rafts.
Piero tangos with Jorge at Mundaca.
Piero tangos with Jorge at Mundaca.
Jorge makes it look so effortless.
Jorge makes it look so effortless.
Here comes Phil's raft submerging in Mundaca's waves
Here comes Phil's raft submerging in Mundaca's waves
Emily attempts to dig deep into the wave.
Emily attempts to dig deep into the wave.
Phil yells: forward!
Phil yells: forward!
Ready to celebrate(L-R): Lisa, Ursula, Emily, Kelly, Allan, Alan, and Phil
Ready to celebrate(L-R): Lisa, Ursula, Emily, Kelly, Allan, Alan, and Phil
Alex's raft is swept right into the rapids.
Alex's raft is swept right into the rapids.
perhaps Alex is about to call high side!!!
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.
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 "Hey look at me"
Alex to video camera take a close-up, please
Alex to video camera "take a close-up, please"
looking good
looking good
leaving Mundaca with a high five, sort of (L-R): Joel, Gwen, Alex, Heather, Jan and Michel
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
Casa de Piedras - House of Stones. The big stone is as big as a house
Kyle made it safely thru with Chris aboard.
Kyle made it safely thru with Chris aboard.
Piero, Norwood and Jorge are at the ready.
Piero, Norwood and Jorge are at the ready.
Rapid > huge; rock > huge; - Phil's raft > not hugel!!
Rapid > huge; rock > huge; - Phil's raft > not hugel!!
They are greeted by a hard wave...
They are greeted by a hard wave...
that knocks the oar from Phil's hand.
that knocks the oar from Phil's hand.
More waves send the raft tilting while Norwood looks on.
More waves send the raft tilting while Norwood looks on.
a wave splashes Kelly
a wave splashes Kelly
The raft re-orients...
The raft re-orients...
facing more waves straight on.
facing more waves straight on.
The raft climbs up a steep wave - but there is no swimmer
The raft climbs up a steep wave - but there is no swimmer
Alex's raft -- the calm becomes the storm.
Alex's raft -- the calm becomes the storm.