The Futaleufu

“Big River” in Mapuche, The river has 4 main paddling sections. All are pool drop style. Originating in Argentina the sleepy looking Futa flows west towards Chile. After crossing the border the river gathers gradient. The whitewater that follows continues for about 55 km until the river is returned to a more sedated feel, flowing into Lago Yelcho and out into the Pacific Ocean as the Rio Yelcho. The general talk about the Futaleufu conjors images of big scary whitewater, which it has, however it also possess grade 2 & 3 whitewater and other tributaries with easy but beautiful whitewater, culture and vistas. The Futa also seems to keep good kayakers honest and has become a great teaching ground for nailing your next helix or river running good sized Chile style water. Paddlers of a grade 2 standard find plenty of room to start small, progressing into more challenging sections.

Inferno Canyon section

This is the longest and most committing section on the river. Putting in close to town on the Rio Espolon gives us a few kilometer's to warm up. Not long after we enter the Futa the river is squeezed into Inferno canyon the first of the major whitewater sections. 4 Rapids, big, beefy and constricted. The major difficulties of these rapids are boils and eddy lines. As portaging is not an option only paddlers with significant skill levels should enter the Gates of Inferno.

30 mins of flat water, the next major rapid appears. The famous Zeta, (portage). Not too far away is the Throne room, one of the steeper rapids on the river class 5 with large breaking laterals and big holes, easily portaged.

Paddlers often relax a little after the bone shaking Throne rapid and the class 3 Wild Mile that follows is a welcome read, run and play all the way to our camp. As the Azul enters on river right this marks the end of the Inferno section and time to relax in the hot tub.

Azul to Bridge section

After tearing yourself away from the Azul Play wave at our camp, which coincidentally is also our put in, we cruise down the Lower Volume Azul River to the confluence of the Futa. Once we join the Futa the water temp increases and so does the action, wave train rapids and beautiful green pools to the first major rapid called Asleep at the Wheel. A easy wave train with a violent hole at the bottom. After missing that hole the following 15 minutes of moving water brings us to the top of Terminator.

Many different lines in this long class 5, the far right line, the portage is an easy walk with great spots to view this beauty. The center line is committing class 5. The line far left has less technical moves with less violent consequences and is easily scouted making it a common choice for paddlers. Following Terminator we have son of Terminator, a short wave train rapid with great play features. Next to Kyber Pass, a sweeping right hand bend with great play features at the top, but with China hole at the bottom we generally save our surfing for Himalaya the next rapid, a long wave train, big and easy with 2 great waves, and a pool at the bottom it really is surfers paradise.

The Avalanche wave

Bridge to Bridge Section

After Himalaya we have a long slow moving section past our friends at Bio Bio camp and under a Swinging bridge, this marks the start of the most commonly run section, often called the heart of the Futa. This is the day trip rafting section with the most rapids, While considered to be the easiest section its not to be underestimated. The pools are definitely smaller and the rapids occur more frequently. Mostly class 3 with a few class 4 for good measure. It all happens quickly in this section, the first rapid called “entrada” opens with a wicked surf wave called revolver, but watch out below, a long class 4 rapid with some nasty features. As well as good river running this section features the most play spots. It definately leaves you smiling.

Bridge to Casa

This next section is short and potent, the rapid directly below the bridge to bridge take out is Mas or Menos, a few different lines, its big and intimidating however pretty friendly. After a wicked play wave on the next corner we float into Casa De Piedra, a large and long class 5, lots of lines and lots of obstacles. From here down to the take out its class 2 and 3, the river valley opens at the take out and magic views of glaciers and peaks abound

The Mitchamahuida River

The Mitch is another beauty, it flows into Rio Yelcho close to the Pacific Ocean. It is a full on 8 hour day with 4 gorges of good river running/creeking up to class 5 and is a great option for solid paddlers. Not to mention it flows right by some hot springs. The views of glaciers and waterfalls that flow into this river are spectacular.

 

Espolon River

The Espolon flows into the Futa just downstream of the town of Futaleufu, its a pretty little river, crystal clear water, good fun rapids of class 2 and 3 standard as well as a popular surf wave for the townies to play on. It is the best river around to get your skills up to the Futa level and a good warm up or welcome to Chile and the area.

Azul River

The Azul river is another great tributary of the Futa, 2 beautiful glacial fed lakes give birth to the Azul, its possible to horse ride or walk to them, however the better paddling section occur downstream. Good river running technical low volume class II to IV with a great canyon and a play wave at our camp to finish with. The river joins the Futa about another 500 meters downstream.