New River Academy gives you a look at the Rio Achi Bueno! Deep in the Andes you find this river coursing like blood through a vein. Except bright blue. Let us know what you think! Video by Clay Whitaker of NRA Video Class!

To get to the Rio Maichin head towards Curarrehue and follow signs to Reigolil. Cross the Maichin bridge and follow the road for about 4 miles until you can see the river right next to the road. This will be the put-in for the 7 kilometer Maichin run. After a few warm up rapids there will be a larger horizon line that looks like a narrower slot. This rapid is undercut and should be scouted on the right. It is best to run right to try to avoid both the undercut and the big hole at the bottom. Trying to boof the hole may end badly as it is pretty large and sticky. If you are going to walk this rapid be aware that the rocks are very slippery and the way to get back in is by seal sliding in after the hole. After this rapid the river becomes easier for a while with lots of smaller, shallower rapids. After about a mile the river will start to pick back up again with rapids that have some bigger holes and tougher lines. A rapid will come up that has two large rocks sticking up on the left and in the middle, with a drop in between the rocks and to the left. This rapid is best run through the center staying close to the rock on the left. The next big rapid can easily be scouted on the right side but it is definitely easier than it looks. The rapid is a bit of a slide drop with some swirly water at the bottom. Run it right, and take a breather in the pool below. This is really the last of any significant rapids in the canyon. After a mile past the bridge there will be a spot with a beach that leads into a field on the river right side. This will be the take out.

See you on the water!

Rio Maichin

Map your trip with EveryTrail

It is hard to believe that we are really winding down our trip in Chile. It seems like yesterday we were loading the trailer for the first time at the airport, in 90 degree heat, and swooning over that first site of the volcanoes and snow capped mountains.

Alex Anderson on Salto Coilaco

After a week and a half, we have found the jewels of Pucon. The clean 30 foot Ojos de Caburgua, the clean 30 foot Salto Coilaco, the big waves of the Trancura and the clear, canyoned-in beauty of the Maichin. We’ve also found the good helado (ice cream) the best juice (pina y plateno) and the best cake slices.

Perhaps the most magical part of Pucon, however, is the time we spend together in the Quincho. We collect wood from around the propperty, start a huge fire in the fireplace and sit together playing chess and Liar’s dice. It is a true blessing to have no internet access at the base! The students have gotten very into card games, in particular Hearts and Go Fish. Andy Kirby has consistently been baking beautiful loaves of bread in the wood-fired oven, and David just bought a blender so I can start experimenting with making juices and smoothies for everyone.

And this is how we spend our final days….waterfalls during the day,  studying for finals and card games at night. Everyone relaxing and soaking it in. We’ll be home so, so, SO soon!!