Each morning we hike across the Maipo, past the hawk and cougar cages, and past the horse corral en route to our morning breakfast at Carla's home.

This bridge is always locked from the rest of the resort because Carla’s family lives on the other side of the bridge, so we all have to wait for the key and cross together as a group.

Peering through the gate you can see the small bridge crossing the Rio Maipo.

As we cross through the small gate we come alive. The light of the sun seeping through the colossal mountains hits our faces and everyone begins running back and forth across this bridge.

New River Academy students zig and zag as they goto breakfast crossing the Rio Maipo.

The swaying of the wooden plank suspension bridge is enough to make you feel like you are on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Below us you can see the quick flowing, brown Maipo River.

One of the majestic birds that we cross paths with each morning on the way to eat.

As we step off the bridge, directly around the corner, to the right, is a cage of hawks.

Just three days ago, we left our base in Pucon in route to the Rio Fuy in Patagonia. On our way to this fascinating place deep in the south we took advantage of the Rio San Pedro which flows approximately halfway in between these two destinations. The Rio San Pedro is a high volume river that flows from a lake surrounded by the foothills of the Andes mountains. This river took us through the peaceful wilderness of Chile with sunny skys, big rapids, and great playspots. We found a lot of good surfing waves along the way. One of these was a three to four foot wave with an eddy next to it, making it the perfect place to hang out and surf for an hour or so.

As soon as we got off this river we were on our way further south to the town of Choshuenco and the Rio Fuy. The Rio Fuy flows through the heart of the Andes mountains, over waterfalls, passed caves, and under volcanoes. It’s possibly the most fascinating place I’ve ever been. We just did the upper section today which took us down some spectacular, clean waterfalls and rapids. The river was extremely low due to a low snowpack last winter in the Andes but that didn’t keep the smiles off our faces. This low water level just happened to open up a little passage in the rock wall on one side of the river that lead us into a little cave that was lighted from below due to a reflection off the bottom of the deep river. Tino Specht (NRA Coach) showed us into this cave saying it was his favorite place in the world.

I believe that the Rio Fuy is one of the most amazing places on this earth and I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow. But as for the here and now, the academic side of my life awaits me. So I must say no more.

Chao, David Gorski

Just three days ago, we left our base in Pucon in route to the Rio Fuy in Patagonia. On our way to this fascinating place deep in the south we took advantage of the Rio San Pedro which flows approximately halfway in between these two destinations. The Rio San Pedro is a high volume river that flows from a lake surrounded by the foothills of the Andes mountains. This river took us through the peaceful wilderness of Chile with sunny skys, big rapids, and great playspots. We found a lot of good surfing waves along the way. One of these was a three to four foot wave with an eddy next to it, making it the perfect place to hang out and surf for an hour or so.

As soon as we got off this river we were on our way further south to the town of Choshuenco and the Rio Fuy. The Rio Fuy flows through the heart of the Andes mountains, over waterfalls, passed caves, and under volcanoes. It’s possibly the most fascinating place I’ve ever been. We just did the upper section today which took us down some spectacular, clean waterfalls and rapids. The river was extremely low due to a low snowpack last winter in the Andes but that didn’t keep the smiles off our faces. This low water level just happened to open up a little passage in the rock wall on one side of the river that lead us into a little cave that was lighted from below due to a reflection off the bottom of the deep river. Tino Specht (NRA Coach) showed us into this cave saying it was his favorite place in the world.

I believe that the Rio Fuy is one of the most amazing places on this earth and I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow. But as for the here and now, the academic side of my life awaits me. So I must say no more.

Chao, David Gorski

Jason Craig, Isaac Holden, and I (David Hughes) decided to lead the group to slide off of one of Tres Saltos perfectly clean slides.  Tres Saltos can bee seen around Pucon on billboards and is a paid to see sight attraction.  If you drive past Pucon toward Lago Caburgua and make a right toward Argentina you will begin travel higher into the Andes Mountains. 

Stephen Forster slides the big one at Tres Saltos near our Pucon, Chile base.

The valley approaching Tres Saltos offered students a new view and angle on Chile’s most famous volcano, Volcan Villiarrica.  Upon arrival Isaac gave the group an overview of what the activity would involve and what to expect.  I spoke about safety and continuing leadership and support during the canyoneering activity. Isaac and Jason began leading the group up the steep hill, past the zip lines, and to the top where Volcan Villiarrica stood in all its glory.

Matt Tropea and Nelson Jones shimmy their way down the Tres Saltos canyon.

After hiking down into the creek bed we put on our helmets and discussed supporting each other on the steep stretch.  Everyone was encouraged to begin sliding and exploring the playful creek bed.  As we walked students soon realized they were also scouting a class V run.  Waterfalls and slides were everywhere and students continued to slide down wet rocks into the pools.

Once we arrived at the first of the three saltos we set safety.  A large rope to climb and a throw rope for belay were set.  As students climbed the fat rope they were also hooked in and belayed on the rescue rope. 

The slide is about 30 degree 15’ slick rock slide that drops 15’ into a pool below.  Locals took pictures and cheered as we slid off of the attraction.  Only kayakers would have such a unique perspective of this attraction as a playground.  We would use two donut swimming pool floats to sit on and accelerate our speed.  Zach did a 360 degree spin, Isaac and I went off at the same time, Tracy and Palmer gave a scream, and many slid the drop many times.

The water was cold and the canyon was not offering much of the mid-day sun.  So, sunny spots were areas where we congregated together and cheered the next run.  Soon, we were packing our supplies and walking down the trail to our van.  It was another natural high.  Palmer Miller stated, “Tress altos was my favorite activity yet.”

On the way home we stopped for ice cream, sodas, and candy.  We returned at 2:00 pm and simply laid around the yard soaking up the sun.  It was an exciting day off of the water.

By- David Hughes, Jason Craig, and Isaac Holden

 Chile is amazing! The second semester started with a day and half in transit, and one to many close calls as far as kayaks in an airport go. We are currently staying just outside of Pucon, on the banks of the Rio Trancura. Overlooking the entire area is a huge active volcano!

There will be lots of pictures and Video soon!

New River Academy students arrived to the southern end of the Chilean wine valleys where Patagonia’s Lakes District begins.  The school base is a kayaker’s dream come true:  a riverside house, a play hole, a put-in for the Lower and a takeout of the Upper Trancura, minutes away from multiple other runs, proximity to one of Chile’s biggest vacation destinations, and a view of Volcan Villiarrica.  What more could one ask?

Our first orientation consisted of introductions, discussing expectations, and our goal for the day.  The goals were simple:  to relax, gain confidence on the water, begin our Chilean adventure with safety, and to have fun.  We all agreed that one of our favorite things is to have fun.

I shared a story of safety and the difference between on water leaders and non-leaders.  The moral was to inspire putting other’s safety first and foremost over one’s own needs or fun on the river.  The group was divided into teams of three and given safety projects.  Each team would scout our rapid from the bridge next to our base.

Tino Specht and Zach Kathrein encourage Palmer Miller to enter Rio Trancura.

Next, students would take turns swimming while their team had to rescue them and their gear.  It was a simple activity that helped wash away the travel stress and the group was soon laughing and playing.  The weather was perfect and each team had fun taking pride in their safety oriented rescues. 

Some hustled to finish their rescues in order to work on loops, cartwheels, and mcnasties in the hole.  Later, students would discover the jump rock just downstream of the base property.  They would jump, flip, seal launch, and push each other in the river. 

Students begin quarter with safety protocol, gaining confidence, team building, and learning to rescue each other.

The afternoon certainly served its purpose of relaxation, team building, and gaining confidence.  Zach Kathrein was the first to ask this afternoon if he could build a fire in our new fire pit.  How exciting to see the students sitting under the 400 year old giant tree under the southern hemisphere stars.

I want to thank each family for sending your child to experience this amazing opportunity.  It is my hope and goal to share with your child the culture, education, and adventure of my favorite place in the world.

“And that has made all the difference.”

David Hughes

Paddle Hard,
Tino

Here is our very own Jason Craig and a documentary he made on his quest to catch a New Zealand Trout!

I will post some pictures of the beautiful Canadian winter and hopefully paddling in the coming days.    

Claire Dibble sorts through the rubble.

Photo by Tracy d’Arbeloff

Photo by Tracy d’Arbeloff