Top 10 Pucon

It’s become common knowledge that Pucon, Chile is a prime whitewater kayaking destination .  Here’s my opinionated list of the top ten things to do while visiting Pucon with photos to prove that although it’s just my opinion, atleast I am basing it off of prior experience.

#1 – The Palguin – The Upper Palguin is short, waterfall packed river perfect for talking about how many laps you will run, but realistically hiking up once and deciding to just paddle downstream slower next time. I highly recommend racing the Boatercross for the spectator’s carnage lust satisfaction and running the Middle so you can sleep at night.  Don’t forget there is a Lower Palguin and it is fun.

#2 – The Nevados – The Palguin isn’t the only run with copious clean waterfalls.  The Nevados is rain dependant and consequently slightly more elusive, but it does begin with a sweet, lap-able slide.

#3 – Puesco – Run the top thru the bottom or middle and lower or I don’t know what the sections are called, but, put-in at the bridge and take out when the rapids stop.  It gurantees the most boofs per mile and to leave a smile on your face.

#4 –Rent a car -  It’s fun being a kayak bum, but in a place swelling with kayakers it’s not rare for there to be more people who want to go boating than there are spaces in cars actually going boating.  It’s a good way to ensure kayaking success and a whole new of car issue-induced headaches.

The door doesn´t open.. cool.. right?

Red Fiats do not like sand siphons

#5 – Turbio – It’s right outside of town and you’ll drive over it multiple times a day.  Most of the time it will be way too low until that rare event when you find it roosting high.  The Turbio flashes, so later that day when you drive past it will again most likely be too low.  But, if you do catch it, there is a well defined trail to hike to the put-in.   I have no idea how long it takes because we lost the trail before we even began our hike and spent copious amounts of time scrambling through Chilean jungle gnar.  Our approach is not recommended unless you are looking for that special situation to foster team bonding.

#6 – Trancura -  Pucon Kayak Hostel is the Pucon’s little sister siphon.  It’s an incredible spot to sleep, asado, and meet up with other kayakers.  Coincidently it is also the take-out for the Upper Trancura or the put-in for the lower.   Life doesn’t get much easier than that.

#7 – Rio Plata – Rio Plata is one of those rivers best left to your imagination.   Wonder why a place so beautiful right outside of town isn’t more frequently hiked into.  The guidebook’s caption reads, “ looking for silver, but finding gold on the Rio Plata.”  I’m not sure the author ran the river.  But, then again, there were plenty of people who  revealed to us their less than fond opinions only after we spent 3 hours hiking to the river and another 5 navigating siphons, undercuts, and logs.  But, Rodrigo loves it and it is beautiful.  So, you should probably just ignore me.

#8 – Mamas Y Tapas – It’s ridiculously expensive and nights somehow end at the time you should be getting up to go to work.  But, you’re a kayak bum who doesn’t work, so it’s irressistable.

#9 – Tres Saltos – Sit around Ecole sipping coffee and staring at facebook, while occasionally discussing what should be done on this cold, dreary, high water day.  Next, you should drive to Tres Saltos because it’s been pissing rain for 3.5 weeks straight and today could be the day it’s actually running.  The third salto is too low and driving to scout a river is essentially the same as kayaking, so it’s probably time to call it quits for the day, return to Pucon, and enjoy  2 for 1 schopps at Latitude.

#10 – Escape the Siphon – Life in Pucon is phenomenal, but it can be a bit of a siphon of time and money.  So, I highly recommend not just talking about leaving the vortex and exploring other rivers, but actually doing it.  Chile is a big ole country full of waterfalls, big water classics, and countless first descents.