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==Season 2021/22==
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2022-02-11 to 2022-01-14 / 4 days / Packrafting/ NOBO/ RP / Mikhail Bogdanov&Masha Ovchinnikova'''</span>
: Rio Picacho - Low flow.
Spoiler:
- I recommend portage close proximity to rapid for packrafters, who have teammates with white water(WW) experience.
- I recommend run rapids for packrafters with experience of WW minimum Class III in Low flow of river.
- In Medium flow to run rapids need will see speed of main streams and power of rapid's holes.
- In High flow (long rains, spring season) I didn't recommend run rapids. Need good scout places for portage close proximity to rapid.
After met Jan and his stories about GPT29P Northbound. Before building the legendary r
Ruta-7 and X-25 settlers of Puerto Picacho used lakes of Rio Picacho to connect with Mañuhales. I really wanted to do the same way. And maybe added new information about this section.
So, we haved plans to scout rapids Rio Picacho and will make decisions to run or portage. We didn't want rainy days, because Jan sayed, that the water in river will be high quickly.
But our ferry to Puerto Cisnes was delayed 8h and we were delayed on bus to Coyahaique (stop on Picaflor to start tracking to Rio Picacho). Next bus - next morning. Good forecast only for 3 days. So, we take a very expensive taxi (110k CLP) which waiting 6h, then taxi will arrive from Pto.Aysen.. What? Think it's no market price.. need learn Spanish.
1st day at 5:30pm we started walk 9km from Picaflor Sur to bridge under construction on feeder of Rio Picacho
44°58′19.19′′ S 72°16′39.42′′ W and made camp.
Next morning start paddling on Feeder Rio Picacho. It's no good idea. Feeder blocked with trees. We spent 1 hour paddling 2km.
Rio Picacho added more water, but still had many trees in river, which made rapid up to class ll (44°57′58.88′′ S 72°22′13.05′′ W). Spent 10h relax paddling.
Lago Copa met us with strong wind. Swamp access to Camp {29PN} [46.8+0.2/25] was factor of low water in lake. Many locals, whose we met last week, sayed "This summer is really summer in Patagonia" It's unusual. Less rains, more sun.
3rd day was fantastic.
Sunrise on Lago Copa, ideal weather.
At 9am we was on 1st Rapid {29PN} [53.4/35].
This and next 3 rapids are kind of "pool and drop" rapids (after rapid flatwater)
1. Rapid#1 in Lago Copa. Class lll (lll+).
30m
44°53′10.46′′ S 72°37′29.60′′ W
This and next rapid rating is based on my experience of WW and can be different from kayakers.
Class III (III+): III - track of "chicken route" (III+ - track of main stream)
Scout and Portage only Left bank of river.
I think if you have experience to run this rapid you will no have problem with next 3 Rapids in Low Flow of river.
We run together (tandem) the "chicken route" (not main stream) on left. Look more safety. Because main stream (on right) can scout only from water.
2. Rapid#2 Canyon Lago Copa. Class III+ (IV)
40m
44°52′27.12′′ S 72°39′30.85′′ W
Scout and portage any side.
We start scout Rapid {29PN} [56.4+0.2/87] at 11:20am
In gates of canyon, speed of stream 0.5-1 km/h. Vegetarians in canyon start 1.5-2m above water - one more factor about low flow of river.
We started to scout on left bank and saw great Eddy (small river bay) on Right bank of river. We made cross river, speed of stream still 1 km/h. Take out river to portage one packraft to insurance after rapid.
Eddy on left bank is smaller, but still ok for scout and portage.
12:20pm I run on right "chicken route" to avoid boulder in middle of stream
3. Rapid#3 Mini canyon Lago Copa. Class II
10m
44°52′06.42′′ S 72°39′49.72′′ W
Scout NO possible.
Rapid {29PN} [57.6/53] is easy, but can't safty scout (I climbing in right bank). Speed of stream 1-3 km/h before rapid. If you see something dangerous you can try back.
12:40pm run tandem.
4. Rapid#4 lll+ Last "pool and drop"
70m
44°51′08.73′′ S 72°39′01.12′′ W
Scout and portage only right bank.
3:10pm after lunch we run "chicken route" on right.
Then 350m of flatwater and start cascade of rapids. So, portage and run next part of rapids I recommend for packrafters with good experience. Who understands what are doing.
5. Rapid#5 Class V. Staircase. Only for PRO.
180m
44°50′56.40′′ S 72°39′02.29′′ W
Scout and portage right bank.
Rapid with a lot height of drop. Very dangerous.
4pm We portage both packrafts and run last hole.
After rapid from river leaves 1st sleeve on left. It's low water and much stones, we didn't scout.
If it use to escape from main stream recommended learn satellite photos. And you have 100m fastwater before start new rapid.
6. Rapid#6 Class IV.
80m
44°50′46.93′′ S 72°39′07.45′′ W
Scout any side. Portage only left.
If you scout on right bank you haven't seen left track of rapid. To start run need to paddle in labyrinth of stones in ±flatwater. As a reward - easy track on the right side of stream - just straight.
Left side have more options: portage or run as you want.
4:40pm We run tandem on right side.
In 60m of fastwater main stream of river turn left on 2nd sleeve with new rapid.
7. Rapid#7 Class ll+
50m
44°50′42.08′′ S 72°39′10.16′′ W
Classic, well visible slide of water.
We run without scout.
8. Rapid#8 Class III+.
100m
44°50′42.12′′ S 72°39′14.80′′ W
After 30m main stream of river go to rigtht. It's last rapid before lake.
Scout left bank of right stream. Portage right bank of left stream.
Rapid is slide of water with right track. In the end is gate of woods.
We run tandem and at 5pm was on Lago Escondido. Camping on a small beach.
Day 4. Classic early wake-up to cross Lago Escondido before wind starts.
Last Rapid {29PN} [67.8/20] on Rio Picacho before Rio Cisnes is Class ll. Can scout from Left bank.
Good lunch on river fusion. At 15pm we went back to Puerto Cisnes in rain.
Taken from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/222224388283455/posts/1272265576612659/
(includes incredibly helpful pictures and videos for when the water level is low)
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2022-Jan-04 to 2022-Jan-06 / Tobias Schorcht / Northbound / Regular Packrafting Route from Picaflor to Puerto Cisnes / 2.5 days'''</span>
