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==Recent Alerts and Suggestions==
* GPT 27 and 28P/ Alto y Bajo Río Palena/ Packrafting Route / 2024 Jan-02 / 4 days / Jordan Jennings
The descriptions in the writings below are very accurate in describing Rio Palena. My only comment is to describe the rapids a little more - all but one rapid are class II wave trains - not complicated. The rapid shortly after the ferry at c 22km has more obstacles and requires the choosing of a “line”. Was not difficult.
* GPT 27 and 28P/ Alto y Bajo Río Palena/ Packrafting Route / 2022 Jan-24 / 5 days / Tobias Schorcht
The Palena River is a juvel for all Packrafters with some experience. It was a pleasure to paddle down all the way from Palena to Rául Marín Balmaceda and see the changes of the river day by day. I started right under the brigde 2km beside Palena. There was not that much water in the upper part, I had to carry the Packraft 4 times during the first 20 Kilometers. Since it is an unregulated stream, the riverbelt and the rapids are changing constantly. I observed some of the rapids before I started kayaking, which was absolutly necessary. The confluencia with Río Frío is spectacular, because the colores of the 2 rivers starts to mix. The river speeds up in the lower parts, gets wider and more effected by the wind, who appears usually from the seaside. Be aware of the tides which influences the level of the River after -43.88645/ -72.83230 up to 3m. After reaching the fjord I saw penguins and hundrets of seawolves (Punta islote) which came veeery close to my boat 😅. Enjoy!
==Season Section Log==
* 2024 Jan-19 to 2024 Jan-23 / txrx / Palena to Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda (27P & 28P) / 5 Days / Party of 4
I want to thank everyone who contributed to this article. All the information provided here was very useful to plan and prepare for the trip. As a packrafting beginner I absolutely loved this route. Here's a list of comments that might be useful to use as reference:
- We had 5 sunny and hot days with many moments of strong headwinds. Never underestimate how taxing is to paddle against the wind on a packraft, optimize your itinerary to paddle in the calmest moments of the day.
- It took us about 32 paddling hours for Palena to Port RMB.
- At the water level we had it was very easy to find a suitable camping spot along the whole river.
- Checking the tide charts was very useful to paddle with less effort on the last 25km to the sea.
- At the end, the normal route takes you through the [https://osm.org/go/MKFG_oRv?m= Garrao Canal] into the Pitipalena Estuary. We had a calm morning so we decided to continue on the Palena River, access a small canal east of the Isla de Boca and end up landing near [https://osm.org/go/MKFH5LAVg--?layers=N&m= "Mirador 2"]. From there we walked a trail that took us to the town in a little bit less than an hour.
* January 16-21/ Zach / Palena to Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda (27P & 28P) + Rio Frío (75P) / 6 Days easy
As Shaun mentioned, Kara Davis and Jen Ni described this section quite well. I combined 27P, 28P, and the Rio Frío which was totally worth the added transport effort. If you enjoy the rapids of the upper Palena, you’ll love the Rio Frío. La Junta was a nice lunch stop and upon meeting some familiar cycle tourists, turned into an afternoon off. Note that the take out/camp here is a popular swimming spot, so take care of your belongings when going to town. I left my headphones in the sun to dry and they were gone when I returned. Despite that and rain the final day, I have nothing but good things to say about Rio Palena. The termas are aptly named. The surrounding moss and tannin in the water make you feel like a gingerbread man soaking in a forest gnome’s tea kettle. After seeing no one on the river except 1 fishing tour, I was very surprised to encounter a group of 50 paddlers as part of the Decenso Colectivo Ruta de Palena. This is an organized group that paddles from Palena to Puerto Raul Marin in 4 days this time each year. The ferry still runs Thursdays and Sundays, although it left around 11:30, not 9:40 as the website states. No problem to buy a ticket upon boarding.
* 2020-Jan-22 / Shaun / Regular Packrafting route
====Elevation Profile of Regular Packrafting Route====
[[File:Profile_GPT27-p.PNG|frame|center|Elevation Profile of Regular Hiking Route (2019)]]
==Section Planning Status==
==Recommended Travel Period==
==Section Length and Travel Duration==
Section 27P is 103.5km and takes 2-2.5 days to complete. Together with Section 28P, the two sections are a total of 180km and take around 4-4.5 days.
==Suitable Section Combinations==
==Section Attractiveness==
The section is stunning, interesting, unpopulated and fun. Although, in reality, much of 27P is not too far from a road or occasional buildings, these are rarely visible and the river feels remote. Even more so for the continuation onto Section 28P. Alto Río Palena passes through farmland with a mountainous backdrop. It is very scenic. The many rapids and constantly changing features of the river make it stimulating and engaging. Combined with 28P, paddling on one river from the mountains to the Pacific is a wonderful experience. A very attractive section.
==Section Difficulty==
Río Palena is challenging in places and may not be suitable for beginners. There are many rapids, countless tree and rock obstacles, and occasional strong currents and whirlpools. At times of high river levels, the river will not only be faster, but there will be fewer places to get out or scout. There are many more rapids than indicated in the track file. That said, the rapids are generally not above Class 2, and some of the earliest and most challenging ones, can be portered around. Plus, the many obstacles in the river are avoidable.
==Resupply==
====Services: ATM and Money Exchange====
====Accommodation: Hostals and Hotels====
Franco, the owner of Los Rosadita hotel in Palena, can share expert knowledge of Rio Palena. The hotel is also a nice play to stay and makes good pizzas.
====Accommodation: Cabañas====
====Accommodation: Camping====
==Access to Route and Return==
===Access to Start===
===Return from Finish===
