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==Season 2023/24==
* 2024-Jan-24 to 2024-Jan-29/ 5.5 days easy / Packrafting / GPT 27P+28P SOBO / RR / Lauren & Seb
Together with GPT packrafter Daniel, we rivered in at Rio Palena Bridge {27P} [2.3/194]. Water level looked lower compared to the previous water line so we expected more visible rapids and occasional ground contact but generally no problem if you follow the main current.
We enjoyed upper Rio Palena’s numerous Class 1-2 rapids which kept the journey interesting. The first Rapid {27P} [4.2/178] requires scouting- at the bend, we took the line on the left which will keep you out of the stronger whitewater on the right. After that the other rapids were relatively easier in our opinion but reading the best line to avoid being sucked into swirls or going over inconspicuous trees underwater still demands your constant attention.
If you have registered for the Chilean fishing license, you will be delighted to catch many fresh trouts in Rio Palena. We took some easy days, camped early and fished when headwind picked up around 3-4pm.
One highlight for us was the Hot Spring {28P-G} [1.3/40] Termas Puerto Bonito where we enjoyed a soak in the mystical mossy forest. Just across that is a beautiful beach where we made camp (it comes with a stellar view of the glaciar Cerro Melimoyu).
On Day 5, we camped at -43.89304, -72.87743 and set off at 6.30am on Day 6. High tide was around 4.30am and the outgoing low tide was favourable for us by the time we were heading towards Canal Garrao which was a peaceful channel.
Estero Piti Palena was another highlight as we spotted the residential dolphins, penguins and sea lions. Wind and wave conditions were good all morning but expect headwind to pick up from noon when you paddle towards the beach.
The minibus schedule from RMB to Coyhaique is Wednesdays 0800 and Sundays 1000. We initially opted for the bus due to incoming rainy weather and the ferry only runs on Thursdays 0430 and Sundays 0900. However we did not manage to get onto the minibus as seats were full and apparently you require a whatsapp reservation (Alicia Rosas +56966092922 / Hugo Jara +56999351839). We ended up staying at hostel El Viajero (15K per person) which is a fantastic find. We sat out the rain next to a lovely wood-fired stove and took the ferry the next morning at 0430. Note that internet connection is slow in town but we found out that the Almacen Isla Del Palena (which also sells the ferry tickets) has Starlink and they were happy to host us for the duration of our video calls.
* 2024-Jan-23 / mad nomad / Westbound / Regular Packrafting Route from La Junta to the ocean / 1 day
I was coming from Alto Rio Palena (GPT27P) but right after La Junta, the headwind increased and it was impossible to continue. It was even pushing me against the stream! I had to get urgently out of the river and even reaching the shore was quite a task! Well, that's how Patagonia is... We have to respect the weather conditions.
*2023-Dec-06 / 2.5 days / Packrafting / SOBO / RR + Variant G / Tom Pieper
Most has been said in previous posts. The river is easy but headwinds can be annoying from time to times. Termas are a must see. In fiordo pitipalena I was surprised by a dolphin just 2 m in front of me. They are quite currios there. The ferry in the direction of Puerto Chacabuco leaves Thursday and Sunday at 8.50 AM.
==Season 2022/23==
I paddled the regular routes of GPT27P and GPT28P as part of one trip, and my combined comments for both are under section GPT27P.
*GPT28P / Option 1 / Isla Magdalena via Seno Magdalena, Seno Soto, Canal Jacaf and Canal Puyuhuapi / 2020-Jan-17 / 5 days /
The generally steep cost results in only few suitable landing beaches. And the forrest reaches right down to the high-tide line. The track files contain several decent beaches where camping seams more comfortable if hiding in the trees behind the open beach.
*GPT28P / Packrafting from Santo Domingo to Villa Melimoyu (Part of Option 1) / 2019-Nov-18 / 1 day / Southbound / Meylin Ubilla & Jan Dudeck
Packrafting the 20 km from Rio Palena (next to Raul Marin Balmaceda) to Santo Domingo might be feasible on a perfect day if starting with the first light in the morning but this water route is a serious packrafting challenge as this water route traverse the unprotected Golfo de Corcovado. There are probably not more than a dozen such perfect days per season so either be very patient or take the next ferry. One of the bays along this unprotected route is named “Bahia Mala” (Bad Bay) and this seams no randomly chosen name. But when entering the “Canal Refugio“ (another well descriptive name) the wind and waves get suddenly a lot calmer. At the mouth of this more sheltered channel is the tiny settlement Santo Domingo that was founded some decades ago. Arriving here by ferry seams the rational choice if not willing to wait days or weeks for a suitable weather window.
*GPT28P / Exploration Fjord Pitipalena (Part of Option 2) / 2019-11-14 / 3 days / Meylin Ubilla & Jan Dudeck