Rio Claro Take 3 - Garganta de Diablo

      Discovered about 4 years ago, "Gargata de Diablo" (translation: throat of the devil) has been one of a kayakers' pilgrimages in Chile. Lorenzo claimed that his brother, Pangal, first decented Garganta, but I'm not sure about the accuracy of his statement...It's down steam from Entres Saltos and is located in a deep, gorgeous canyon. It is famous for its out-of-the-ordinary circular shape and is incredibly photogenic! People also call it "swirly bird" sometimes for that reason. 


    To plainly describe the mechanical process, you start of with a 15 ~ 20-ft-long slide, dropping about 15 ft and then followed by a 30+ ft waterfall at the end, entering a pool. Many people have gotten hurt there, but the magical physical experience just keep attracting packs and packs of kayakers here from all over the world. People get hurt, but it's part of the game.


    Without further a due, let's take a peak at Garganta de Diablo!

To take photos of kayakers running Garganta, I had to climbed down
a steep and unguarded cliff. I swear, someone will fall off from
there someday..(from the left: Jordan, Nick, and mackenzie)

Dave, Tino and Lorenzo discussing game plan.

Coaches giving pre-battle speech to students to prime them up!

Hunt and Jordan (NRA student)

Mackenzie getting ready 

Nick was very excited about running Garganta! he was also doing it for his dad!!

Alex checking out the Devil's throat.

    A continuous shot of Tino (head coach) running Garganta.

Lorenzo (Assist. coach & Spanish teacher)

Jason Terry

Clay Whitaker

Alex Anderson

Taylor Cote

Taylor's skirt imploded

Mackenzie Hatcher

Kara (English teacher)

The canyon after Garganta

Jacob Slobodian

Nick Simpson

Jordan Poffenberger

Errik Hill

Cheering after everyone ran Garganta safely!!

Rio Claro Take 2 - Entres Saltos

      Another section on Rio Claro that we kayaked was Entres Saltos (Translation: Enter the Waterfall). It's upstream of Siete Tazas and Gargantha (what's this? read the next entry! jaja). It's a bit step up from Siete Tazas but is till fairly easy. The put-in for Entres Saltos is just right at the bridge. 

Enjoy the photos!

Beginning section of Entres Saltos

Me running a 10 footer (Photo by: Jason T.)

Photo by: Jason T.

NRA student: Jason Terry

NRA student, Clay jumping off rocks (Can you find him??)

A cool exposure mode capturing Hayley seal launch

NRA student, Zoe running a slide

Paddle away

Cool water reflection

Me running a small drop

Team NRA: from left, Hayley, Tino, Wayne, me, Kara
Jason, Alex and Clay (Photo by: Mackenzie H.)

Rio Claro Take 1 - Waterfall Paradise - Siete Taza !

     Mankind has always wonder the come about of many inconceivable creations on Earth - whether it's organic or inorganic . Some attribute it to the force of nature while others consider it the fruits of superior beings. Regardless of their true origin, their exotic yet aesthetic quality deserve our full attention and appreciation. 

    Some people may like going to the beach because they love listening to the wave pounding the shore and feeling the sea water going through their toes and legs. Some enjoy going climbing to challenge their physical limits and to feel the thrill being on the top of the world after one good climb. The view they get is simply incredible. There are also people like the kayakers, who are addicted to discovering the story of each river and witness the history of its creation dating back hundreds and thousands of year. The perspective that rivers can bring us is quite remarkable. 

    Siete Tazas is one of the many magical places on Rio Claro (translation: Clear River). Crafted by snow, ice and water for thousands of years, the basalt rock (玄武岩) has been molded into some of the most amazing geological features in the world! It's absolutely gorgeous, which is an understatement. 

    Siete Tazas is a national reserve (Reserva Nacional Radal Siete Tazas) and it attracts tens of thousands of tourists each year. In 2010, an earthquake occurred off shore of the Maule Region, Chile, rating 8.8, emptied the tea cups for a few months. Many geologist from all over the world came to examine this peculiar incident. There are many theories explaining where the water went but no experts can conclude definitely what happened. Luckily, Siete Tazas came back and we were so fortunate that we could witness its magic again this year.

Enjoy the photos~

   

At the put-in, gearing up, ready to go kayaking!

Put-in from another angle

Tino giving instructions

Tino showing how to boof the 1st waterfall of Siete Tazas
Step 1 - be patient for the right timing to get the boof strok in

Step 2 - boof and crunch your core to pull your legs up

Step 3 - land and steer away

The 1st waterfall at a different angle (kayaker: Mackenzie)

1st waterfall (kayaker: Taylor)

5th cup

6th cup - 15 ft

6th and 7th cups - 15ft and 20 ft

7th cup

Dave running 7th cup

NRA staff, Chris running the last waterfall

Zoe chipped her tooth on this run, but she still had a bright smile!
She definitely remember not to put the paddle right in front
of her face when she run waterfalls (I hope...)

Take out

Earthquak's effect on Siete Tazas (Photos shared by the park rangers):

Water dried out after the earthquake

Almost no water running among the tea cups

Saltos Leona dried out.

Now, as of November 2010. RUNNING AGAIN!!!

Siete Tazas

Saltos Leona running again