Possibly, South America’s most run waterfall section the Upper Palguin Canyon is like a waterfall park idea for experts keen to master advanced skills in a safe setting, and first time creekers excited to learn creeking and waterfalls techniques. Hiks a short distance to the base of the pro-only Salto Palguin (boof to 85 footer) for a one-of-a-kind seal launch adjacent to a river land bridge. Double Drop is the first and most difficult rapid with a ladder complimentary of PKR boaters construction offering multi-lapping of this gem. A 4 footer followed by a 9 footer offers lots of speed and plenty of entertainment. Other notable drops include Squeaky Door, the 12 footer, 20 footer, and Pescador.
Whitewater Kayak Skills Require
Confidence to learn and try the following in a remote basalt canyon.
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solid combat roll
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river running experience
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river communication
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creek eddy catching
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low volume ferrying
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boof skills
Access Put in/Takeout
20 minutes from retreat base need a vehicle or driver.
Put In: Roadside access at Salto Palguin pulloff, or private access with permissions. Roadside has experienced breakins.
Take Out: Pull-off at fence hole .75 KM below putin. Leave nothing in your vehicles.
Only one way out…
Seal launch at the land bridge for the basalt canyon experience.
Lapping Double Drop
We built a ladder to lap our favorite rapid. Get your speed and boof on… then do it again.
Safe 20 Foot Waterfall
Safely practice clean plugging, boofing, angle control, or freestyle.
Stick your first waterfall.
Ashley seconds after gracing the twenty-foot-epic-line of a lifetime. FIERO!!!
Highlights. One of a kind land bridge seal launch; Double Drop challenges, ear dipping the 12 footer, and multi-lapping the 20 footer.
Dangers. The run is relatively safe. Although, high flows can get downright nasty with scary swims. Low flows and too far left off the 20 footer the water is green. Avoid taking out river right above the crack.
Instructor Tips & Challenges. Go with someone that knows has access permissions or have a vehicle security plan. Plan to lap Double Drop and the 20 footer (leftside below Pescador is trail). PKR provides safety and freestyle coaching for various waterfall skills.
Advanced Pucon Chile Rivers to Kayak
Lower Trancura (III to IV)
Upper Palguin River (III to IV+)
Lower Palguin (III to IV+)
Maichin Canyon (III+ to IV+)
Upper Fuy (III+ to IV+)
San Pedro River (II to IV)
Liucura Wave to Trancura Confluence (III to III+)
Rio Claro (III+ to V)
Salto Blanco del Sur (IV)
Other advanced rivers descriptions coming soon: Coilaco 30 Footer, Maipo (Lower & Upper), Rio Nuble, Futaleufu
Chile Kayak Trips Featuring
Upper Palguin River
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Other Advanced Chile Kayak Trip Options
Chile Week of Rivers – For Beginner Intermediate & Advanced Kayakers
Multiple Dates Available
Designed for groups with diverse skills – two groups go to intermediate and advanced rivers daily. Beginners and intermediates can safely learn while advanced chargers can lap waterfalls and get their boof on. Celebrate nightly around the fire.
Rio Fuy +PLUS Pucon
Multiple WEEKS Available
Guaranteed blue waterfalls, slides, and boofs on world class creeks and rivers. Chile’s best two January kayaking destinations in one week promise epic kayaking on the the best rivers of your life. Solid combat roll required.
Pucon Classics Advanced (III to IV)
Multiple WEEKS Available
MOST POPULAR. Want to up your kayaking game with the safety of world class coaches on rapids that will challenge and excite you? Trip guarantees blue rivers, waterfalls, slides, and boofing all on world class creeking and big rivers.