Patagonia, Chile - Part 4 - Futaleufú

Futaleufú

Futaleufú means "big river" and is world famous for one of the best whitewater rivers in the world. It's also surrounded by snowcapped peaks, rain forests, and clear streams.  

Rafting Rio Futaleufú 

Rio Futaleufú was running high while we were there, so only one section was open ("bridge-to-bridge").  The "Fu" has a lot of water, with 12 rapids (6 class IV-V) in this section, and even the "flat" parts looked like rapids to me.

Futaleufú valley

Rio Futaleufú 

This will be great!

An angry river

Alex picked the seat in the splash zone

The world class Rio Futaleufú

The "pillow" rapid rising up

Paddle team captain

Emerald wave train

Katie taking the plunge

Survival celebration

Equitación Futaleufú

Fun fact: our gaucho guide is a true 90's heavy metal fan!

Natural equestrian

Keri thought it was pretty fun

Character actor

Gauchos

Katie's horse did not ever want to be last

Katie's newest friend

😃🤠

Hiking Futaleufú

Another peak to climb our next visit to Patagonia

18 kilometers isn't even a challenge for Alex anymore

Lago Noroeste

Christmas in Futaleufú

We celebrated Christmas at a lakeside cabin, and made toffee, coconut snowmen, and egg nog.

Not a white Christmas, but homemade treats on the wood stove and ornaments on the bush outside

Christmas afternoon paddle

Rio Epsilon

 

One last time fishing Patagonia

Cochamo Valley

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate so we decided to skip Cochamo, rather than spend three days walking and camping in deep mud.  A reason to come back!

Next up...

Off to New Zealand!