We met in the town of Chillan. From there we strategically took a bus to Pucon at two am. We thought it was genius, go to a bar till one, then slip our boats in the bus late at night when less people would be traveling….in actuality not as brilliant as it sounded, but it worked. So we were in Pucon, got lucky, met a group headed south the Rio Futaleufu festival. After a few days in a our slow van with eight people we made it. Not with out re-routing twice due to the Chiten Volcano that was exploding.
Some Futa Fest pics. 
Our new group hung at the Futa for about two weeks and decided to head south for a Rio Baker and Rio Bravo expedition. In those two weeks we ate fresh salmon from the Futaleufu, joined many asado’s, and ran the upper canyon a number of times.
cooking fish dinner on bamboo over fire
Only about 8 hours away from the Rio Baker, our van died out side of the town of Caiaque. After three days of waiting we hired another van and did the rest of the journey to the baker. Due to time restrictions of some of the group members and the rental van being over budget, we only had one day on the baker before we had to go back, and we had to scrap the Rio Bravo. But that one day on the Baker was the biggest white water I had ever run. It was awesome, humbling, and I can’t wait to go back. I have never been in such chaotic white water. I was in a Riot Magnum 80 and it felt like a squirt boat.
Our new group hung at the Futa for about two weeks and decided to head south for a Rio Baker and Rio Bravo expedition. In those two weeks we ate fresh salmon from the Futaleufu, joined many asado’s, and ran the upper canyon a number of times.cooking fish dinner on bamboo over fire
After we had the Futa for a warm up we were off the Rio Baker. On the way we hit the Rio Ventiscara which flows from a glacier fed lake. And the Rio Cysniss.
Only about 8 hours away from the Rio Baker, our van died out side of the town of Caiaque. After three days of waiting we hired another van and did the rest of the journey to the baker. Due to time restrictions of some of the group members and the rental van being over budget, we only had one day on the baker before we had to go back, and we had to scrap the Rio Bravo. But that one day on the Baker was the biggest white water I had ever run. It was awesome, humbling, and I can’t wait to go back. I have never been in such chaotic white water. I was in a Riot Magnum 80 and it felt like a squirt boat.
the put in for the Baker next to the Rio Neff.
Rapid number 2. Unfortunately I don’t have all the pics yet because some of our group had to leave before I copied their pics. These pics contain rapid one and four. entering rapid number 3
Veiw into the finish of rapid number two looking from the rim of the canyon. 
After the Baker we headed back north. Hit the Rio Monso outside of Bariloche Argentina. This is Will dropping in on the first drop.
Myself on the second and third drops. Got to love creeking in play boats.
After your done hucking there is fun little wave just a little above the put in.
Sipping on some Matte tea in the eddy to warm up.
. And after a full day on the river the drive home is absolutely beautiful
In the last days of Chile, we where out side of Pucon at the local play spot.
At this point fall was coming into Chile and it was time to go to another hemisphere to continue my endless summer. It started in Montana in 2008, fall came there and I fled to Uganda, summer was going on in Chile and I fled their. Now Im continuing home to Montana to check out my fourth summer this year. Thanks WRSI for helping support my dreams and keeping my head in one piece so I can continue it next season. Mmmhhh I’m thinking Thailand and one more season in Chile….time for some creeking. Chow, Todd Richey.
