Ecuador- Feb 2- 10 class IV- That’s all folks (for now).

I’m kicking off this entry with what I think is a really fun group shot that captures the feel of Ecuador; equatorial sunlight filtering through the trees of a lush, vegetated side-canyon.

Our Feb 2-10 group in Slot Canyon, tributary to the Jatunyacu.

This side-hike is accessed from the river and if you didn’t know where to look, you could float right past it. There must be many of these little canyons that snake their way into the rivers we run. You could spend a life time looking for, and exploring them. Impossible to get them all, but how fun it would be to try.

View of the Upper Amazon Basin from the pass over the Guacamayo Range.

While our paddling began in the Quijos valley, the real story begins on the other side of the Guacamayo Mountains in the Tena area. Once upon our time, many years ago, the upper reaches of the Rio Misahualli experienced a slide that dammed the river, cutting off all flow downstream! When it finally gave way, the resulting wall of water damaged bridges, flooded roads, and greatly rearranged the river’s rapids. Fortunately, no people were killed and the damage to homes and property was minimal. In the river channel itself, classic boofs were robbed of their abrupt gradient, rocky labyrinths were straighten, eddies were silted in and wood was left high and dry, with the occasional piece choking off a drop. Thankfully over time, the river began returning to it’s classic character. It has been a reliable friend, providing many with their first taste of continuous, technical creekin’. The Upper Mis invariably ends up ranking quite high on everyone’s List Of Favorite Rivers.

Ecuador Jan 26-Feb 3 Class IV; They’re Back!

We’re not surprised by people’s desire to return to Ecuador, we’ve been coming back since 1995! This place is amazing. And our Jan 26th trip was dominated by Ecuador alumni, some from previous years and two from the prior week (you’re allowed to do that you know).

Mike W. and Mark B. staying on for week #2.

Mike W. and Mark B. used the afternoon between trips to relax and site-see in the Quijos Valley. They ventured, sans kayaks, to San Rafael falls. At 435 feet, it is the tallest waterfall in the country.

Joining us from our neck of the woods in California were Scott B. and Nini R. This was Nini’s second trip to Ecuador and she brought her husband Mike P. along. They celebrated a double birthday with a warm water run on the Quijos! Here for his seventh time, Bob B., a C-1er from Arkansas, was accompanied by his partner Jonna, yet another Ecuador alum! Last minute additions, Matt C. (alum) and Arianne M. rounded out the group.

Bob B. back for more, in this case lucky #7.

Four guides and two vehicles allowed each member of the group the flexibility to choose the river option that was best for their daily energy level and mood. Team DAK was supported by guide/instructors Matt Terry and Jaime Dalgo. Lucky us!

Weather-wise, it was starting to feel as if the “dry” season had really arrived. Water levels registered at friendly flows and choices abounded. Our warm-up run was part of Chaco Canyon of the Quijos River. The following day we all had fun on the warm-up section of the Cosanga. Part of the group continued downstream through the Cosanga Gorge with Jaime Dalgo and Phil, while Mary and the rest of the gang headed back to finish off and play our way down Chaco Canyon. The full day left everyone feeling tired and super satisfied.

Ecuador January 19-27 Class IV-

Where would you rather be in January? Kayaking in Ecuador – or fighting the cold weather in Detroit? Ann and Mel traded in the chill factor for the fun factor last week as they opted to join us in Ecuador!

Mel and Ann basking in the sun.

At the other end of the U.S. weather spectrum, Steve and Doug from Southern Cal were amazed with the great variety of rivers we ran! Craig from Colorado was back in Ecuador for his second DAK trip. Mike W. of Salt Lake and Mark B. of California signed on for two in a row, using this week to warm-up for the following Class IV trip!

Edmundo, our driver surrounded by the gang.

Ecuador- Working With The Future.

During our week off between trips, we found ourselves answering the call of some of Ecuador’s finest! Jaime Dalgo and Gaston Sanchez, two stellar kayakers and instructors, were looking for an ACA Instructor update. These two are a part of the future of the sport here. Along with Tarquino Yanguez, these professional young boaters have taken ACA Instructor, Swiftwater Rescue and Wilderness First Responder Courses and keep current with their CPR from the Ecuadorian Red Cross.

Jaime and Gaston, part of the future of kayaking in Ecuador.

 

Looking forward to time on the river together, we volunteered and spent a fun and informative day. Classroom work completed, we headed to the excellent Class II teaching stretch of the Middle Misahualli to review strokes, discuss progressions, and answer as many questions as we could for them.