Rio Nevados

With its crystal clear waters, clean granite bedrock, and steep gorges, the Rio Nevados, near Pucon, Chile, is reminiscent of California creeking in the Sierra Nevada range. The glaring difference between the two however, is the lack of any sort of hike-in, and the fact that you can lap the Nevados in about 20 minutes once you know the lines. Hell, even if someone doesn't know the lines, it is possible to bomb through them in less than half an hour, with minimal amounts of carnage.

During the month I spent in Chile, we ran the Nevados at a variety of water levels, from boat breaking low, to hold onto your balls high water. The guidebook, which by the way, contains very marginal, at best, shuttle directions and information, says that the rapid above the put-in bridge should appear barely runnable and bony for an optimal flow downstream. At our highest water level, the rapid above the bridge looked juicy, and the normally dry protrusions of rock were lost underwater. Undaunted by the sight, our fearless leader, Xavier, told us to sack up and headed back to the truck, drysuit in tow, and an ear to ear grin plastered on his face. Even at this high flow, the run downstream was all good to go, with the exception of one spot, where the move is to ferry from an eddy on river left, into the curtain/hydraulic of the previous drop and then turn and burn into a mini gorge containing two drops, the latter of which has a rather sticky hole. At the high flow, the move from the eddy became an all out charge into the falls, only to be rejected harder than a nerd at a middle school dance. Eventually, we all decided to tuck tail and strike out overland in true team semi-marginal fashion.

The Rio Nevados is also home to the notorious Demshitz Drop, one of the rowdier drops I have run, and also maybe one of the most beautiful. (I have a video of the drop on the blog, but unfortunately, no photos.)

Xavier the Grizzly Man dropping into the Slide lead-in. That, by the way, is "Mr. Steve's" boat. Seriously, it says so on the sticker. It is also rumored to have super powers, and if you don't believe it then, well, you betta jus watch yaself bru.

Max Fisher running the first slide.

Mike Kobzik droppin into the must run at good juicy flow.

Frenchie gettin some steez on the wall boof.

Martin about to go deep off the must run during a low water run.

The Nevados is a must run creek for anyone spending time in the Pucon area, and with its proximity to town, and ease of access, lends itself readily to multiple laps during the day. Just remember your elbow pads.