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So there is nothing particularly special
about the San Pedro - in terms of rapids, that is. We went there mostly
because it happened to be right on the way back to the airport at Puerto
Montt. The river itself was a pretty easy run, with some good surfing waves
and a nice ender spot or two, but during our drive there the sun came out
for the first time in a few days and when we got to the river it had the
clearest, bluest water I had ever seen in my life. Floating down the river
was, in Ken's words, like "being on a magic carpet ride". |
 The
San Pedro River on a beautiful day. |
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After we loaded the boats, we drove
out from our little bed and breakfast back towards Choshuenco and the sky
cleared up and the sun came out and we got our first look at the volcano
whose base we had been paddling around for the last few days. We stopped
off the side of the road to look back and take pictures, then drove on
to the lake where we dressed and launched. It was a warm,sunny day, the
first we had there, and the river was a beautiful clear blue. Drifting
on downstream you could look down into the clear water and see the bottom.
The San Pedro's banks were not formed of the same black lava rock that
the Fuy's were; instead, being further away, it was made up of soft white
rock formed from settling ash. In some places there were underwater cliffs
that you could look down along the cliff face or 30 feet or more. |
 Loading
the van to go to the San Pedro. |
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There were not much in the way of
rapids, but I don't think anyone minded after the excitement of the day
before. Most everyone had tried to get a more play-type boat, instead of
the big creekers, but there were not really enough to go around. Heading
down the river we got pretty spread out as some folks stayed to play at
spots and others, like me, just sat back and enjoyed the day and the ride.
Ken floted most of the river with his skirt open and his fishing rod out.
I would have to say that if the weather had been marginal, this wouldn't
have been a welcome run, but it was so nice tht it was a great way to relax
after a hectic day before. |
 Dave
and Toz catch a wave. |
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As we headed downstream we came to
an ender spot, and everyone stopped an played for while. I, being just
a bit lazy, got out of my boat and took a little nap in the sun and snapped
a few pictures. There were flies out though - big ones, that mae a horrible
loud buzzing sound, but didn't seem to bite. They were particulalrly attracted
to the color blue and spent a lot of time buzzing after folks with blue
helmets. I spent a while stnding on a rock swatting at the flies as they
tried to fly up to me from downwind.
After catching enders we paddled on down to a lunchspot
in the shade. Lunch was the same as everyday - some cheese and sausage
and crackers and fruit. Easy stuff to carry and good to eat on the water.
The rest of the river was a simple trip, and we ate a little more before
driving back to Puerto Montt.
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A
nice ender spot. The hole is a bit sticky though - be careful!
 Sitting
in the sun.
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The
Fuy | Chile
| The Futaleufu
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The
San Pedro River on a beautiful day.