24/02/2025
By Mike S. (One of our guests)
Archidona, Ecuador (8 miles north of from Tena):
1/13-14/2025, Days #4&5 whitewater river running for 2-day/1-night jungle expedition (backcountry camping—sleeping in Emo Jungle Nest hammocks) for ~20 miles on the Rio Hollin all through the protected area ‘Sumaco Galeras, a spectacularly beautiful primary rainforest. The start point/put-in at waterfall/headwaters required lowering watercraft 30’ with ropes into the river canyon; the end point/ takeout was at Santo Domingo. Medium level river flow, 800-1200cfs, class lll to class IV+ rapids. There were two mandatory watercraft portages because of dangerous trees across the river, lodged into rocks—the first portage was an exhausting 1.5 hours requiring use of ropes to lower/haul watercraft down/up/down large boulder potions of the shoreline with extremely slippery rocks. THIS RIVER EXPEDITION has been recorded as the FIRST DESCENT of the upper section of the Rio Jollin using small catarafts! For me, completing this expedition was one of the most challenging, exciting, & rewarding experiences running rivers since I began in 1995.
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