Rio Futaleufu, the gem in the Chileano crown.

Split into three sections, the rio works it's way down a pristine valley that has been home to some of the biggest river tourist outfits in Chile for the last 20years, not forgetting all the travelling kayakers. It still has a feel of adventure, for if you want to stay in Chile getting there, there is a ferry journey to do where there is no road. Plus there's no fuel in the valley. This highlights that the natural riches for the the local community and tourist businesses must be so good, that this isolation doesn't bother them. First the dams and now a gold mine threaten the valley, which whilst materistically are good for a country, will not support the local people - they don't need the gold anymore than the electricity, which was meant for industry over the Argentinian border. To ruin one unique valley, and disrupt so many local and visiting tourists every year, the question has to be asked, "why here?".

Overnight ferry to the Futalefu valley

Inferno canyon (upper Futaleufu), Entrada rapid, average flows

Phil and Ben

Go between the two big hits, dynamite rapid on the upper futa.

Get your sheep and eat it, chileano style!