Marañon Jan16 trip details (last update 1Jan2014)

----PRE-TRIP GENERAL INFORMATION MARAÑON Jan16-Feb12------
 
This is an informational email about the Marañon trip coming up that will begin Jan16. Note an important change I've made since the last update is that we are basing the trip out of Huaraz. There is additional information below for arriving to Huaraz. Also, I am as yet uncertain we can continue all the way to Sarameriza, so it is best for everyone planning to end Feb.12 at Imacita, though if you can plan a few days extra at the end, some of us may still make it down there. Note that Patty of Mi Casa contacted me to say there is construction outside the front of the hotel, so a bunch of us may be moved to another nearby hotel. Also, Ralph and Taylor (dislocated shoulder) had to drop out, while Johanna is coming on the whole thing.  

I put up some information and slideshows from the latest trip (Sep28-Oct27). You can see the summary and slideshows at:
SEP28 TRIP SUMMARY:  MARANON , as well as other links such as to C&K articles. Note that we'll be expected and welcomed in Mendán this time, and should have the correct permissions from the Awajún.  Also you can see the information on that trip (and the Jan16 trip soon) by clicking at the top of the main MARAÑON webpage.  [another C&K article will likely appear in the Jan issue]
 
  The group seems to be firmed up 22 and 18 folks on Upper and Lower - see below for who's joining. I expect to pick up a bunch of local folks on the Lower section who are interested in seeing more of their river and learning to raft.  On the previous Sep-Oct trip, we had 19-23 folks at any given time on the 30-day trip, which worked out fine with 5 rafts. We should have at least 5 rafts this time - and possibly 6 if the next order arrives before our launch.

Most information you need to know about the trip can be found on the main Marañon webpage. In general, everyone will be helping out on the trip with chores. In general, plan to bring your own camping gear and some or all of your own personal paddling gear (PFD, jacket, helmet, skirt, throw-bag).  Many items are available to rent (see list at end) if you'd like to minimize what you travel with. Just let me know if you'rd like to reserve some of those items.  If you're kayaking, you get to reserve a kayak and paddle (included in contribution - see availability at end).   

If you have any particular medical problems, food restrictions, or other requests I should be aware of, please let me know.  You can see the typical foods we bring on the trip at the food/alcohol/water page.  Please also indicate if you're a coffee drinker and what canned beverages you prefer (beer, Coke, Sprite, etc) - for much of the trip we'll provide 1 can beverage/day.  We will resupply these at Chagual and Balsas, so just let me know your selection for the first 10 days; we can bring more than 1 can/day/person starting at Chagual of the trip too if you want extra beer, for instance.  

On the latest trip I had requests from folks living along the river (Awajún primarily) for more toys, clothing, camping gear donations, and even old laptops.  Please consider donating such items if you can - it will be greatly appreciated.  I can send some of this down there for us to pick up just before we enter the pongos so you don't have to carry it on most of the trip.

Below are more specifics, such as dates, some info on planning flights at the end of the trip, links to maps/etc, and a little about the folks already committed to joining the trip.  If you're thinking of booking tickets and are uncertain where you want to end the trip, you should know that if you use reward program miles, you can usually get great one-way deals, and then decide and book your return ticket later.   

Before the trip and when I'm in Peru I will still be accessing email regularly, so you can contact me that way. I will have a cell phone in Lima aside from the one I use in the USA. Also, when we are on the trip, you can tell others that they can send text messages to you/us at the satellite phone number below:

Rocky cell (Lima): 971 625 179  
Rocky cell (USA):  206-484-5820
Rocky satellite phone (anywhere): 011-870-76 820

Regards,
Rocky

HIGH WATER
This trip is in Jan-Feb and at high water averaging 600-900 cms (20000-32000 cfs) in the main Grand Canyon section. The levels often fluctuate during the rainy season, so we could experience relatively lower levels of 300 cms (10000 cfs) or one of the floods of 1500+ cms (50000+ cfs) that usually occur a few times per year.  High water covers up beach camps, can wash out rapids, and can make a few rapids ferocious.  The toughest rapid on the river is Wasson's Landslide (class V) which has steep drops in a boulder maze. At medium flows, I expect the main sieve to be covered over eliminating one of the main dangers, but monster hydraulics might develop, and it might get very difficult to stop above it and rafts can get away easily in the high water and flip. We have to be very careful here. The other class V  is Llamara (10 km downstream of Wasson's), and while it might get a monster hydraulic midway down the rapid, it should be straightforward to get the rafts through on the RL side.  Other rapids might develop massive hydraulics similar to Crystal on the GC Colorado or Slide on the Salmon.  We'll be extra cautious in these areas and just have to see.  

While usually it's possible to walk around the toughest rapids, it can become perilous at flood flows.  Due to the unknown dangers section at flood flows, if we encounter such flows 2 days before getting to Wasson's, I'd probably contract a shuttle around the section. I might even mandate that some folks performing at class III or below ability level skip the section and meet us in Chagual (3 days skipped). So everyone has to be comfortable with this. There are three ways to get around the section: either at  Puente Jitaraxan at a road bridge (km 102; easiest way), at the village of Huchus (km 127; maybe can contract a vehicle), or by hiking up out of canyon to Chilia where a bus can be taken by individuals. The put-in after such a portage would be somewhere around km 190-206 by Chagual (km 206).  Everything from Chagual down has been run at high water, so I'm not so concerned about that section. 

The other thing that the rainy season entails is rapidly rising water levels at times.  It may not be raining at all where we are, but the river could still rise 2+ meters at a camp, which might necessitate moving things to higher ground (a pain, but part of the adventure).  On such a long trip, we are likely to experience this.  Also note that if we do experience very high flows, there will be fewer and smaller beach camps.  

We also will be progressing faster than former trips due to the high water.  The plan is to be in Balsas by day 16, at Corral Quemado (Bagua) by day 24, in Imacita by day 27, and Sarameriza (if we go that far) by day 31.  This plan should still allow for 2 layover days in the Upper section and 1-2 layovers on the Lower section. I'm hoping we can do a layover by Tupén Grande, to allow a guide to take us on the full day hike to Talap, supposedly an impressive Incan/Chachapoyan ruin up the mountain (5 hr walk each way).      


RENDEZVOUS IN HUARAZ 
The official trip rendezvous point will be Huaraz, a high city in the Andes that's much closer to the put-in and a nicer colonial Peruvian town for folks to hang out before the trip.  All the equipment will be based here for this and future trips.  Huaraz is the major destination of the Andes for trekkers and climbers, as it's close to the highest tropical mountains in the world, including Huascarán.  You might consider doing several days trekking before the trip, such as up to the Cordillera Huayhuash, one of the probable principal sources of the Amazon.

To get to Huaraz, you can fly  (1 hr) or take a bus (8 hr).  Flights are only operated by LCPeru. On Jan15 flights are scheduled at 5:30am and 7:00am and cost a total of $121.  There are two primary bus companies servicing Huaraz with ~8hr rides. On these buses there are regular seats, semi-reclining seats, and sometimes "cama" seats that recline almost fully. Prices are about $11-32 for the ride depending on seat type (note some buses are all cama seats; some have mixed seats, etc):

Movil Tours (Paseo de la República 749, La Victoria; tel: 332-0004) has departures throughout day: e.g., 8:00am, 9:40am, 10:10am, 10:30am; 1:00pm, 9:40pm, 10:30pm
Cruz del Sur (Javier Prado & Arriola) has departures usually 11:00am and 10:30pm from Javier Prado; $11-32 depending on seat type 

If you're going by bus, I suggest you buy your ticket online if possible (click on links above) and get to the bus station 1 hr ahead of the departure time, but they'll take you up to the departure time.  Otherwise, you can just show up at the Movil Tours terminal (Paseo de la República 749, La Victoria; tel: 332-0004) and buy your ticket for the next departing bus. If you are going from the airport to the bus terminal, it should be about a 40NS taxi ride ($15) taxi ride. The driver will know these terminals.  
 
In Huaraz, our main rendezvous will be at Mi Casa ("My House") run by Patty Ames, located at Avenida 27 de noviembre 773, a few blocks from the plaza in the center of town [tel: 051-43-423375; email: bybmyhousehuaraz@gmail.com]]. Double rooms with two beds cost 80NS ($29) with breakfast, or 70NS ($25) without breakfast.  You can leave some items there to be returned to Lima by the end of the trip. I'll reserve rooms for everyone unless you want to stay somewhere else.  We will be departing from here at 7 am on January 16, so if you're somewhere else, just be at MiCasa then.
 
 Everyone joining the trip from the start should be in Huaraz on January 15. If you're a kayaker or rower and I need to assess your ability level, you should arrive a day prior and paddle a class IV section of Río Santa for the assessment.  If you have overestimated your ability level (i.e., swim in class III or IV rapids), you will have to pay more for the trip and be limited in the amount of time you can kayak/row - we may not even bring a kayak for you. [Hint: don't lie or overestimate your ability level.] 

LIMA
All folks will be flying into Lima and you might want to spend a day there checking it out. You can find general info about Lima on the Lonely Planet website (scroll lower on this site for links to essential info like money, getting around, etc).  You can get money in ATMs - the exchange rate is ~2.7 nuevo soles/dollar. Miraflores is a bit far from the airport but one of the nicer parts of town and not too far from the bust stations to Huaraz.  Nice things to do in Miraflores are to run/walk near the beach or on the cliffs above (maybe paraglide), walk around the center parks, and visit Huaca Pucllana ruins (pre-Inca).  Most things there are within walking distance - or taxis can be hired.  You'll have to book your own accommodations in Lima/Miraflores. It's usually a $20USD taxi ride to Miraflores (50NS).  

There are various options of hotels/hostels in Miraflores.  You can check out various MIRAFLORES HOTELS/HOSTELS with private rooms. A reasonably priced one is Friend's House (email them at friends house_peru@yahoo.com.mex ). Other links to check:  
 Booking.com ; HOSTEL.COM ; LonelyPlanet ; Hitchhiker's Hostel  ; Albergue Miraflores 

Jan-Feb Marañon Trip:
The group committed so far on the Jan-Feb trip has a good international component. About 2/3 of the folks on the trip are guides or very experienced oarsmen or kayakers. 

Rocky Contos (me; San Diego, CA) will be the trip leader. You can read more about me at BIO. I've done the whole river 2X and organized both trips.
Pedro Peña (Lunahuana, Peru) has run rafts for the dam survey crew trips on the lower GC Amazon at high water. 
Alonso Campana (Cusco, Peru) runs an rafting operation in Cusco (Apurimac Explorer). Julio and Pedro did the whole river with me in Sep-Oct. 
Victor Memdivi ("Bacteria") (Cusco, Peru) is a class V kayaker/raft guide in Cusco who helped me guide trips on the Apurimac, Yanatile, and Urubamba last year.

Emil Carlsson (from Sweden/UK) has guided rivers in Nepal, Uganda, Morocco, Sweden, Scotland, and other places. Did did a GCC (Grand Canyon Colorado) last year. 
Lorenzo Bergamin (Italy) has guided lots in Nepal, Europe, USA (GrandCanyon), Chile and many other areas. Lorenzo and Emil did a GCC trip together. 
Josh Fisher (Quebec) is a class V kayaker who did a GCC trip with Emil and Lorenzo.  
Jayson Owens (WA) is an experienced rafters from the Seattle area and will captain a raft.
Steve Ramussen (WA) is another experienced rafter and friend of Jayson's. They'll be sharing rowing a raft. 
Dusan Komel (Slovenia) is a class III-IV kayaker and was the first to sign up nearly a year in advance.  
Carson Lyness (WA/CO) has guided the Yampa/Green, is a friend of Jayson's and was with him on their last GC trip(s); she's a class IV kayaker.  
Ralph Carabetta (MA) [POSTPONED TRIP] is a skilled rafter, has done GCC 5X (most as trip leader), hiked all over the Canyon, and many runs on most long Western USA rivers as well. 
Belle Lane (Davis) is a graduate student in hydrology who has guided various class III and IV rivers in CA and OR. 
Simon Saicheck (Davis) is her boyfriend and has guided extensively for 12 years all over the West and in India, Costa Rica, and Chile. They've paddled the huge class IV Siang (Tsangpo) in India.  
Steven Lane (Bay area) is Belle's father, an MD (he'll be the main doctor on the Upper trip), and has a lot of experience paddle rafting and in an IK.
Nathan Saichek ("Nato") (Redwood City, CA) is Simon's brother and has IK'd the entire GC Colorado, so should be fine on most of the trip - he works in engineering and life sciences stuff.  
Georgia Glaze (CA), Nato's girlfriend, will be a raft passenger/paddler.
Paul Johnson Big Sur (CA) is an RN and a class IV oarsman who plays stringed instruments and has organized two GC Colorado trips as well as numerous raft trips in California and Idaho.  
Paul Keating (Grass Valley, CA) is a class IV kayaker from who's done the GCC as well.
Taylor Rockaway (CA/TX) [CANCELLED; DISLOACATED SHOULDER] has been a raft guide on class III, IV and V rivers all over the USA for about 8 years, has swiftwater rescue training, and is a medic (she will be the main medic on the Lower). She'll row, paddle or be on a raft as needed.  
Jesse Mogler (Durango, CO) is a class IV kayaker/oarsman who has done 4 GCC trips and many other and could safety kayak. He'll be joining us in Chagual.
Ira Estin (CA) was a trip leader on many of the 17 GCC trips he's done; he also ran a ww rafting company in New Mexico for 12 years and now runs a Yosemite tour company. He will row class III and IV (probably sharing with Ron, Fred or others), but may not be comfortable with all the IVs.
Ron Hudson (Camarillo, CA) is another UCLA friend of Ira who has rowed GCC and other big rios of the West and does a lot of sea kayaking (retired now).
Scott McBride (Vancouver, BC) is a class IV+ kayaker and oarsman who has done GCC several times - once solo - and many rivers.
Fred Grote (FL) has done numerous GCC, Usumacinta, and tons of other long river trips, usually rowing, though he can paddle or be a passenger on this trip.
Johanna Sanchez (Lima, Peru) is Pedro's girlfriend and has paddled a bit on the Cañete. She'll be in a raft most of the time but maybe in IK or kayak on easy water.
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Ruth Tauber (Sweden) is Emil's girlfriend and would be a raft passenger.
Eric Bessette (Bellevue, WA) is a class V kayaker who's paddled in Ecuador and who can help out a lot on the water, but will not be certain he can join until December. 
Alexandra Clarfield (CA) is a class IV kayaker; has run various global rios w/DeRiemer/etc; Futaleufu at high water; class IV kayaker boyfriend Don also likely on Upper only (maybe out in Chagual)

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Interest:
 
Will Claus (CO); class IV raft guide (Arkansas, Gauly); GC 1X; would want to row; 
Benjamin Holzman (Vancouver, BC); class IV-V kayaker; he and friend Steve would join Upper; can't do
Pei-Yin Lew (CA); MD in between jobs; climbing in Bolivia; would probably be raft passenger or in IK at times; possible
Ralph's nephew (USA)  would share rowing with Ralph; likely
Jack O'Malley (Australia):  at least class IV kayaker; was on Lorenzo/Emil's GC trip
Pat Phillips (Flagstaff, AZ); GC guide (also in Mongolia); tons experience; kayak/raft; TylerWilliam's friend; interested Jan trip

Tess McEnroe (AZ/CA); GC guide (and other rios); tons experience; interested in Jan or other trip
Daniel Schaffer (Spokane, WA) retired physician; class IV rafter; GC/MF+mainSalmon/Pacuare/NZ  
Mary Lou Johnson (Spokane, WA); wife of Daniel; would be on raft with him
Steve Susswein; 8 GC trips; organized many; catarafter; will be in Guaymas; interested Jan or 2014 trip
Carissa Trapp (USA); kayaker;  friend of Jayson's
Elyse Bloxham (USA); raft paddler, capable of rowing if needed; friend of Jayson's; Upper only (Jan)
Kimi Nakano (USA); raft passenger; friend of Jayson's; Upper only (Jan)
David McIntosh (Asheville, NC):  former NOLS instructor; 8 GC trips, Salmon, Green, Tat, Zambezi; likely with friend
Bob/Susan Marley (AZ); maybe Jan trip; 40 GC trips; Salmon, Tat, etc; not likely due to high water
Lacey Anderson (CA); guide Salmon/American/other; many rios with me; small catarafter; food planner; will have done Sep-Oct trip
Colin Hogg (NZ) paddler; maybe Jan; more likely later
Hugh Canard (NZ); maybe Jan; more likely later
Geoff Price: (NZ); small catarafter; maybe Jan; more likely later
Robin Rutter- Bauman: (NZ); maybe Jan; more likely later
Steve Hancoff (NE);  wants to row; maybe Jan; more likely low water later
Kari Nielson (Middlebury, VT); writing student; can join only the Lower

BOAT ASSIGNMENTS

PADDLES 

CAMPING GEAR 

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ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE INFO: