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Lower Rio Palguin aka Palguin River
The Palguin is Chile’s most kayaked creek for good reasons. It’s gorgeous with sections ranging from the beginner creeker to the 70 and 85-foot stouts. While, most are familiar with the Upper Palguin we’ll show you a fantastic better kept secret on the Lower Palguin.
Video below shared by Daniel Brausell during his 2010 Chile trip. Check out “aWetState.com” to see more Brausell Chile reports.
Points of Interest
- Class: III, IV and one V+ (easy portage)
- Skill Level: 100% roll and boof
- Length: 3 KM
- Gradient: Cascades, Boofs
- River Type: Basalt canyoned walls with Cascades, Chilean blue water
- Related Rivers: Upper Palguin, Middle Palguin, Rio Trancura, Rio Fuy
Description: Brennan Guth drown during the 90’s at the “cave rapid.” Now the Lower Palguin is rarely mentioned without mention of Brenna. The cave itself lies at the end of a series of class V cascades at the end of the run. There’s an easy portage and overlooking banks on river right.
The Lower Palguin is a fantastic quick creek with 10’ high mini canyon walls at Triple Drop, cascades, and even a super cool banking slide to cascade at the end.
Best Suited for: Kayakers with a solid roll looking to practice creek moves on clean easier lines.
Best Time of Year: December and January
Rapids: The short warm-up is class III boogy water.
Triple Drop- Triple drop channels the clear blue water offering corner boofs off the lip. Ride mid-right off the first drop then charge high to hug the left wall for a dry styling boof off the second drop.
Eight Footer- This is a photogenic spot to boof off the middle. Note we’ve had guests swim here and lose their boat under the left wall.
Brennan’s- Watch the video and you’ll see Rodrigo paddle out of an eddy after the Eight Footer. In the background you can see a domed cave where water pushed back possibly 50’. STAY AWAY!
Banking Slide after Brennan’s- This is a gorgeous banking slide, like a mini Throat of the Devil from the famous Seven Teacups National Park. We recommend doing this one several times.
Click for Eric Nie’s account of Brennan’s Drowning on Lower Palguin.
Directions available at Pucon Kayak Hostel.
You are invited to the warm hospitality of the Pucon Kayak Hostel. Reserve Now.
Keep Kayaking.
