First week in Futaleufu

So it was a long journey getting here...
Three plane rides, a good bit of waiting around followed by a 26hr bus ride to the south of Argentina.
To a town called Esquel, where I stayed the night in a friends hostal, Casa del pueblo, for some much
needed rest.
The next day, I got the bus from Esquel to Futaleufu, Chile. The weather was really good, around 30degrees.
Here I am working for "Futaleufu Explore". I was met with a note from Josh, the boss, to make myself at home and to try and sell some trips for rafting. So straight into work it was. Later on in the day, I got my first run on the river. We did the bridge to bridge(Puente a Puente) section and then continued on to run Mas o Menos and Casa de Piedra. I quickly realised that the style of paddling here on this river is different. You can go with the flow on this river and do alot of bracing.

There havent been alot of trips so far. Not alot of people around but hopefully things will pick up. We've done a couple of runs on the bridge to bridge, training in the raft with oars. And yesterday we ran Infierno Canyon, Look for the edit of that run. Its a sweet run. The water level was quite good and alot of big waves. We did some scouting as we'll be running this section a little bit later in the season.

Life is good here in the Futaleufu valley, very laid back lifestyle. Which is a good change from Dublin and its fast pace lifestyle. I'm working with two other guys from the UK. Adam, who is learning the trade. His first season is here in futa. Which is really good for him. And Kurt from Scotland. I didn't think I would run into a guy that is from Aberfeldy. The last place where I worked. But its a good coincidence.

Thats all I have to report so far on this season. Hopefully more good times to come!

View from the river

A early Happy Christmas and New Year to everyone.

Pura Vida
1Adventure Life

Rafting, Rapid Magic Carpet

View from Josh's land on the Rio Espolon

After the first run, after Casa de Piedra

Working safety and getting too close to the raft! 

Magic Carpet

View from the bus, on the journey down. One morning

Outside the company and the amazing view in Futaleufu

At the take out of Bridge to Bridge

Having lunch after the trip

Bienvenida Argentina!

Bienvenida Buenos Aires!!!

Where to start??
Well after three flights, alot of waiting around and in between losing my phone and paddle.
I have made it to the sunny side of the world. Yesterday was an incredibly hot 30C, which
was a change from Ireland's 0C.

As I said I lost my phone on my Aer Lingus flight, as I'm an idiot for doing so, but got it back
thanks to staff in Gatwick airport not being a bunch of muppets. When I arrived in Buenos Aires
only my bag came through, my paddle was originally attached to it. So I was quite surprised and
disappointed but kept good faith in Air Europa's customer service. Suprisingly the little spanish I
had paid off and the girl at the desk understood me and I kind of understood her.

Here I am staying with my friend Lu, she is kind enough to give me a bed for a few days. Today we
located the paddle and it will, hopefully, be delivered to her mam's house as we are going there for a
asado.(BBQ, only meet) so I will have a good feed.

Heading South on Saturday towards Esquel and getting the bus to Futaleufu on Monday.

Pura Vida
1 Adventure Life

View from Lu's apartment. Tv place opposite it. Ideas del sur

The bar last night, Antares. Full of its own brand beers

Arrived in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires

Asado, the best meat. Chorizo(Sausage), molleja( From the heart), Morcilla(Black Pudding), Chinchulines(Intestines), vacio(type of steak) and bondiola de cerdo(the shoulder of the pig)

The professional at work, Asado

Lu's garden and a nice pool to relax

 

Clare Glens short edit

Clare Glens

Click above and check out the video.

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1 Adventure Life

Clare Glens

Last week we did a mission down to the Clare Glens, just outside limerick. Met up with up Rob, loaded the van and headed southwest. What I realised after a while was Rob's van doesn't go that fast so it took a little longer than 2 hours to drive down.
The Glens consists of 4 main drops
At the put in Top Drop -around 8-10feet.
Sidewinder- around 8-10feet.
Big Eas- 14feet.
Little Eas- a 2tier drop with a not so nice hole at the bottom.

The rest of the run is nice Class 3-4 whitewater. One good reason to live down the South of Ireland.
There is only really one main thing to be alert about when getting on this river, Fallen Trees.

Top Drop-Go Pro still.

Paddy firing it up on sidewinder while I deal with constriction. Photo Rob Coffey

Adam on Little Eas. Photo:Rob Coffey

Paddy and myself below Big Eas. Photo Rob Coffey

Myself, Sidewinder. Go Pro

Paddy going big on the boof on Big Eas. Photo:Rob Coffey

Paddy, Little Eas. Photo:Rob Coffey

The Crew: Adam, Colin, Paddy and Myself. Photo: Rob Coffey

The Boys.

One of the best runs in the country.

Compliments to Rob Coffey for the photos.
Video to follow..

Pura Vida
1 Adventure Life

Day One

Welcome to Day one of 1 Adventure Life blog. This is the start of something new..
1 Adventure Life blog is the life, travels and experiences of Derek Murphy. Over the lifespan of this
blog there will be stories of travelling on the cheap, aswell as tales from kayaking some of the worlds'
best rivers.
I hope this blog will inspire people to be an adventurer in their own way and see some of the worlds
most amazing places!

Stay tuned to 1 Adventure Life for articles, videos and photographs as the next adventure begins on
the 7th of December.
Destination: Futaleufu, Chile.

Pura Vida
1 Adventure Life