{"id":22517,"date":"2022-01-31T14:04:36","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T13:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/?p=22517"},"modified":"2022-01-31T14:04:37","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T13:04:37","slug":"ecuador-the-land-of-boofs-and-boulder-garden-goodness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/ecuador-the-land-of-boofs-and-boulder-garden-goodness\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecuador: The Land of Boofs and Boulder-Garden Goodness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why the Hype?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No doubt you\u2019ve noticed that many paddlers are heading to Ecuador this winter. Despite things not quite being back to \u2018normal\u2019 (what even is normal<\/em> anymore?!) and there being a few more hoops to jump through, travel is now back on the table for many paddlers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those that have already escaped to the equator, you\u2019ll be well aware of a few new logistical considerations. However, if you\u2019re currently sat in your lounge in a fleecy onesie and down jacket, trying to muster up the motivation to get on your frozen local river, then read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: Casey Bryant Jones
\ud83d\udef6: Sal Montgomery, Katie Kowalski, Tara Blair<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How difficult is getting to Ecuador right now? Not that difficult.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it worth the extra hassle? Yes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Change can be pretty daunting, especially when it involves being far from home, but as long as you know the facts and do a little planning in advance, then it\u2019s todo bien!<\/em>  Check out the blurb at the end for current guidelines. It\u2019s worth noting that guidelines do change and this blog was written by a dirtbag kayaker, not a governmental official or Covid-19 expert. So get yourself familiar with official governmental travel advice websites (links also below). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ok, now to the good stuff!<\/strong> So what’s all the fuss about Ecuador? Is it really that great for paddling, or are we all just being soft and don\u2019t want cold hands on the river? Well, yes ditching the pogies\/skull cap\/fleecy onesie\/ice cream headache is nice, but it really is a whitewater wonderland here. I\u2019ll keep it simple, but here\u2019s a few of our favourites (come to Ecuador and you\u2019ll quickly see why!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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R\u00edo Jondachi<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Typically, many paddlers begin their trip in the town of Baeza, situated approximately 2 hours from Quito airport. During the months of November to March, this relatively sleepy town is transformed into a buzzing paddling hub, full of colourful kayaks and boardshorts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the day, you\u2019ll see trucks loaded with boats heading up and down the valley, to the R\u00edo Quijos<\/em>. With multiple sections to choose from, there\u2019s options for most water levels and abilities. If you\u2019re into steep creeking then you\u2019ll love the Casa de Queso<\/em> (Cheesehouse) section, or if big water canyons are more your thing then head further downstream for the Chaco Canyon<\/em>! The Quijos has it all! If you\u2019re looking to branch out a little though, you don\u2019t have to travel far for other runs in the area, such as the R\u00edo Oyacachi <\/em>(high volume steep, technical creeking), Borja<\/em> (big water fun) and the R\u00edo Cosanga<\/em> (several super varied sections). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcf7: Casey Bryant Jones<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udef6: Sal Montgomery<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Next up on most paddlers\u2019 agendas is to head over to the town of Tena. Drive roughly 2.5 hours and you\u2019re suddenly in a completely different climate. Tena is hot, sunny and home to the awesome R\u00edo Misahuall\u00ed.<\/em> After a bit of rain, laps on the upper section are hard to beat, especially as you can get freshly baked empanadas at the El Oso Perezoso Kayak Hostel<\/em> takeout! (It\u2019s also possible to rent boats\/ gear here too). If levels are low and you\u2019re feeling like more of an adventure, check out the lower Misahuall\u00ed. This canyon is pretty spectacular, with bright green parrots and chunky, big volume rapids. Just be sure to get beta on the portage\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: Sal Montgomery
\ud83d\udef6: Gabriel Garbin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And then we\u2019ve got an absolute beaut of a river- the R\u00edo Piatua. <\/em>With clear water, sunshine and all the boofs, it\u2019s easy to see why this is a highlight run for many paddlers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the Jungle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re going to go to Ecuador then no doubt you\u2019ll want to experience some proper jungle paddling. The Jondachiis probably one of Ecuador\u2019s most well-known jungle rivers and is definitely a must-do. From start to finish, the river works its way through endless, dense jungle. Whilst boofing your way downstream, keep an eye out for native birds, big, colourful butterflies and the occasional river otter sunbathing on a boulder! (Last year, my pals and I saw a jaguar whilst paddling this river). The three main sections of the Jondachi (upper, middle and lower), each offer a different level of difficulty, as well as miles and miles of fun! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re after a real jungle adventure, then pack your hammock and machete and head to the R\u00edo Holl\u00edn. <\/em>It is possible to paddle the 46km in a (long) single day, but it\u2019s a pretty cool overnighter if you\u2019ve got the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Highlights include a 30ft waterfall and a slide in to a drop rapid right at the beginning (easy to put in below these, depending on how fired up you\u2019re feeling), a cool rapid inside a cave, and a big volume, fun paddle out from below the Jondachi\/ Holl\u00edn confluence. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: Abe Herrera, Boof Sessions<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Topo-tastic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve done laps on laps of the Quijos, you\u2019ve paddled with monkeys in the jungle and now it\u2019s time for Ba\u00f1os. Home of the R\u00edo Topo. Full-on, five-star boating for class five boaters. This super fast and super steep run will definitely get your heart rate up (and not just because of the altitude!). The fun doesn\u2019t stop at the takeout though, as Ba\u00f1os is known to be a pretty wild party-town! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether the Topo is on your radar or not, this party town is also packed full of great hikes, huge waterfalls and natural hot springs. Make sure you finish your day with a riverside BBQ at Abby\u2019s Hideaway- the perfect way to relax after the Topo or a night of dancing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paddling Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The paddling scene here in Ecuador is constantly growing. With more international kayakers coming to check out what all the fuss is about and returning paddlers coming for another season of quality whitewater and sunshine, the paddling hubs are buzzing more than ever. It\u2019s not just an increase in foreigner paddlers on the rivers though. More local paddlers are taking to the water, as well as opening up new sections and carrying out big missions. Super exciting times here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A big driver of this has been the Ecuador Kayak Club. Solely volunteer-led and reliant on donated, or repaired pre-loved gear, this awesome group of people have introduced a huge number of local people to the water. The initial 14 members has now skyrocketed to over 120!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Keen to encourage local paddlers to progress, the club put together the Ecuadorian Race Series. Not only do these events count towards team selection for national paddlers, they\u2019re also open to international paddlers -helping to share the psych and integrate paddling communities, as well as being a lot of fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take it easy\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t get caught out – talk to locals and paddlers that have been in-country for a while. The paddling here is epic, but things can go wrong quickly if you don\u2019t understand the nature of the rivers and each area\u2019s weather systems or catchment areas. Do your research and you\u2019ll have a blast in this incredible jungle whitewater mecca!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Facts (sorry, boring but important)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Requirements:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n