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The Rio Cotahuasi: Jewel of the Andes- A First Descent by Franz Helfenstein

Page 7: The Story Continues...

We proceed cautiously, forever worrying about the impending waterfall. Soon after One Meter Canyon comes another 4 ft chute created by a boulder wedged in the river. It too is passable and we name it "Centimeter Canyon". Another is named "Embudo" - The Flume. One box canyon begins with a tough drop where Gian Marco gets 'Maytagged' before he exits from his boat. A throw rope wraps about his throat as we pull him free. He's OK and we name this gorge "Necktie Canyon".

There are numerous places where it is 15 - 20 ft wide with polished sculpted metamorphic rock on both sides. It's beautiful but makes for very turbulent hydraulics. One of these is rather exciting and gets the name "No se Levanta la Fulda" - Don't Pop Your Skirt. What a day! We camp at a reasonable hour and eat our remaining freeze dried food plus rice and beans.

We are up early and reach the first Class IV+ rapid as the sun rises. Naturally, we name it ÒRise and ShineÓ. From there it's moderate boating the whole way to Chaucalla; Class III - IV with the same pinched in mini-gorges. At Chaucalla the warm and very clear Rio Meran combines with the Rio Cotahuasi to form the Rio Oco–a. The impassable gorges or falls never appeared. WE'VE MADE IT!

Although we hang around for half a day neither Jose Luis nor Lucho catches up. Chaucalla reminds us of an old Clint Eastwood Western after they tore down the set. For a Fist Full of Dollars we get lunch. Then , For a Few Dollars More we get dinner before heading downstream for the ocean about 60 miles away. A couple of days later we park ourselves at the local cafe/tavern in Oco–a and proceed to eat and drink the entire inventory. Fortunately Antonio and Annie show up with an Omnibus before we run out of money. We quickly pile in for our return to Arequipa where IÕm destined to help judge a beauty/talent contest. But that's another story... Chao!