An Epic on the Apurimac

09 Oct 8:40 am by Nathan Welch Category: The Expedition

Eish! What a week on the whitewater. The team has just experienced its most challenging week to date. A special thank you to all our family, friends & supporters – you may not know it but your comments & support through the website really help us push on & raise above the challenging times like we have just gone through – thanks so much, it means a lot to all of us.

The first day & half after departing Pilpinto went smoothly & we covered quite a bit of territory. It was then that the Apurimac
decided to flex some muscle as a reminder of what she is capable of!

What followed was day after day of epic river soap opera!
What we are about to share with you will not do justice to what the team encountered & worked through – its one of those situations where you just had to be there to truly appreciate it. Firstly, you have to gain an appreciation for the dynamics of the river on this section of the Apurimac – “The Black Canyon”. For our Cape Tonian< friends, Scotty & Phil reckon it’s pretty much like rafting the Witt! For our layman followers, the rafting is extremely technical, very tight class IV / V.

Anyways the first blow from the Apurimac consisted of 2 huge holes torn in the Ark raft floor. With all our gear & 4 chaps, this meant the raft was travelling very low in the water & became very difficult to control in the whitewater.

We made a plan to camp up early & make some running repairs. Whilst the repairs allowed us to inflate the floor again it was quite clear the damage would need more extensive work. So now we were negotiating the whitewater with this new challenge & as you can imagine it slowed our progress a little.

The second big blow from the Apurimac bought us to our knees…

Right at the end of day 4 - the boat got pinned on 2 rocks with the front of the boat getting sucked down a siphon – a double whammy! We all reacted very quickly, highsiding & then jumping onto the rock – that was one nasty siphon! After a few attempts to remove the boat from its compromised position it became clear that we were running out of daylight & the raft was not going anywhere in a hurry!

We had to abandon ship & try & get the gear off. We removed what we could & left the boat there with a Z drag set up, hoping the River Gods may decide to release the Ark from purgatory overnight….not to be. The damage report at the end of day 4 was pretty scary. The sheer force of the water actually tore holes in some of our dry bags & we ended up loosing, all our solar charging equipment, all of our cooking equipment & a GPS – over $4000 donated to the Apurimac in the blink of an eye. That night we began our cooking vigil with no cooking utensils. 2 tins, 1 fork, 2 leathermans & a bit of improvising became our best friends over the next few days!

The very next day we started bright & early in our attempt to free the Ark from her watery prison. What a mission – we tried everything - a multitude of Z drags from different angles & different mounting points on the raft. As the day progressed it became clear that the raft was in a perfect wrap with a siphon thrown in for good measure. As daylight began to fail we were running out of options – cutting the floor out was fast becoming the last viable option. Having a look at the how the water & the siphon was playing on the boat gave rise to one last plan – Nath pieced the hysided pontoon with his Benchmade river knife – with another pull on one of the 5:1 Z drags the boat nudged about 6 inches. We kept the weight on the Z drags – about ½ an hour later & with the last hint of daylight stirring, the Apurimac spat out the boat – she was playing games with us! We were all very tired but happy chappies that evening! Some more running repairs late into the night ensured the Ark was ready for action the next day!

The next morning bought with it everything the Black Canyon had to throw at us – it was intense, high pressure rafting & we were all feeling it. After an epic day of technical rafting, the Apurimac again decided to give us a little reminder of whose boss. The last drop of a huge, demanding rapid saw us sneak by an undercut boulder on river left – the angle of the undercut was just enough to see us carve on one pontoon – we tried desperately to highside & save her but over we went – Marko got momentarily stuck between 2 boulders, Nath gave the WRSI helmet a good work out by smacking his melon on a rock deep in the hole & Scotty & Phil spend some quality down time in the Apurimac. We also made the obligatory sacrificial offering up of one paddle to the Apurimac in this rapid.

We limped into a little remote village called Nahua. Our food supplies were low & we were still maybe 2-3 days from our 1st major checkpoint on the whitewater. We spent a bit of quality time with the locals, fine dining on corn, potatoes & some interesting chicken soup from the local crazy lady. On one occasion she tried to force feed Nath the chicken leg in his soup he was desperately trying to escape from. After much collusion & considering the state of our equipment, food & ourselves, we decided it was time to call our logistics man Mario on the BGAN to get us back to Cusco to make a plan to get everything right before we risked continuing on.

We limped into Cusco yesterday mentally & physically drained. The medical report: Phil’s shoulder is a bit worse for wear, Naths back is still giving trouble, everyone seems to have this mysterious swelling of feet & ankles, Scotty has a new guiness book record number of insect bites & everyones hands are scabbed up. Despite the challenges of the last week we are all safe & well & have already made quite a bit progress in getting our mini crisis sorted. Thanks so much to our man Mario who really was a legend in getting us to Cusco from Nahua - the roads are a challenge in themselves. Thanks Mario. From here, we make a plan…deal with the mini crisis, get back to the river & continue pushing forward … stay tuned.

BTW - check out our latest video footage…

19 Comments »

Character building pooses!

Comment by Matt — October 9, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
WOW! SO the AUSSIES & THE BOKS are sharing their spirit with the Apurimac! Well done guys and what a treat to read this amazing account of your initiation to the Amazon. Your combined faith, skill, experience and self discipline is the glue that holds you together as an awesome team. Hope Cusco replenishes supplies and energy in preparation for the next adventure. We look forward to the next chapter.
Scott …spit works! Lost of love Carol & Katie.

Comment by Carol — October 9, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Oh my sack….what an adventure, must have been very very tough, lifelong bonding stuff guys and you pulled through together to challenge the mighty APURIMAC again……!!!
New Zealand and Australia are out of the rugby world cup beaten by France 20-18 and England 12-10 respectively both cracker jack games.SA were really lucky to beat Fiji 37-20 it was 20 all until the last 20 minutes.
Go for it guys hit the river again with vengence and respect… God speed, and as always SAFE JOURNEY, will catch up a again soon Richard

Comment by Richard Martin — October 9, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
What a fantastic effort you all have put in, like the smiles and humour on the video, despite everything you have been through. Remember Mark & Nath keep up the laughter exercises I showed you at the airport - in fact you can teach the other boys. Its good for everything - attitude, pain and generally makes you feel good. You’re in our prayers.

Comment by Bazza — October 9, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
Your voyage sounds amazing so far, what an experience. Hope you guys sort your mini crisis and fix the rafts and all the bumps and bruises. Scott, drink more whisky and the insects will leave you alone. Best of luck when you get back on the river and can’t wait for next update.

Comment by Ross Makepeace — October 9, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Hi Scotty, wow, the footage really scared the crap out of me…. I’m amazed at how rough the river is, you guys are all doing so well. Please keep posting those updates - it is really interesting to read and to then see just what you are talking about. You are all so brave, keep going and please be safe. You all probably know better than anybody just how unpredictable the water is. Carol and I wish we could be on the bank of the river when the mission is over… We’ll bring the bubbly

Can’t wait for the next report
Love Maz

Comment by Marilyn — October 9, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
Brave or stupid… still trying to decide…

Comment by Miss Kat — October 9, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
well boys this is brave with a lot of life long lessons being learnt enroute and learning more about yourselves and your strong minded spirit that not many others have accomplished! keep going and enjoy the journey!

Comment by Katie — October 10, 2007 @ 2:45 am
Holy Crap! And everyone always said I was the crazy one in the family!! I don’t think so!!!!!! I am so proud of you all, I have told so many people about what you are doing and you are gathering fans as we speak, here in the States!!

When things get really tough just remember you are exactly where you are suppose to be!!

I love you Nonny, and remember that I will be there at the finish line with a beer and some new clothes!!

Lots of love, and hugs.

You lil sis
Jaks

Comment by Jaks - Nat's lil sis — October 10, 2007 @ 3:48 am
Go Scotty GO!!!

Comment by Tammy Berold — October 10, 2007 @ 4:38 am
F*CK YEAH!!! GRINNING RIDICULOUSLY!! FEEL THE POWER AND THE PASSION!!

Comment by Miss Jess — October 10, 2007 @ 7:18 am
Hi Nat & Boys, after viewing the video all the comments above clearly reflect the views and feelings of the majority of all your friends and family . I can understand your anger & frustration at the loss of equippment and damage to the raft. But what is clear that every challenge that is put in front of you guys you have more then risen to the challenge.
This latest set back may be a blessing in disguise the time will allow you to recharge the body and reduce the mental stress .
I pray the remainder of your adventure is just as exciting and enjoyable with no further set backs.
To Mario and Petrinio a very special thanks for been there for the boys in their time of need. Your continued help and support is greatly appreciated .
Look forward to the next post advising a new chapter of the adventure has commenced .
Nat do want me to ask Mario to provide you and Mark with some earmuffs. I can imagine Phil and Scotty continually bragging about which countries are left in the world cup.
Stay focused ,stay safe . Love Bill

Comment by Bill Welch — October 10, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Scott…. you’re so going to be ready for a NZ creeking mission after that!

Comment by Sarah — October 10, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
Hey Boyz!

It just seems to get better and better! Phil, you wanted some comments in Boertjie lingo, so here goes: Koos loop in die veld op sy plaas en sien n ou wat water drink uit n poeletjie. Hy skree: Moenie drink nie, die water is vol skaapkak! Die ou antwoord: I’m Australian, mate, speak english! Antwoord Koos: Use both hands, you can scoop much more at a time!

Hoop julle inter-kontinentale verhoudings is darem beter as dit! Baie dankie vir jou e-mails uit Cuzco, en Ma is moer impressed dat jy haar gebel het met haar b-day. Thanx Boet, goed om te sien jyt nog nie jou sensitiewe sy verloor nie!

Ons is nog almal bankvas agter julle

Guys, VASBYT, and SKOP GAT!

Jaco, Clair & Da Boyz

Comment by Jaco — October 11, 2007 @ 4:57 am
Great pics on the last video stream… the last pic with all you guys arms in the air, you must have been elated and very releived, when you had obviously at last managed to get the frigging raft of the rocks.Hope you get back on the river soon.
All the best to everyone, have fun Richard.

Comment by Richard Martin — October 12, 2007 @ 7:02 am
you think that is tough nat! (he he - I like that nickname). You should trek through the hidden dangers and extreme emotion of the “EISTEDDFORD” If one comes away from that experience calm and sane they are super human - maybe like………..YOU? (he he he). Thanks to your professional direction months ago Tahlie was able to take out 1st place in her ballet solo!! Thank you Nathan Nureyuv (chuckling to myself).
Take each day at a time and soak in the adventure you are experiencing! It may not be going the way you planned but the plan is to keep going!! (sage words of advice from a fellow trekker into danger and mirky waters) GOODBYE and SAFE TREKKING!

Madonna, Chris and Tahlie (the no.1 ballet dancer)

Comment by MadMadonna — October 12, 2007 @ 10:17 am
hoezit boertjies! glad you re all well. looks like you aussies have as much trouble freeing a boat as you do a rugby ball. but maybe it was an english siphon. but that river sounds almost as bad as the road i took from pongola to kosi bay last week. it was also raining lions and rottweilers and i got my car stuck in a pothole for three days with the water rushing over me, and i was alone, no food… anyway sorry don t want to take the focus away from you, this is your website. phillipo ek het vir my n ‘95 isuzu td gekoop - baie happy. trek more in die nuwe huis in. no time for fishing it seems so far - i would have been very bored by now if i was on this expedition! how high are you still above sea level? the mystery swelling could be oedema due to altitude - common and expected - but you are sweating a lot and might not get enough salt through diet so could be hyponatraemia - make sure you eat enough salt before cramping and lethargy sets in. bloody oath what will you do without me? now stop fooling around and do some fishing. goodonyamites!!!

fritz

Comment by fritz — October 12, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
Hi Mark, and other heroes
We are really impressed so far with your adventures, and the video is amazing, and quite entertaining with people falling off etc…Joking apart, it does look like you are having the time of your life, how will you get used to streets and houses again?
So glad you are back on the river again and got through that dangerous event, I knew these muscles would come in handy,Mark. And by the way I like the beard. Have lots more fun and do take care (is this a ridiculous bit of advice?), Christine and Elyot.

Comment by Elyot and Christine — October 13, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
Hi Marko, Nathan, Phil & Scotty

Back on the river again! Enjoy and stay safe - we know you are up to the challenge and we can’t wait to hear the next report. What a blow to lose the equipment and receive damage to the raft but as Mark says, the alternative could have been a loss of life, so for that we are thankful - and we know you are too!

Scotty, the piccys and the videos are great - keep them coming!

Love and best wishes - you’re constantly in our thoughts.

Donna, Barry, Matt, Sammy & Anna

Comment by Donna & Barry — October 13, 2007 @ 6:49 pm