Rocking the Apurimac

24 Oct 8:32 am by Mark Kalch Category: The Expedition

I write this post with a massive smile on my face. Not that one has been lacking mind, but our last 5 days on river have been the most epic and fun of all our lives!

After our most important and productive detour to Cusco, we put back in exactly where we took out, Nahua. Last time we were here we were sipping dinner from an assortment of tins and being attacked by moskies. Now we are re-energised, the boat is fixed, we have good supplies and are rearing to go.

Our first rapid of the day and the first for nearly a week is wicked. It takes a sharp corner with an undercut and has a steep drop. We are stoked and run a perfect line with Phil at the stick. The day continues with quite a few more big rapids split up by flat pools and fun wave trains. Nathe and Scotty are both quite ill and get some well-earned rest to attempt a quick recovery. We make camp at 3pm on a great beach. The day was a perfect re-introduction to our mate, Apurimac.

Day 2 back on the river and I am captain. The day continues where yesterday left off. Some challenging rapids with hella drops and some nice pools where we can tune each other about paddling technique and life in general. Stoked!

It just does not stop. Phil is in charge again today and our aim is to push hard to the commercial put-in for raft trips on the Apurimac. We dig in. Nearing 4pm we round a corner and spot the bridge. We have made it. As we paddle on we spot a commerical trip about to put-in. They are having a late lunch. As we approach, a clasic long-hair guide oke greets us. His name is Nice and he is the trip leader of the Mayuc Cusco group. He has heard about the expedition and is amped to meet us. Nice (think Nee-say) is THE man. Such a top bloke. He invites us to eat with them and over lunch invites us to join them for their 2-day trip along the river. Since we are headed in the same direction we decide to take up his offer.

We are back in the water to make camp at 6pm. Nice and the rest of the guides treat us as honoured guests. They are just so stoked to meet some okes who are into running rivers and who have undertaken such an adventure.

The next day sees us tackle some amazing grade 5 rapids. A lot of them are portaged by the clients and run only by the guides. We also run every rapid. We need the footage. Every rapid gets the adrenalin pumping and pulses racing. Nathe is in charge over these days. His technical ability in captaining a raft is world-class. We hit rapids with names like - “You First“, “Toothache“, “Space Odyssey“ and more. This river is throwing up the most insane rapids and we must be a little insane to run them!

Our final day with the commercial group sees some more grade 5 that we run as well as the guides, with the clients walking around to watch our fate below each rapid. We arive at the take-out at around 2 pm. This is where Mario is to meet us to take the raft gear while we trek portage around the Acombamba Abyss, a nasty stretch of the Apurimac that has as many as 50 portages and a good few rapids that are unable to be scouted or portaged. Jeez!

It has been a most awesome 5 days from our put-in back in Nahua. We have travelled a great distance, hung out with some amazing people and run the best rapids of our careers. What more can a bloke ask for really?

Big-ups to Nice and his crew for keeping us amped and showing us how they run this mighty river. Their enthusiasm and excitement over the expedition has meant so much and really driven us on. Awe!

Check out the latest video…

8 Comments »

Yyyyyeeeehhhhhhhaaaaaaa!!! Fantastic work!!! Stoked to hear the spirits are high and the brothers well meshed Doing it on the edge, I like!!

Comment by Jess — October 24, 2007 @ 9:01 am
very fine latest vid…great to see the stoke from you all.

Comment by jacko — October 24, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
Awesome scenes guys, guts, great to hear spirts are high

Comment by Bails — October 24, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
Yehaaaaaaaa

Love seeing you guys enjoying the week so much. The vid is great and has me thinking what am I doing here on this computer?

Keep going boys - I can’t get enough of it - talk about creating a state of mind - this takes it off the charts.

With you all the way

God’s speed and protection with you,

Mick

Comment by Mick — October 24, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Hi Nat,Mark & Phil, great to see a new post even better knowing that you had a hassle free leg and that you arrived safely even though Scotty required medical treatment from Dr Phil for his stomach virus. Nat you are allowed to take medication when you are ill. God will sanction it.
The photos and videos are incredible and every time I look at them my hair turns another shade of white.
But I have to admit, not a day goes by where we dont discuss the adventure with someone.
Boys the next leg of the adventure is about to begin and this leg is the most challenging but with the guts and determination shown to date we know you will successfully complete this leg of the Apurimac.
Take your time, plan well, stick together and stay safe . Love Bill & Toni

Comment by Bill Welch — October 24, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
HI boys,

well we end over here and you start there again. I am trying to write to you guys once a day unless I am away. That river looks a lot bigger on the videos than on google maps (hehe). Hope the stomach bugs are gone now - Nath - remember that when in doubt - do not eat frogs (hehe).

A little lighter today as seing your new post has put me on a high - have not stopped thinking of your week since I saw your post.

The message for today my friends comes from Proverbs 13:4
“The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied”

Three men in a raft who have done everything that they possibly can to get exactly where they are - they are called diligent - surely the great God of the amazon says that the desires of each man will be satisfied.

Remember the true power from within comes from 2 things 1- unity with each other and 2 understanding that the greatest power is the ability to draw into the source of life that is everywhere we are. To harness the ability to loose control in order to gain it - to move from understanding - to raw belief in something that we just can’t understand.

My friends albeit that this is a great physical and mental journey that you are taking - I see the greatest profit for each of you being the spiritual journey that can see you reach a place that just a few would get to see - remember we must believe in order to understand - and when all else fails just do it.

Remember that today is a brand new day and you are all awake - the Good Lord is watching over you.

God’s speed and protection

Comment by Mick — October 24, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
Hello Mark, it’s great to read your amazing trek. Please know you and the boys are in our prayers and we know our good Lord can bring about miracles when we believe in Him. Sending much love, Kay & family

Comment by Kay McInnes — October 28, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Inspirational. Keep going strong and keep safe. See you when you get home.

Comment by Justin Law — November 17, 2007 @ 1:48 pm