RELATED EXPEDITION: Futaleufu River, Patagonia, Chile

No longer a secret of the hard- core adventurer, Patagonia’s wilderness and mighty Futaleufu welcome adventurers of all ages and abilities.

Ask many Americans where Patagonia is and there’s a good chance you’ll be pointed in the direction of the nearest mall for the latest in synthetic fleece pull- overs. Still others will tell you it’s at the bottom of the world. Ask the same question of any Earth River Expeditions clients and they’ll assure you it’s close to heaven.

Situated at the most southern point of the Americas, Patagonia straddles both Chile and Argentina and is renowned for its dramatic and unspoiled natural beauty. Hard- core adventure enthusiasts have journeyed there on their own for ages seeking extraordinary hiking and climbing challenges. When Eric Hertz, founder and president of Earth River Expeditions, the New York based commercial whitewater rafting company, built his unique private camps on the Futaleufu River in Chilean Patagonia some ten years ago, he had in mind a much broader client base. The only prerequisite: participants must be in reasonably good physical condition and have a spirit for adventure.

Wilderness Comforts
Billed as the “World’s Wildest and Most Comfortable River Trip”, Earth River Expeditions Futaleufu itinerary offers even the “softest” of adventure clients the opportunity to experience this pristine paradise from perhaps its most spectacular vantage point- the Rio Futaleufu. And despite the Futaleufu’s reputation as the most challenging commercially run river in the world, Mr. Hertz stressed that agents needn’t limit their sales to rafting enthusiasts.

In fact, he adds, Wilderness Travel offers the trip solely as a trek alongside the river rather than on top of it- a trip recognized by Outside magazine as one of “The Years Best Trips” in its January, 1999 issue. Surrounded by glacier- laden Andean hills, clients can hike or horseback ride on groomed riverside trails through thick temperate rainforests or alongside 200- foot high granite walls.

For those who are interested, and judged capable by the guides after a full day of training, the exhilaration of running class 4 and 5 rapids (with some waves nearly 20 feet high) is incomparable. Earth River’s elite guides and their obsession with safety techniques allow even the novice paddler to “tackle the Fu” without “taking a swim”. For the few that might find themselves overboard, safety catarafts are close by and ready to pluck them from the churning waters.

Cave Camp Challenge
Paddling aside, active clients have nonstop opportunity to hike, ride, fish, kayak or experience a one-of-a-kind wilderness challenge course. The Cave Camp Challenge Cirque includes boulder scrambling, traversing over the Class 6 Zeta Rapid by rope and pulley and zipping back via cable crossing, jumping off a 30 foot cliff into the translucent waters of the Fu, rock climbing up a granite tower and rappelling down its back. Each of these situations was designed to challenge clients of all abilities regardless of past experience. Equally important is the support and encouragement each client is given by the guides manning each station.

What sets this adventure itinerary apart from so many others is its creature comforts- a great plus for the first time adventure client not accustomed to “roughing it”. And although accommodations are limited to tents and caves, the Earth River guides, considered by most to be the most experienced river guides in the world, pay careful attention to every client. Scores of local Chileans also work at both of Earth River’s stunning camps, serving up tasteful meals and good Chilean wines and keeping the camps running smoothly.

A professional masseuse accompanies the group, which usually averages about 20 clients, as it moves between the two camps, offering soothing body massages in the privacy of your own tent or in a designated massage cave. Wood- heated stone hot tubs at both camps offer delightful respite from the activities of the day.

Another perk is that each trip is videotaped by an internationally acclaimed river videographer. Upon completion of the trip, each participant can purchase a copy as a keepsake of the entire week’s activities.