Condor
From Guide
Contents |
Quick Facts
- Class: III plus
- Type: Constriction Gorge
- Length: 60 meters (200 feet)
- Alternate Names: Meringue
- Previous Rapid: Cazuela
- Next Rapid: Tiburon
- Interactive Map: Futaleufu River Valley
- River Section: Lower Futaleufu, Bridge-to-Bridge
Overview
Condor is a relatively straightforward rapid with random breaking waves that grow in size as the water levels go up. After the waves subside, on river-right, there are some spectacular river features. Be sure to stop and check-out the Emerald Room, a cavern in the wall with a re-circulating eddy vortex. There are also some large, fun whirlpools to play in on the river-right side as well. At high-water, the river-right side is best avoided.
High and Low Water
At low water the wave size decreases and the rapid becomes friendlier. At high water large whirlpools are created along the river-right canyon wall.
Scouting
Boat scout this rapid from the top.
Hazards
The river-right wall is a danger to swimmers because of the subduction currents near the wall. Make sure you have a bomber roll if you are going to play in the Emerald Room or on the river-right side – you don’t want to be out of your boat in this area. Stay well clear of the river-right wall and the Emerald Room at high water. Swimming in Condor is also a worry because of its close proximity to Tiburon.
Play Opportunities
There is a great play-wave above Condor on river-left above the v-tongue. The whirlpools and Emerald Room offer some great play opportunities at low and medium levels, so long as you stay in your boat.
Where to Swim
Swim left away from the Emerald Room and the turbulence on river-right.
Where to Rescue
Rescue in Condor needs to be quick because the dangerous Tiburon rapid lies just downstream. Rescue swimmers after the turbulence on river-right and pull them into the river-right shore.
Where to Portage
It is possible to take-off and exit the river by heading to the Futaleufu Valley Road on river-right, but it won't be easy.
Running the Rapid
At low and medium flows, run Condor down the middle. Try to catch the bigger waves and whirlpools on river-right. At high water avoid the river-right side and the canyon wall. Eddy-out on river-left behind the spit of rock on the river-left side.
Video
- Condor at high water. Video
Copyright & Terms of Use
Copyrights: (Copyright © 2006, Expediciones Chile) All photos, maps, diagrams, text and computer code is the copyrighted property of Expediciones Chile with all rights reserved.
Terms of Use: Any type of reproduction, republication, or re-transmission for commercial use is prohibited without the expressed, written permission of Expediciones Chile. Users of this Wiki guidebook may print copies of the text, images and diagrams for personal river running use only. Users may not alter the diagrams or text without expressed written permission of Expediciones Chile. Users must read and acknowledge the disclaimer before printing. Printing implies acknowledgment of the disclaimer.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances should paddlers substitute the information and diagrams in this guidebook for their own sound judgment on the river and their collective experience running rivers. This guidebook is based on Expediciones Chile's twenty years of experience running the Futaleufu River. However, the diagrams and descriptions found here are only approximations of what paddlers will find on the river once they get here. They are not to scale and nor are they completely accurate. Water levels change, rocks move around, landslide debris can enter the river at any time making the diagrams obsolete. Expediciones Chile also reserves the right to update these diagrams and descriptions at any time as we find better ways to illustrate and discuss the rapids. Use this guidebook at your own risk.
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