Lower Terminator
From Guide
Contents |
Quick Facts
- Class: Class IV-
- Type: Ledges and Boulders
- Length: 50 m (150 feet)
- Alternate Names: T2
- Previous Rapid: Terminator
- Next Rapid: Khyber Pass
- Interactive Map: Futaleufu River Valley
- River Section: Middle Futaleufu, Terminator Section
Overview
Lower Terminator comes quickly after Terminator and is characterized by some large boulders in the riverbed above a river-wide ledge-hole. The ledge-hole is split by Center Rock, which sits roughly in the middle of the river. The water velocity in the rapid is slower than Terminator or the Khyber Pass thus giving paddlers plenty of time to make the necessary moves.
High and Low Water
At high water the features and holes of Lower Terminator tend to wash-out. At lower water levels the features are more defined and Center Ledge Hole is more retentive.
Scouting
Boat-scout from the top eddy above the rapid on river-left. Identify Center Rock and use it to guide your run.
Hazards
At certain water levels the hole formed by Center Ledge can be very sticky.
Play Opportunities
For expert paddlers the wave-hole formed by the Center Ledge offers good surfing opportunities if the water conditions permit.
Where to Swim
If you find yourself swimming in Lower Terminator try to get into the river-left or river-right eddys before the Khyber Pass. Swimming through Khyber Pass should be avoided if possible as it means a trip through China Hole and the Himalayas.
Where to Rescue
Depending on the line you choose more experienced paddlers can wait in the eddys on river-right and river-left below the main drop. The object is to rescue swimmers quickly, before they go into the Khyber Pass.
Where to Portage
Usually this rapid is not portaged seperately but together with all of Terminator.
Running the Rapid
There are two options for running Lower Terminator.
- Conservative Line: From the eddy on river-left head out to the center of the river and identify Center Rock. Break toward river-left and begin looking for the v-tongue that leads through the river-left side of Center Ledge. At most levels the v-tongue heads directly toward the large rock on river-left below Central Ledge. Below the v-tongue lies another small ledge-hole that needs to be avoided by driving back toward the center of the river while you are on the v-tongue. Catch the slack water behind the Center Ledge.
- Hero Line: From the eddy on river-left headout to the center of the river and indentify Center Rock. Instead of going river-left head river-right just skirting the hole produced by the 2nd Boulder. Catch the slack water behind 2nd Boulder and find the slot between Center Ledge and the 3rd Boulder. If you are properly lined up, one or two powerful strokes will put you safely behind the 3rd Boulder. If you miss the move you will end up getting back-endered and surfed in the Center-Ledge. This hole can be quite sticky depending on the water level.
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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