One of the greatest aspects of running rivers is that it compels you to travel to regions

you probably wouldn't otherwise choose to visit, case in point: Iran and Africa. And it is

this bonus experience, the icing on the cake if you like, that is one of the largest

highlights for me. If class 5 white water is the filling then The People, The places , The

Culture, that's the Bread.

So, it is ironic that for exactly the opposite reason I like Patagonia. There's really nothing too unpredictable, very few people and a short history. It's wide open, unspoiled and pristine. When you can see it without the rain that is.

This section of the films follows Tyler Curtis, Marianne Saether and Matt Gontram as they attempt the Rio Baker and Pascua rivers in Southern Chile.

The Patagonian Ice cap is split into the Northern and Southern ice fields and drained by the Baker and Pascua rivers respectively.

While both are extremely high volume melt water rivers the Baker has near roadside access.

The Pascua however is one of the most logistically difficult rivers to access on the Planet.

It requires first driving days to the end of the Carretera Austral, the road that runs along the spine of the Andes. You then charter a boat for the 8-hour journey around Laguna Villa O Higgins or wait for weather to be good enough to fly in. Which isn't often.

What we found in the Pascua is a true epic.

It's one of those rivers you're very glad to have done but would be hesitant to return to.

Truly at the end of the Earth.

Full trip report by Mariann at http://playak.com/article.php?sid=1141