Rafting in Mendoza

I have a very big passion for rafting. It’s usually one of the first things that I check when I decide to travel to a place. Up to now I had the possibility to experience it in New Zealand, in the Kaituna River, where I enjoyed the 7 meters high Tutea waterfall; in the beautiful river Pacuare, that crosses the Costa Rican rain forest and in Salta, in the Juramento river. Not that much for those who make a living out of this, but quite acceptable for an amateur like me. This said you can imagine what was the first thing that attracted me from Mendoza when I decided to go there. So as soon as I got there I wanted to know all my options. The first thing that I did was ask the guys at Campo Base Hostel for information. They told me that the Mendoza River was the best option if I was looking for a little more difficulty. And because the thing I like the most about this activity is the adrenaline I opted for trying it in the Mendoza River. Finally I decided to do the whole day rafting of Cerro Negro to Potrerillos. It takes approximately 4 hours to travel through the class III / IV 30 Kms. of (moderate / difficult) of this river. So I left the hostel pretty early and I started my trip with my adventure companions to the starting point. In the brief stop at the base, that later would be our point of arrival, they gave me all the equipment that I was going to need. Jacket, life jacket, waterproof pants and neoprene shoes. I was ready now. Once we arrived, we were ready to hear the security instructions. They told us what we needed to know to enjoy this day. Once the security talk was over we were ready to leave. Three groups were formed, each one accompanied by a guide. I got to travel in the first raft, so without more introductions, oar in hand, I started my encounter with Mendoza’s waters.

At first moment all was quiet, and I was able to see the landscape and enjoy the mountains that surrounded me. But for my happiness that finished abruptly with the entrance to the first complicated rapids of the day. And the initial unexpected shake almost threw me of the raft if my feet hadn’t been well affirmed under the seats. What a beautiful sensation. I continued rowing with all my strength. From there, the rapids alternated some easy parts where the guide told us some typical history, something about the culture of the place or the reason for the name of that river’s section and other harder parts. After almost two hours we stopped to have lunch. A table with a great variety of cold cuts, fruits and juices left me ready to face the second part of our journey. So with the stomach full I was ready to continue and face the end of our trip. The second section had a lot of action prepared for us with several waterfalls and some big and complicated rapids. That was the only moment in which I fell. After a sharp curve of the river, we collided with an enormous rock that put the raft on one side and without having time even to react I was already floating with the current. I just followed the instructions that they had given us earlier and let myself flow with my feet in front of me until the kayak that accompanied us came for me. After the security kayaker returned me to the raft, we continued. After another series of very amusing rapids, where I enjoyed enormously of each wave hitting me on the face while rowing or each shake that the force of the water gave to our raft, I realized that we were arriving. The river was wider and the water started getting quieter. Sadly, my rafting day was over. I took a shower and while I was walking to the small truck that was going to take us back to the hostel, I realized that I had the same sensation that I have each time that I’m done with rafting for the day. This is spectacular but I am going to have to return. It wasn’t enough, it never is. Text: Gonzalo Pardo Photo: Esteban Widnicky