Tag Archives: kayaking

Class 5; The Toba eruption – how a super volcano almost stopped humanity in its tracks

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Kayaking down Asahan River, north Sumatra. This river has all but been destroyed by a dam project

Toba Lake, in northern Sumatra, occupies the ancient Toba caldera. One of its outlets, the Asahan River, is the site of some spectacular white-water, a kayaker’s delight. For anyone willing to run the river, spare a thought for your early human ancestors, who it seems, were lucky to survive the aftermath of a cataclysmic super volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago. Be thankful that they did. Continue reading

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Class 5; The falls and cataracts of Li Phi, southern Laos

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Sending a narrow gap in Li Phi FallsI am of a generation that, at mention of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, I recall images of intense conflict, thankfully long past.  The images now are of jungle, peaceful villages nestled among ancient civilizations, and rivers; kayaks instead of gunboats. The coincidence between geology and river in Southern Laos (LDR) has created an area known as 4000 Islands.  Here, Mekong River changes from a single channel to multiple braids that thunder across a spectacular array of waterfalls and rapids; a white-water kayaker’s idea of fun. Sam Ricketts, his friend Lachie Carracher and a film crew (Luke McKinney and Lissa Hufford), converged, in December 2016,pon Don Det, an island-town in the middle of 4000 Islands; their focus – Li Phi Falls. Continue reading

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Class 5; In The Shadow Of The Volcano

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Pucon, Chile

 

Villarrica at dusk, near Pucon, Chile

Kayaking on a volcano

Pucon is a tourist destination, nestled between rugged hills and Largo (Lake) Villarrica in central Patagonia, Chile.  One of its attractions is rivers with a bit of everything for kayakers and rafters, from Class V to Class II rapids and waterfalls, through bush and steep gorges.  Idyllic?  Normally yes, except that the most active volcano in Chile is right on your doorstep – in fact at times it’s in your living room.  Continue reading

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