M A I P Ó
Character	The Maipó  is a big water river with mainly open and fair rapids, in the middle range of difficulties. Some sections are in the upper scale of difficulties. The street is always close to the river whereas the access is not always easy. As all rivers in the middle Andes, the water color is „chocolate brown“ during the snow melting season. Thus, it is recommended to people with limited time in Chile to skip the Maipo and hit further south. Nevertheless, if you are in Santiago it is a very nice paddling spot, especially in winter, when the water becomes a “nice” grey-blue color and the low flows offer spectacular WW in all sections.  The „Purgatorio“ at a winterly low flow
How to get there:	The Maipó is about 40 km south of Santiago. You get there via the Vespuchio Oeste leaving at the exit Av. Florida or Puente Alta from where the "Cajón del Maipo" is indicated on signs.
Sections	1 Maipo Alto Difficulty:     WW IV Expedition:            Q Q Q Q Q 2. Frances   Difficulty:     WW V Expedition:            Q Q Q Q Q 3. Estero Difficulty:     WW III+ Expedition:            Q Q Q Q Q Related to middle flows, at low flow up to one degree easier, at high flows more difficult
Gauge               LW  /  MW  /  HW	Gauge is at the bridge of Ingenio (Put out from the Maipó Alto) or check the Internet. LW: 50 cm (~25m³) MW: 100 cm (~75m³) HW: 150 cm (> 120 m³) Further gauge (bue-white column on the picture below) at the put-in from Estero, whereas this gauge is not easy to read from the road. As indicative gauge, you may take the big stones at this section.: LW: Photo MW: Top of stones are still visible HW: Water passing over the stones
	Gauge at the bridge of Ingenio Indicative gauge at the put-in of Estero Pictures: Andreas    Paddler: Paulina