R i o  M a p o c h o
Character	The Mapocho is a technical river. In spite of not having a too good fame, I find it worth to run, even if, like all rivers in this region, its colour is not so nice due to the load of sediments. Opposite to the rivers further south, the rocks in the Mapocho are often arris, thus too low water level and swimming should be avoided. The landscape is appealing, even if there is some garbage around (especially a lot of old tires).
How to get there	In Santiago, drive up the Presidente Kennedy (Costanera Norte) to its end and then follow the Camino a Farellones.
Put-In  / Take-Out	The put-in is approx. 6 km after you cross the river over the bridge „Puente Nilhue“. On the right side of the road there is a sign „La Ermita“, here you come to a small farmhouse with some wooden fencing. You have to cross the property by foot, straight down on a trail approx 250m to a side river of the Mapocho. Before entering it is always good to ask nicely. The put-out is at the bridge “Punete Nilhue”. The owner of the property on the left river side is also very „kayaker friendly“.   The river starts slow and easy…
Distance	approx. 6 km,
Gauge               LW  /  MW  /  HW	There is a gauge some 50 m after the bridge, better to get the flow in the Internet (the m³info in the Internet seems to be lower then the real flow):  LW: min. 0,9 m (4,5 m³, water level on the pictures) MW: 1,1 m (~10 m³) HW: ?
Difficulty	WW IV (at LW a bit easier) To leave the gorge is not always possible. Respectively a emergency kit is recommended (first aid, reserve paddle,…). In the last third, you should watch out for trees which may lay across the river.
	… but it lasts not long until it is becoming steep and technical. Most rapids can be checked from the boat... … nevertheless, in case of doubts it is better to scout.  You may practice your boof more then once … … it is going down over many smaller drops. In some places the valley narrows and forms small gorges …  … but you can almost always walk on the margin …  … and portage in case of any doubts.
	Fotos: Xavier, Andreas       Paddler: Xavier, Andreas