R i o   P a r a i b u n a  (de SP)

S t a n d a r d   R u n s 

T R A D U Ç Ã O   E M    P R E P A R A Ç Ã O

Standard Runs Expedição 

The Paraibuna is usually run at an extension of approx. 50 km. 

The part above the standard sections, runs about 40 km through a National Park, and is worth a separate description ("Expedição").

Here the standard runs:

How to get there

The starting point for the standard runs is São Luis de Paraitinga. Here you may get further informations e.g at Montana Rafting.
From São Paulo you take the Carvalho Pinto or Dutra until Taubaté. Here you take the Oswaldo Cruz (SP125) in direction to Ubatuba. 

Juninho in the "Caixão"

Character

The Paraibuna is predominantly flat water with short rapids and steep drops, some of them unrunnable. As its source is located in a National Park with untouched vegetation, the water is mostly clear and transparent.

Flow information

The actual flow / gauge level may be inquired at Montana Rafting, Tel: (+12) 271 15 72

1. Section

Nucleo de Sta Virginia

This section is by far the most beautiful. Unfortunately the descent is only allowed every second week end. Originally this regulation was made to control the descent of commercial rafts but they are applied also for kayaking. Exceptions to this rule must be  negotiated with the Park direction (by experience this depends always of the mood of this person, an objective criteria does not exist)        

The "right line" in the Saltinho

Put-In  / Take-Out

From São Luis take the Oswaldo Cruz in direction to Ubatuba. After approx. 30 km there is a petrol station on the left hand side and immediately after that, the street is crossing the river. The bridge is the take-out. To reach the put-in go on another 10 km until you will see on the left hand side the entrance to the National Park (There is a big wooden sign and wooden animals). After another 3 km on a dirt road, you will reach the Park Station. You may put in there, or at the bridge about 500m further on the road.

Length

approx. 18 km, 5 hours

Gauge              

Low  /  Middle  /  High

Gauge Nucleo:     0,3 - 0,9 m   / 0,9  -  1,2 m  / > 1,2 m (at the bridge behind the Park Station)

Gauge Palmeiras: 1,5  - 1,8 m   /  1,8  - 2,2 m   /  >2,2 m (at the take-out of Palmeiras)

Difficulty

WW III-  (IV+, IV-, IV-, X, IV-, X)

Attention, over 1,0 m (Nucleo) / 2,0 m (Palmeiras) the Caixão becomes unrunnable, the other Rapids become one grade more difficult with high flows.

Short after the put-in, after a sharp bend to the left, you will start to hear that there is "action" ahead. The river starts with a short rapid and then you will suddenly see the horizon in front of you. Stop on the right to scout the Saltinho.  

The "right line" from above. After the first drop try to get on the left side of the fall, on the right there is a rock under water. Alternative you may also take the "left line" (which is better on high flows)

If you have made the Saltinho, you may recover on the next km, until the Slato Grande

The Salto Grande is easy to run, following the main current. Nevertheless, you should have a safety buddy at the end, especially on higher flows,  because the slight is falling in a short pool and from there the current pushes straight in an unrunnable fall. In the pool go immediately to the left where you have to make a short portage until you may drop in the channel in front. 

In the middle of the channel the Caixão is waiting, a drop of around 3 m. Another 50 m of rapids are following before the next pool.  

After the pool some Class III- rapids are going on for another 300 m, before the river is calming down again. After approx. 1,5 km big boulders block the river. Approach very carefully, the current is pushing below these boulders, and stop at the left side for portage. A long flat section, with short and easy rapids is following, until after approx. 1,5 hours the rocky river margin seems to block the river from the left side, only leaving a small passage on the right. Stop here to scout the Gamela.     

The second drop of the Gamela

The Gamela is an approx. 10 m wide channel with a little, diagonal drop at the entry (take it left) and a drop at the end which is not "clean" in the underwater (take it right). 
Two rapids, up to Class III are following. At the end of the second, you should pay attention. The river is becoming more narrow and you will see an edge in front. At low flows, experienced paddlers may run the first drop (which is an old, broken barrage) in the middle. After this drop hurry to stop at the right side, there are not even 10 m before the river pushes into an unrunnable waterfall, the Itapavão. Therefore it is better to start the portage before the old barrage.
Up to the take-out there are still two easy rapids following, take the second, a small drop on the right side of the river, with speed, to pass the reversal below.   

2. Section

Caçandoca 

Put-In / Take-Out

You may run this section either from the bridge beside the petrol station, or if you want to short cut the first section of flat water you may enter into a dirt road on the right hand side at Km 62,5. After 2 km at the bifurcation take left until you reach the river. The take-out is the beginning of the Palmeiras section - a detailed describtion is difficult as the place is not very significant. The best thing is to get more information with the local guys.   

The first waterfall (Caçandoca) may be run in the right channel.

Length

approx.. 25 km, 5-6 hours

Gauge              

Low / Middle / High

Gauge Nucleo:     0,3 - 0,9 m   / 0,9  -  1,2 m  / > 1,2 m

Gauge Palmeiras: 1,5  - 1,8 m   /  1,8  - 2,2 m   /  >2,2 m 

Difficulty

Mostly flat, short rapids up to WW II, (IV-, X, III+, VI, X)

Approx. 2 km after the put-in a 4 m high drop is stretching over the whole river falling down in several channels. At the right side it is easy to run over a double drop. Take care, the left channels are all not clean below. To scout stop at the rocks at the right. 

A 2km flat section is following. Wenn the left river margin is turning into a rocky wall, the first portage (Barra Mansa) is ahead. Unsure paddlers should have a safety buddy at the end of the rapid before the waterfall. Stop on the right side before the Waterfall for portage. The Waterfall in the middle is persuading for a descent, but unfrotunately the last 3m of free fall end directly on a rock.  

The next 50m long rapid (Bate e Volta) appears after a bend to the  rght, where the large river constricts to 15 m.  
The following waterfall (Bras Adaõ) is also stretching in form of a double drop in various channels over the whole width of the river. Approach carefully and portage over the rocks in the middle of the river. With the raft this fall is often run, but with the kayak the chance to hurt yourself or damage the boat are very big, as there are rocks in the underwater. 

The last portage is comming behind a curve to the left. Approx. 100 m after an easy rapid the river is pushing into an channel on the right hand side. Stop before the channel on the left side and portage over the rocks about 100 m.
 

Jürgen and Roberto did not believe, that this is a portage. For both, the descent endet in a long and deep dive between caved rocks. The boats of both, decided to separate from them during this dive ;-)

3. Section

Palmeiras 

Put-In / Take-Out

Driving from São Luis de Paritinga in direction to Ubatuba turn right at Km 56 into a dirt road (Follow the signs "Fazenda Palmeiras"). After aprox. 3km turn left at a y-type bifurcation. The road ends at a gate of a fazenda. Onthe right side of this gate, there is another one, carry the boat down this track to the river.
To get to the take-out, go on left at the bifurcation until you reach a small village. Here you will find a small Pousada with a little pool, ideal for the land support team.

Length

approx. 8 km, 2,5 hours

Gauge              

Low / Middle / High

Gauge Nucleo:     0,3 - 0,9 m   / 0,9  -  1,2 m  / > 1,2 m

Gauge Palmeiras: 1,5  - 1,8 m   /  1,8  - 2,2 m   /  >2,2 m 

Difficulty

WW III, at low flows technical, at high flows holes and reversals

The best line through the first rapid (Portal) is on the right side. Take care some of the boulders are undercut.

The "Funil" may be good for a short dive. It's also fun to refresh here by swimming.

The best line through the "Pauleira" is on the left side with the main current. At the end turn quickly to the right, to avoid to get pushed into the rocks at the end.