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Written
by: |
Al
Twiss
Jr. Rioja 357
Tarapoto, Peru / Phone: 051-94-52-2616 |
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Dates: |
09/97
and 10/98 |
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Email: |
chancas@terra.com.pe |
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Comments: |
- The
Mayo River is located in the Department of San Martin flowing
East from the Andes into the Huallaga River. There are three
runnable sections between Moyobamba and the Huallaga River, two
sections in the middle Mayo and one in the lower Mayo.
The Mayo is formed by several small creeks that drop from the
eastern slopes of the Andes and winds as a flat-water river about
150 km to the City of Moyobamba. About 10 km. SE of Moyobamba
the river begins to drop from 850 m to 250 m where it joins the
Huallaga. The flow varies from 1,000 CFS in the driest months
(July, August and September) to over 6,000 CFS in the wettest
season (February-May). The top section has about 30 km of Class
III in dry seasons and IV - V in rainy seasons. The center section
is 160 km. of III-V and can only be run at very low levels. The
lower section has 15 -20 km (depending on put in) of Class III
rapids and can be run year round.
-
- Top
Section:
- To
run the top section the easiest put-in is in the Port at Moyobamba
or neighboring town of Marona and after about 10 km. of flat
water begins about 40 Km. of rapids, Class III in dry seasons
and IV - V in the rainy seasons. An alternative put-in is at
the bridge over the Gera River on the Highway to Tarapoto about
15 k. by road from Moyobamba. The river flows through small canyons
that compress the water and forms large standing waves at high
water. Most of the rapids are short and readable from the water,
at High water there are a couple that require scouting. The take-out
for this section is at the bridge at Britannia where there is
a dirt road that connects to the Tarapoto-Moyobamba Highway.
-
- Center
Section:
- This
section is runnable only in very low water, found usually in
July, August and September.
It is a 4-5 day trip and is the most interesting section with
Class III, IV and V rapids. Shortly after the put-in at Britannia
the river flows N away from the Highway. After about 10 km. of
Class III you come to a possible beach campsite on river right.
After passing this beach the river enters a canyon with few good
campsites for another 10 km. In this section there are two falls
runnable in Kayak. The fist falls in Dinosauro a 10-foot drop
that can be portaged on river right. After Dinosauro is the last
possible take out and requires climbing steep walls to a trail
(8 KM.) that will take you back to Highway at La Huarpia. After
passing the next rapid the river curves left in a Class IV rapid
called Jacob's Ladder and then curves right in a Class V rapid
followed by a Class V falls that can be portaged river right.
After the second falls the river enters a 3 km. closed canyon
with sheer walls that has no opportunity for scouting until the
last rapid that can be scouted at river right. The river enters
a 3 Km. long valley with an excellent campsite river left about
500 m. before the rapids begin again. After the valley the river
is Class III-IV and passes through virgin jungle, rapids in this
section are easily scoutable. The distance from the valley to
the first possible take-out is about 60 Km. and requires a camp.
On the last day you will pass some Lamista Indian villages and
easy class III rapids arriving at the town of Pinto Recodo where
there is road access. You can also continue another 10 km. to
the bridge at Shanao where the Tarapoto-Moyobamba Highway crosses
the Mayo.
-
- Lower
mayo:
- The lower Mayo is run commercially and is easy Class III
rapids all year. The Put-in can be done at Pinto Recodo or at
the bridge at Shanao. The take out is at Maceda 15 km. from the
bridge. After Maceda the river offers few rapids until it enters
the Huallaga River.
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