This ain’t no vacation; its hard work.
I just finished an incredible, yet exhausting week of training and paddling in and around the town of Jalcomulco. WILD completed an intense amount of technical raft guide training, further advanced in the realm of whitewater kayaking, and practised a lot of first aid and rescue scenarios. The week started on sections of the local river with advanced raft guide training. On the Pescados and Lower sections of the Rio Antigua we were introduced to technical raft guiding skills where you learn to maneuver your boat through steep, boulder-choked rapids. On Wednesday we journeyed to a steep, creeky-type section of the Rio Alseseca, called the Tomata. Here, all the WILDers were introduced to a form of whitewater kayaking called creekboating, where the paddler negotiates tight, narrow drops on a very technical, low-volume river. Thursday and Friday found us on a two-day rafting trip on the upper section of the Antigua, called the Baranca Grande. The Baranca Grande , or Grand Canyon, is a 48km stretch of river flowing through a 100 m deep gorge. It drains Mexico’s highest peak, Pico Orazaba, and as a result the water is much colder than most Mexican rivers because of the glacial source. This section is challenging for kayakers but even more so for rafters. For 48 kilometers there’s really no breaks. The Barranca was a spectacular and challenging expedition.
The week was spectacular. We ventured into places few tourists actually go. Our newly-acquired skills gave us the ability to navigate rivers which most people think of as dangerous places and by doing so we were able to visit remote locations downstream. Its great experiencing a country from many different perspectives, including the typical tourist route. There’s a certain value to experiencing everything that’s in the guide book but there’s a particular magic to finding new destinations. I understand that by definition I’m still a tourist. I prefer the label “traveler.” Regardless, there’s a lot to be said for immersing yourself in the culture and exploring off the beaten path. In a sense, follow the cliché of, “When in Rome, do as the Romans,” but also go beyond that and stay guided by your instincts and not only the Lonely Planet guidebook.
