Demon River Apurímac: The First Navigation of Upper Amazon CanyonsOne-fifth of the world's river water rushes down the Amazon River into the Atlantic Ocean. A tiny thread of that monstrous surge of water makes an incredible 4000 mile journey. This thread, the Apurimac, is the source of the Amazon. It thaws reluctantly from a sweeping snow field 17,000 feet high in the cold, thin air of the Andes of southern Peru. It soon becomes a rivulet of clear water. From that point, it grows incessantly, crossing a flat pampa between bare, windswept hills. Then, at 13,000 feet, the Apurimac begins one of the most spectacular descents of any river in the world, slicing into the Vilcabamba range of the Andes, pulsing through narrow gorges and unparalleled canyons, crashing its way toward the jungle. This is the whitewater wilderness that beckoned J. Calvin Giddings, who led the first navigation of the river in 1974 and 1975. This book finally brings his unique story to light. |
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ahead approached Apurimac asked bank beach become began begin bend beneath block boat boulders bridge broken called camp Campa canyon carry cataracts channel chasm Choquequirao Chuck clear cliffs climb cross Cuzco dark deep difficult distance drop entered expedition face feet felt finally flow followed gear Gerry giant gorge half head hills hole hope Inca jungle kayak land later leave light loaded looked maps miles morning mountain moved narrow navigate needed never night once paddle passed past path perhaps plunged portage possible prepared pulled pushed rapid reach river rocks roll route seemed seen shore short side sight slopes soon started steep stopped suddenly thought told trail trip turned valley Vilcabamba wait walked walls watch waves wondered