Urique Canyon
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| A wide channel but fast water |
Nine
months out of the year, the Rio Urique is a tranquil, clear stream flowing
peacefully through the bottom of the 6000-ft-deep Copper Canyon. Suddenly,
everything changes when June’s life-giving rains begin to fall and the sky
is awakened with dramatic
afternoon thunderstorms. The clear stream becomes a turbid brown, crashing
over huge boulders and changing the tranquil stream into a river runner's
delight.
As the river rushes toward the Rio Fuerte and the sea, it passes through narrow canyon walls
that gradually open to reveal high mountain peaks, isolated ranches, and
secret delights. Prior to 1998 this river was accessible to only the most
dedicated, boaters who would enjoy the whitewater then endure a long,
multiple day float to Choix. The recent opening of the road to Tubares
offers a much better take-out and makes this exciting run possible. This road is
new and remote enough that the county doesn't even yet have it located on their
maps!
This year marks the inauguration of commercial whitewater runs in the Copper
Canyon. We’ve spent 3 years exploring the river and getting to know it, we
have assembled a strong team and we’re ready to help you take on the river
with premier wilderness trips through some of the most challenging rapids in
Northern Mexico.
These runs are planned for those who want to become participants helping to
paddle their own boats and setting up camp alongside the thundering river.
Our full week-long package begins with a rewarding (and beautiful) foot or
horse descent to the bottom of the canyon. At the bottom, horses are
exchanged for rafts and we begin the thrilling, 65-km, 3-day river run. Once
our rafts reach the Rio Fuerte, the river becomes a short, refreshing float
before landing at the historic mission town of Tubares.
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| Some small obstacles |
For those not ready to tackle the dramatic
part of the river, we offer a half-day package that serves as an
introduction to the river and whitewater rafting. Participants start at the Guadalupe
Bridge and float past the town of Urique while learning basic boating
skills in class II and III rapids. See the Half-Day
Fun Run for details.
For 2002 we are offering many outdoor recreation opportunities: 1) a
first-commercial descent of the Urique river; 2) half-day trips that can be
combined with other activities; 3) custom support for kayakers, rafters, and
others who want to do the run on their own, but need logistical assistance; 4)
an all-women horse-supported trek into Copper Canyon; 5) we can also prepare
custom trips as you like them.
We are also offering an inauguration run, half-day trips that can be
combined with other activities, and custom support for kayakers, rafters,
and others who want to do the run on their own but need logistical
assistance. In future
years we plan to introduce even more challenging runs. We invite you to read
our specialized offerings and then come down and get your feet wet!
The Staff:
Our first year on the river will involve a number of different people but the
following are key members of the operation who are deeply involved in every
aspect.
Alejandra Villalobos
Alejandra worked 5 years with the State of Chihuahua in tourism planning
before departing to found Chihuahua Expeditions. She organized the first four
festivals of Adventure Tourism in the state. This past year she was in charge of
overall organization and planning of Reto Raramuri which includes competition in
extreme sports such as mountain biking, trekking, rafting, and rappelling. She
is certified with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) as an instructor
on the Leave No Trace program and has taken two 28-day hiking school as a NOLS
instructor in training she has also taken the NOLS sea kayaking course in Baja
California. She carries Red Cross certification is first aid, rescue and urban
rescue and will be attending a Wilderness First Responder course in the U.S.
this spring. She has rafted and explored numerous rivers in Chihuahua where she
has provided rafting instruction to local people. She has made rafting trips to
Vera Cruz, San Luis Potosi, and Alaska and provides rafting services on the
Peguis section of the Rio Conchos.
Doug Rhodes
Founder of the Rancho del Oso and Hotel Paraiso del Oso, Doug is a former
water safety instructor. He pioneered whitewater trips on the Rio Urique and has
previously gotten wet in whitewaters of Wyoming, New Mexico, Chihuahua, and
Chiapas. Formerly active in cave and mountain rescue in the U.S., he carries first aid and CPR credentials. Both bicultural and bilingual, Doug
routinely leads trekking and horse packing groups throughout the Copper Canyon
region. Doug is primarily responsible for local transportation and liaison. His
strong local contacts ensure our group's welcome wherever they go.
