Patagonia, split between Argentina and Chile on the southern tip of South America, is one of the world's last great wildernesses. This land chock-full of mountains, glaciers and fjords is  also home to one of the world's wildest adrenaline rushes, whitewater rafting on the unforgiving Futaleufu River in Chilean Patagonia.
In this programme, host Matt Young treks across Patagonia's dramatic landscape to put his skills and nerves to the test confronting the biggest, longest and most challenging rapid on the Futaleufu River - the Terminator.
Matt's journey in Chile starts in the coastal Patagonian town of Puerto Montt. He follows the stunningly beautiful Carretera Austral that, via La Arena and a 30-minute boat ride takes him to town of Hornopiren. Here the road runs out, and he needs to embark on a 5-hour ferry journey down the coast to Caleta Gonzalo, and on to Pumalin Park, an eco reserve established by American businessman and conservationist Douglas Tomkins. Impressed by the incredible conservation work taking place at Pumalin Park, Matt sets out to explore the rest of Patagonia – and to come face to face with its elements. He'll hope for good weather. Even though it's summer in the southern hemisphere, monsoon-like downpours are common, and frigid winds frequently blow in from Antarctica.
The next day, heading towards the Futaleufu River, Matt stops off to hike up to the remarkable Yelcho Glacier. The beautiful mystical rainforest surrounding it makes for stunning views,  but the signs of global warming are everywhere- the glacier is retreating, and Matt battles up its peak through pouring rain. It's been a struggle, but the reward is not far off. The mighty Futaleufu River is near and Matt is ready for the next challenge.
Finally he arrives at Futaleufu village, on the banks of the powerful Futaleufu River, one of the most explosive and untamed white water rivers in the world. Many rafters and kayakers who have spent a lifetime searching the world for the perfect river have ended their search here, surrounded by the snowcapped mountains of the Andes and pristine wilderness.
Chris Spelius, a former Olympic kayaker, is Matt's guide and rafting tutor, teaching him how to handle the many challenges of the Futaleufu river. The sheer volume and speed of the water, combined with numerous undercut walls, make the Futaleufu a very dangerous river. Matt starts with the easier rapids on the river, but it’s nevertheless a challenge, and a thrilling  experience. Matt is elated, but also exhausted, and decides to take a break before facing the challenge of the potentially fatal Terminator.
Instead he braves the competition of Futaleufu's cowboys at the village's annual fiesta rodeo.He joins in the festivities and shares a traditional Chilean asado with the locals before having a go at the rodeo. He’s no match for the local cowboys of course. Will he have more success facing the river's ultimate test?
The next morning, at last, it's time for the Terminator, the biggest, longest and most challenging of all the rapids on the Futaleufu. The safe route through the rapid is very narrow, and mistakes must be avoided at all costs. It's a time of high tension as Matt and the rest of the rafting team prepare to take on the rapid – over the years a number of people have been  killed rafting through here. Matt is terrified, but set to take on the challenge. He gets his last set of instructions, faces the rocks, the boat nearly flips, and then suddenly the rapid is behind them. They have made it through unharmed.
In the midst of Chilean Patagonia, surrounded by mountain peaks and glaciers, Matt has survived the ultimate challenge. He has triumphed over one of the most dangerous rapids in the world - the Terminator. Matt's journey into the pristine wilderness of Patagonia has been testing, but it has been an exhilarating ride! |
