Expedition Report
A team of five, comprising one current Imperial College student, three former Imperial students, and one staff member of the College, planned to experience intermediate white-water kayaking in a country rich in biodiversity and offering a tropical climate. The expedition, which was undertaken from late July to mid-August, was divided into three parts, paddling rivers from source to sea on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica, then climbing the Cerro Chirripo source mountain in the central mountainous spine of the country, before paddling from source to sea on the Atlantic Ocean side.
For the first stage the team kayaked, self-sustained over three days for 42 miles, along various sections of the Rio General, grade 3 to 4, which took them through boulder gardens and sprawling farmland, as well as having to paddle through a stretch known as ‘crocodile mile’. Four of the group then attempted to climb Cerro Chirripo, 3,820m, Costa Rica’s highest mountain. However due to illness only two members managed to reach the peak. The final week saw the group tackle the Rio Pejebaye, grade 4, the Rio Pacuare, grade 4, the Rio Sarapiqui, grade 3 to 4, and the Rio Volcan, grade 4. These were narrower rivers which winded their way through humid jungles. However, they also provided beautiful scenery and incoming waterfalls. During this stage, the group were made welcome at the Rafting Sarapiqui Outdoor Centre.
The wildlife encountered during the expedition included hummingbirds, kingfishers, and other tropical birds, otters, various lizards and monkeys, bats, sloths, opossums, peccaries, poison tree frogs, the Terciopelo, one of the most venomous snakes in the world, as well as an abundance of mosquitos. Difficulties included sore shoulders, dehydration, problems interpreting river features from maps, and rescuing one member who became pinned on the Rio Sarapiqui. The group also experienced rainforests, tropical downpours and thunderstorms, but all members were able to develop their skills both on and off the river.
