Rio San Nicolas

[jfcaver]

Since the water was up in most places this fall we dedided to do a higher altitude run on the Rio San Nicolas.  We have been looking at this run for over a year now and just this past year the lower canyon was run.  One report actually quoted as running the upper canyon was mistaken and put in below the Cascades de Aguacate, which is in the lower canyon.  We put in at San Nicolas de los Montes north of Tamasopo about 20 kilometers.  The put in was, according to the map a side trib to the San Nicolas, but as we found out later was the main flow.  The first three kilometers were easy class I water dropping about 1 or 2 meters per kilemter.  Then the bottom fell out!  The next two kilometers dropped about 80 meters per kilometer requiring many rappells and portages.  The rapids in this section were class IV/V and VI, three were 30 meter waterfalls.  A 15 meter waterfall was run called Madussa's Tongue were a side trib flowed in as a 30 m falls followed by the 15 m falls at the base.  Several more runnable rapids and more portages then the gradiant lowered before converging with the main San Nicolas.  This side tributary carried the main flow into the San Nicolas which was not boatable only about 7 cms (not sure about 20 cfs?).  The upper trib was of completely different nature mainly travertine pool drops followed by the boulder gardens of the San Nic.  After entering the San Nicolas the first four kilometers were mainly class I shoals with several class II's.  The pace picked up with more class III's then turned to class IV's and the river narrowing through a 10 m wide canyon.  This canyon continued until it broke out of the ridge just upstream of Cascades de Aguacate a 60 m waterfall on the road north of Damian Carmona.  The rapids at the base of Aguacate were not runnable they were seived out with lots of wood not considering the hurricaine force winds and zero visibiltiy.  We ran the lower canyon the remaining distance down to Damian Carmona with it's easy class III and IV rapids - it was easier than climbing out of the lower canyon.  This 15 mile trip took 3 days to complete camping in narrow canyons with exits none existant.  If anyone returns go prepared with food, bivy, rope, and canyoneering skills - you will need them.  Google Earth or topos do not show the inner canyon which you cannot escape.

Jerry

[Jorge]

  Acording to this report from  jfcaver Jery  I  want  to presice few things

  I.-The San  Nicolas river  was explored  by the first time by Grant Amaral how makes a partial run of the lower section few years ago

 II.-In the first week of October 2008 a team conformed by 2 mexican kayakers Jaistemay and  Jorge Marquez  
     make the second decent from the section runed by Grant. But they achive the first  mexican decent of the
     section thas Grant done before

 III.-One week after (secod week of October 2008) another Mexican team conformed this time by
       Jaistemay Marquez , Enrique Aguado, Amilkar Moncada, and Jorge Marquez

      Run sucsesfully by the very first time the oper part of the San Nicolas river, of course acording due the point
      from were Grant Ameral put in  few years ago.  
       The  Mexican team put  few kilometers  AVOBE the "Ahuacate" waterfall.
       So... NOT BELOW FROM THE WATERFALL AS JERRY MENTIONED IN HIS REPORT  

  IV.-The Mexican team has the plan to extend the run up and next time put in at San Nicolas de los Montes
        unfortunaly a hevely rain started in the next days and destroyed partialy the road that drives to San Nicolas
        de los montes.

   V.- More an less a month after a Team conformed by 3 Texans Paddelers succesfuly ran the section from San
        Nicolas de los Montes.
        Inmidiatly the Mexican team congratulate the Texan team and recognized their Titanic efort.
        So I guess all of us  we can be capable to reconaize someothers efforts and success and not minimized
        anybodies achivementes.
        and  aviod to said  literally  "One report actually  quoted as running the uper canyon was  mistaken and put  
        below  the cascada del ahuacate"
        In Resume its necesarry to recognize that Grant Ameral make the first decent of the lower part,
        the Mexican Team the first decent of the middle part, and the American Team the first run of the uper part.
        Simple as that

  
        Jorge Marquez


    

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[RockyContos]

Hi Jerry, Thanks for the trip report.  And also Jorge, thanks for clarifying where you put in.  It looks like quite the waterfall run.  I'll be sure to include the description in the new guide if you permit.
Rocky

[kayakhuasteca]

We ran the Upper San Nicolas this past saturday.  That is one of the most impressive and beautiful travertine canyons I have ever seen.  We did the run in 8 hours. Took out in Damien Carmona.. No rappels, 7 portages..the rapids at aguacate falls are clean and runnable now.  I'll get some video up soon.
Aaron

[kayakhuasteca]

Video is up....if anyone is interested...I adjusted some of the waterfall heights and I hope it makes this run a little more appealing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69FgJjZjWLo

Aaron