Colombia Explore and Adventure by Fabian A Bonanno

Cocorná River

This river is only at 1:30 hs from Medellin towards south east. It was the first river of my trip around Colombia and I have to tell that after waiting 3 day in Medellin at Casa Kiwi Hostel and one night under the Calderas Bridge, I was avid to get in the water. Next morning the van with the boats shows up. I was so stout.

Then Jules Domine, Todd Wells, Fanfan Cha, Jean Rigole, Michael Hyla and I drove to the put in.

The one on the roof is our driver Carlos Tomas Ramirez. Very well recommended!!!

Very hot day! I still wear my semidry Peak UK jacket because after many hours is good to have a proper gear.

This is grandiose view from the upper section of Cocorná River, still waiting to be done one day

We paddle from the bridge down.

Todd Wells is just above the first rapid.

It is myself on the first rapid, very nice slide with a kicker at the end.

Jean Rigole after seal launches to get on a rock slide to a boof over stopper, well done boy!!!

After one hour the river comes to a 14 m. drop with a very small pool 50-50 % maybe runnable at the perfect level. Unfortunately no one took photos.

This river requires a lot of scouting.

Jules Domine is styling this drop with a nasty hole at the button.

Well, After 3:30 hours of very nice boating we had a snack and get calories to burn them on the next 50 minutes hiking to where Carlos was waiting for us.

This River can change very quickly and even if you see a clear sky, considering that would have been possible to paddle this section with a bit more of water.

The next river is the Samaná and is coming soon.

Text: Fabian A. Bonanno