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Río Guacamara, Honduras (click here for the Honduras table of rivers)

river photo

Class: IV ; Flow: 150-700 cfs; Average Gradient: 12 m/km; Portages: several; Length: 25 km; Time: 8 hours

Season: late June to October; rafts? no; Highlights: nice variety of rapids; Crux move: an early start

Put-In: La Iguala (910 m); Take-Out: Río Grande bridge (605 m)

Description: (click here for general notes about my descriptions)

The Río Guacamara is a remote, long, and very pretty run set in tropical dry forest. It is continuous pool-drop from top to bottom. The gorge in the first third of the run is a classic. There is significant and not always obvious undercut hazard, especially in the first half. George's Great Escape rapid in there is one he will never forget. There are some bigger drops near the end, with a portage a two; the last big drop is a nice 10-foot waterfall.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater El Salvador, Honduras, & Nicaragua guidebook.

Descent History: George Pratsinak explored this first, around 2004 (story on page 301).

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