Tired of sunshine and chardonnay in the afternoon? Amanda Barnes seeks an adrenaline rush in Mendoza.
Water: River-boarding
When you go rafting, the aim of is to keep yourself out of the water. River-boarding is quite the opposite. Fully submerged in the water, the aim is to keep your head out of the water. Not for those with a fear of drowning, but certainly for those who love a good splash and want to go that little deeper into the rapids, out of the boat and feel the full force of nature - at its wettest.
"The only instruction is to hold on!" Ricky our instructor from Argentina Rafting told my brother and I as we sat, kitted out in helmets, wetsuits and flippers, with only a small foam board in our arms. We looked at each other and then out to the choppy rapids, churning their way through the mountains. Hmmm... maybe we should have paid more attention to the disclaimer asking only strong swimmers to participate...
With the nod from Ricky, we tried to walk into the rapids, found it impossible with huge flippers and a strong current and instead plunged ourselves into the water, mounted our boards and started to work out exactly what he had meant about going against our instincts and ride into the waves rather than away from them. Quite quickly we found ourselves in the thick of the rapids and - going against everything that feels natural - we paddled quickly and ducked into the waves: left, then right and even ducking our heads straight into those coming head on. We drank plenty of water but swimming through the rapids gives you an unparalleled rush.
Taking a deep breath of air after our bout of fun battering, I turned back to see my brother a good twenty meters behind me. "Stop here Amanda," said Ricky. What? Stop? How can you possibly 'stop' in the middle of river rapids? Obviously noticing my panic-stricken wet face, he changed his mind. "Ok, grab hold of my kayak." Holding afloat, we paddled back to my brother and I worried that my parents might be a bit upset with me. He looked red in the face and pretty puffed out. "This is brilliant!" he smiled.
The three of us pushed on forwards through more rapids, relishing the big waves and splashes. After taking 5 minutes respite on a sandy bay, we moved on to the rest of our 5km journey into calmer, shallower waters. Although there weren't any great big waves to contest with in the last part, the shallow waters were actually harder work as you have to use more effort to direct yourself in the right currents. After half an hour of great fun in the water and gorgeous mountain views, Ricky directed us back to Argentina Rafting's base where we showered off and sat down on the sun-loungers by the river to enjoy a cool beer, compare bruises and fondly look back on our wet and wild adventure.
Argentina Rafting offer river-boarding and other outdoors activities (including rafting, kayaking, trekking and zip line) throughout the year. Their base is in Potrerillos (one hour west of the city) but the company can organise a transfer from the city. Contact Argentina Rafting, Amigorena 86, Mendoza, or (261) 429 6325 for more information. www.argentinarafting.com
Air: Paragliding
Running straight off a mountain face into mid-air is not an easy thing to do. Well, physically it's not that taxing but mentally it's pretty strange. But in order to paraglide - you have to do just that. Standing on the edge of Cerro Arco just outside of the city, with a 650m drop off the edge of the cliff, a kite behind you and your instructor attached to your back, you don't have much choice but to do as he says and 'run, run, run' until your legs are moving mid-air, like in a cartoon.
My instructor Hernan then told me to lift my knees up and suddenly I found a seat was beneath me and I was in a very comfortable chair with nothing beneath or in front of me apart from a breath-taking view of the Andes. Strange. Imagine just sitting on your normal office chair and then taking it up 1000 meters into the sky – it is pretty much the same feeling.... until we started the acrobatics.
I had told Hernan from Arco Fly Parapente that I was going for 'extreme' - I wanted the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end, and he told me that acrobatics were the way to go. After a peaceful and stunning tour of the mountains and a distant view of the city we moved towards the landing pitch as acrobatics would speed us up considerably from our peaceful 38kmph, bringing us closer to our imminent landing. Hernan explained to me that I should just sit tight and let him know if I feel queasy or want to stop, and off we went. Swooping and dipping into the right and then the left and then back again, we picked up great speed and my stomach jumped into my throat, but not enough to stop me screaming from the delightful and heady rush. We did Wing Overs, Asimetrics and Spiral Centrifuge – whatever that means – all of which were stomach lurching fun. After playing for a bit in the air, we came into land, and like our running take off, it was the cartoon moment the other way around – start moving your legs quickly in mid-air and then when you touch the ground go with your momentum and keep running until the kite has landed.
Paragliding is immensely enjoyable and involves hardly any effort (apart from the couple of minutes of running). If you have a taste for the extreme, be sure to ask Hernan for acrobatics but if you are more inclined to a peaceful ride, then you can gently fly around and take in the sights.
Note: The 4WD ride up to Cerro Arco is almost as extreme as the actual jump – be prepared for the tension to build as you jerk your way up the rocky mountain paths to the hill top.
Paragliding costs $300AR per person including a transfer from the city. Contact Hernan Vicente or Nito Lazarto on 15 368 4636 or visit www.arcoflyparapente.com.ar for more information, solo travellers and groups welcome.
Climbing
I looked down: clouds below me in the distance, condors flying around me, a lot of steep rock face below me and no flat ground in sight. Above wasn't any more comforting: more steep rock and a thin rope leading towards the bright blue Andean sky. This was not the time to question if I was afraid of heights.
When Federico from Andes Vertical had told me this was easy enough for beginners and that he had taken out a couple in their late 60s recently, I think I started to downplay the enormity of rock climbing high in the Andes. I thought this would be the easiest of our 'extreme' pick, but this was actually proving to be the most challenging physically and mentally. My two climbing companions had overtaken me and Federico was towards the top supporting and securing our ropes so that we didn't fall. "Are you ok Amanda?" I heard Federico from above. "Hmmmm," I mustered. "I just don't know where to go!"
"Have a look to the right," I heard. I looked to the right - smooth flat rock, and then a small little knob of millennia-year-old-rock a bit further along. "Have you definitely got hold me?" I shouted above. "Trust me," he responded. I did trust Federico, I also trusted the equipment and even the rock - what I didn´t trust was me... With all the endurance, determination and strength of a three year old, I wasn't sure I could do it. Putting my weight into the rope and leaning over I shut my eyes, winced, said a few ave marias and felt around with my right hand and foot for anything to launch onto. My sore toes tickled the small bump and I pushed off from the left to, not so elegantly, heave my way across. From there I found another bump, another lump and then a few more cracks, bumps and lumps until I had made it to the second 'base' (or jut of rock). Exhilarated and flushed I looked at my companions - this was pretty cool!
As we stopped to take a break and look over the view of mountains, a gushing river in between and flatlands in the distance I started to appreciate that this sport was peaceful and euphoric as well as slightly toe crunching and mentally agitating. After a nice pause we let Federico scramble up the wall to secure our ropes to new heights and the three of us started to climb, helping each other by directing our steps and routes up. It is quite amazing how your animal instincts take over and you can climb walls much like insects, or Spiderman, and in all honestly I was - and still am - shocked at how far we got.
Once we had reached 150m (after about two hours of climbing), it was time to go back down. This was easily the scariest bit. Federico showed us how to abseil down by slowly releasing the rope as we walked horizontally backwards down the rock. Yes, horizontally backwards. This is another moment where you really have to take a leap of faith in yourself, as you gently (or quickly if you have the courage) lower yourself down 150m of vertical rock face, down to even, solid ground. My little excited yelps teetered between plain fear and utter euphoria. And when you get back to the bottom and look back up at the imposing rock face, it is quite a feeling. Climbing is such a different day out and rewarding in the sense of achievement, adrenaline and the beautiful Andean landscape. It is definitely sure to give you a buzz.
Andes Vertical offer full day and multi-day climbing excursions as well as other outdoor activities. Federico Zambrano is one of Argentina's top climbers and can take beginners or advanced, solo or in groups. Contact (261) 423 1148, Sarmiento 681 or visit www.andes-vertical.com for more information.
Cheap Thrills
Some might argue that driving in Mendoza is a pretty extreme sport, but locals get their thrills from more than just burning their clutch. Please note that Wine Republic does not recommend participation in the following activities and takes no responsibility for injuries or loss of life if you choose to do otherwise.
'Puenting' (or loosely translated as 'jumping off bridges')
In the deep dark night, or occasionally the broad day light, thrill seekers take a trip into the mountains, find an abandoned railway bridge, attach climbing ropes to themselves and the bridge and then jump off the edge. Think bungee jumping but without the bounce... Technically the activity is not illegal, there are just no legal places in which to do it.
Swimming in dams and dykes
When the weather is hot and they haven't the luxury of a swimming pool, many Mendocinos head out to the swirling dams (normally Cipolletti in Lujan) and cascading canals for a cool dip. This is not recommended, and is in fact prohibited. Numerous people drown every year from impromptu dipping as they underestimate the strong currents and lethal undertows, yet it remains a quintessential Mendocino activity.
