Photos by Erich Schlegel https://www.erichschlegel.com
The two shots of our camp taken at night in the canyon with the lights of the town of Banos Cortis in the background, was taken by Tino Specht. These pics are located on the bottom of the left hand column.
The shot of West in his sunglasses behind his car was taken by Pam LeBlanc. This shot is located at the bottom of the left hand column.
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen, left, paddles his solo kayak as team members Jeff Wueste and Ian Rolls paddle their tandem kayak after leaving the campsite on Isla de Loreto on the Colombian side of the Amazon River. This was the team's final push through Peru to the Brazilian border.
Amazon Express expedition October 27, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition team members from left, Jeff Wueste, Ian Rolls and West Hansen and local guides push their kayak out of their campsite on Isla de Loreto on the Colombian side of the Amazon River. This was the team's final push through Peru to the Brazilian border.
Amazon Express expedition October 27, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition team members from left, Jeff Wueste, West Hansen, and Ian Rolls put up their tents on a raft dock in San Pablo de Loreto on the Amazon River in Peru. This was the team's final push through Peru to the Brazilian border.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru October 25, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen, far right, hangs onto Peruvian Navy boat driver Aroni as he hangs onto Peruvian Navy ensign Emilio Huaco on a boat dock in Tamshiyacu on the Ucayali River in Peru. The Peruvian Coast Guard escorted the Amazon Express expedition through the final phase going into Iquitos, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru October 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition members, from left, Jeff Wueste, Ian Rolls, Jason Jones, and West Hansen toast with ice hold fruit juice aboard the Peruvian Navy vessel "Stiglich" on the Ucayali River in Peru. The Peruvian Navy and Coast Guard provided a security escort through various sections of the Ucayali River where pirates were known to prey on boats. They were invited to spend their lunch break aboard the vessel in air conditioned comfort..
Amazon Express expedition in Peru October 17, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
From left, guide Cesar Pea, Amazon Express expedition members Pete Binion and John Maika rest aboard the Peruvian Navy vessel "Stiglich" on the Ucayali River in Peru. The Peruvian Navy and Coast Guard provided a security escort through various sections of the Ucayali River where pirates were known to prey on boats. They were invited to spend their lunch break aboard the vessel in air conditioned comfort. Above the group is a portrait of Peruvian Navy admiral Miguel Grau, hero of the war with Chile.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru October 17, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition member Pete Binion gingerly climbs into his kayak for departure from Flor de Punga on the Ucayali River in Peru. Binion's feet were suffering from jungle rot and he was trying to keep the as dry as possible so they could heal. Binion dropped out of the expedition in Iquitos due to health problems and scheduling with work back home.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru October 15, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water safety kayakers Santiago Ibaez Corpancho, left, and Daniel Rondon Casos fill up water jugs under a waterfall at a campsite spot along the lower Rio Mantaro. The team filled up water bottles with spring water throughout this section.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 22, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte of Cuzco, Peru guides the raft through rapids with Siabanel Loayza Carbajal on the lower Rio Mantaro as white water kayakers follow. From back left, expedition leader West Hansen and Santiago Ibaez Corpancho.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 21, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte of Cuzco, Peru guides the raft through rapids on the lower Rio Mantaro as white water kayakers follow. Expedition leader West Hansen swims after capsizing and safety kayaker Daniel Rondon Casos paddles over to help.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 21, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte of Cuzco, Peru guides the raft through rapids on the lower Rio Mantaro as white water kayakers follow. From back left, expedition leader West Hansen and Daniel Rondon Casos.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 21, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte of Cuzco, Peru guides the raft through rapids on the lower Rio Mantaro as white water kayakers follow. From back left, expedition leader West Hansen, Daniel Rondon Casos, and Santiago Ibaez Corpancho.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 21, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte of Cuzco, Peru guides the raft through rapids on the lower Rio Mantaro as white water kayakers follow. From back left, expedition leader West Hansen, and Daniel Rondon Casos.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 21, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte of Cuzco, Peru guides the raft through rapids on the lower Rio Mantaro as white water kayakers follow. From back left, Daniel Rondon Casos (red and blue kayak), Santiago Ibaez Corpancho, and expedition leader West Hansen (far back).
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 21, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen goes over topographic maps with raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte, back left, and white water kayakers Santiago Ibaez Corpancho, left, and Siabanel Loayza Carbajal, right, at a campsite on the lower Rio Mantaro.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 19, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen loads up with fresh water from a waterfall during a lunch stop in the lower canyons of the Rio Mantaro. The team filled up water bottles with spring water throughout this section.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 19, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte of Cuzco, Peru runs expedition leader West Hansen through a box canyon during the last white water section of the Rio Mantaro. White water safety team paddles behind the raft. From left, Santiago Ibaez Corpancho, 30, Daniel Rondon Casos, 20, and Siabanel Loayza Carbajal, 22, all from Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen drags his kayak at dusk while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen drags his kayak at dusk while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen drags his kayak at dusk while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen paddles his kayak in low water while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen paddles his kayak in low water while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen climbs through boulder fields while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen drags his kayak at dusk while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen paddles his kayak in low water while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen climbs through boulder fields while negotiating the Rio Mantaro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen tries to jump a two-log bridge at a bridge construction site over the Rio Mantaro as project engineer Idben Chavez tries to make the bridge lower. The water below Tablachaca Dam is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen climbs through boulder fields while negotiating the Rio Manraro below Tablachaca Dam. The water is very low in this section of river during Peru's dry season. Water is also low due to the diversion of much of the Rio Mantaro through a tunnel for use in ElectroPeru's largest hydroelectric project downriver.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 12, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition member John Maika hauls up leader West Hansen's white water kayak after Hansen paddled the Rio Mantaro near Paccha, Peru. The campsite was an abandoned golf course, Club de Gold La Oroya owned by the Doe Run mine company. Doe Run was shut down three years ago after legal action was taken against the company for contaminating the Rio Mantaro.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 8, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Estela Aguero de Bao, 82, with ranch hand Bernardo Castillo, 71, at her ranch, Rancho Ocac Condorvado on the Rio Mantaro. Ranch is owned and operated by her daughter, Antonia Bao de Trujillo. Amazon Express expedition camped there the previous night.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 8, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen, left, types on his computer as John Maika drinks a cup of coffee at dawn at the team campsite at Rancho Ocac Condorvado on the Rio Mantaro. Ranch is owned by Antonia Bao de Trujillo.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 8, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen enters the Rio San Juan in front of the waste heap from the Tajo Alberto mine in Huaraucaca, Peru, September 6, 2012. Mines along the Rio San Juan and Rio Mantaro extract copper, lead, and zinc. Mine waste has been a large contributor to contamination in the rivers.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen drags his kayak through a gravel pit where the Rio Gashan is diverted into many different channels. Hansen lost the main flow, but found it later near the town of Sacrafamilia, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 5, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen drags his kayak through a gravel pit where the Rio Gashan is diverted into many different channels. Hansen lost the main flow, but found it later near the town of Sacrafamilia, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 5, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen drags his kayak along the road that borders a gravel pit where the Rio Gashan is diverted into many different channels. Hansen lost the main flow, but found it later near the town of Sacrafamilia, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 5, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water kayak team from left, Simon Yerovi, (Chile), Tino Specht (USA), Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) and West Hansen (USA) in the raft, and Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) pass under the Chiquia suspension bridge over the Rio Mantaro near Surcubamba, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 2, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water kayak team members from left, West Hansen (USA), Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru), Tino Specht (USA), Rafael Ortiz (Mexico), Simon Yerovi, (Chile) celebrate after their take out of the Rio Mantaro at the Chiquia bridge after three days unsupported in the river.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 2, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition team members from left, John Maika, West Hansen, and Jeff Wueste gather round the campfire in the valley of the Rio Gashan. Hansen had stopped at this point weeks prior to jump into the white water of the Rio Mantaro. The team returned so that Hansen could finish this portion.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 5, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen paddles in the Rio Gashan as team members Jeff Wueste and John Maika return to the support vehicle in the valley of the Rio Gashan. Hansen had stopped at this point weeks prior to jump into the white water of the Rio Mantaro. The team returned so that Hansen could finish this portion.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 5, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water kayak team from left, Tino Specht (USA), Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) and West Hansen (USA) in the raft, and Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) pass under the Chiquia suspension bridge over the Rio Mantaro near Surcubamba, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 2, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) and raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) paddle toward the huge blast of water released from the pipes coming out of the mountain at ElectroPeru, S.A. in Campo Armio, Peru. Water from Rio Mantaro is piped 19.8 km downhill through the mountains from Tablachaca Dam to Campo Armio, forming Peru's largest hydroelectric complex creating 900 megawatts of power.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru, August 31, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) and raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) paddle toward the huge blast of water released from the pipes coming out of the mountain at ElectroPeru, S.A. in Campo Armio, Peru. Water from Rio Mantaro is piped 19.8 km downhill through the mountains from Tablachaca Dam to Campo Armio, forming Peru's largest hydroelectric complex creating 900 megawatts of power.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru, August 31, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) and raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) paddle toward the huge blast of water released from the pipes coming out of the mountain at ElectroPeru, S.A. in Campo Armio, Peru. Water from Rio Mantaro is piped 19.8 km downhill through the mountains from Tablachaca Dam to Campo Armio, forming Peru's largest hydroelectric complex creating 900 megawatts of power.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru, August 31, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water kayak team from left, Tino Specht (USA), Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) and West Hansen (USA) in the raft, and Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) pass under the Chiquia suspension bridge over the Rio Mantaro near Surcubamba, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 2, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Chifa restaurant in Surcubamba, Peru, 28 kim above the Rio Mantaro. Chifa is a style of Chinese cooking with ingredients originally used from China are substituted with those available in Peru. The mural of the Latin American bullfighter (Peru does host bullfights) and the Chinese dragon illustrate the unique cultural differences behind the chifa restaurants.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru September 2, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Cow grazes on a small plot of land behind a home in Colcabamba, Peru. The Ayni hand sign is from a recent election. The word Ayni comes from the language of an old native culture called Aymara based in Peru and Bolivia, and it means 'today for you, tomorrow for me.' Ayni is based on the idea of reiprocity: working together as a group for the group, a sharing of ideas and resources, helping one another and having a sense of responsibility for each other.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 31, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water raft guide Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) prepares his raft for the 60-mile unsupported paddle down the Rio Mantaro.at the confluence of the Rio Huarpa. He made the sterling silver necklace shaped like a white water kayak at home.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 28, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team members Tino Specht (USA), left, and Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) swat at the no-see-ums along the Rio Huarpa where it joins the Rio Mantaro at Peru. They were preparing their gear for the 60-mile unsupported paddle down the Rio Mantaro.
Amazon Express expedition in , Peru August 28, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team member Simon Yerovi (Chile) carries his kayak up a creek after pulling out of the Rio Mantaro before Represa Tablachaca due to illness from the contaminated river water.
Amazon Express expedition in the Mantaro River downstream from Izcuchaca, Peru August 25, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team member Simon Yerovi (Chile) carries his kayak through a cactus field up from the Rio Mantaro. Yerovi was feeling very ill from the contaminated river water. Two other white water members also became ill that night.
Amazon Express expedition in the Mantaro River downstream from Izcuchaca, Peru August 25, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition white water team paddles down Rio Mantaro downstream from Izcuchaca on their way to Tablachaca Dam. Front to back, Rafael Ortiz (Mexico), Tino Specht (USA), Simon Yerovi (Chile), Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) and West Hansen (USA).
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 25, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team members Tino Specht (USA), right, and Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru) drive their raft through rapids in the Rio Mantaro. Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) in kayak behind the raft.
Amazon Express expedition in the Mantaro River downstream from Huancayo, Peru August 24, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team member Simon Yerovi (Chile) gets a fire going to warm up team members as expedition leader West Hansen (USA) makes a satellite phone call after the raft team flipped and paddlers were forced to swim in the white water on the Rio Mantaro.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 20, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX), right, and Tino Specht maneuver through the Rio Gashan after leaving Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru. Lago Agococha is possibly the dry season source of the Amazon River.
Amazon Express expedition on Rio between Alpamarca and San Pedro de Racco, Peru August 19, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water tteam members Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) and expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) come out of Lago Agococha into Rio Gashan near Alpamarca, Peru. Lago Agococha is possibly the dry season source of the Amazon River.
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru August 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water tteam members Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) in the yellow kayak and expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) come out of Lago Agococha into Rio Gashan near Alpamarca, Peru. Lago Agococha is possibly the dry season source of the Amazon River.
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru August 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) maneuvers white water in the Rio Gashan after leaving Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru. Lago Agococha is possibly the dry season source of the Amazon River.
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru August 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team members John Maika (Austin, TX), left, Rafael Ortiz (Mexico), right, and expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) , back, portage their kayaks around a llama pen during a snow storm shortly after the start of white water kayaking out of Lago Acucocha.
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Acucocha near Alpamarca, Peru August 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX), left, follows John Maika and Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) who are helping team member Jeff Wueste portage their kayaks through a snow storm shortly after the start of white water kayaking out of Lago Agococha,
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru August 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team members Rafael Ortiz (Mexico), left, and John Maika help team member Jeff Wueste, center, return to camp through a snow storm shortly after the start of white water kayaking out of Lago Agococha,
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru August 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express team members from bottom, Rafael Ortiz (Mexico), Jeff Wueste (Austin, TX), John Maika (Austin, TX) and expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) come out of Lago Agococha into the outflow canal near Alpamarca, Peru. Lago Agococha is possibly the dry season source of the Amazon River.
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru August 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express team members from bottom, Rafael Ortiz (Mexico), Jeff Wueste (Austin, TX), John Maika (Austin, TX) and expedition leader West Hansen (Austin, TX) come out of Lago Agococha into the outflow canal near Alpamarca, Peru. Lago Agococha is possibly the dry season source of the Amazon River.
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru August 18, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express team member Jeff Wueste of Austin, Texas sleeps off altitude sickness on the shore of Lago Agacocha white expedition members scouted for the dry season source of the Amazon River. Team member John Maika, also from Austin rests as wel.
Amazon Express expedition at Lago Agococha near Alpamarca, Peru August 17, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team manager David Kelly jumps out to push the white water raft over shallow water after crossing Lago Agococha in search of the dry season source of the Amazon River high in the Andes mountains near Alpamarca, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 17, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express white water team manager David Kelly looks back to the kayakers as team members paddle the white water raft across Lago Agococha in search of the dry season source of the Amazon River high in the Andes mountains near Alpamarca, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 17, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition team members prepare to load onto the white water raft as white water pro kayakers Juan Antonio de Ugarte (Peru), left, and Rafael Ortiz (Mexico) splash into Lago Agococha en route to searching for the dry season source of the Amazon River high in the Andes mountains.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 17, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Amazon Express expedition team member and Peruvian white water kayak specialist Juan Antonio de Ugarte makes a satellite phone call during a scouting trip along the Rio Mantaro at the confluence of the Rio Huarpa downstream from Huancayo.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 13, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
White water pro kayaker Tino Specht, right, helps Amazon Express raft guide Simon Yerovi from Chile pump up the white water raft before crossing Lago Acucocha near Alpamarca, Peru in search of the dry season source of the Amazon River high in the Andes mountains.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 17, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Previous Amazon River explorer Piotr Chmielinski, center, gives light to Amazon Express members John Maika, left, and Jeff Wueste as they prepare the white water kayaks with camera mounts in the courtyard of Hotel Mi Abuela VIP in Huancayo, Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Huancayo, Peru August 12, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Alex Chmielinski, 15, dances with local residents of Izcuchaca, Peru as they celebrate the Feast Day of their patron saint Santiago in their town square. Alex is the son of Amazon River explorer Piotr Chmielsinki who is helping guide the Amazon Express team to a possible new source of the Amazon River high in the Andes mountains of Peru.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 11, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel
Alex Chmielinski, 15, sits atop a white water kayak as Isabella Hansen, 13, watches the van as the Amazon Express team picks up the white water raft at a shipping company in Lima, Peru. Alex is the son of Amazon River explorer Piotr Chmielsinki who is helping guide the Amazon Express team to a possible new source of the Amazon River high in the Andes mountains of Peru. Isabella is the daughter of Amazon Express leader West Hansen who will be attempting to paddle the Amazon from possibly a new source to the Atlantic Ocean.
Amazon Express expedition in Peru August 10, 2012.
Photo by Erich Schlegel