Ribeira Dos Caldeirōes Park
On Thursday, July 20th, I went to Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park. There are several waterfalls at the park. The biggest and most famous waterfall known is the Bride’s Veil. It is a prominent feature when you enter the park.
Bride’s Veil Waterfall
The park includes five historic water mills and many more waterfalls.
A view of Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park
A Waterfall
The photo above is a 10m waterfall just a short hike behind Bride’s Veil waterfall.
Canyoning Experience
There are water activities as well. I participated in a canyoning experience.
Kevin Ready To Go Canyoning
We hiked up, following a trail behind Bride’s Veil waterfall. It was a 20-minute hike to reach our starting point. We reached a rocky stream. The water was very cool, but everyone seemed happy to sit on the rocks and in the water after our hike in wetsuits. Here, the guides gave us a safety briefing before continuing on.
Zip Line
Then, we started to hike downstream with little current. The first waterfall we came upon on our hike and the pool below it were not ideal for the planned activity. Our guides set up a zip line on the spot using the rappelling gear.
One guide emphasized the safety requirements and connected us to the zip line. The other guide was already below, controlling the line tension. Each of us took our turn zipping down to the bottom.
Natural Waterslide
After the zipline experience, we had a short hike through the rocky stream. The water was not moving very fast. When we stopped, we were at the top of another waterfall. We walked across to the other side. One by one the guide sat us down and told us to cross our arms over our chest, fingers reaching for our shoulder. Then he said lean back. At that moment, he grabbed our harness and gave us a gentle tug to get us started. We slid down on our backs into a deep pool of water 5 meters below.
7-Meter Jump
At the bottom, was the other guide. He explained if we wanted to jump into the pool from the rocks above (where he was pointing), we were to swim over to a rope hanging down and climb up. We were to wait for his partner there.
He noticed me taking pictures earlier. When I swam to the rope, he asked if I wanted him to take my picture. I said, “Sure!”
Most of our group of ten people selected the option to climb back up on a rope and make the 7-meter jump into the pool.
I’ve jumped out of helicopters, but I had some angst about doing this. Maybe it was the dark forested area and jumping into a pool just 10 feet square, or maybe I’m getting older and it’s a survival instinct… Of course, I’d choose the former rather than the latter. I remembered my jump training… “count 1…2…3…” If you didn’t jump by three, you won’t do it!
So, I stepped to the edge. The guide explained the square area below. He said, “Look for the area between the base of this cliff and the one opposite, stay away from the waterfall on your left. Aim for the middle” I thought to myself 1… take a deep breath 2… And my legs just did it! I swear it was muscle memory and I did not make a conscious decision to jump. It didn’t matter, I was falling through the air, arms rotating… I believe it is an instinctive movement for trying to fly! LOL
Jumping into the pool
In the photo above, the rocks below my feet are the top of the waterfall that we slid down.
A couple of seconds later, I splashed down and wished I could do that again. It was exhilarating!
My wish was granted!
It was an exhilarating experience
A Long Leap
We had a short walk along the stream to reach our next obstacle. It was a jump… no slide… no options here! We stood at the top of another water. The water rolled off the rock and plummeted straight down 15 feet into a pool. I was second in line.
I could hear The guide say “Jump out as far as you can” to the girl ahead of me. They must have known she had fears. She did not opt to do the previous jump. This was not as high, and the target area was much larger.
One guide was already in the pool. He had jumped first. He swam to the middle and called for her to jump to him. She barely pushed off and fell short. I could hear the gasp from the guide next to me. She made it… no issues. He gave me very clear instructions to jump out as far as I could.
The guide below was swimming back towards the rocks at the far end. I launched myself out as far as I could. I popped up and gave the signal that I was ok by tapping my helmet twice. The guide was right next to me. He shouted out and gave me a high five!
The Rappel
At the final waterfall, we rappelled 10 meters down a rock cliff alongside a broad waterfall.
Under a waterfall after rappelling down
Just for scale… This is the third waterfall shown at the top of this post. In that photo, it looks small.
I had the most amazing time! I couldn’t imagine there being anything better to do on a hot sunny day!
When I arrived back in Ponta Delgada. I went to the adventure outift’s office and signed up for the intermediate Canyoning experience.
On Sunday, July 23rd, I took a van from Ponta Delgada to Salto do Cabrito. This area is a natural park with hiking trails and steep terrain. Salto Do Carbito is actually the name of the 40-meter waterfall.
Intermediate Canyoning
There is a hydroelectric plant at the bottom of the falls. This is where we started.
We had a long walk up two stairways, which brought us to the top of Salto do Cabrito.
After a short rest at the older Hydroelectric plant located near the top, we continued on along a narrow path through a dense forest area. This hike was relatively flat. We were traversing the hillside parallel to the stream about 30 feet below us.
Then, the guide stopped and told us not to touch the rock… we will get burned. A little smoke was coming out of some of the cracks. Sure enough, when I put my hand close to the rock, it was like holding your hand over the flame of a gas stove… very hot!
Hot Rocks from Volcanic Activity
At this point, we started to descend down to the stream. We were told to leave a large gap between the person in front of us and ourselves. It was okay to grab thicker plants, branches, and rocks if needed, but not another person! Sit down and slide if necessary.
Once we reached the stream, we sat down. Although the guide was different than Thursday’s Canyoning, he knew I had done the other adventure. He looks at me, leans over, and says, “This water is much warmer than Ribeira dos Caldeirões, isn’t it?” I had to agree. This water was much warmer but still refreshing.
After everyone was seated in and around the stream, we were again given the safety briefing… just as before.
This time we were going to rappel three waterfalls. Then jump into a pool at the end. The guide next to me said this was not greatly different that Thursday, the rappels are longer and a little more technical. It should be a fun afternoon for me.
First Waterfall
Then we took a walk through the stream to the first obstacle. This was a 12-meter rappel alongside a waterfall. It was very basic and similar to Thursday’s rappel.
Rappelling the First Waterfall
After completing this, we once again walked along the stream. This was a longer walk stepping on and dodging rocks in the stream until we reached our next obstacle.
Upper Half of Salt do Cabrito
The whole reason for me taking this adventure was this obstacle!! We were going to rappel the upper half of Salto do Cabrito. It was a 15-meter rappel. Along the way, we had to go through the waterfall and then back out again.
During each individual’s briefing, we were told when the water starts to hit your helmet, Do Not Look Up! Keep looking at the rocks, or look down and most importantly, keep moving. That way you will come out of the water quickly. They talked as if that was the hardest part of the rappel.
For me, it was the first step. While standing on the edge of the cliff, just inches away from the drop, I had to step out with my right foot and around a corner to the rockface. I was now straddling the 50-foot drop! Now I had to lean back to put pressure on the rappelling line as I brought my left foot over. After taking that step, the rest seemed easy!
The first couple of feet went slowly as I went past the first overhanging rock. Then I quickly descended into the waterfall. I paused to take in the sensation and then moved on quickly. It really only lasted a second or two, but was a rush! After that, it was a matter of reaching the bottom. I felt like I was getting the hang of this.
Rappelling the Second Waterfall
Family Affair
When I reached the bottom, the guide told me I did good! I felt like this was a good accomplishment. I slowly swam in the pool to those in the group that were already down… Mostly, it was this Canadian family from Montreal.
The parents had decided a couple of years ago… Taking a holiday to lounge around was a waste of time and money. They could easily lounge around at home, So, for their vacations, they would focus on adventures and expanding their and their children’s life experiences.
As I swam towards them, the mother gave me a friendly warning. I was swimming towards the next waterfall. Then she pointed to my left. I moved far right after that. I did not want to be the person swept over the edge!
Canadian Family from Montreal
Lower Half of Salto do Cabrito
Somehow, either everyone strategically moved, or I was inadvertently standing in the wrong place. Because I was first to go. I hate going first!
This third and final rappel was alongside the lower section of Salto do Cabrito. We rappelled a little more than halfway to a rock where one guide was waiting. A simple 4-meter rappel. Then a 3-meter jump into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall.
Rappelling the Third Waterfall
The End of Canyoning… For Now
This was a good opportunity to see the others actually rappel. The guides told us to keep our feet on the rock, not the ball of our foot, but the entire foot. So, I naturally followed his instructions and always concentrated on doing that. It was difficult at first, but I would re-position myself to correct my feet when I was on the ball of the foot and then continue on.
Watching the others… Let’s just say, most of them hung by their rappelling device, feet dangling in the air as they lower themselves. So, no judgment, but I felt good about my experience and my ability to handle this more difficult adventure.
It’s too bad this is so expensive. I would do it twice a week if I could! For now, It’s time to move on… not to a more canyoning adventure, but to something entirely different for next week. I don’t know what that will be at this time. So, come back in a week to ten days and see what I write about next.