The only way to reach distant parts of Ilha Maracá was by boat around the channels and then to cut a trail into the forest.
River travel on the Furo de Santa Rosa (northern channel) was relatively easy in the wet season, but much more difficult and time consuming during the dry season when boat-hauling and portage around rapids were necessary. Getting past one set of rapids could take many hours and it was not unusual to start in the morning and still be in sight of the starting point in the late afternoon.
The Furo de Maracá (southern channel) was largely impassible most of the time but one expedition did manage to circum-navigate the entire island.
Mark O'Shea driving a 30ft Myongong indian dugout on the
Furo de Santa Rosa, the northern channel of the
Rio Uraricoera, the two channels of which
completely encapsulate the 120,000 hectare Ihla Maracá.
(note snake grab always handy in foreground)
Out-board engine repairs on the Furo de Santa Rosa.
When you only have one spare cotter-pin
you don't want to drop it in deep water.
The southern channel, the Furo de Maracá,
in the dry season.
Hauling a boat up the northern channel, the
Furo de Santa Rosa, in the dry season.
Hauling a boat up the northern channel, the
Furo de Santa Rosa, in the dry season.
Our basic camp on the northern tip of Ilha Maracá.
It took three days of hauling boats to reach this point.
