Paucartambo: The Rest of the River

Paucartambo: The Rest of the River
Presented by the Kern River Valley Art Association
Join the Kern River Valley Art Association for a special one-night-only premiere of Paucartambo: The Rest of the River, an extraordinary documentary that captures one of the greatest whitewater expeditions ever filmed.
Step into one of the most daring river expeditions ever captured on film. Paucartambo: The Rest of the River follows a team of legendary American kayakers on a perilous 19-day descent of Peru's remote and unmapped Paucartambo River—dropping over 13,000 vertical feet from the Andes to the Amazon Basin in what was, at the time, the greatest sustained vertical descent ever completed in kayaking history.
Originally filmed in 1986 and awarded the People's Choice Award at the Banff Mountain Film Festival, this landmark documentary goes far beyond adventure. It reveals the reality of expedition life through relentless rapids, exhausting portages, and complete isolation where rescue was impossible. Along the journey, the team also encounters the Quechua people, offering a rare and meaningful glimpse into life along one of Peru's most powerful rivers.
Now painstakingly restored from the original 16mm film to stunning 4K resolution, audiences will experience breathtaking visuals and a newly created immersive soundscape unlike anything seen before.
Following the feature presentation, enjoy a live Q&A with Emmy Award-winning director John Armstrong and members of the original expedition, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, challenges, and reflections from this historic first descent.
The evening also includes a bonus screening of Paucartambo: Inca River, documenting the team's original 1985 expedition and first attempt to descend the river from its highest source.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Hosted by: Kern River Valley Art Association
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Movie Premiere Begins: 7:00 PM