Back from Tuichi

When their raft hung up on a rock in the rapids of the Amazon's Tuichi River, one adventurer tried to dislodge it and fell overboard. He swam to shore. Strong currents swept the raft downstream, sending the author over the falls below. The ill-fated journey had begun in Bolivia a month earlier, in the early 1980s, when Ghinsberg, an Israeli, and a Swiss and an American companion agreed to go into the interior with an Austrian who had worked there for several years. They moved off the beaten track of backpackers and went into the jungle, but soon split up; two headed back to La Paz, while Ghinsberg and the American, identified only as Kevin, continued downriver. They had no map, compass or gun. Ghinsberg survived the falls and made it to shore, recovering the small ``life pack'' with a first aid kit, flashlight, matches, a poncho and small amount of food. For 20 days he wandered the river; he encountered no humans. He was near starvation when he was rescued by Kevin, who had mustered a search party of Indians. No trace has ever been found of the other two. A remarkable tale of daring. (Jan.)