Ribeira da Água Negra (superior)

Usually low but flowing; normal in December. After rain it flows from the start to 25 Fontes and gains another life in winter. In September 2024 it dried up after R4 with only stagnant pools until the final waterfall. The narrow sections could be hard to manage in heavy rain.

Bolts are generally OK. The ropes and maillons on natural anchors were for years stiff and faded and in need of replacement; since October 2023 the natural-anchor ropes are close to brand new. Hangers were replaced in April 2018 to ease rebelays; the R9 maillon was replaced in 2015. Additions by September 2024: two hangers on the lower tree in the centre of R2 (avoiding the severe rub; can be rebelayed straight from R1 but exposed in high flow); a bolted 6m rappel on the left bank between R4 and R5 avoiding an awkward downclimb; a two-bolt rebelay 35m below R12 in the centre (50m ropes now possible); and a two-bolt rebelay at 25m on the 25 Fontes fall making R13 retrieval easier, though drilled in somewhat fractured rock. R12 should ideally be moved one metre higher, as the rock there is riddled with holes and starting to crack; in December 2024 the left hanger of R12 was becoming compromised (rappel done with 65m). R12 can be done with 60m rope by exiting onto an easily downclimbed ramp. The R13 deviation can be skipped by managing rub. Note that the handrail for R11 is on the left bank, not the right.

Strong rope rub on R2. Bramble is gaining ground and some passages are becoming difficult.

Easy approach and exit; the Pico Fernandes access/exit paths were cleaned and restored in March 2021; many escape routes are visible, including before and midway through the big verticals. Exit from R13 via a path on the right bank.