Salt de Sallent, Rupit, Catalunya

Salt de Sallent, #2, Rupit, Catalunya, 2025

“Be careful crossing the waterfall, it’s a fatal spot.”

– Karl Meltzer, Ultramarathoner

“With meditation, I found a ledge above the waterfall of my thoughts.”

– Mary Pipher, Psychologist and Author

A White Water Wonderland

The massive spring rains of late have started to put a big dent in the long running drought in these parts. Reservoirs that, until now, had been running on near empty, are slowly filling up. According to the Generalitat de Catalunya, last year the total amount of water in reserve (sitting in reservoirs) was at a very worrisome 16%–we are now at 61% (partial sigh of relief). No, we–like California–aren’t out of the dry woods yet, but the trend is most excellent.

And with all that rain coming down, the waterfalls are flowing nicely and all is green, green, green, providing some unique opportunities for photography.

Salt de Sallent

This fall, near the village of Rupit, is well-known here in Catalunya as it has the largest total drop to be found in the region–some 115 meters, or about 377 feet. For much of the year (and past dry years), the flow has been pretty light, even dribbling, so much less a spectacle. These days, though, it’s running happy, joyous, and free.

The next day, same tripod spot as for the above image, as the fog rolls in…

Salt de Sallent, #4, Rupit, Catalunya, 2025

Yet another day and a different angle from the above, this one from the typical fenced tourist viewpoint. To get here, I had to hike down along the east side of the creek from the village of Rupit as it was impossible to cross the head of the falls coming from the usual parking area…

Salt de Sallent, #5, Rupit, Catalunya, 2025

Once I have photographed the grand panorama, I start moving in closer. The wind generated by the plunging water was buffeting and biting (note the movement in the foreground twigs and grass)…