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→Before you depart: Choose
====Before you depart: Choose====
'''The GPT or something else?'''
Don’t take it for granted that the GPT is your trail. If you look for some “normal” hikes in Patagonia with limited time available then I suggest visiting the national parks and bus in between. There are good guide books available that describe numerous established hiking routes in more detail. In particular if you don’t speak Spanish stick to these better known and more visited places that you find i.e. in the “Lonely Planet – Hiking in Patagonia” guide book.
Be honest with yourself! If you answer any of these questions with “No” than this trail might disappoint you, drive you into frustration or put you in harm’s way.But coming to the conclusion that the GPT is not (yet?) the right choice for you does not mean that you can't explore parts of it. '''If choosing something else''' You can opt for the more established trails in the national parks. Check out the available trekking guide books i.e. the "Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes" from Carolyn McCarthy. This is how I started and what inspired me years later to investigate the GPT. An other excellent option to explore parts of the GPT in a more controlled manner is a horse riding trip. This gives you an excellent insight into the arriero culture. I can actually recommend you the horse riding guides that opened our eyes for the fascinating Maule region and section GPT07 of the Greater Patagonian Trail. We made four extended horse riding tours with Danilo and Llito and the GPT would not exist in the current form without them. You can get in contract with them on [http://www.chile-horseriding.com/ www.chile-horseriding.com]. Also if you plan to hike on the GPT and you look for a variation to the hiking routine or if you simply love to riding on horses consider to combine your hike on the GPT with a horse riding trip.
'''If choosing the GPT'''
If you opt to hike on the GPT than you must take several decision while you prepare your hike.
