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Greater Patagonian Trail

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{{borradorIndexed}}[[category:KMZconTrack]]{{RutaForm2RutaForme
|Actividad=Trekking
|País=Argentina, Chile
|CiudadesArgentina=El Bolsón
|CiudadesChile=CuricóSantiago
|BellezaEscenica=Impresionante
|Atractivos=Vistas panorámicas, Glaciar, Bosque, Flora atractiva, Fauna atractiva, Lago, Laguna, Río, Fiordos, Formación Geológica, Cascada, Parque Nacional
|DuraciónDuracion=más de 90 días|Dificultad Física=Exigente|Dificultad Técnica=Alta
|Sendero=Tramos sin sendero
|Señalizacion=Insuficiente
|Infraestructura=Inexistente
|TipoTrekComparteIdayRetorno=RecorridoCruce|Latitud1=-38|Longitud1=-73|Distancia=1350 km.3035000|MetrosAscenso=116000|MetrosDescenso=116000|Comentarios distancia=Regular Route (Hiking Option and Packrafting Option without Exploration Sections)|DesnivelAltitudMedia=50.000 metros900
|Primer Autor=Jan Dudeck
|Tipo de Extensión Imagen=jpg|Imágen Principal=Main IMG Greater Patagonian TrailGreater_patagonian_trail.JPGjpg |ComentariosImagen=Sector Descabezado, View to Laguna CaracolGPT16: [[Volcán Mocho]] on the background. |KMLZ=Greater Patagonia TrailGPT_Minimized_NOT_FOR_HIKING_AND_PACKRAFTING.kmz|ComentariosMapa=<span style="background-color:#808080; color:RED">'''Red:'''</span> Section 1, 3, 5, 7, 9: Regular Trekking Trail (No packraft required) <br><span style="background-color:#808080; color:MAGENTA">'''Magenta:'''</span> Section 2, 4, 6, 8, 10: Regular Trekking Trail (No packraft required) <br><span style="background-color:#808080; color:blue">'''Blue:'''</span> Section 11, 13, 15: Packraft Trail (Packraft recommended, if not avaialble use Alternative Trails) <br><span style="background-color:#808080; color:CYAN">'''Cyan:'''</span> Section 12, 14, 16: Packraft Trail (Packraft recommended, if not avaialble use Alternative Trails) <br><span style="background-color:#808080; color:ORANGE">'''Orange:'''</span> Optional Side Trips i.e. climbs to summits of volcanos <br><span style="background-color:#808080; color:ORANGE">'''Orange:'''</span> Alternative Trails i.e. alternative trails around lakes if no packraft available <br>|width=600|height=1800
|TipoDeMap=HYBRID
|ComentariosMapa=GPT SAMPLE Minimized (NOT FOR HIKING AND PACKRAFTING) {{colores|red|Trail.}}{{colores|blue|Packraft.}}{{colores|blue|Packraft.}}
}}
==General Description==
[[Archivo:Laguna_Los_Hornitos.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Greater Patagonian Trail: Pass 2540 m viewing to Laguna Los Hornitos. Imagen: Jan Dudeck]]
To be issued.
<br style==Images==[http"clear:both" //www.panoramio.com/user/7876187?show=best Here you find a selection of images from all 16 sections of the Greater Patagonian Trail.]>
==Trail Sections==The entire trail consists of 16 sections that require between 2 to 10 days each. Every section connects seamless with the following section and starts and ends near a road with public transportation. Therefore each section can be hiked as an individual trail or several sections can be combined to a longer trip.{{Table all GPTs}}
The sections 2 and 3 can be combined with an lovely optional trial through a pristine area that bypasses the small village and the road at the finish of section 2 and start of section 3. This double section makes a true long distance endurance challange.<br style="clear:both" />
{| class="wikitable"! Section Name! Number! Distance! Ascent! Descent! Days! Time|-| Volcán Descabezado| GPT01| 103 km| 4970 m ↑| 4870 m ↓| 6 - 10 d| 34 h|-| Laguna Dial| GPT02| 144 km| 5390 m ↑| 5430 m ↓| 7 - 10 d| 43 h|-| Volcán Chillan| GPT03| 129 km| 6420 m ↑| 5820 m ↓| 7 - 10 d| 42 h|-| Optional: Long Distance Challange| GPT02-03| 279 km| 12710 m ↑| 12100 m ↓| 14 - 21 d| 89 h|-| Volcán Antuco| GPT04| 57 km| 1380 m ↑| 1770 m ↓| 3 - 5 d| 15 h|-| Laguna El Barco| GPT05| 43 km| 1490 m ↑| 1500 m ↓| 2 - 4 d| 13 h|-| Guallali| GPT06| 50 km| 2530 m ↑| 2270 m ↓| 3 - 4 d| 17 h|-| Laguna Marinanqui| GPT07| 82 km| 2870 m ↑| 3030 m ↓| 5 - 7 d| 24 h|-| Laguna Icalma and Volcán Sollpulli| GPT08| 96 km| 2600 m ↑| 2800 m ↓| 5 - 7 d| 27 h|-| Curarrehue| GPT09| 70 km| 1860 m ↑| 1680 m ↓| 3 - 5 d| 19 h|-| Volcán Quetrupillan| GPT10| 59 km| 2080 m ↑| 2870 m ↓| 3 - 5 d| 18 h|-| Neltume| GPT11| 57 km| 950 m ↑| 570 m ↓| 3 - 4 d| 14 h|-| Lago Pirihueico| GPT12| 86 km| 2210 m ↑| 2720 m ↓| 4 - 6 d| 24 h|-| Volcán Puyehue| GPT13| 70 km| 2980 m ↑| 2700 m ↓| 4 - 6 d| 22 h|-| Volcán Antillanca| GPT14| 39 km| 1800 m ↑| 2040 m ↓| 3 - 4 d| 13 h|-| Lago Todos Los Santos| GPT15| 83 km| 2100 m ↑| 2190 m ↓| 4 - 6 d| 22 h|-| Cochamo| GPT16| 145 km| 4850 m ↑| 4690 m ↓| 7 - 10 d| 42 h|}=Introduction==
==Trail Types==[[File:GPT01-P0115.jpg|thumb|500px|right|GPT06: The volcanos Descabezado Grande and Cerro Azul with the Laguna Caracol to their feet. Image: Jan Dudeck]]When planning [[File:GPT08-Arriero.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Arriero at the trip I always prefered hiking or horse trailsbase of the Vulcano Antuco. Where possible I avoided roads, Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT06-P0005.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT11: Araucaria trees in particular roads with some trafficthe Pehuenche homeland. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT13-P0028.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT18: Cross Country walking on volcanic ash at Cordon Caulle after recent eruption. File: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT28-Rio_Palena.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT28: Packrafting the Río Palena. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT_Glaciar_O'Higgins. Paved roads were jpg|thumb|500px|GPT38: Glaciar O'Higgins coming down from the last choiseSouthern Icefield.Image: Jan Dudeck]]
Cross country was only an option in open terrain where you do not need The Greater Patagonian Trail (GPT) is a mnchetelong-distance route network in the southern Andes that spans from the outskirts of Santiago all the way to southern Patagonia.
{| class="wikitable"
! Trail Type
! Distance
! Percentage
! Comment
|-
| Minor Dirt Road
| 532 km
| 40.6%
| Also abandoned roads or closed private roads
|-
| Hiking or Horse Trail
| 486 km
| 37.1%
| Mostly visible trail
|-
| Lake (Packraft)
| 95 km
| 7.3%
| Alternative option available if not carrying a packraft
|-
| Mayor Dirt Road
| 83 km
| 6.3%
| Public dirt roads with moderate traffic
|-
| Cross Country
| 73 km
| 5.6%
| No visible trail though open landscape
|-
| To be verfied
| 15 km
| 1.2%
| Alternative option available if not in explorers mood
|-
| River (Packraft)
| 15 km
| 1.1%
| Alternative option available if not carrying a packraft
|-
| Paved Road
| 11 km
| 0.8%
| Few shorter segments at the start or finish of a section
|-
| Total
| 1311 km
| 100.0%
|
|}
==Expected Duration==Hiking the complete It’s a stunningly beautiful and diverse trail requires approxsystem that guides you from the semi-desert of the Precordillera into scenic Andes valleys. 90 to 120 days. This inculdes some rest days The trails cross numerous dormant and resupply bus trips active volcanos with partially healed volcanic scars and fresh open wounds from recent eruptions. You can take a dip in more than a dozen hot springs along the way to nearby townsdraw from this energy.
==Recommended Season== If Continuing, you plan to hike will dive into the entire trail starting twilight of lush green temperate rainforest lined by snow covered mountains. Numerous passes and high plains get you above the tree line into barren terrain with section 1 broad views. Crystal clear rivers descend from these mountains and feed deep blue lakes along the way. If you should leave within Decemberpackraft you can paddle over lakes and float down rivers all the way into the Patagonian fjords where the Pacific Ocean hits the ragged coast.
On the first sections several rivers and high passes need to be crossed. In particular high river-water-levels during snowmelt may make the river crossings difficult and dangerous until early December. Therefore leaving before December may put you in risk when crossing rivers and passes. If you leave after December you may be surprised by the heralds of the winter before reaching the finish.
If Eventually you do not insist in hiking all trail sections in reach the correct sequence you have more options when and where to start. If you have a packraft you may in example set out already in late October or November at the start Southern Patagonian Icefield, one of section 11 in Coñaripe (first packraft section). This also give you the advantage of floating down the river Caucuá with a comfortable high riverworld's largest extra-water-level during snow meltpolar Icefields. Once you reached Here giant rock towers stab into the finish sky and enormous glaciers calve colossal blocks of section 16 your can travel by bus to the start of section 1 an hike to the point where you started the tripice into wind battered lakes.
==Trekking Direction==
The generally recommended trekking direction is southbound even if most sections can be hiked in either direction.
Some sections require an entrance permit if On the northern part of the route you hike northboundwill meet solitary cowboys (In Chile called arrieros or puesteros) with their animals. This limitation applies Every spring the livestock is moved on higher ground to section 1, 2-3 graze on mountain pastures. The trail later crosses the homeland of the indigenous Pehuenche (one of the Mapuche tribes) where majestic Araucaria trees tower above the tribal land and 12provide the traditional food for these sometimes shy and sometimes proud people. Without an entrance permit When going further south you may be “kicked out” but if will meet courageous settlers that have ventured into the challenging back-country of Patagonia. If you walk southbound are interested, you may be asked can listen to leave their stories while sitting around the property in warm stove and sharing the direction that you traditional drink of this region: Mate. These authentic encounters are hiking anywaypart of the beauty of this trail.
Also for section 11 the southbound limitation applies but for a different reason. Only in this direction you can float down the river Caucuá with your packraft. If you want to hike section 11 northbound you need to take a rather boring dirt road with moderate traffic.
For section 15 In countless locations the recommended trekking direction is also southbound. If trail branches into different routes creating a wide network of tracks that gives you go south you can ask shortly before reaching the Lago Todos Los Santos a local settler for a private boat transfermany choices. In You may either walk the other direction this may not work as easy. So if entire distance or you do not have can bring a packraft or if you are unsure that you really want to cross such a rather large lake with a tiny boat than hike the section 15 southboundfloat down rivers and paddle and sail over lakes and fjords.
==Logistical Considerations==
There are no proper shops along the first seven sections of the trail. The first regular food store on the trail comes after 600 km at the finish of section 7. But there is a road with public transportation at the end of each section that gives you the opportunity to take a bus and to travel to the next village or town to resupply. A true through-hike would require the setup of food depots on strategic points along the route.
On this trail, in particular on There are also various volcanoes and other summits along the first seven sections route that can be ascended without rock climbing gear. I have also included optional tracks that get you will meet shepherds on literally into the summer pastures with their annimals (cattle, sheep, goats and horses). Depending last valley on the altutude and the snow melt they migrate up border between October Chile and January and return home in April or MayArgentina. These shepherds, locally called "Postero", live in imporvised permanent shelters, called "Puesto". They bring large quantities remote corners of food with their horses and mules up in the mountains. You may ask them for food, in southern Andes are of particular for flour and bread or whatever they are willing interest to sell. If you are desperate for meet they may sell you a goat or a sheep but be aware, the smallest quantity for sale is typically half an annimal. To communicate with the locals you need hikers that love to be speak Spanishventure into remote back-country.
On section The Main Route currently spans approximately 5 to 10 you will cross '000 km and the Araucania region with plenty entire route network (including all options) contains more than 20'000 km of impressive Araucaria trees. What we liked on this trees were not just the imposing figure of these living fossiles, but the nutritious fruits rich in carbohydrates. The indigious Pehuenche people teached us how to harvest and prepare this food. You can gather these Araucaria "piñoes" between February and Apriltracks.
The product range in smaller villages and towns is limited. In particular dehydrated trekking food may not be offered at all. If you prefer to have some special stuff that you find only in Santiago or that you bring with you from overseas you have the following option: You pack a box with food and other gear in Santiago and send the box with one of the mayor bus companies to a town where you plan a resupply stop. To send the box you do not need any address in this town; all you need to do is making yourself the recipient of your own package. The bus company will ship your box to this town in 1 or 2 days and store it until you pick it up (storage of up to 30 days is free of charge). There you can take out of your box whatever you need and resend the box to the next resupply town.
As a non-Chilean tourist with a regular tourist visa you can stay up If this introduction quickened your appetite to 90 days in Chileexplore this network of trails then don't stop reading here and don't pack your backpack yet. The easiest way to renew your visa GPT is travelling to Argentina before quite different from what you complete your 90 days and return a few days later to Chilemight expect. On reEspecially if you have thru-entry hiked the famous long-distance trails in the US (i.e. the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail) or if you walked on the European pilgrimage trails (i.e. the Camino de Santiago) don't assume that the GPT will normally be granted another 90 daysa similar experience and that you are already prepared for it. This region and this route network is unequal in nature. Some best practices and habits that are important on established trails in the US and Europe would be foolish in Patagonia. Other skills and aptitudes are essential to truly appreciate the Greater Patagonian Trail.
==Recommended Equipment==
A packraft is a light-weight inflatable boat designed to be carried in the backpack when not needed but to carry the backpacker and his backpack over lakes and rivers when he needs it. A packraft is recommended for sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16.
Since I started publishing the GPT, I consulted and surveyed more than one hundred people that attempted to walk major parts of the trail. The majority were absolutely amazed by the land, the people and their experience on the trail. But some hikers quickly aborted or changed their plans. In consequence they missed the best parts of the trail. Interestingly, some of these were experienced hikers and athletic walkers.
[http://www.panoramio.com/user/7876187/tags/Packraft Here you find some images of our packraft.]
In the [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers Manual] I try to rectify potential incorrect assumptions and outline the essentials for hiking and packrafting on this trail network. You should also read the publications of other hikers and packrafters to learn from the diverse experiences on the Greater Patagonian Trail.
The packraft made our trip much more diverse. It was so great to walk to the shore of a lake or river, take the backpack down, inflate the boat, store the gear, take a seat and row off.
At '''Statements about the two larger lakes you can alternatively take a daily ferry (Lago Pirihueco) or a private boat transfer (Lago Todos Los Santos). For all other lakes GPT by Hikers and rivers alternative trails, that circumvent the water are included in the GPS File for Trekking below. So you can bypass on food all water sections if you do not have a packraft or if wind and weather does not permit the crossing of a lake with a rather tiny boat.Packrafters:'''
==GPS File for Trekking==
The KMZ file displayed on the satellite map above is optimized to provide a good overview but does not include waypoints and detailed information for hiking. Therefore the file below should be downloaded and used if you actually plan to hike a section or the entire Greater Patagonian Trail.
Bethany Hughes and Lauren Reed (Fidgit and Neon): "This trail has been the most punishing and the most magical experience of my hiking career to date.”
[[Media:GreaterPatagonianTrail-20140726.kmz|Greater Patagonian Trail with Waypoints, Options and Alternatives (kmz file, update from 2014-Jul-26)]]
Piia Kortsalo and Oliver Barker: "We’re filled with incredible memories of our time on the GPT, and the landscape and culture of the Chilean Andes will stay with us forever. While hiking the GPT was an incredible experience for us, we don't imagine this as the right trail for everyone. The GPT is closer to an idea of a route than an established trail; hikers setting out expecting a well-organized, continuous, marked hiking trail will inevitably be disappointed. The GPT really is a route for a very specific sort of hiker, one who's as interested in natural history and cultural experience as they are in trail miles."
The file is organized in folders and subfolders for a better overview in particular when viewing and organizing the trail on a computer. There is one folder for each section and each section contains a subfolder for waypoints and a subfolder for tracks.
Brian Tanzman (Buck-30): "Honestly, I wouldn't recommend hiking the GPT to any of my thru hiking friends."
===Waypoints===
The waypoints are named with the item of interest of this location. Common items are: Start, River Crossing, Water, Pass, Camp, Refuge, Bus Stop (Finish) and several items more. A running number is added in brackets to be able to refer in the trail description to specific waypoints.
Garrett Martin: "This trail is unlike any other trail in the world and requires detailed planning, determination, physical and mental strength and most importantly - respect for the people and environment along the trail. Throughout our 4-month journey, we discovered the beauty of the Andes Mountain range and the incredibly generous people that call this place their home. If you are considering hiking the GPT, please do so with extreme care for the land and the utmost respect for the locals living in this area.".
Example waypoint name: “Start (GPT01-WP001)”
* StartCarla Lange: Item of interest"The GPT is not a hiking trail, in this case it's an adventure and words do not do my experience on it justice. Travelling on the start GPT was everything but easy (or necessarily fun all the time) but it returned it all and more. Essential pieces of section 1equipment to bring on the GPT are your brain and intuition as well as humbleness, respect and openness for the land and people."
* GPT: Greater Patagonian Trail
* 01Matgorzata (Gosia) Gmerek and Paul Bostelmann: Section 1“The Greater Patagonian Trail Network is a challenging and rewarding adventure that leads one through diverse and breathtaking scenery. Far from crowds and often without seeing other people for days this experience was without a doubt the highlight of our hiking career. Packrafting and exploring the beautiful lakes and rivers allows to reach even deeper into these wonderful and wild ecosystems. This is no ordinary hike and absolute self-reliance and wilderness experience is a must.”
* WP<br style="clear: Waypointboth" />
* 001: Running number==Information to the GPT==
===Tracks===[[File:GPT_Manual.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT Hiker's Manual]]The track [[File:GPT_Settler_(2).jpg|thumb|500px|GPT22: Discussing route options with settlers at the Río Puelo. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT10-Peuenche.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Being guest at a Pehuenche family: Fresh milk, fresh cheese, fresh meat! Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT07-Laguna_del_Maule.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT07: Horse riding with Danilo and Jito (the founder and horse riding guide of each section is broken into smaller segments to differentiate between different trail types[http://www. Each section consists chile-horseriding.com/ www.chile-horseriding.com]) at the dormant Supervolcano Laguna del Maule. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT09-Laguna_de_las_Lajas.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Circling the volcano Antuco. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT18-Lago_Pirihueco.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT18: Camping at the shore of up Lago Pirihueco. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT28P-Ferry.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT28P: Patagonian fjords seen from the ferry on the way from Raul Marin Balmaceda to 20 such trail segmentsPuerto Chacabuco. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
Used The GPT is an informal route network therefore you will not find any “official” information. In the following I list all relevant resources that help to understand the GPT and to get prepared for an adventure on this trail types are:system.
* 0: Cross country (no visible trail)
* 1: Hiking trail or horse trail===This GPT Wikiexplora Article===
* 2: Minor dirt road with no or insignificant traffic (also abandoned road or closed private road)This Wikiexplora article to the GPT is the internet gateway to this trail system. It is the first semi-official landing point for anyone searching information online and provides an introduction to the GPT. Wikiexplora is the cradle where the GPT publication started in 2014 and remains the “online home”.
* 3: Mayor dirt road with moderate traffic
* 4The Wikiexplora article comes with one weakness: Paved roadoffline access while being on the GPT. Therefore, the [http://bit.ly/GPTguide GPT Hikers’ Manual] was created in 2017. With this, the Wikiexplora GPT main article is now neither the only nor the best resource to get ready for an adventure on the GPT but the Wikiexplora articles provides an introduction to anyone “just browsing around”. And the Wikiexplora article gives access to the [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers’ Manual] that can be downloaded from Dropbox.
*?: Not verified trail section (Remains to be hiked and recorded by GPS to update the trail file)
* L: Lake (Packraft)===The GPT Hikers Manual===
* RThe Hikers’ Manual is the primary source of information for the GPT and can be downloaded free of charge at: River (Packraft)http://bit.ly/GPTguide
* S: Sea (Packraft)
* FThe Hikers’ Manual consists of three parts: Ferry
* 1 Introduction and General Information,
* 2 Terrain and Section Information and
* 3 Appendix and Indices.
Example track name: "GPT01-TR006-1"
* Chapter 1 provides a general overview and a good understanding of the nature of the GPT: Greater Patagonian Trail. You should read the entire chapter 1 thoroughly if you consider hiking on this route network because this part of the Hikers’ Manual guides you through your preparation.
* 01: Section 1
* TR: TrackChapter 2 familiarizes you with the geography of the southern Andes and describes each section of the GPT. This local knowledge is essential to thoughtfully select your route on this vast network and to prepare yourself for each section while hiking. Therefore, parts of chapter 2 are important during the preparation phase while other parts will become your guide when hiking on the GPT.
* 006: Running number
* 1: Trail type, in Chapter 3 goes deep into specific topics. You will require this exmaple its a hiking trail expertise for specific tasks e.g. when setting up your GPS or horse trailwhen calculating distances and estimating travel times. The Appendix also contains valuable additional information that contribute to a profound understanding of the GPT and the region.
A "X" The Hikers’ Manual is added not available on paper but only as a PDF document. It is designed to the track name for optional side trips be read on a computer or alternative trailson a smart¬phone while being online or offline. Therefore, it is issued in the screen-friendly 9:16 page format. When reading this document it is best to use full screen slide mode in landscape orientation. Normal vertical scrolling is less practical. Install a suitable app on your smartphone if needed.
Example track name: "GPT01-TR007-0-X"The Greater Patagonian Trail is an informal trail network that grows and changes regularly. And creating and updating the documentation to this evolving trail network relies on voluntary work only. Therefore, this Hikers’ Manual is not expected to be completed in the foreseeable future and will remain a growing and evolving document. This unfinished nature has been made intentionally visible by displaying empty chapters with red “To be issued.” remarks and similar comments in red. This shows what topics are planned to be covered with future updates and where contributions and reviews are welcome.
The "X" at the end means that this is an optional side trip. In this example its the optional climb to the summit of the volcano Descabezado Grande.
===Distances, Ascent, Descent Updates and Walking Time===This trail description contains plenty of numbers for distances, altitudes, ascents, descents additions to chapter 1 and even walking times. All these numbers chapter 3 are based on made first in the "cleaned" GPS track without our occasional seek Hikers’ Manual and search detoursnot simultaneously copied to the Wikiexplora main article. Also all altitudesTherefore, ascents the last published version of the Hikers’ Manual is the most current and descents comprehensive document available of the GPT. Note the publish date on the cover page in the bottom right corner and check occasionally for updates that are based also advertised on a digital map with a quite precise altitude profilethe Facebook group.
These numbers are therefore also free of accumulated "GPS noise" and "barometric altimeter noise" that increase the measured distances, ascents and descents when recording the track by GPS while hiking. So, don't be surprised if your GPS will always indicate longer distances, more ascents and decents even if you stay on the trail. A deviation of 10% is typical.
The walking times provided here are estimated moving times without any breaks and rests. When evalutating our GPS records I was surprised that we did not move nearly one third of You can download the time between leaving the camp in the morning and stopping again in the eveningGPT Hikers' Manual from Dropbox: [http://bit. It did not appear to us that we make such long breaks but the GPS record does not lie. So a walking time of 6 hours means more or less a 9 hour hiking day adding normal breaks to to eat, take pictures, verify navigation, chating with the locals ly/GPTguide Hikers Manual on the trail or harvesting some piñoes.Dropbox]
The estimated walking time is calculated purely based on distances, ascents and descents. I opted to use such a calculation because it removes the unnecessary seek and search detours and the factor of having a good day or a bad day. I developed and verified this calculation method based on all our GPS records and was surprised myself that such a simplified calculation provides quite reliable estimates. The calculated times correspond closely with our actual walking time. If applied to your actual records the average deviation per day is 15 minutes and never more than 50 minutes.
===The used calculation factors are:* 12:23 minutes per km (corresponds with 4.8 km/h on a level trail)* 11:26 minutes per 100 m ascent* 3:44 minutes per 100 m descentWikiexplora GPT Section Articles===
The GPT route network (with currently more than 20’000 km of tracks) is divided into approx. 90 sections. Collecting and updating all essential information to all these sections can’t impossibly be done by a single author but requires the continuous collaboration of the community. To enable such a collaboration one Wikiexplora article was created for each section of the GPT. These factors resulted in wikies collect all the smallest average deviation to our actual moving timesection specific information and are open for edits and additions by all GPT hikers. So hikers that enjoy writing can become a co-author by editing the section descriptions after their return from the GPT.
==Verifications, Additional Options and Extensions==
===Verifications===
The GPS File for Trekking above contains a few not verified track and waypoints because we did not hike all the options and alternatives. This unconfirmed tracks and waypoints are based on satellite images, maps or tales from locals and have a question mark “?” in the name. So you know on what items you can rely on and where your explorer’s skills are needed. Tracks that need to be explored can also be recognized on unnatural straight lines.
Whenever you walk such a not verified trial, you are welcome to record the trail by GPS The informal and send the file with a comment to the author unpredictable nature of the GPT makes it also relevant that hikers quickly exchange updates and advices while travelling on this evolving route network. This can be information to temporary unpassable trail for update of sections, volcano alerts, river conditions or anything that makes you think in hindsight: “I should have known this before!”. In the Wikiexplora section articles, hikers can post such alerts and advices. Additionally, hikers can provide any other beneficial information and suggestion that is not yet included in the GPS Filesection description.
===Additional Options===
If you know a better or simply an interesting alternative trail, that fits well into this Greater Patagonian Trail you are invited to be become co-author by sending your proposal with a GPS File to me. I will review it and incorporate it in the master file. This applies also to helpful new waypoints.
===Extensions===This trail It is not finished yet. There is plenty of terrain left till this trail finally reaches my intention to transfer the southern tip of Patagonia and ends either on updated section information into the Hikers’ Manual before the shores start of each season to make this information available offline (chapter 2.5 Sections with the Magellan street or even on Tierra del Fuegosection documentations). So, if you hiked But all hikers are advised the check the corresponding Wikiexplora GPT section articles before starting a section that extends this trail further south or that simply covers an area that is not included yet you are more than welcome to become a co-author by contributing your trailread the latest updates and alerts of fellow hikers.
The trail should get you further south on a route that is worthwhile hiking. It should consist mainly of horse trails or minor dirt road with no or insignificant traffic. Walking i.e. long distances on the Careterra Austral seams not tempting to me. If I take the Careterra Austral, than I rather do it by bicycle.
The route should be passable without a manchete, technical climbing or superman skills. Cross country through of To promote an open landscape is great but I do not want active collaboration, all GPT hikers must sign up in Wikiexplora in order to get access to fight me tree by tree through dense tampered rainforestthe GPT track files.
It does not matter at all if the trail is on the Argentine side or the Chilean side as long as it does not depend on clandestine border crossings. If you get catched in particular by the Chilean carabiñieros without a valid stamp you may get expelled and this makes not a nice finish of such a trip.
==Section 1: Volcán Descabezado=The GPT Track Files===* '''Duration: 6 to 8 days'''* '''Distance: 103 km'''* '''Ascent: 4970 meters ↑'''* '''Descent: 4870 meters ↓'''
The Greater Patagonian Trail is composed of existing routes that were mainly made by the local settlers to serve their purposes. Hikers are unexpected guests on many of these trails. Only smaller parts of these routes have some kind of trail markers.
* ''Option 1: Climb to A good part the summit trails and cross-country routes remained undocumented until recorded and published digitally for the GPT. Therefore, suitable paper maps are often not available, and the few existing maps are inconsistent, of variable quality and insufficient to follow major parts the volcano Descabezado Grande''** ''Duration: 1 to 2 days''** ''Distance: 16 km''** ''Ascent: 2030 meters ↑''** ''Descent: 2030 meters ↓''GPT.
* ''Option 2: Explore to hidden lakes''
** ''Duration: ½ to 1 day''
===Summary===The first stage of only reliable way to navigate on the Greater Patagonian Trail gets you right into GPT is therefore a mind-blowing volcanic theatre. The landscape is transformed by numerous powerful eruptions of GPS with the volcano Descabezado Grande digital track and it’s equally potent smaller brothers in waypoint documentation that was specifically created for the surroundingGPT. During This digital documentation with the last major outbreak relevant geographic information consists of multiple files in different file types and is called in 1932 the Quizapu; a parasitic crater 6 km south of the main crater; vomited an estimated 25 cubic kilometer of lava following “GPT Track and volcanic ashWaypoint Documentation” or in short “Track Files”.
After leaving the forest you will step through endless fields of pumice, climb three passes and cross a 4 km wide lava river. The struggle is rewarded with amazing outlooks, deep blue lakes and lagoons that suddenly pop in a surreal scenery and two thermal springs. Here you can soak up heat during a freezing night while admiring a sky full of stars. You can even cook your meal on one of the hot steam vents.
As an option your may climb Hikers that feel uncomfortable being guided by a GPS need to learn and adapt to this form of navigation or discard the 3900 m high summit idea of hiking the “Great Decapitated”; this is what Descabezado Grande meansGreater Patagonian Trail. It’s a demanding long but technically uncomplicated ascentSuch hikers may resort to the established public trails in Patagonia that are better signposted and more suitable for classic navigation with paper maps.
You can also explore two hidden lagoons; one that fills an ancient crater and a second one that was dammed up by another
smaller volcano. Both lakes are not far of the trail near a scenic camp site.
===Images===The track files are provided on personal request by the author free of charge but not unconditionally. Read Chapter 1 of the [http://wwwbit.panoramio.comly/user/7876187/tags/GPT%20Section%2001 Here GPTguide Hikers’ Manual] where you find a selection of images of section 1 the Code of Conduct on the Greater Patagonian TrailGPT and the Terms and Conditions for Using the Hikers’ Manual and the Track Files. Review these conditions and read why they were put in place. Should you agree all Terms and Conditions, follow the instructions in Hikers’ Manual.]
===Expected Duration===
The trail can be hiked in 6 days but plan some contingency in case of bad weather or if you suddenly fall in love with one of the amazing places on the route. If the climate does not favor you, than you should not attempt to cross the passes. In this region bad weather normally does not last long so you are probably better off siting out a bad day.
If you are tempted to get up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande (GPT01-WP028) add two more days. ===The climb can be done in one long day or split up in two days when camping one night a bit further up.GPT Facebook Group===
===Recommended Season===This traverse The GPT Facebook Group is best be hiked between December and April. After a mild winter with less snow than usual you may already set out in November but be aware that some rivers may be impassible high during snowmelt (in particular GPT01-WP018 communication platform for past, present and GPT01-WP019)prospective GPT adventurers. If you plan Here all hikers can announce their intended plans, seek other hikers to get up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande without carrying crampons you should have better chances at the end of December form small groups, post brief summaries after completing a section or later when most of the snow is gonesimply ask questions.
===Trekking Direction===
The treck can be hiked in either direction but doing it from South to North requires an entrence permit from the hydropower station Cipreses (See Permits and Entrance Fees). Therefore southbound is the recommended direction.
===Permits And what is more important: use the Facebook group to alert other hikers after running into a problem that may also affect others. Do this by first adding your description and Entrance Fees===CONAF does register all trekkers at Parque Ingles (GPT01-WP004) but does not charge an entrance feesuggestions to the relevant Wikiexplora GPT section article. Camp fires are not permitted within Then either duplicate this information in the national park that reaches from Radal (GPT01-WP001) Facebook group or simply refer and link to your update in the Laguna las Ánimas (GPT01-WP013)Wikiexplora article.
If you want to see the cascades Siete Tazas about 7 km after the start in Radal you are charged a rather high entrance fee depending if you are a national or a foreign tourist. If you don’t want to spend the money and the time don’t worry; you will see plenty more cascades for free on the Greater Patagonian Trail.
If you wish to hike this trail in reverse from South to North you need to request The GPT Facebook Group is also the location where I now notify hikers when a entrence permit in advance from the hydropower station Cipreses. If you hike the trail as described from North to South you will enter the property “from behind” without noticing it. Once you reach one new version of the permanentely manned gates they can’t send you back over the mountains but need to let you leave the compound. In contrastHikers’ Manual is published, if you try to enter without a permit you when updated track files are probably turned backavailable and where I share other news regarding the GPT.
===Inhabitation and Tourism===
The last settlement on the trail is Parque Ingles about 10 km after Radal. This is also the last opportunity to spoil yourself with a good meal in a restaurant and to buy some goodies. On the trail that follows are only two occasionally used puestos; one at the Termas de Azufre (GPT01-WP020) and a second one at the Base Camp Descabezado Grande (GPT01-WP024).
The first 20 km from Radal to El Bolson are a popular hiking destination for national tourists. Some go up to the Laguna las Ánimas but few continue beyond this point.
The Base Camp Descabezado Grande is frequently visited by national and international tourists coming from Vilches AltoTo become member of the [http://bit. Also horseback tours often stop ly/GPTfacebook GPT Facebook Group] you need a Facebook account and rest hererequest access: http://bit.ly/GPTfacebook
Hardly any hikers take the scenic trail from the Base Camp Descabezado Grande via the Laguna Caracol to the hydropower station Cipreses. It’s a hidden gem.
===Food Supply===You need Publications to carry all the food for the entire trail. There is no food supply after Parque Ingles. If you meet arrieros at one of the Puestos you may ask for some goat or lamb meet but if you are not ready to take an entire or at least half an animal they may be reluctant to sell. GPT by other Hikers and Packrafters===Water Supply===Refill your water supply at the marked river crossings and the camps. In between these waypoints your will find only ocasinally some trinking water because water trickles away easily into the volcanic soil.Drinking the water of the hot springs is not recommended because it can upset your stomach. Better take fresh water from the river or a cold spring nearby.
When climbing With this Hikers’ Manual and the Descabezado Grande take plenty article on Wikiexplora I aim to create a systematic introduction and comprehensive documentation of water from the base camp in particular if you plan to spend one night higher upGPT. You may refill your supplies I intentionally try not to overload these documents with snow near personal stories from the summittrail.
===Maps===
The electronic map Topo Chile Deluxe from Garmin shows the contours precisely but some lakes and smaller river are incorrect displayed. Only few trail sections are integrated. Some of the “Alleys” of this electronic map are far off the true position or inexistent. You should use the Greater Patagonian Trail data files for navigation.
The paper trekking map “Condor Circuit” with There is another reason why my writing is rather technical. I’m an Engineer by trade, I work as an inspector and issue inspection reports on a scale of 1:50’000 shows the trail from Parque Ingles regular base. For this I need to the Base Camp Descabezado Grandecarefully choose my words to be factual and precise but also legally sound. This map Storytelling is a useful supplement to the electronic map neither needed nor welcome in particular if you need to abort the tripmy inspection reports. In this case this map When numbers are available or when information can guide on the shortest possible trail out of be structured into tables or charts than this isolated volcanic area iis always preferred over well phrased verbal descriptions.e. to Vilces AltoYou will notice these writing habits in the Hikers’ Manual and the Wikiexplora article.
===Difficulty===
The isolation and the high passes make this a rather difficult but rewarding trail. Good orientational skill are required because hardly any signposts are placed and some parts of the trail are cross country.
===Access to Start===The trail starts Keeping my personal stories mostly out and maintaining this documentation rather technical benefits a systematic preparation but makes the Hikers’ Manual and the article on Wikiexplora a bit bland. But for most hikers, and this includes me, the personal experience of the land and with the people are the dominating motives for such an endeavour. To tap on more personal experiences during your preparation watch some videos and read some blogs that were issued by GPT hikers in recent years. In these publications you find the tiny village Radal near diverse individual perceptions of the GPT. Some blogs openly describe mishaps and lessons learned and hopefully help other in avoiding the cascade "Siete Tazas"same mistakes.
During the main season in January and February several buses go from Molina and Curico to Radal and some even go all the way to Parque Ingles. Outside of the main season there is only one daily bus from Molina to Radal leaving in the afternoon from the rural bus station in Molina.
===Return from Finish===This trail section finished at The Hikers' Manual provides in chapters 3.7 Distinct Contributors and 3.8 Publications to the Route 115 GPT a collection of links to Talcavideos and blogs that I consider particularly useful.
All spring and summer run four buses per day on the route 115 between La Mina and Talca. La Mina is about 4 km up the road from the hydropower station Cipreses. In La Mina is the Chilean border control post and a thermal spring. Simply wait at the main road at one of the unmarked bus stops for the bus to Talca and call the attention of the bus driver when he approaches (GPT01-WP043 or GPT01-WP045). You may also try to hitchhike. <br style="clear:both" />
From where to return best depends if you want to connect with the next section of the Greater Patagonian Trail without leaving any gap. If you insist on hiking every step of the trail you should take the bus stop at the El Melado junction (GPT01-WP043). At this junction starts the section 2 of this long distance trail.==The GPT Route Network==
If you don’t mind to skip the less atractive 10 km streach along the Maule River then you can go straight to the Route 115 and take the closest bus stop (GPT01[[File:GPT36H-WP045)Ruta_de_los_Pioneros. You may also try to get a lift jpg|thumb|500px|GPT36H: Poorly maintained historic horse trail "Ruta de los Pioneros". Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT16-Quetrupillan.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT16: Circling the volcano Quetrupillan with one of the hydropower station workers from main gate to Talca or to San Clemente (GPT01-W044). From San Clemente leave frequent minibuses to Talcavolcano Villarica in the background.Image: Jan Dudeck]]
===Suggested Stages===The Greater Patagonian Trail is not a hiking trail. Yes, you read correctly so let me repeat one more time: '''The GPT is not a hiking trail.'''
{| class="wikitable"
! Stage
! Days
! style="text-align: left;" |Stage End Point
! style="text-align: left;" |Stage End Waypoint
! Distance
! Ascent ↑
! Descent ↓
! Time
|-
| A
| 1
| (Start to) El Boslon
| Refuge (GPT01-WP011)
| 20 km
| 1180 m
| 140 m
| 06:10
|-
| B
| 1
| Laguna Mondaca
| Camp (GPT01-WP016)
| 16 km
| 1000 m
| 1210 m
| 05:20
|-
| C
| 1
| Termas de Azufre
| Hot Spring, Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP020)
| 8 km
| 690 m
| 180 m
| 03:00
|-
| D
| 1
| Base Camp Descabezado Grande
| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)
| 19 km
| 920 m
| 1010 m
| 06:00
|-
| E
| 1-2
| Optional: Climb to Summit Descabezado Grande
| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)
| 16 km
| 2030 m
| 2030 m
| 08:00
|-
| F
| 1-2
| Laguna Hornitos and optional side trip to hidden lakes
| Camp (GPT01-WP036)
| 16 km
| 1010 m
| 900 m
| 05:40
|-
| G
| 1-2
| Finish
| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP043) or Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)
| 25 km
| 170 m
| 1430 m
| 06:00
|}
'''Stage A: Start to El Bolson'''So, what is it then?
If you leave in the morning in Radal you can reach in one day the camp and refuge El Bolson. Parque Ingles is a good place for a lunch break.
'''Stage B: El Boslon The GPT is an informal route network that consists mostly of trails, roads and cross-country routes that were not created with hikers in mind. Most of the trails were made by the local population to Laguna Mondaca'''serve their purposes, e.g. to drive animals to summer pastures, to get to remote settlements and outposts or to extract wood from the forest. The routes that the GPT is composed of include:
From El Bolson you get in one day to the Laguna Mondaca. If you partition this stage differently be aware * horse trails that there are no inviting camp sites between frequently used by the Laguna las Ánimas local cowboys (in Chile arriero or puestero, in Argentina gaucho),* poorly maintained and the Laguna Mondacaneglected trails that are washed out, trenched and blocked by fallen logs,* minor roads and simple car tracks that are occasionally used by all-terrain vehicles,* trail-less cross-country routes in barren open terrain,* a few short stretches of bush bashing through thick growth* and where no more adventurous route was found also public roads with moderate transit traffic. This stage should not be attempted * Additionally, packrafters can cross mountain lakes, float down generally calm rivers and paddle in bad weatherthe Patagonian fjords.
'''Stage C: Laguna Mondaca to Termas de Azufre'''
Going from the Laguna Mondaca to the Termas de Azufre This diversity makes a short relexing day and gives you pleanty of time to enjoy Laguna Mondaca in the morning before leaving GPT so authentic but also inconsistent and the hot springs in afternoon and evening when arriving. If the sulfor smell at the hot spring bothers you, than you can camp on one of the meadows a bit further upparts challenging.
'''Stage D: Termas de Azufre to Base Camp Descabezado Grande'''
The rather long day hike from Since the hot springs GPT is an informal route network, few signposts and trail markers facilitate route finding and none of these signs and markers refer to the base camp Descabezado Grande requires reasonable good weather as GPT. The national parks contain some marked trails, though these signs are often unmaintained and inconsistent. Outside of parks you cross may sporadically see chopped off bark, sun faded strips of plastic, beer cans or even cattle skulls hanging in a 2700 m passtree. That’s no vandalism or littering but how locals occasionally mark a route. But the landlords that regularly use these trails rarely need signposts as they know their trails inside-out and nobody else is expected to come.
'''Optional Stage E: Summit Descabezado'''
The climb can be done in one day or split up in two. The disavantage On many of doing it in two days is the leak these trails a customary right-of a reliable water supply further up towards the summit once -way applies but some routes cross private land and you often can’t distinguish the snow is gonedifference. If Therefore, when you do venture onto the climb in one day GPT you may desire are mostly an unexpected guest on trails that were not made for you, and you will trespass over private property. So be at least a rest day either before or after the climb. An extra day gives respectful and friendly trespasser that can explain in Spanish what you also a buffer if the weather is not optimal for an ascentare doing there.
'''Stage F: Base Camp Descabezado Grande to Laguna Hornitos'''
This stage can be hiked in one dayUnlike many long-distance hiking trails, the GPT is not a single-line trail but a wide route network with countless options. Alternatively you may partition this stage in two if you want to explore When hiking on the hidden lakes after the Laguna Caracol or if GPT you simply need a more relaxing day after you got up to have the summit privilege and task of composing your own personal route by making your choices along the Descabezado Grandeway. There is a suitable camp site about 2 km after This makes every hike on the Laguna Caracol in GPT a wide open treeless valleyunique and incomparable experience. The pass between this camp site and number of options becomes evident when comparing the Laguna Hornitos should not be done in poor weatherlength of the Main Route (approximately 5'000 km) with the total length of all tracks (more than 20’000 km).
'''Stage G: Laguna Hornitos The GPT route network starts in the outskirts of the Chilean capital Santiago de Chile and reaches all the way to Finish'''Tierra del Fuego and Isla Navarino on the southern tip of the continent. The actual length that someone may walk and paddle on the GPT depends highly on the chosen route, the start and the finish point and the method of travel (hiking or packrafting).
From the Laguna Hornitos you can walk in one short day to the hydropower station Cipreses and the first bus stop on the Route 115. To the regular finish at the second bus stop on the Route 115 it’s a rather long day. If you do not want to arrive in Talca late in the evening you may opt to camp near the finish on the banks of the river Maule and take the a bus in morning.
===Waypoints==='''Start (GPT01-WP001)''': Start in Radal at final bus The GPT is not a trail that can be hiked efficiently. The trail will change your plans without asking and inevitably stopyou from time to time or even turn you around. Only Also, the period of suitable hiking weather is in parts quite short. Some sections become traversable December or January after most snow has molten and February some busses continue to Parque Inglesthe rivers calmed down and can be forded safely. In late March or during April fierce snowstorms may make the route impassable again.
'''Shop (GPT01-WP002)''': Small shop with basic supplies in Radal. Good to get a beer and some extra goodies for the night but not to supply you for the trip.
'''Camp $ (GPT01-WP003)''': NiceThe recommended pace on this route network is the "appreciation pace". This pace gives you the time to make an attractive detour, reasonable priced camp site in Radalexample to climb a summit next to the trail without worrying about your schedule. Recommen¬ded place for This adequate rate of advance permits you to accept the first night if arriving invitation of a poblador (settler) to share some cups of mate or to sit out a day of torrential rain in a puesto (improvised shelter) with an arriero (Chilean cowboy, also called puestero). This adaptable pace permits you to wait in front of a pass if the eveningweather is too volatile or to spend a day or two waiting at a lake if it is too windy to paddle with your packraft.
'''Shop & Restaurant (GPT01-WP004)''': Parque Inglés with kiosk and a cosy restaurant about 10 km after the starting point. Last chance to enjoy the pleasures of civilisation before heading into the wilderness.
'''Diversion, CONAF & Camp $ (GPT01-WP005)''': The hiking This trail starts leftis therefore not suitable for hikers who are out to race a clock, or those that need full control and measure their success in kilo¬meters or miles. You should register at the CONAF office. There It's for hikers for whom completion is irrelevant, and instead count their enjoyable and eventful days in a camp site nearbypristine and diverse environment. It’s a trail for thoughtful discoverers who can accept being guests and not dominators.
'''River Crossing (GPT01-WP006)''': Easy river crossing.
'''River Crossing (GPT01-WP007)All this makes the GPT a discovery network with a good portion of unpredictability but an impressive authenticity.''': Easy river crossing.
'''River Crossing (GPT01-WP008)'''<br style="clear: Easy river crossing.both" />
'''River Crossing (GPT01-WP009)'''==The GPT Terrain: Easy river crossing.Greater Patagonia==
'''Camp (GPT01-WP010)'''[[File: There are some nice camp sites on the meadows Pat_map.PNG|thumb|400px|Limits of El BolsonPatagonia. Image: [https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia Wikipedia]]][[File:Historic_Map_Patagonia.jpg|thumb|400px|Historic map of Patagonia. Image: [https://es. Inside the national park CONAF does not permit camp fireswikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia Wikipedia]]]
'''Refuge (GPT01-WP011)''': Basic refuge in El Bolson that can shelter for up If you are considering exploring the Greater Patagonian Trail and wish to 4 personsenjoy the experience, you must be open to experiencing the unknown diversity of this region.If your imagination of Patagonia is based on TV documentaries and travel magazine than you probably have seen primarily these three heavily hyped tourist magnets:
'''Pass 2260 m (GPT01-WP012)''': First pass with nice view back into * the Valle national park Torres del Indio. After this pass comes a 2 km levelled section before ascending to Paine,* the second passglacier Perito Moreno and * the surrounding of El Chalten with Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
'''Lake (GPT01-WP013)''': Laguna Las Ánimas. You may camp at the lake but there is little shelter from wind.
'''Water (GPT01-WP014)''': Clear fresh waterThese are three truly amazing spots on the eastern edge of the Southern Patagonian Icefield and are internationally known highlights of Patagonia. But these three frequently pictured attractions do not represent the Patagonian diversity. If your primary interest is visiting the heavily trod, famous places of Patagonia then stick to the national parks in the south and bus in between.
'''Pass 2560 m (GPT01-WP015)''': Second pass with nice view towards Laguna Mondaca.
'''Camp (GPT01-WP016)''': Probably The GPT offers much more than this. The Greater Patagonian Trail is rather like a gourmet menu of different courses that allow you to experience the best camp spot near Laguna Mondaca different tastes and textures of Patagonia. It connects the semi-desert of Precordillera with water, fire wood the Patagonian Icefields and some wind protectionthe barren volcanos with the damp green rain forest.
'''Lake (GPT01-WP017)''': Laguna Mondaca.
'''River Crossing (GPT01-WP018)''': Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for Greater Patagonian Trail crosses most of Patagonia and the optimal place adjacent regions to crossthe north. Yon need to cross For this reason I named the river trail “Greater Patagonian Trail” when I started publishing in 2014. I coined the term "Greater Patagonia" to avoid rocky terrain aheadcombine Patagonia in its traditional limits with the adjacent regions like "Greater London" includes the city of London and the surroundings.
'''River Crossing (GPT01-WP019)''': Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for the optimal place to cross.
'''Hot Spring, Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP020)''': Termas de AzufreThe limits of Patagonia are somewhat blurry. Excellent hot spring with several small pools. You may need This makes it impractical to adjust state where exactly the temperature by regulating the hot water inlet flowGPT gets into Patagonia. No fire wood but If taking the administrative limits of Argentina, than you may heat water and food get in throwing range of Patagonia at the hot steam vents (follow end of section GPT05 where you can look over the noise)Argentinian border into the province Neuquén. Good camp site if But with a different understanding you enter Patagonia on section GPT13 where you tolerate ford the sulphur smellRío Biobío. The posteros Others argue that Patagonia starts with the Chilean administrative region XIV (Región de los Ríos) what makes section GPT16 the gateway into Patagonia. You can be certain to have reached Patagonia on section GPT22 where you arrive in Januaryat the first Patagonian fjord: the Estuarió de Reloncaví.
'''River Crossing (GPT01-WP021)''': Moderate difficult river crossing. Yon need to cross the river to avoid steep loose pumice fields ahead.
'''River Crossing (GPT01For me this discussion about the limits of Patagonia is irrelevant if I can walk and paddle through pristine and varied terrain. Actually, the less known regions north of Patagonia more attractive for hiking. Here you walk more distance high up in the mountains with broad views, here you find the more attractive trails and cross-WP022)''': Easy river crossingcountry routes and here you meet the arrieros and the native Pehuenche people. Also, the climate is more favourable for hiking. During summer, rain is infrequent, and you can mostly enjoy sunny weather.
'''Pass 2700 m (GPT01-WP023)''': The highest point of the entire Greater Patagonian Trail (apart from the summit of the Descabezado Grande).
'''Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)''': Base Camp Descabezado GrandeIn contrast, when reaching Patagonia, get ready for frequent and enduring rain. Probably Also, don't expect to walk high up in the best camp spot mountains in this area. You best take water from the spring on the right side heartland of Patagonia as there is simply no continuously high mountain range. In Patagonia high mountains are rather like islands that are surrounded by dense temperate rainforest in the river about 20 to 30 m from this waypointwest and a semi-desert-like Pampa in the east. Frequently visited areaThese island-like mountains are separated by wide valleys that were carved by giant glaciers during past glacial periods. Base camp for climbing The wide valleys are now partly filled with lakes that drain their water in powerful rivers into the Volcan DescabezadoPatagonian fjords. Basic stone shelter occasionally used Therefore, “real Patagonia” is best traveled by local posteros packraft because a packraft gets you on these lakes, rivers and horseback guidesfjords.
'''Hot Spring (GPT01-WP025)'''<br style="clear: One lukewarm pool at the Base Camp Descabezado Grande.both" />
'''Water ? (GPT01-WP026)'''==[https: Possible access to water on the way to the summit//en. May be unreliable and depending on snowmelt. Please verify and report to trekking guide authorwikipedia.org/wiki/Thru-hiking Thru-Hiking] the GPT==
'''Cross (GPT01[[File:GPT09-WP027)'''Familia_Carrileo1.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT09: Cross The summer outpost ("puesto") of the Pehuenche family Carrileo near Guallalí. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT09-Familia_Carrileo2.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT09: Being guest of the summitfamily Carrileo.Image: Jan Dudeck]]
'''Summit 3900 m (GPT01This trail was not created to thru-WP028)hike Patagonia, it's a route network for immersion-hiking. The GPT does not get you through Patagonia but gets you deep into Patagonia.''': Summit of the Descabezado Grande.
'''River Crossing & Camp (GPT01-WP029)''': Astonishing oasis in the middle of a volcanic desert. Good camp site with water, fire wood and wind protection.
'''Lake (GPT01-WP030)''': Nearly 3 With the 2021 extension the GPT spans about 5000 km in often difficult and slow terrain. This makes the GPT too long drainless lake Laguna Caracol to be safely thru-hiked in one season . An experienced thru-hiker may disagree as 5000 km is just 15% longer than the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) but the middle of pumice varied and lavaunpredictable terrain makes this comparison inadequate.
'''Lake (GPT01-WP031)''': Hidden lake in volcanic crater that can be seen from the next pass.
'''Camp (GPT01Therefore, I do not recommend attempting a thru-WP032)''': Camp site without fire wood hike of the GPT. This focus would require rushing and wind protectiontaking less attractive short cuts, in example deviating from GPT to walk on main roads instead of following the trails. Water It inhibits slowing down to fully appreciate the land and share time with the people along the route. And more importantly, someone who tries to thru-hike the GPT in one season is probably best taken from forced to hike some sections off season. This results in unreasonable risks by attempting to cross torrential rivers and climbing to high elevations when fierce blizzards can kill. And remember, when walking these trails, you are just a guest on the spring 300 m upstreamland of others. Just the idea of racing through strangers’ backyards is regarded a rude in these remote regions.
'''Water (GPT01-WP033)''': Clear fresh water spring.
'''Lake (GPT01From a thru-WP034)hiking perspective the GPT is less than a long-distance trail.''': Hidden lake that can be seen from There is no clearly defined and well-marked single trail to blaze along, there is no thru-hiking community to trail talk and there are no “trail angels” providing “trail magic”. On the next passGPT hikers have no domiciliary rights; they are just unexpected guests. Also, the packrafting options do not benefit thru-hiking as they do not make a traverse faster.
'''Pass 2540 m (GPT01-WP035) ''': Pass with impressive view.
'''Camp (GPT01And what might be the biggest disappointment for some thru-WP036)''': Probably hikers on the best camp site in this area and the only one with a meadow. Sufficient water and fire wood. The lake further down GPT: There is dusty no trail community and without fire woodthru-hikers do not receive any special admiration because nobody along the trail distinguishes between thru-hikers, section-hikers, day-hikers, or tourists in general.
'''River Crossing (GPT01-WP037)''': Easy river crossing.
'''Lake (GPT01For respectful explorers the GPT is much more than a long-WP038)distance trail.''': Laguna Hornitos that is dammed up by It’s a wide network of routes with many hiking options and packrafting in a diverse landscape. A unique blend of people lives along the Crater Hornitostrails making the hike more of a cultural experience. You can easily ascent to If approached with respect and interest, then these welcoming people will share much more than just the summit right-of -way regardless where you are coming from and where you are walking to. On this trail your willingness and capability to immerse yourself in this culture will be more relevant than the crater (60 m climb)weight of your backpack.
'''Trail Head (GPT01-WP039)''': Trail head (or end). Turn right onto the hydropower station road.
If you find Triple Crown Thru-Hikers more credible to speak about thru-hiking the GPT than read in the Hikers'''Water ? Manual how Lauren Reed (GPT01-WP040Neon)''': Possible access and Christine Thürmer (German Tourist) experienced the GPT in comparison with the renowned US long distance trails. Lauren was the first hiker to waterwalk the entire length of the GPT in two seasons together with Bethany Hughes (Fidgit).
'''Gate (GPT01-WP041)''': Unmanned gate that may be locked. Pedestrians may pass on the right side of the gate if locked.
'''Gate ? (GPT01-WP042)''': Gate Someone who wants to explore the entire length of hydropower station that was not used by trekking guide authorGPT should split this adventure into various seasons. Please verify This also facilitates hiking lightly where a packraft would just be a burden and report to authorpackraft were the extra weight really pays off. You probably can leave anytime but you need a permit from Having more than one season also gives the hydropower station for enteringextra time to take some of the more demanding but rewarding options.
'''Bus Stop (GPT01-WP043)''': Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talca.
'''Gate (GPT01There is one more reason why a thru-WP044)''': Manned main gate hike of hydropower station Cipresesthe GPT in the literal sense is not viable. You can leave anytime but you need Thru-hiking means walking a permit complete long-distance trail with connecting footsteps from the hydro¬power station for enteringstart to finish typically in one season. You may ask the leaving employees for This is only possible on a ride well-defined trail with a set start and finish point. This simply does not apply to Talcathe GPT.
'''Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)''': Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talca.
===Tracks==='''GPT01-TR001Attempting to thru-2''': Take hike the public gravel road from Radal GPT is like trying to Parque Inglesmemorise every word of a book that is still in the making with the first drafts informally shared for peer reviews. Only few vehicles use It’s pretty pointless and assigns this road but traffic increases in January evolving route network far too much authority. But this unfinished nature of the GPT makes it possible to investigate new routes and Februarybecome co-authors of the GPT. This is a unique difference to established long-distance trails. You are not limited to just follow a given trail, but you can contribute to the GPT by adding your part to this unfinished story.
'''GPT01-TR002-1''': The track starts left at the entrance of Parque Ingles. The national park trail from Radal to El Bolson is well main¬tained and clearly visible with some signposts and marks. After El Bolson the trail occasionally splits and peters out so try to follow the GPS trek when in doubt until reaching the 2560 m high pass. At the pass do not descent the well visible trail that keeps right but follow the GPS trek that descents directly towards the Laguna Mondaca. During the descent the trail is partially only vaguely visible.
'''GPT01Michael Deckebach summarized this conclusion after his 5-TR003-0'''months adventure on the GPT with the following words: From the camp side "The Greater Patagonian Trail is awesome, but (GPT01-WP016...) you can cross the vast sediment field to the Laguna Mondacanot designed for “purists” who get satisfaction from completing every inch of trail or touching every white blaze. Can it be done? Probably, but why try and fit a square peg into a round hole?”.
'''GPT01-TR004-1'''<br style="clear: Return 1.4 km on the same trail as you arrived.both" />
'''GPT01-TR005-0''': Cross ==Packrafting the pumice field and look for a suitable location to cross the smaller valley ahead. There is not trail clearly visible nor required. Keep going over the pumice and sediment field until reaching the first challenging river crossing (GPT01-WP018). The river seams to change frequently its bed so look yourself for a suitable location to cross the river and do not trust on the waypoint. Continue on the sediment field until the second crossing (GPT01-WP019). Look again for a suitable location to cross the river yourself. After the second river crossing you need to head up the ridge in front of you. The first few meters of the trail on this ridge were lost during a recent landslide. Therefore you need to find your way up to ridge and trail yourself.GPT==
'''GPT01-TR006-1'''[[File: Follow the generally well visible trail until reaching the hot springs (GPT01-WP020)GPT_Fjord_Packrafting. Continue on this trail until getting to jpg|thumb|500px|GPT28: Reaching the river crossing (GPT01-WP021). Do not evade the river crossing by continuing on the trail on the same side. This trail will later disappear in a steep pumice slope. Follow the mostly well visible trail on the other side until crossing the river again (GPT01-WP022). The trail now rises to the 2700 m high pass and slowly descents sea after paddling down the pass. The generally well visible trail will lead you eventually to the base camp of the Descabezado Grande. If you want to make a campfire you may collect some firewood in the sediment field starts about 1 km before the camp. There is little firewood at the campRío Palena.Image: Jan Dudeck]]
'''GPT01-TR007-0-X''': Several trails lead up to the summit When I started planning my first long hike through Patagonia in 2013 I could not find a continuous hiking route south of Coñaripe (GPT16) because dense forest hides most of the Descabezado Grandetrails on satellite images. During the ascent you should generally prefer But I could see calm rivers and lakes that bridged the gaps and I wondered if there existed a light enough boat to be carried in a backpack to traverse these waters. I googled and found the more solid rocky partspackraft. During So, the descent initial cause for incorporating packrafting options were insufficient information about the loose pumice fields allow you to slide down with existing trails and not my fascination for amphibious travel. It was not until after our first hike that I could add additional hiking routes that now render a packraft expendable but not less effortbeneficial.
'''GPT01-TR008-1''': A good trail heads into the 4 km wide lava river. You need to leave the main trail at the oasis in the middle of the lava flow after crossing the small river (GPT01-WP029). Get up the hillside towards your left. A vaguer trail continues through the remaining lava field to the Laguna Caracol. Pass the Laguna Caracol on the right side and follow the meandering river the feed the lake. After the spring of this river turn left and cross the wide open area. Here the trail peters out until the trail forms again at the ascent towards the pass (GPT01-WP035). Just before the pass leave the main trail and follow the GPS track towards the left.
'''GPT01-TR009-0''': From In retrospect I’m so glad that I lacked the pass (GPT01-WP035) several vague tracks lead downinformation about the hidden routes. You may either look for Otherwise I would probably not have discovered the regular trail or follow packraft as the GPS trackideal hiking partner for Patagonia. The GPS track keeps on the left until A packraft does not only carry your backpack, it descents carries you! What matters in this “partnership” is a steep pumice slope towards good balance. You don’t want to carry your packraft most of the rivertime but benefit from it as much as possible. And this is the case on sections GPT17 to GPT39. Here the GPS track joints packraft carries you on more than 50% of the distance and this makes it a brilliant deal. Further north (on sections GPT01 to GPT16) a packraft is more burden than benefit and I would only recommend packrafting if you specifically plan to explore a certain lake and the regular trailsurrounding area.
'''GPT01-TR010-1''': The trail continues on the left side of the river until reaching the Laguna Hornitos. The trail crosses the river in a wide sediment field. Pass the lake and the crater Hornitos on the right and decent until reaching the hydropower station road in the valley far down.
'''GPT01-TR011-2''': Follow When packrafting on lakes and rivers we normally do not exceed hiking speed so the rarely used gravel road towards packraft does not make us faster. In contrast, all the hydropower station Cipresespacking and unpacking and the extra weight slows us down. But speed is not our objective. Once you reach What we seek is diversity and a packraft opens up some of the now unpopulated settlement you have to choose between two optionsmost epic routes in Patagonia.
'''GPT01-TR012-2''': Option 1: You can take the 10 km dirt road to the regular trail section end where the next part of the Greater Patagonian Trail starts. This gets you to the more distant bus stop (GPT01-WP043).
'''GPT01-TR013-2-X''': Option 2: Alternatively you can take the shortest way to the Route 115 if you want to return early. This gets you to the closest bus stop (GPT01-WP045). Alternatively you can wait for lift at the power station main gate (GPT01-WP044).==Questions and Feedbacks==
'''GPT01-TR014-4-X''': Option 2: If you took the short way read this article to this point then you should definitely download the Route 115 and [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers’ Manual from Dropbox] now. Should you still want to complete have questions that are not answered in the entire trail Hikers’ Manual than you need to walk 9 km on may write the paved Route 115author an email. Also feedbacks are welcome. Not recommended!
Email of author: gpt.jan.dudeck@gmail.com ===Image Gallery===<gallery> Imagen:01 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, El BolsónLago Bergues y al fondo se ve el Glaciar Lucia.jpgJPG|El BolsónImagen:02 Greater Patagonian TrailLago Bergues y al fondo se ve el Glaciar Lucía, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving El Bolsón.jpg|Leaving El Bolsónpor Meylin UbillaImagen:03 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoGlaciar_Lucia.jpgImagen:04 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Las Ánimas.jpgJPG|Laguna Las ÁnimasImagen:05 Greater Patagonian TrailGlaciar Lucía desde el Lago Bergues, Volcan Descabezado, Pass 2560 m.PNG|Pass 2560 mImagen:06 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Approaching Laguna Mondaca.PNG|Approaching Laguna MondacaImagen:07 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Mondaca.jpg|Laguna MondacaImagen:08 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, that bypasses Laguna Mondaca.PNG|Bypasses Laguna MondacaImagen:09 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:10 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:11 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Termas de Azufre.jpg|Termas de AzufreImagen:12 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:13 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:16 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:17 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:18 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:19 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:20 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:21 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:23 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:24 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:25 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:26 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving the Base Camp Descabezado Grande.jpg|Leaving the Base Camp Descabezado GrandeImagen:27 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado Grande.jpg|Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado GrandeImagen:28 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:29 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:31 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:32 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:33 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:34 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:35 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:37 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:38 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:39 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:40 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:41 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGImagen:43 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Camp near Laguna Los Hornitos.jpg|Camp near Laguna Los HornitosImagen:44 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Los Hornitos.PNG|Laguna Los HornitosImagen:45 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Los Hornitos.PNG|Laguna Los HornitosImagen:46 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:47 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:48 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgpor Meylin Ubilla
</gallery>
 ==Section 2: Laguna Dial====Section 2-3: Alternative Long Distance Challange via Las Truchas====Section 3: Volcán Chillan====Section 4: Volcán Antuco====Section 5: Laguna El Barco====Section 6: Guallali====Section 7: Laguna Marinanqui====Section 8: Icalma and Volcán Sollpulli====Section 9: Curarrehue====Section 10: Volcán Quetrupillan====Section 10-12: Alternative via Liquiñe====Section 11: Neltume====Section 12: Lago Pirihueico====Section 13: Volcán Puyehue====Section 14: Volcán Antillanca====Section 15: Lago Todos Los Santos====Section 15: Cochamo== {{GaleriaInicioTrekkings Chile}}{{GaleriaFin}}[[category:Greater Patagonian Trail]][[category:Parche Greater Patagonian Trail]]
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