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Greater Patagonian Trail

3116 bytes añadidos, 22:03 15 may 2022
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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=1311 km3035000|MetrosAscenso=116000|MetrosDescenso=116000|Comentarios distancia=Regular Route (Hiking Option and Packrafting Option without Exploration Sections)|DesnivelAltitudMedia=46.480 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="clear:both" />
.{{Table all GPTs}}
<br style==KMZ 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 KMZ file below should be downloaded and used if you actually plan to hike a section or the entire Greater Patagonian Trail."clear:both" />
Greater Patagonian Trail with waypoints, options and alternatives: [[Media:GreaterPatagonianTrail-20140726.kmz| KMZ file (Update from 2014-Jul-26)]]==Introduction==
Read also the [[#Comment to KMZ File for Trekking:GPT01-P0115.jpg|comment thumb|500px|right|GPT06: The volcanos Descabezado Grande and Cerro Azul with the Laguna Caracol to their feet. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT08-Arriero.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Arriero at the KMZ filebase of the Vulcano Antuco. Image: Jan Dudeck]] [[File:GPT06-P0005.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT11: Araucaria trees in the Pehuenche homeland. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT13-P0028.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT18: Cross Country walking on volcanic ash at Cordon Caulle after downloadingrecent eruption.File: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT28-Rio_Palena.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT28: Packrafting the Río Palena. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT_Glaciar_O'Higgins.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT38: Glaciar O'Higgins coming down from the Southern Icefield. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
==Images==[http://www.panoramio.com/user/7876187?show=best Here you find a selection of images from the The Greater Patagonian Trail(GPT) is a long-distance route network in the southern Andes that spans from the outskirts of Santiago all the way to southern Patagonia.]
==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.
The sections 2 and 3 can be combined with an optional trial through It’s a pristine area stunningly beautiful and diverse trail system that bypasses guides you from the settlement and the road at the finish semi-desert of section 2 and the start of section 3Precordillera into scenic Andes valleys. This double section makes The trails cross numerous dormant and active volcanos with partially healed volcanic scars and fresh open wounds from recent eruptions. You can take a true long distance endurance challangedip in more than a dozen hot springs along the way to draw from this energy.
{| class="wikitable" ! style="text-align: left;" | Section Name! style="text-align: left;" | Number! style="text-align: left;" | Distance! style="text-align: left;" | Ascent! style="text-align: left;" | Descent! style="text-align: left;" | Days! style="text-align: left;" | 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|-| Alternative Long Distance Challange via Las Truchas| 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 Continuing, you will dive into the twilight of lush green temperate rainforest lined by snow covered mountains. Numerous passes 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|-| Total| GPT| 1311 km| 46480 m ↑| 46950 m ↓| 69 - 103 d| 389 h|}high plains get you above the tree line into barren terrain with broad views. Crystal clear rivers descend from these mountains and feed deep blue lakes along the way. If you packraft you can paddle over lakes and float down rivers all the way into the Patagonian fjords where the Pacific Ocean hits the ragged coast.
Read also the [[#Distances, Ascents, Descents and Walking Times| comment to distances, ascents, descents and walking times]] to correctly understand recording and relevance of these numerical values.
==Trail Types==When planning Eventually you reach the Greater Southern Patagonian Trail Icefield, one of the first choice were world's largest extra-polar Icefields. Here giant rock towers stab into the hiking or horse trails that connect the remote valleys sky and mountain passes close to the border between Chile and Argentina. Most enormous glaciers calve colossal blocks of these trails are created and maintained by local herdsmen to drive animals to their pasturesice into wind battered lakes.
The second choice were unused or rarely travelled dirt roads. Such roads typically provide access to isolated settlements or villages without significant transit traffic. Some of these roads are not maintained anymore and not accessible by vehicle but traversable for hikers.
On the northern part of the route you will meet solitary cowboys (In some areas Chile called arrieros or puesteros) with their animals. Every spring the Greater Patagonian Trail passes through open terrain without a visible traillivestock is moved on higher ground to graze on mountain pastures. These cross-country routes do not pass very dense vegetation and can be traversed without cutting a The trail with a machete through temperate rainforest. Some later crosses the homeland of the indigenous Pehuenche (one of the Mapuche tribes) where majestic Araucaria trees tower above the tribal land and provide the traditional food for these crosssometimes shy and sometimes proud people. When going further south you will meet courageous settlers that have ventured into the challenging back-country parts lead through steep of Patagonia. If you are interested, you can listen to their stories while sitting around the warm stove and exposed terrain but do not require technical climbingsharing the traditional drink of this region: Mate. These authentic encounters are part of the beauty of this trail.
Public roads with transit traffic were avoided wherever possible. Paved roads were the last choice of all.
In countless locations the Chilean River- and Lake-District the regular trail incorporates one river and several lakes branches into different routes creating a wide network of tracks that gives you many choices. You may either walk the entire distance or you can be floated down or crossed with bring a [[#Packraft|packraft]]. If not carrying such a light-weight inflatable boat all these water sections can be bypassed on food, by ferry or private boat transfersto float down rivers and paddle and sail over lakes and fjords.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;" | Trail Type
! style="text-align: left;" | Distance
! style="text-align: left;" | Percentage
! style="text-align: left;" | Comment
|-
| Minor Dirt Road
| 532 km
| 40.6%
| No or light traffic only. Can also be an abandoned road or a private road that is not open for public use.
|-
| Hiking or Horse Trail
| 486 km
| 37.1%
| Mostly visible trail on any terrain.
|-
| Lake (Packraft)
| 95 km
| 7.3%
| Alternative options 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%
| Track that pases through open landscape without a visisble trail.
|-
| To be verfied
| 15 km
| 1.2%
| Remains to be hiked and recorded by GPS to update the trail file. Alternative option available if not in explorers mood.
|-
| River (Packraft)
| 15 km
| 1.1%
| Alternative options available if not carrying a packraft.
|-
| Paved Road
| 11 km
| 0.8%
| Only few shorter segments at the start or finish of a sections.
|-
| Total
| 1311 km
| 100.0%
|
|}
==Expected Duration==Hiking There are also various volcanoes and other summits along the complete trail requires approxroute that can be ascended without rock climbing gear. 90 to 120 daysI have also included optional tracks that get you literally into the last valley on the border between Chile and Argentina. This inculdes some rest days, resupply bus trips These remote corners of the southern Andes are of particular interest to nearby towns and an occasional day lost hikers that love to bad weatherventure into remote back-country.
==Recommended Season==If you plan to hike The Main Route currently spans approximately 5'000 km and the entire trail starting with section 1 you should leave within Decemberroute network (including all options) contains more than 20'000 km of tracks.
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 you do not insist in hiking all trail sections in the correct sequence you have more options when and where this introduction quickened your appetite to startexplore this network of trails then don't stop reading here and don't pack your backpack yet. If The GPT is quite different from what you have a packraft might expect. Especially if you may in example set out already in late October or November at have thru-hiked the start of section 11 famous long-distance trails in Coñaripe the US (first packraft section)i.e. This also give you the advantage of floating down Appalachian Trail, the river Caucuá with a comfortable high river-water-level during snow melt. Once Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail) or if you reached walked on the finish of section 16 your can travel by bus to European pilgrimage trails (i.e. the start of section 1 an hike to Camino de Santiago) don't assume that the point where GPT will be a similar experience and that you started 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 tripGreater Patagonian Trail.
==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 you hike northbound. This limitation applies Since I started publishing the GPT, I consulted and surveyed more than one hundred people that attempted to section 1walk major parts of the trail. The majority were absolutely amazed by the land, 2-3 the people and 12their experience on the trail. Without an entrance permit you may be “kicked out” but if you walk southbound you may be asked to leave But some hikers quickly aborted or changed their plans. In consequence they missed the property in best parts of the direction that you are hiking anywaytrail. Interestingly, some of these were experienced hikers and athletic walkers.
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 the recommended trekking direction is also southbound[http://bit. If you go south you can ask shortly before reaching ly/GPTguide Hikers Manual] I try to rectify potential incorrect assumptions and outline the Lago Todos Los Santos a local settler essentials for a private boat transferhiking and packrafting on this trail network. In You should also read the publications of other direction this may not work as easy. So if you do not have a packraft or if you are unsure that you really want hikers and packrafters to cross such a rather large lake with a tiny boat than hike learn from the diverse experiences on the section 15 southboundGreater Patagonian Trail.
==Logistical Considerations==
===Food Supply===There are no proper shops along '''Statements about 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 GPT by Hikers 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.Packrafters:'''
On this trail, in particular on the first seven sections you will meet shepherds on the summer pastures with their annimals (cattle, sheep, goats and horses). Depending on the altutude and the snow melt they migrate up between October and January and return home in April or May. These shepherds, locally called "Postero", live in imporvised permanent shelters, called "Puesto". They bring large quantities of food with their horses and mules up in the mountains. You may ask them for food, in particular for flour and bread or whatever they are willing 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 to be speak Spanish.
On section 5 to 10 you will cross Bethany Hughes and Lauren Reed (Fidgit and Neon): "This trail has been the Araucania region with plenty of impressive Araucaria trees. What we liked on this trees were not just most punishing and the imposing figure most magical experience of these living fossiles, but the nutritious fruits rich in carbohydrates. The indigious Pehuenche people teached us how my hiking career to harvest and prepare this food. You can gather these Araucaria "piñoes" between February and Aprildate.”
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.
===Visa===As a non-Chilean tourist Piia Kortsalo and Oliver Barker: "We’re filled with a regular tourist visa you can incredible memories of our time on the GPT, and the landscape and culture of the Chilean Andes will stay up to 90 days in Chilewith us forever. While hiking the GPT was an incredible experience for us, we don't imagine this as the right trail for everyone. The easiest way to renew your visa GPT is travelling closer to Argentina before you complete your 90 days and return an idea of a few days later to Chile. On reroute than an established trail; hikers setting out expecting a well-entry you organized, continuous, marked hiking trail will normally inevitably be granted another 90 daysdisappointed. 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."
==Recommended Equipment==
===GPS and Electronic Map===
The trail is mostly unmarked, partly not visible and only smaller fractions are documented with maps. Therefore a GPS is essential for navigation. In addition an electronic topographical map is recommended.
Brian Tanzman (Buck-30): "Honestly, I have used a Garmin GPS with the Garmin TOPO Chile Deluxe electronic map. The topographical profile, rivers, lakes, road and towns are precisely mapped. Only smaller streams, smaller lagoons and some trails are partly incorrecly placed on wouldn't recommend hiking the electronic mapGPT to any of my thru hiking friends."
===Solar Charger===
The partly long stages and the limited supply along the trail requires a proper power management for the GPS, the camera and all other electronic gear. If you rely on the GPS for navigation you need to make sure to have in functional whenever needed.
We opted to carry a solar power panel to recharge all 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 batteries while hiking4-month journey, we discovered the beauty of the Andes Mountain range and the incredibly generous people that call this place their home. Carrying regular batteries If you are considering hiking the GPT, please do so with extreme care for up to 3 weeks would have meant a substantial extra weightthe land and the utmost respect for the locals living in this area.".
===Packraft===
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.
[httpCarla Lange://www"The GPT is not a hiking trail, it's an adventure and words do not do my experience on it justice.panoramioTravelling on the GPT was everything but easy (or necessarily fun all the time) but it returned it all and more.com/user/7876187/tags/Packraft Here you find some images Essential pieces of our packraftequipment to bring on the GPT are your brain and intuition as well as humbleness, respect and openness for the land and people.]"
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 the two larger lakes you can alternatively take a daily ferry Matgorzata (Lago PirihuecoGosia) or Gmerek and Paul Bostelmann: “The Greater Patagonian Trail Network is a private boat transfer (Lago Todos Los Santos)challenging and rewarding adventure that leads one through diverse and breathtaking scenery. For all 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 alternative trails, that circumvent the water are included in the GPS File for Trekking belowallows to reach even deeper into these wonderful and wild ecosystems. So you can bypass on food all water sections if you do not have a packraft or if wind This is no ordinary hike and weather does not permit the crossing of a lake with absolute self-reliance and wilderness experience is a rather tiny boatmust.”
<br style==Dangers and Annoyances==River Crossings - Together, Shoes, Hiking Poles, Rope, Don't cross if not safe /Navigation - GPS with sufficent power /Weather - Don't cross passes in bad weather /Isolation - SPOT /Hanta - Mice, Puestos /Annimals - Boar, Puma "clear:both" />
==Comment Information to KMZ File for Trekkingthe GPT==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.
Greater Patagonian Trail [[File:GPT_Manual.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT Hiker's Manual]][[File:GPT_Settler_(2).jpg|thumb|500px|GPT22: Discussing route options with waypointssettlers at the Río Puelo. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT10-Peuenche.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Being guest at a Pehuenche family: Fresh milk, options and alternativesfresh cheese, fresh meat! Image: Jan Dudeck]][[MediaFile:GreaterPatagonianTrailGPT07-20140726Laguna_del_Maule.kmzjpg| KMZ file thumb|right|500px|GPT07: Horse riding with Danilo and Jito (Update from 2014the founder and horse riding guide of [http://www.chile-Julhorseriding.com/ www.chile-26horseriding.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 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 Puerto Chacabuco. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
The file GPT is organized in folders 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 subfolders to get prepared for a better overview in particular when viewing and organizing the an adventure on this trail on a computer. There is one folder for each section and each section contains a subfolder for waypoints and a subfolder for trackssystem.
===Waypoints===
The waypoints are named with the item of interest at the waypoint. A running number is added in brackets to be able to refer in the trail description to specific waypoints. The GPS normally displays the entire waypoint name with the running number.
Example waypoint name: '''Start (GPT01-WP001)'''===This GPT Wikiexplora Article===
* '''Start''': Item of interest, in This Wikiexplora article to the GPT is the internet gateway to this case trail system. It is the start of section 1* '''(GPT01first semi-WP001)''': Running number in brackets** '''official landing point for anyone searching information online and provides an introduction to the GPT''': Greater Patagonian Trail** '''01''': Section 1** '''-WP''': Waypoint** '''001''': Running number. Wikiexplora is the cradle where the GPT publication started in 2014 and remains the “online home”.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;" width="148" | Item
! style="text-align: left;" | Comment
|-
| Border
| Point where the trail crosses the actual border between Chile and Argentina. The border control is typically in a different location.
|-
| Border Control
| Location where the police performs the exit and entry control. If you plan to cross the border you need to actively seek the police at the border control. You will not be given an entry step without getting the exit stamp first.
|-
| Bridge
| Pedestrian or vehicle bridge. May be in poor state.
|-
| Bus Stop
| Marked or unmarked bus stop. In most places buses will stop at any location if you clearly signal the driver that want to take a ride. Ask locals for the bus frequency and times.
|-
| Cable Car River Crossing
| At larger rivers that cannot be crossed by food cable cars are ocasionally installed. Ask the locals how to operate them to cross the river. [http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15784577?source=wapi&referrer=kh.google.com Click here to see an image.]
|-
| Camp
| Location suitable for camping. If not stated otherwise water and fire wood is available nearby.
|-
| Carabineros
| Chilean local police. To control the border small partly improvised police posts are setup and manned during the summer in remote areas. Whenever you reach such a police post report to them and explain your plans. We were always treated very nicely.
|-
| CONAF
| Corporación Nacional Forestal. Conaf is the governing body of all National parks of Chile, including those without forest or major vegetation.
|-
| Diversion
| Location where the trails splits or where attention is needed to no miss the correct trail.
|-
| Ferry
| Public ferry.
|-
| Food
| Location where you may get food or a meal.
|-
| Gate
| Gate that may be locked. We several times climbed over such gates.
|-
| Hot Spring
| Natural geothermal hot spring.
|-
| Hotel
| There are not many hotels along the trail so if you get there is rare opportunity to pamper yourself.
|-
| Lake
| Fresh water lake.
|-
| Lodging
| Accommodation of any type that is not a hotel. May be a simple room in a private house with a family (hospedaje familiar) or a bungalow (cabaña).
|-
| Mini Shop
| Small shop or kiosk with a limited product range. If closed ask at the houses nearby for attention.
|-
| Pass
| Mountain pass. The pass elevation is normally added.
|-
| Puesto
| Improvised shelter or house in a remote area that is temporary used during the summer. If locked do not enter except in emergencies. If open you may use the shelter if needed with the appropriate respect.
|-
| Refuge
| Shelter that is open for public use.
|-
| Restaurant
| Restaurant but not expect a sophisticated cuisine but a meal that fills.
|-
| River Crossing
| River crossing without a bridge or a cable car. Water levels may change significant with snow melt, rain and daytime. If the river is feed by snowmelt water levels are normally lowest in the morning. Since rivers can change their bed look for the optimal spot where to cross and do not rely on the waypoint but your own judgment.
|-
| Sea
| Access to the sea.
|-
| Settlement
| Group of permanently inhabited houses.
|-
| Settler
| Single permanently inhabited house.
|-
| Shop
| Shop with a wider product range. If closed ask at the houses nearby for attention.
|-
| Start
| Starting point of a section.
|-
| Summit
| Summit of a volcano along the trial that can be climbed on an optional side trip.
|-
| Trail Head
| Location where a trail starts on a road. Attention is needed to no miss this trail.
|-
| w/o Water
| Camp or Puesto without drinking water near by. If you plan to camp at such a location you should carry sufficient water for one night.
|-
| w/o Wood
| Camp or Puesto without drinking fire wood. If you plan to camp at such a location you should either carry a camping stove or sufficient fire wood for one night.
|-
| Water
| Location where you can get drinking water. The water may need to be filtered, boiled or chemically treated to be fit for drinking.
|-
| $
| Camp or Hot Spring where you need to pay.
|-
|?
| Not verified waypoint. The unconfirmed waypoints are based on satellite images, maps or tales from locals. Whenever you can confirm or correct such a waypoint, you are welcome to send the waypoint with a comment to the author of this trail for update of the GPS File.
|}
===Tracks===The track of each section Wikiexplora article comes with one weakness: offline 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 broken into smaller segments now neither the only nor the best resource to differentiate between different trail typesget ready for an adventure on the GPT but the Wikiexplora articles provides an introduction to anyone “just browsing around”. Each section consists of up And the Wikiexplora article gives access to 20 such trail segmentsthe [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers’ Manual] that can be downloaded from Dropbox.
Example track name: '''GPT01-TR006-1'''
* '''===The GPT: Greater Patagonian Trail* '''01''': Section 1* '''-TR''': Track* '''006''': Running number* '''-1''': Trail type, in this exmaple its a hiking trail or horse trailHikers Manual===
A '''-X''' The Hikers’ Manual is added to the track name primary source of information for optional side trips or alternative trailsthe GPT and can be downloaded free of charge at: http://bit.ly/GPTguide
Example track name: ''GPT01-TR007-0'''''-X'''
The '''-X''' at the end means that this is an optional side trip. In this example its the optional climb to the summit Hikers’ Manual consists of the volcano Descabezado Grande.three parts:
Used trail types are:* 1 Introduction and General Information, * 2 Terrain and Section Information and * 3 Appendix and Indices.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;" | Trail Type
! style="text-align: left;" | Code
! style="text-align: left;" | Comment
|-
| Cross Country
| 0
| Track that pases through open landscape without a visisble trail.
|-
| Hiking or Horse Trail
| 1
| Mostly visible trail on any terrain.
|-
| Minor Dirt Road
| 2
| No or light traffic only. Can also be an abandoned road or a private road that is not open for public use.
|-
| Mayor Dirt Road
| 3
| Public dirt roads with moderate traffic.
|-
| Paved Road
| 4
| Only few shorter segments at the start or finish of a sections.
|-
| Lake (Packraft)
| L
| Alternative options available if not carrying a packraft.
|-
| River (Packraft)
| R
| Alternative options available if not carrying a packraft.
|-
| Sea (Packraft)
| S
| Alternative options available if not carrying a packraft.
|-
| Ferry
| F
| Alternative ferry over lakes if not carrying a packraft.
|-
| To be verfied
|?
| Remains to be hiked and recorded by GPS to update the trail file. Alternative option available if not in explorers mood.
|-
| Options and Alternatives
| X
| A '''-X''' is added to the track name for optional side trips or alternatives i.e. trails around lakes.
|}
===Distances, Ascents, Descents Chapter 1 provides a general overview and Walking Times===This trail description contains plenty a good understanding of numbers for distances, altitudes, ascents, descents and even walking times. All these numbers are based on the "cleaned" GPS track without our occasional seek and search detoursnature of the GPT. Also all altitudes, ascents and descents are based You should read the entire chapter 1 thoroughly if you consider hiking on a digital map with a quite precise altitude profilethis route network because this part of the Hikers’ Manual guides you through your preparation.
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 Chapter 2 familiarizes you with the geography of the time between leaving the camp in the morning southern Andes and stopping again in describes each section of the eveningGPT. It did not appear This local knowledge is essential to us that we make such long breaks but the GPS record does not liethoughtfully select your route on this vast network and to prepare yourself for each section while hiking. So a walking time Therefore, parts of 6 hours means more or less a 9 hour chapter 2 are important during the preparation phase while other parts will become your guide when hiking day adding normal breaks to to eat, take pictures, verify navigation, chating with the locals on the trail or harvesting some piñonesGPT.
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 our actual GPS 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 4Chapter 3 goes deep into specific topics.8 km/h on You will require this expertise for specific tasks e.g. when setting up your GPS or when calculating distances and estimating travel times. The Appendix also contains valuable additional information that contribute to a level trail)* 11:26 minutes per 100 m ascent* 3:44 minutes per 100 m descentprofound understanding of the GPT and the region.
These factors resulted in the smallest average deviation to our actual moving time.
==Verifications, Additional Options and Extensions=====Verifications===The GPS File for Trekking above contains a few Hikers’ Manual is not verified track and waypoints because we did not hike all the options and alternativesavailable on paper but only as a PDF document. This unconfirmed tracks and waypoints are based It is designed to be read on satellite images, maps a computer or tales from locals and have on a question mark “?” smart¬phone while being online or offline. Therefore, it is issued in the namescreen-friendly 9:16 page format. So you know 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 what items you can rely on and where your explorer’s skills are smartphone if 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 and send the file with a comment to the author of this trail for update of the GPS File.
===Additional Options===If you know a better or simply The Greater Patagonian Trail is an interesting alternative informal trail, network that fits well into grows and changes regularly. And creating and updating the documentation to this Greater Patagonian Trail you are invited evolving trail network relies on voluntary work only. Therefore, this Hikers’ Manual is not expected to be become co-author completed in the foreseeable future and will remain a growing and evolving document. This unfinished nature has been made intentionally visible by sending your proposal displaying empty chapters with a GPS File to mered “To be issued. I will review it ” remarks and incorporate it similar comments in the master filered. This applies also shows what topics are planned to helpful new waypointsbe covered with future updates and where contributions and reviews are welcome.
===Extensions===
This trail is not finished yet. There is plenty of terrain left till this trail finally reaches the southern tip of Patagonia and ends either on the shores of the Magellan street or even on Tierra del Fuego. So, if you hiked 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 trail.
The trail should get you further south on a route that is worthwhile hikingUpdates and additions to chapter 1 and chapter 3 are made first in the Hikers’ Manual and not simultaneously copied to the Wikiexplora main article. It should consist mainly Therefore, the last published version of horse trails or minor dirt road with no or insignificant trafficthe Hikers’ Manual is the most current and comprehensive document available of the GPT. Walking i.e. long distances Note the publish date on the Careterra Austral seams not tempting to me. If I take cover page in the Careterra Austral, than I rather do it by bicyclebottom right corner and check occasionally for updates that are also advertised on the Facebook group.
The route should be passable without a machete, technical climbing or superman skills. Cross country through of an open landscape is great but I do not want to fight me tree by tree through dense tampered rainforest.
It does not matter at all if You can download the trail is GPT Hikers' Manual from Dropbox: [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers Manual 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 carabineros without a valid stamp you may get expelled and this makes not a nice finish of such a trip.Dropbox]
==Creation of the Greater Patagonian Trail==
To be issued.
==[[Greater Patagonian Trail =The Wikiexplora GPT Section 1: Volcán Descabezado|Section 1: Volcán Descabezado]]Articles===* '''Duration: 6 to 8 days'''* '''Distance: 103 km'''* '''Ascent: 4970 meters ↑'''* '''Descent: 4870 meters ↓'''
* ''Option 1: Climb 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 summit continuous collaboration of the volcano Descabezado Grande''** ''Duration: 1 to 2 days''** ''Distance: 16 km''** ''Ascent: 2030 meters ↑''** ''Descent: 2030 meters ↓''community. To enable such a collaboration one Wikiexplora article was created for each section of the GPT. These wikies collect all the section 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.
* ''Option 2: Explore to hidden lakes''
** ''Duration: ½ to 1 day''
===Summary===The first stage informal and unpredictable nature of the Greater Patagonian Trail gets 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 sections, volcano alerts, river conditions or anything that makes you right into a mind-blowing volcanic theatrethink in hindsight: “I should have known this before!”. The landscape is transformed by numerous powerful eruptions of In the volcano Descabezado Grande Wikiexplora section articles, hikers can post such alerts and it’s equally potent smaller brothers in the surroundingadvices. During the last major outbreak Additionally, hikers can provide any other beneficial information and suggestion that is not yet included in 1932 the Quizapu; a parasitic crater 6 km south of the main crater; vomited an estimated 25 cubic kilometer of lava and volcanic ashsection description.
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 It is my intention to transfer the 3900 m high summit of updated section information into the “Great Decapitated”; Hikers’ Manual before the start of each season to make this is what Descabezado Grande meansinformation available offline (chapter 2. It’s 5 Sections with the section documentations). But all hikers are advised the check the corresponding Wikiexplora GPT section articles before starting a demanding long but technically uncomplicated ascentsection to read the latest updates and alerts of fellow hikers.
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.
===Recommended Season===This traverse is best be hiked between December and April. After a mild winter with less snow than usual you may already set out To promote an active collaboration, all GPT hikers must sign up in November but be aware that some rivers may be impassible high during snowmelt (Wikiexplora in particular GPT01-WP018 and GPT01-WP019). If you plan order to get up access to the summit of the Descabezado Grande without carrying crampons you should have better chances at the end of December or later when most of the snow is goneGPT track files.
===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.
===Full DescriptionThe GPT Track Files===* [[Greater Patagonian Trail Section 1: Volcán Descabezado]]
===Image Gallery===[http://www.panoramio.com/user/7876187/tags/GPT%20Section%2001 Here you find a selection of images of section 1 of the The Greater Patagonian Trail (Panoramio)]<gallery> Imagen:01 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, El Bolsón.jpg|El BolsónImagen:02 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving El Bolsón.jpg|Leaving El BolsónImagen:03 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgImagen:04 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Las Ánimas.jpg|Laguna Las ÁnimasImagen:05 Greater Patagonian Trail, 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, is composed of existing routes 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 were mainly made by the Base Camp Descabezado Grandelocal settlers to serve their purposes.jpg|Leaving the Base Camp Descabezado GrandeImagen:27 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado GrandeHikers are unexpected guests on many of these trails.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 DescabezadoOnly smaller parts of these routes have some kind of trail markers.jpg</gallery>
==Section 2: Laguna Dial== ==Section 2A good part the trails and cross-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 country routes remained undocumented until recorded 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 16: Cochamó==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 GPT.
{{GaleriaInicio}}The only reliable way to navigate on the GPT is therefore a GPS with the digital track and waypoint documentation that was specifically created for the GPT. This digital documentation with the relevant geographic information consists of multiple files in different file types and is called in the following “GPT Track and Waypoint Documentation” or in short “Track Files”.   Hikers that feel uncomfortable being guided by a GPS need to learn and adapt to this form of navigation or discard the idea of hiking the Greater Patagonian Trail. Such hikers may resort to the established public trails in Patagonia that are better signposted and more suitable for classic navigation with paper maps.   The track files are provided on personal request by the author free of charge but not unconditionally. Read Chapter 1 of the [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers’ Manual] where you find the Code of Conduct on the GPT 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.  ===The GPT Facebook Group=== The GPT Facebook Group is a communication platform for past, present and prospective GPT adventurers. Here all hikers can announce their intended plans, seek other hikers to form small groups, post brief summaries after completing a section or simply ask questions.  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 suggestions to the relevant Wikiexplora GPT section article. Then either duplicate this information in the Facebook group or simply refer and link to your update in the Wikiexplora article.  The GPT Facebook Group is also the location where I now notify hikers when a new version of the Hikers’ Manual is published, when updated track files are available and where I share other news regarding the GPT.  To become member of the [http://bit.ly/GPTfacebook GPT Facebook Group] you need a Facebook account and request access: http://bit.ly/GPTfacebook  ===Publications to the GPT by other Hikers and Packrafters=== With this Hikers’ Manual and the article on Wikiexplora I aim to create a systematic introduction and comprehensive documentation of the GPT. I intentionally try not to overload these documents with personal stories from the trail.  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 regular base. For this I need to carefully choose my words to be factual and precise but also legally sound. Storytelling is neither needed nor welcome in my inspection reports. When numbers are available or when information can be structured into tables or charts than this is always preferred over well phrased verbal descriptions. You will notice these writing habits in the Hikers’ Manual and the Wikiexplora article.  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 diverse individual perceptions of the GPT. Some blogs openly describe mishaps and lessons learned and hopefully help other in avoiding the same mistakes.  The Hikers' Manual provides in chapters 3.7 Distinct Contributors and 3.8 Publications to the GPT a collection of links to videos and blogs that I consider particularly useful. <br style="clear:both" /> ==The GPT Route Network== [[File:GPT36H-Ruta_de_los_Pioneros.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 the volcano Villarica in the background. Image: Jan Dudeck]] 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.'''   So, what is it then?  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 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: * horse trails that are frequently used by the local cowboys (in Chile arriero or puestero, in Argentina gaucho),* poorly maintained and neglected 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.* Additionally, packrafters can cross mountain lakes, float down generally calm rivers and paddle in the Patagonian fjords.  This diversity makes the GPT so authentic but also inconsistent and in parts challenging.  Since the GPT is an informal route network, few signposts and trail markers facilitate route finding and none of these signs and markers refer to the GPT. The national parks contain some marked trails, though these signs are often unmaintained and inconsistent. Outside of parks you may sporadically see chopped off bark, sun faded strips of plastic, beer cans or even cattle skulls hanging in a tree. 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.  On many of these trails a customary right-of-way applies but some routes cross private land and you often can’t distinguish the difference. Therefore, when you venture onto the GPT you 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 respectful and friendly trespasser that can explain in Spanish what you are doing there.  Unlike many long-distance hiking trails, the GPT is not a single-line trail but a wide route network with countless options. When hiking on the GPT you have the privilege and task of composing your own personal route by making your choices along the way. This makes every hike on the GPT a unique and incomparable experience. The number of options becomes evident when comparing the length of the Main Route (approximately 5'000 km) with the total length of all tracks (more than 20’000 km).  The GPT route network starts in the outskirts of the Chilean capital Santiago de Chile and reaches all the way to 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).  The GPT is not a trail that can be hiked efficiently. The trail will change your plans without asking and inevitably stop you from time to time or even turn you around. 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 the rivers calmed down and can be forded safely. In late March or during April fierce snowstorms may make the route impassable again.  The recommended pace on this route network is the "appreciation pace". This pace gives you the time to make an attractive detour, in example to climb a summit next to the trail without worrying about your schedule. This adequate rate of advance permits you to accept the 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 weather is too volatile or to spend a day or two waiting at a lake if it is too windy to paddle with your packraft.  This trail is 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. It's for hikers for whom completion is irrelevant, and instead count their enjoyable and eventful days in a pristine and diverse environment. It’s a trail for thoughtful discoverers who can accept being guests and not dominators.  '''All this makes the GPT a discovery network with a good portion of unpredictability but an impressive authenticity.''' <br style="clear:both" /> ==The GPT Terrain: Greater Patagonia== [[File:Pat_map.PNG|thumb|400px|Limits of Patagonia. Image: [https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia Wikipedia]]][[File:Historic_Map_Patagonia.jpg|thumb|400px|Historic map of Patagonia. Image: [https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia Wikipedia]]] If you are considering exploring the Greater Patagonian Trail and wish to enjoy 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: * the national park Torres del Paine,* the glacier Perito Moreno and * the surrounding of El Chalten with Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.  These 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.  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 different tastes and textures of Patagonia. It connects the semi-desert of Precordillera with the Patagonian Icefields and the barren volcanos with the damp green rain forest.  The Greater Patagonian Trail crosses most of Patagonia and the adjacent regions to the north. For this reason I named the trail “Greater Patagonian Trail” when I started publishing in 2014. I coined the term "Greater Patagonia" to combine Patagonia in its traditional limits with the adjacent regions like "Greater London" includes the city of London and the surroundings.  The limits of Patagonia are somewhat blurry. This makes it impractical to state where exactly the GPT gets into Patagonia. If taking the administrative limits of Argentina, than you get in throwing range of Patagonia at the end of section GPT05 where you can look over the Argentinian border into the province Neuquén. But with a different understanding you enter Patagonia on section GPT13 where you ford the Río Biobío. 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 at the first Patagonian fjord: the Estuarió de Reloncaví.  For 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-country 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.  In contrast, when reaching Patagonia, get ready for frequent and enduring rain. Also, don't expect to walk high up in the mountains in the 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 west and a semi-desert-like Pampa in the east. These island-like mountains are separated by wide valleys that were carved by giant glaciers during past glacial periods. The wide valleys are now partly filled with lakes that drain their water in powerful rivers into the Patagonian fjords. Therefore, “real Patagonia” is best traveled by packraft because a packraft gets you on these lakes, rivers and fjords. <br style="clear:both" /> ==[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thru-hiking Thru-Hiking] the GPT== [[File:GPT09-Familia_Carrileo1.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT09: 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 family Carrileo. Image: Jan Dudeck]] '''This trail was not created to thru-hike Patagonia, it's a route network for immersion-hiking. The GPT does not get you through Patagonia but gets you deep into Patagonia.'''  With the 2021 extension the GPT spans about 5000 km in often difficult and slow terrain. This makes the GPT too long 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 varied and unpredictable terrain makes this comparison inadequate.   Therefore, I do not recommend attempting a thru-hike of the GPT. This focus would require rushing and taking less attractive short cuts, in example deviating from GPT to walk on main roads instead of following the trails. 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 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 land of others. Just the idea of racing through strangers’ backyards is regarded a rude in these remote regions.  '''From a thru-hiking perspective the GPT is less than a long-distance trail.''' 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 GPT 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.  And what might be the biggest disappointment for some thru-hikers on the GPT: There is no trail community and thru-hikers do not receive any special admiration because nobody along the trail distinguishes between thru-hikers, section-hikers, day-hikers, or tourists in general.  '''For respectful explorers the GPT is much more than a long-distance trail.''' 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 trails making the hike more of a cultural experience. If approached with respect and interest, then these welcoming people will share much more than just the 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 weight of your backpack.  If you find Triple Crown Thru-Hikers more credible to speak about thru-hiking the GPT than read in the Hikers' Manual how Lauren Reed (Neon) and Christine Thürmer (German Tourist) experienced the GPT in comparison with the renowned US long distance trails. Lauren was the first hiker to walk the entire length of the GPT in two seasons together with Bethany Hughes (Fidgit).  Someone who wants to explore the entire length of GPT should split this adventure into various seasons. This also facilitates hiking lightly where a packraft would just be a burden and to packraft were the extra weight really pays off. Having more than one season also gives the extra time to take some of the more demanding but rewarding options.  There is one more reason why a thru-hike of the GPT in the literal sense is not viable. Thru-hiking means walking a complete long-distance trail with connecting footsteps from start to finish typically in one season. This is only possible on a well-defined trail with a set start and finish point. This simply does not apply to the GPT.  Attempting to thru-hike the GPT is like trying to memorise every word of a book that is still in the making with the first drafts informally shared for peer reviews. It’s pretty pointless and assigns this evolving route network far too much authority. But this unfinished nature of the GPT makes it possible to investigate new routes and become 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.  Michael Deckebach summarized this conclusion after his 5-months adventure on the GPT with the following words: "The Greater Patagonian Trail is awesome, but (...) not 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?”. <br style="clear:both" /> ==Packrafting the GPT== [[File:GPT_Fjord_Packrafting.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT28: Reaching the sea after paddling down the Río Palena. Image: Jan Dudeck]] 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 trails on satellite images. 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 packraft. So, the initial cause for incorporating packrafting options were insufficient information about the 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 beneficial.  In retrospect I’m so glad that I lacked the information about the hidden routes. Otherwise I would probably not have discovered the packraft as the ideal hiking partner for Patagonia. A packraft does not only carry your backpack, it carries you! What matters in this “partnership” is a good balance. You don’t want to carry your packraft most of the time but benefit from it as much as possible. And this is the case on sections GPT17 to GPT39. Here the 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 surrounding area.  When packrafting on lakes and rivers we normally do not exceed hiking speed so the packraft does not make us faster. In contrast, all the packing and unpacking and the extra weight slows us down. But speed is not our objective. What we seek is diversity and a packraft opens up some of the most epic routes in Patagonia.  ==Questions and Feedbacks== If you read this article to this point then you should definitely download the [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers’ Manual from Dropbox] now. Should you have questions that are not answered in the Hikers’ Manual than you may write the author an email. Also feedbacks are welcome. Email of author: gpt.jan.dudeck@gmail.com ==Gallery==<gallery>Lago Bergues y al fondo se ve el Glaciar Lucia.JPG|Lago Bergues y al fondo se ve el Glaciar Lucía, por Meylin UbillaGlaciar_Lucia.JPG|Glaciar Lucía desde el Lago Bergues, por Meylin Ubilla</gallery>{{GaleriaFinTrekkings Chile}}[[category:Greater Patagonian Trail]][[category:Parche Greater Patagonian Trail]]
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