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→Season 2023/24
==Season 2023/24==
* 20232024-DecFeb-19 01 to 20232024-DecFeb-21 04 / 3 .5 days / SOBO / RR + Variant A+D+-E-RR-I + traverse of Cerro Zapallo-RR / Matthias de Austria
I hitchhiked to Las Peñas in the late afternoon, shortly after on the street to the first Laguna a young friendly local couple picks me up, we drive to the Gate at -34.7739,-70.7782 they discuss with the lady, she lets them pass for free, but the gringo has to pay 4000. Got a piece of watermelon from her, at least.
RR stopped by new Plantage at -34.7982,-70.7724. I bushbash around it on its western (right) side. Reached E, street here cuts the plantage in two parts, but try to find a way through the bushes around -34.8010,-70.7678 (on its eastern, left side) to go back on RR, but no luck, all little paths there lead to thick dornbushes. I think the western side after crossing E would be possible (around -34.8022,-70.7702). Anyway I hike E. Long climb up without water until nice camp at -34.8428,-70.7841 at 1500m. No pool. Reach it at 10pm, saw a cute Tarantula, which made my tiredness of putting up a tent disappear. First camp there, next camp at Laguna Fria, nice swimming. There is a little stonewalled place at -34.8774,-70.7436. Take some water afterwards as the way down to the valley is long and without shadow or water. The valley is very beautiful, lots of water, amazing pools and campsites. Night 3 at -34.9654,-70.7429. Around -34.9962,-70.7611 there is a new ranger camp, consisting of 1 ranger living in a tent 5 days a week. Young and friendly ranger, first person I saw for 2 days, asked me immediately if I hike GPT. He thinks its an amazing thing. I register in his phone. Barking free running dogs at the Puesto at -34.9990,-70.7917, I am tired and want no confrontation, walk through the riverbed, but it took me quite a while to find a way (-34.9981,-70.7854) there bc of thick vegetation.
Fordings: all very easy. No snow fields to cross.
In Los Queñes (little supermarket there, enough food) I tried to take the last bus to Curicó at 18:30 (as I read here) in front of the supermarket, but it already drove off at 18:10, leaving me, waiting for this bus at a little park next to it, behind. After 1 hour of hitchhiking attemps a very friendly couple takes me to Curicó even driving me directly to my Airbnb.
*Jan-10-2024 to Jan-12-2024 / 3 days / SOBO / variant A, RR, variant I / Matthieu
Nice section, the laguna fria zone is really beautiful, with all the remaining snowpatches.
6000 pesos for entry in the laguna del encanto zone (4000 for the day, 2000 for camping).
The technical part is after the laguna fria until you join the treeline down. Loose rocks, steep and slippery descents with very dry ground. The only snow patch left on the RR is when you go down to the first cirque after the laguna fria. You can easily go around by the right side, by the stones.
Variant : A, hitchkiked to el Llano. - I : if you take this variant, you don't have to cross the estero los pejerreyes that seems strong this year, so it's the secure choice. Trail is in very good condition, with lots of tracks, so I assume that locals take it this year.
Water : all the markers are correct, and you find other good streams all along the uphill to the pass. The valley going down follow the river, plenty of streams.
Camping spots : water 30,2, awesome spot before crossing to the right as Matthias said - 300m after Ford 44,3, on a little pass just before going back to the river down. Plenty of camping spots all along the valley
Accomodation : camping tres palos a los queñes, 10 000 pesos, very nice spot with a pool of river water. Micros to curico 10 minutes before 9h am, 2h pm and 3h pm
No problems with dogs or private properties.
* 2023-Dec-19 to 2023-Dec-21 / 3 days / SOBO / RR + Variant A+D+I + traverse of Cerro Capallo / Matthias
Road hiked variant A to avoid route finding around gates in the early morning.
