==Season 2022/23==
* 20232022-JanDec-18 to 2023-Jan-21 16 / 3.5 days 30 Days / GPT37H Penisula La Florida Packrafting / West Traverse GPT37P Initial Investigation / IrisVilla O'Higgins, Lago Negro, El Taitao, La Morocha, Isla Central, Brazo Poniente, Rio Condor, Lago Chico / Meylin Ubilla, Masha Ovchinnikova, Misha Bogdanov, Jan Dudeck, AlexisTobias Schorch
We were able to get a boat ride to Bahia Pescado by asking Rudeas de Patagonia. We came at In the end 10 years of the day investigating and they sold us some remaining seats at a fair price (50k for 2). Earlier in publishing the day, GPT this has been the price was 60k eachmost diverse, intense and longest exploration trip.
When arriving at Bahia Pescado, we had difficulties Lago O’Higgins is not completely unknown in the travelers world but most hikers and cyclists perceive this lake rather as an obstacle then as a region to find explore. Lago O’Higgins is located between the trail southern terminus of the Carretera Austral and struggled in the first ascenthiking mecca El Chalten. We pitched the tent at Water {37H} [56.7/408]. The view all along Hikers and at cyclists that wish to connect along the spot is stunningCarretera Austral from Cerro Castillo or Parque Patagonia to El Chalten often take the ferries that cross this lake from Villa O‘Higgins to Candelario Mancilla but furious wind can result in waiting times of more then one week.
On While visiting Villa O’Higgins in recent years we learned more about the second day, handful of settlers living remotely on the ascent through RHshores of this lake. The first settlers arrived around 100 years ago by boat coming from the Argentine side of this bi-CCnational lake. And satellite images provided some information about the trails in the vicinity of this octopus-A {37H} [5like lake with numerous arm.6/48.0+0.5] was tough because it was really hot After years of contemplating we reserved a good part of this season to venture on this lake and to visit the path we found was in rocky former river streamsettlers.
Then, RR-CC-A {37H} [39.9/40.7+1.7] Lago O’Higgins is even harder when going up. We suggest to continue to follow infamous for the shore a bit and going up straight instead often furious wind that can last for days. Especially in summer wind rarely stops making any packrafting attempt an exercise of trying to do both at the same time. It looked easier when abovepatience. We camped Of the 30 days at Camp {37H} [36.5/776] the lake we spend 10 days waiting but these days were “value time” because we did not find water nearbystayed at the homesteads of the settlers and tasted their way of life. Highlights of the trip have been:
Third day was without any specificities except gorgeous landscapes - Searching and scenic views. Of note, Camp {37H} [114.9/268] is probably not available for documenting the season as it is occupied by a dead cow. We found a suitable pitch a bit further on the beach (in an old corral). barely travelled trail from Villa O’Higgins via Lago Negro to El Taitao
The return to Bahia Bahamondes was straight forward. The beginning of the trail is easily lost and we checked our GPS quite often. Then, the trail is visible and beautiful. We were lucky to find a ride to Villa O'Higgins - Crossing by packraft Lago O’Higgins at the port Brazo Desagüe and did not walk the last 7 kilometers. Bahia Pocas Pilchas
Overall, we struggled a bit but had no real difficulties. The weather was excellent (even a bit too hot) - Spending 10 days with Andrea and the rivers crossable easily. This hike was super beautiful and diverse. Also, we met nobody Susana Mancilla on the trail and it was really pleasant to feel diving into barely frequented nature.Isla Central that became our “base camp” for exploring Brazo Poniente
* 2023-Jan-07 to 2023-Jan-07 / 6 days / GPT37P(H): Peninsula La Florida. Full "8" route Packrafting and side hikes (hiking Brazo Poniente all the way to Cerro Tres Frailes) / Clockwise / Alex Abramov the glaciers that creep down from the Southern Patagonian Icefield
179 km, Solo.- Spending 7 days with Ema Mera and Leo Muñoz at their homestead Rio Condor that became our “base camp” to visit Brazo Sudoccidental and the Southern Patagonian Icefield
An excellent route ranked in my top five favorites in Chile. Very scenic, varied, secluded, - Investigate a real gem. In general, there are no problems with water or camps. Not particularly difficult, but the new cross-country hiking route has at least two quite demanding fords and many sections with complicated navigation and annoying thorny bushes (I always use my running shoes). to a viewpoint of Glacier O’Higgins that was probably never walked before
My choice of direction, clockwise, is due - Traversing the Pensinsula La Carmela from Glaciar Gaea to trying challenging fords first.Lago Chico and crossing this lake by packraft next to Glaciar Chico
I am somewhat skeptical about - Ascending on the length of the track by Jan, the discoverer of the area, I believe that the real classic “8” will be closer Southern Patagonian Icefield along Glaciar Chico to 150 kmCrossing the Aro(s) River requires a lot of care, especially when passing alone. It can be extremely dangerous or impassable in the early season, I put some useful tips in the comment on Paso Marconi with the FB post.mountain guide Leo Muñoz
==Season 2021/22==- Arranging food shipments with the supply boat that 3 times per month visits the settlers of Lago O’Higgins
* 2022The balanced combination of hiking, packrafting and living with the settlers made this 30-Mar-06 / 3day trip an intense but not tiresome experience.5 days / 37P: Península La Florida / Tobias Schorcht, Jonas Grünewald and Martin
Thank you Jan, for sending us your GPS-Trackfiles right on time. It would have been quite difficult, to make our way over the península without them, because there are numerous good visible cow trails around! We booked a “O’Higgins Glaciar Tour” (120000 Pesos p.P) A detailed route description and asked the captain (Markus), to drop us on our way back at Punta Pescado, where the settlers Nicole, Misael and there little son are living. They were happy to receive some fresh fruits and vegetables and invited us for lunch. Nicole and Misael are warm and welcoming people. We left in the afternoon and made our way to “los hermanos” where we camped. The settler who is living there, was not at home. Surprisingly, the weather was much better then expected. Locals told us, it’s always warmer (“up to 4 degrees”) and less rainy up here. We had no problems recommendations will be provided with navigation on our way back to Villa. There were no dangerous river crossings and numerous of potential camping spots. The views on the Lago O’Higgins and the near by mountains have been spectacular. We suggest to use gaiters, to avoid scratches next update of the sticky bushesHikers Manual. All in all, we recommend this hike! ==Season 2021/22==
==Season 2020/21==
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