Cambios

The trail Incredible section, tough weather, muddy trails, but perhaps my favorite GPT adventure.Started from Cochrane at around 6pm after conversing with a store owner and family about organizing a ride over the 30km of “paved road.” Was too expensive, opted to camp 8km on side of road, in some trees. Got two rides the following morning, second of which from workers (first time hitching in a truck) who were headed all the way up to Glacier lookout.Trail is mostly well-definedin decent shape, weather cleared for some okay views. There are several Some sections with a lot lots of fallen trees, but they’re easily stepped can make for slower walking. Encountered 3 aggressive dogs at Puesto (53.1/611) one of which lunged at my legs and got very close to biting me. But they backed off. Was trying to push over or passed with CCthe pass as we knew bad weather was incoming the following day. Encounter some Chilean hikers right before Ford at Km 56. Had lunch and did weather check, saw that temp was dropping down to 30/light BB -1C with 4 inches of snow that night, and heavy gusts following morning. This information inspired the Chileans to pack up camp and continue on occasionwith us. We took a less that ideal route up the first rock scree, I found would recommend following the GPS track closely, despite being CC as it more bothersome than difficultdid reconnect with trail. SimilarlyDuring climb, rain turned to hail, and then snow, which made the sections rocks slippery and scary. Once on trail in woods, it improved.As we climbed up towards the pass, which was covered in snow, the weather changed dramatically — a few times. One minute it was windy and snowing heavily, and then the sun would break through the clouds. Definitely increased my stress as I had debated my decision to roadwalk push that evening. The ascent to pass is not steep after first scree, but it is quite long. Once at pass, the valley is beautiful, descent was not bad, a little bit of skiing down, and crossing icey cold rivers. The climb up to second pass at end of valley is quite nice.Pushed on to Camp at Km 79, a few good spots to put tents. Very cold night, snowed, but we were more monotonous than difficultprotected from wind. No issues Continued next day with fords; our new Chilean friends, short day in the cold. Camped at Puesto El Burro (92.2/660). Not many great tent spots, but it works well enough.Left our friends early, pushed to unmarked camp at Km 116. My Garmin stopped working this day, which was upsetting. Couldn’t get satellite connection, led me to doing soft reset and trying to software update, which stopped my tracking 😞. 3 months of hiking. However, Gaia was working. However, I could still send and receive messages which was good. Eventually my garmin wouldn’t really even turn on when in Expedition Mode, took about 2 minutes of pressing on button and enter to get it to boot up (I resolved this in town, it was another software update and as per other notes, in this part of the route it is better to activate Multi-GNSS, not just GPS Mode)Final day we pushed early to reach Refuge at Km 148. Ended up being a couple reached really hot day, which was nice. At some point, in the heavy bushes, my upper thigh/crotchcamera got snagged and fell off my bag, I hadn’t noticed for a while after. I was sad, but all recently had weak changed SD card so after 30 minutes of scouring the bushes I made peace with the loss. (Just my luck, our Chilean friends found it and messaged me on instagram and I got it back in Villa O’Higgins 🙏)After 2 hours waiting at road with no cars, finally a settler came and we got a ride all the way to mild currentstown. Plenty He recently bought property near border and plans to build it up into a camping spot.Truly a beautiful section, and a true experience with the beauty and power of water aroundthe climate. Laying in my sleeping bag with all my layers kinda made me wish I was hiding in the shade of a boulder up north again. But that’s the GPT.

Fortunate to have some great weather *'''GPT36 // 2025 Dec 3- several 5 // NOBO // 3 days of sun // hiking // Bailey and minimal winds. I’d expect that the exposed and swampy sections of Ohad''' Challenges - fallen trees across the trail would be significantly more difficult in poorer conditions. With the exception of the Long road and at the Glacier, I didn’t see anyone.walking if you don't organize transport or can't get a hitch  Difficulty - 4/5

Camps * Day 1 Note - Settler 36H-23 [33.2/290]* Day 2 - Camp [79.9/876]* Day 3 - Camp [110.9/500]* Day 4 - -48.162416, -72.414089, approx. 138.5km you briefly cross into Argentina and back into Chile but there's no one here or any infrastructure

Day 1 - Caught the bus to Cochrane We were given a number from Coyhaique and started walking at 4.15pm. I was able El mosco, (+56 9 7751 7721) Christan, who drove us from villa O'Higgins to get two short hitches but mostly roadwalked. - I camped at Settler 36H-23 [33.2/290]; approximately 1.5km off the RR at 15kmend of the road. This is an established campgroundIt cost 40, though there’s currently 000 CLP per person, a bit expensive but no sign. Friendly familyone really drives out here, flat grass area for tents, big dining/kitchen space with fireplace, showers and toilets. 7so a hitch would've been difficult.000clp p/nWe didn't regret paying because of our weather window.

Day 2 - I The first day was able to hitch from ~20km to the glacier with a local guide. - After the Puesto at 57.6/667 there’s a bad patch lot of fallen trees. For the most part the RR was obstructed or not obvious. I instead followed a mix of game trail up and RR; whatever was the path of least resistance. Some CC/BB required, which was time-consuming down but not difficult. - Note that there’s no water at 67.3/1041, but plenty at the following waypoint [68.4/1089]. - Only one small patch of snow on the descent from the pass - could be avoided if you wanted. I forded [71.8/1262] on a snow bridge. - Camped a few hundred metres before 79.9/876 where there was a flatter spot. easy to follow trail

Camp 1  We camped at camp [110.9/500] which was beautiful and protected from the wind by the lake  Day 2 We walked through the forest most of the day, heaps of fallen trees to navigate. The river valley was easy hiking. The fords were not an issue but incredibly cloudy and muddy from the rain  Camp 2  We camped at camp [79.9/876] which was a bit lumpy but we found a couple of flat spots. There's mice here.  Day 3 - The hike up to pass was gradual and beautiful. There were was a lot bit of fresh snow at the pass but not too bad. We actually overshot the pass but after assessing the topographic map we found our way  There was an incredibly bad section of fallen trees throughout (photo shown).  If going NOBO, kilometer 58.3 km (SOBO) take the daytrail heading east, though as with a few fords heading to the puesto. The trail was nice and clear of dead fall. I'll upload a photo from ohads gps in the comments. Can't say much about the condition of RR, but we tried briefly and there were heaps of fallen trees  We were lucky to have a hitch from the start of the road into Cochrane from a local  We stayed at Hostal Ana Luz 15,000 CLP per person for two beds in one room  Ohad will upload our trip report of GPT37  ''' GPT35/2026-02-26 to 2026-03-04/6,5 days/ SOBO/RR + exploration /Denis, Robert ''' We dedicated to go on the section even with worse forecast for next days.  Road walk to 48km took us 1,5 days, and we camped next to the Laguna Calluque, on pretty well sheltered spot between bushes. We already here camped in rain and moderate wind. The whole Sendero de Los Pioneros is in pretty good shape, some overgrown parts and fallen trees nothing crazy, but few comments: 1. Variant A seemed to us like easier option, but we decided to stay on RR, because of possible better views (and three other hikers (Laura), who just descended down from there. 2. After pass we followed fresh horse trail going more on the left side of the valley and reconnected back at the bottom of the valley.3. From 105 km we decided to go CC straight to km 110. Beginning was fine than middle part not that much and end agin better, young vegetation and fallen trees. It took us less than one hour. Was it worth it? Probably yes if you are in mood to make it harder for you, otherwise not. (We don’t know in what condition is the RR).4. Traverse of Lago Alegre seemed like never ending for us plenty of ups and downs the second lake was easier to traverse.  And the last 8 km are actually trail with nice forest road.  River fords were still pretty easy even in rainy weather. We had rain every single full day beforeon the section, they it was probably the most challenging part of it.  Due to wet and cold weather it was pretty demanding section for us, but in good weather it could be bypassed relatively easily very enjoyable section with CCdifficulty no more than 3, and probably higher attractiveness thanks to better views.  Attractiveness 3/5Difficulty 5/5  '''2026- I bypassed Jan-27 to 2026-Jan-31 / 5 days / Hiking / NOBO / RR / Kole''' A tranquil segment; the Puesto at wide open views of the pass nicely compliment the long closed-in forested sections.  Attractiveness: 4/5; Difficulty: 3/5  Camps: Night 1: -48.11405, -72.48790 — nice spot on a beach of Lago Christie, but without any wind protection; there could be some sheltered spots in the forest right before Night 2: Camp {36H} [107110.9/500] — lovely sheltered spot on the shore of Lago Alegre Night 3: Camp {36H} [79.9/479876] by cutting across at — some decent flat spaces in the area amongst the trees after the initial Rio Bravo fords Night 4: -47.9861562141, -72.5585146907 — flat sheltered spots right before the Puesto {36H} [53. While there’s no trail as such1/611]   Hitches: - I departed Villa O’Higgins at 12:00. Got two partial hitches, and a third that took me all the way to the trailhead, X {36H} [142.0/550], arriving at 15:00. On a day with nice weather during high season there are seemed to be a decent number of cars driving in the direction of Lago Christie, and so a good chance on hitching all the way to the trailhead. Might be more difficult in bad weather or early/late in the season. - I arrived to the northern trailhead at Laguna Calluqueo, X {36H} [50.0/553], around 11:00. Luckily it was a nice clear day and so there were several game trails cars around the trailhead and it’s easy CC at viewpoints near the Laguna. I walked on the road for a bit and quickly got a hitch from a couple that was returning to Cochrane.  Ford Conditions: Water levels were high and currents strong after many days of warm weather contributing to snowmelt. All fords along the RR were still able to be crossed, but particularly the ones near the pass (more straightforward than km 81.3 to 77.4) required some trial and error to find a safe line and some careful footing. Ford {36H-B} [1.3/934] (La Picota, often not fordable) along variant B was indeed not fordable, best to stick to the RR higher up along the ridge unless early in the season.  General Notes: - Challenges include blowdowns in the forested sections that require some CC/BB. Trail was overgrown in parts and at timeseasy to wander off on cow paths. Many flies on warm, windless days. - No longer any snow on the pass - The owner of Puesto {36H} [57.6/667] (Calloqueo)was home - Also the couple caretaking Puesto {36H} [53. 1/611] were home and invited me in for mate and some homemade queso and jam, warm and friendly people.  * <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2026-01-28 to 2026-01-31 / 4 days / Packrafting / Loop / RP /OP 23 / Daniel.s'''</span> In short: I reconnected with started in Cochrane paddled on the RR lake eastbound until Lake {36H} [52.6/155] (Lago Cochrane), hiked to Lago Brown and paddled Rios Tranquilo and Del Salto to get back towards Cochrane, finished at X {36H-04A} [7.7/314]. Day 1: with 2,5 days of very calm and hot weather ahead I started paddling the little upriver section out of Cochrane, river in at Lake {35} [154.1/156]. The current in the upper parts were too strong for the single packraft to be overcome, so I had to portage. Easiest way is to take out at S 47.9903622448°, W 072.49745° and put back in at Lake {35} [149.0/193]. The lake itself then was calm all day long. Camped at Lake, Camp {36H-72L} [0.553050/157] (Lago Cochrane), wich I only recommend in calm conditions.- Space for 1 tent Day 2: another calm day with a little tailwind in the afternoon. Camped at 110Settler Abandoned {36H} [52.7/156]. Day 3: hiked to Lago brown, which is all on MR starting from Settler {36H} [53.9 but potentially more /157] (Serafin). Reached there by noon, headwinds too strong already, so I continued walking until someone gave me a lift to Rio Tranquilo. Camped at S 47.40648°, W 072.38180°. Day 4: put in Rio Tranquilo at S 47.40533°, W 072.37968°, access directly to the vicinity river from MR hassle-free. Water level mid high after a few hot days and melting water. The first 2,5 - 3 kms the river fans out a lot and is shallow, expect ground contact and short portage/lining sections if you got creativechoose the wrong river-arm. Beautiful spotAfter that short section no problem. I took out just before X {36H} [98.2/349] (River Xersion) at S 47.45777°, highly recommendW 072. 45684° and hiked alon the old riverbed and then through semi-dense brush with cow-paths to put in at S 47.46068°, W 072.47258°. The rest of the river runs fine. No major difficulties, but it wouldn't be packrafting in Patagonia if the wasn't the obvious "occasional tree/log in the water"-warning 😉. Take out and hike across the bridge is straight forward, put in and the rest of the way on Rio Tranquilo and Rio Del Salto is easy. Rapid {36H-23} [42.2/286] was not much of a rapid due to high water level, just some waves. Took out just after and hitchhiked back to Cochrane from Ruta 7.    '''2025-Dec-30 to 2026-Jan-3 / 5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR, E, G / Emily''' A beautiful section, particularly from Glacier Callequeo to the Pass, and around Lago Christie. The trail is mostly well-defined. There are several sections with a lot of fallen trees, but they’re easily stepped over or passed with CC/light BB on occasion. I found it more bothersome than difficult. Similarly, the sections I had to roadwalk were more monotonous than difficult. No issues with fords; a couple reached my upper thigh/crotch, but all had weak to mild currents. Plenty of water around.Fortunate to have some great weather - several days of sun and minimal winds. I’d expect that the exposed and swampy sections of the trail would be significantly more difficult in poorer conditions. With the exception of the road and at the Glacier, I didn’t see anyone.Attractiveness - 4/5Difficulty - 3/5

Day 4 Camps (all with decent wind protection and nearby water) * Day 1 - Trail overgrown in parts but mostly easier to followSettler 36H-23 [33. Some CC still required in sections 2/290]. Approx. 1.5km off the RR at 15km. This is an established campground, though there’s currently no sign. Friendly family, flat grass area for tents, big dining/kitchen space with deadfallfireplace, showers and toilets. 7.000clp p/n* Day 2 - An incredibly bad patch of mozzies around ~116km, near the OSM-marked campCamp [79. Though only for 500m9/876] (Approx. 100m before, I’d suggest applying repellant or putting on where there was a head net prior toflatter spot). * Day 3 - Recommend keeping an eye on your GPS after the puesto at ~135kmCamp [110. I followed a clear trail to the right of the RR9/500]. While in other instances these game trails usually reconnected to the RRBeautiful spot, this one didn’t; required some BB through swamp to reconnecthighly recommend. * Day 4 - I camped just below a lean-to around 48.162416, -72.414089, approx. 138.5kmat the puesto marked on OSM. Space for one tent; good wind protection, stream nearby, A slightly lumpy but overall okayflat spot for 1 tent below the lean-to.

Points of note * I started from Cochrane around 4.15pm on a weekday afternoon. I was able to get two short hitches but mostly roadwalked. The following morning I hitched with a local guide to the glacier (from ~20km, around 8am). On the roadwalk to Villa O’Higgins (Day 5) I was able to hitch from ~148km, around 9.15am on a weekend). * After the Puesto at 57.6/667 there’s a bad patch of fallen trees. For the most part the RR was obstructed or not obvious. I instead followed a mix of game trail and RR; whatever was the path of least resistance. Some CC/BB required, which was time- Hitched consuming but not difficult. * Note that there’s no water at 67.3/1041, but plenty at the following waypoint [68.4/1089]. * Only one small patch of snow on the descent from Pass 71.5/1304 - could be avoided if you wanted. I forded [71.8/1262] on a snow bridge. * There were a lot of fallen trees between ~148km 86.5km to Villa O’Higgins110km, arriving though as with the day before, they could be bypassed relatively easily with CC. Trail improved thereafter, though is still overgrown in parts/requires detours around 10amfallen trees.* I bypassed the Puesto at [107.3/479] by cutting across at -47.98615, -72.55851. While there’s no trail as such, there are several game trails and it’s easy CC (more straightforward than the RR at times). I reconnected with the RR at -47.99036, -72.55305.* Recommend keeping an eye on your GPS after the puesto at ~135km. I followed a clear trail to the right of the RR. While in other instances these game trails usually reconnected to the RR, this one didn’t; required some BB through swamp to reconnect.