GPT24P (PN Los Alerces Agua)

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* Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or Packrafting / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias

Summary with remarks to route that are considered useful for other hikers and packrafters. Include alerts, suggestions and personal perception of attractiveness and difficulties.

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Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions

Season 2023/24

• 2024-Jan-19 / 2 days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP / Lauren & Sebastian & Daniel

Day 1

We started in increased team size as we joined forces with GPT Packrafter Daniel on this leg. Leaving camp Abuelo Daniel at 6:45am we hoped to ensure smooth passage on Lago Rivadavia and Lago Verde. Note that if you leave too late, there will be strong headwinds on both lakes starting typically from early afternoon, as the general rule is that winds are traveling from the Chilean cost inland starting around noon. We managed to cross Lago Rivadavia without problems, but had some headwinds already on Lago Verde. We pushed through this short lake and floated down Rio Arrayanes. By the time we reached Lago Futalaufquen, the wind was strong. As the direction of the valley points inland we now had a good tailwind and set our sails. We camped further down the lake just before turning eastwards around the first corner. I won’t specify the spot, as we camped wild and were visited by rangers coming down from the road at around 9pm. They were very clear that wild camping is not allowed in Argentinian National Parks and we had to excuse our ignorance on this matter, even tough we camped only 5 meters away from the official free camper van camp spot. Camping is ONLY allowed at the official campsites in Argentinian NPs. I guess as it was so late and the next camp site quite a ways away, they made an exception and only took photos of our passports for registration purposes. I want to strongly discourage anyone from doing the same as we did. They were very strict and even though they may have made an exception, I’m sure that they will not do the same next time! Be more responsible than we were.

Day 2

We expected to have a calm morning, but winds were not in our favor. We waited until around 11am for the head winds to slow down and then set off paddling towards Villa Futalaufquen. After turning onto the southwards stretch, winds slowly started to shift and we got some tailwind. We set the sails on both boats and continued along the western shore southwards, only to be stopped half way down by officials, which told us that we cannot paddle on the western side of the lake. They mentioned that the beach at the southwestern end of the lake is used as a private landing point for motor boats, and we should stay away from it. They asked us to cross the lake to the eastern side. We continued to sail, now in southeast direction, and landed at about the middle of the lake and concluded a great GPT section.

Overall: A very enjoyable and scenic section! Expect lot’s of tourist traffic on the lakes, but we still highly recommend it! Rivers were not difficult.

• 2023-12-25 to 2023-12-27 / 3 days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP to Villa Futalaufquen / Roman

Started at Villa Lago Rivadavia at 03:30 PM. Wind from south. A few trees other than that mid speed river - really nice. Camped here: Camp {24P} [7.4/526] - lots if locals great place. Due to the recommendation in the handbook started the next day early at 06:15 AM. Cross the lake until 10:00 AM. No wind lake was like a mirror. At the beginning of Rio Rivadavia there is a line across the river you can go under it on the left side.

IMPORTANT: take the right arm (-42.692722, -71.710147 ) the left one had more water and I thought thy will connect after a few meters - no they don't! Tones of fallen trees possible to manage it but very challenging and you will hit at least 1 tree. Learned my lesson and at the end they reconnected here -42.6965, -71.717705. There supposed to be also a sign with a arrow showing this - but I haven't seen it. Other than that great river. Rapids are easy.

Lago Verde had wind from south. Stopped at Shop {24H} [31.6+0.3/525] and resupplyed. Río Arrayanes slow and easy. Made another break here: Camp {24H} [43.2/531]. There a ranger came to me and said: No camping outside the offical payed campsite because they had problems with grupos in the park. So no overnight there. Continued here: -42.81394, -71.645572 and sleep at a campsite for 6000$. The wind picked up from north west during theast section. Manageable but challenging. For the next day strong wind where forecasted and I hitchhiked to Villa Futalaufquen.

Overall: chill and relaxing packrafting very nice! Would reccomend it.

Contact: https://linktr.ee/RundW

• 2023-12-23 to 2023-12-26 / 3 days / Packrafting / SOBO / Lago Cholila to Villa Futalaufquen / Jordan Jennings

I was a day ahead of Roman above, we actually met afterwards in Trevelin when I say his paddles in his backpack!

I put in at the beginning of Rio Carrilleufu at Lago Cholila (I didn’t connect from 23P).

Overall, your biggest annoyance and risk are winds on the lakes. Luckily there are many options for bailing out and waiting or hitchhiking if wind gets crazy. Otherwise, I have nothing to add - stunning and somewhat easy section. This is a strict park with park rangers on boats watching - if you need to make camp outside camp zones - hide your boat/gear from sight behind first few rows of trees otherwise they will tell you to move on.

Season 2019/20

• 2020-Jan-11 to 2020-Jan-13 / 3 days / Packrafting / Villa Rivadavia - Villa Futalaufquen / Zach

When I arrived at Lago Rivadavia at 2 PM the wind was in full force. The next morning was calm as could be. It took 4.5 scenic hours to the south end where a rope across Rio Rivadalvia prevents motorized boats and a sign states you must be accompanied by a guide or register with park authorities. Perhaps this is why 2 fly fishing guides scolded me from the other side of the river for scaring away their fish. Paddle delicately and perhaps ask permission before passing. Nobody but fish after the first rapid. This river is stunning. The trail to the mirador on Lago Menéndez is a good opportunity to stretch the legs. There’s a cafe with snacks and 400 peso/30 minute WIFI on the East side of the pasarela (footbridge). Great wind ride on Lago Futalaufquen all the way to Villa Futalaufquen. Some nice sheltered spots at the almost empty Camping Libre Las Rocas East of Villa Futalaufquen. From there to Palena on a weekend when busses don’t run it took 8 hours including groceries in Travelin and some walking. Don’t forget about the veggie police (aka aduana iguanas) at the border crossing.

• 2020-Jan-13 to 2020-Jan-14 / 2 days / hiking / SOBO / RR / Shaun

I hiked section 24H, but want to pass on to packrafters that park rangers confirmed that the trail from Lago Krügger to Villa Futalaufquen is open for its entire length, not just from Playa Blanca. There is no longer a ferry service from Punta Mattos to Lago Krugger so hikers can not cross the lake and hike this trail to Villa Futalaufquen. There is a daily ferry service from Puerto Limonao (3km north of VF) to Lago Krugger at noon, and returns at 19:00. There is a Refugio at Lago Krugger.

Season 2017/18

• Route description by Kara Davis after Season 2017/18:

GPT24P begins on the Río Carrileufu at the take-out for GPT23P. This is a very enjoyable, calm float all the way to Lago Rivadavia.

There are several nice places to camp along the east shore of Lago Rivadavia. However, several of the beaches are also popular day trip areas because of the easy access to the shoreline provided by the road, RP71.

You’ll begin to pick up speed as you near the lake outlet into Río Rivadavia. There’s a sign here prohibiting motorized boats from entering the river. Río Rivadavia is swift and narrow with several small rapids and obstacles, such as fallen trees. There are many places to camp under the tree cover on the left bank for the first 500 m or so after exiting Lago Rivadavia.

After floating into Lago Verde, you’ll notice several beaches along the east bank that are fairly popular during the summer months. There is no obvious camping on the west bank. At the outlet of Lago Verde, about 200 m after the pedestrian bridge crosses over the water, the river splits. A rope stretches across the entrance to the west fork, which flows to Lago Menédez, preventing boaters from entering (for good reason due to some violent rapids). The river stretch between Lago Verde and Lago Futalaufquen is wide, slow, and free of rapids.

On Lago Futalaufquen, there is a free campsite, Punta Mattos, just off of RP71 where the northwest branch of the lake intersects the larger body of water approximately 7 km after entering the lake. There is trash disposal here but no running water nor toilet.

At this point, there is a choice whether to continue south towards Lago Krügger and GPT25P or east towards Villa Futalaufquen and GPT25H. SEE “GPT25P: Lago Amutui Quimei” BEFORE CHOOSING TO GO TOWARD THIS ROUTE!

Resupply and Accommodation

Resupply and Accommodation in nearby Towns

• Villa Futalaufquen

Villa Futalaufquen is a small, tidy town at the southern end of Lago Futalaufquen. There is a little store offering snacks, cheese, and bread. An information station for Los Alerces National Park is located here. This station is a good resource to gain information about the surrounding area, including GPT25P and GPT25H.

Resupply and Accommodation along the Route

• 2020 / Shaun

There is a Refugio at Lago Krugger.

Transport to and from Route

• 2020 / Shaun

There is a daily ferry service from Puerto Limonao (3km north of VF) to Lago Krugger at noon, and returns at 19:00.

Permits, Entry Fees and Right-of-Way Issues

• Zach

It took 4.5 scenic hours to the south end where a rope across Rio Rivadalvia prevents motorized boats and a sign states you must be accompanied by a guide or register with park authorities. Perhaps this is why 2 fly fishing guides scolded me from the other side of the river for scaring away their fish. Paddle delicately and perhaps ask permission before passing.

Links to other Resources

Retired Section Article GPT24P - PN Los Alerces Agua