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→Season 2024/25
==Season 2024/25==
*27-11-2024 to 02-12-2024 / 6 days / NOBO / RR / Sophie and Gaspar
We departed from Villa O’Higgins, where we stayed at the Los Pioneros campground, run by the very kind Pachi (highly recommended). Heading north, we followed the unpaved road for about a day and a half before joining the actual Pioneers’ Route.
This trail is navigable 70% of the time, but vegetation has overgrown about 30% of the path (locals mentioned we were likely the first to pass through this year, which might explain the conditions). Locals also mentioned the possibility of crossing Lakes Christie and Alegre by boat. Since we intended to hike, we didn’t inquire further, but for those interested, this option exists. Only one permanent settler remains at Lake Christie: Don Rubén. We passed by his cabin, but unfortunately, he had already left for work that day, so we didn’t get the chance to meet him. On the third day, we reached the La Pampa settler site, where we camped in preparation for an early crossing of the Río Bravo.
Crossing the Río Bravo at its source posed no issues for us, as this year’s snowmelt is delayed, keeping river levels low. We chose the OR route to ford the river only once. Although this path was slightly more challenging, it was worth it to avoid wet feet in the low temperatures.
At Paso Picota, we encountered some snow, but it didn’t impede our progress. On the descent, however, the RR crossing of the first river was not passable, likely due to a landslide upstream. As a result, we followed the OR route, which runs higher and presented no problems. From there, we continued our journey to Cochrane without major difficulties.
* '''2024-Nov-06 / 3.5 hours (1 day including return) / GPT36H Option 22 Sendero Los Gatos / SOBO / Jan Dudeck'''
