Cambios

Patagonia consists of surprisingly disparate zones. There are vast open plains in the east of Patagonia with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonian_Desert dry and wind battered steppe] that spans from the eastern edge of the Andes to the Atlantic costcoast. The western part of Patagonia , due to the rainshadow caused by the Andes, is in some regards the opposite. In the west you have the rugged and rainy Pacific coast with countless fjords and islands. An impenetrable forest covers most of this land to the west of the Andes. And in between these two unlike areas – in between the dry plains in the east and the humid fjords in the west - tower the Patagonian Andes. Dormant and recently active volcanoes rise into the sky and glaciers cover all higher summits. During previous glacial periods these glaciers grew to a formidable size and carved deep wide valleys into the Patagonian Andes. These valleys are now partly filled by lakes and get drained by powerful rivers. All this is Patagonia and this diversity creates the mystery and magic of this region.

In the northern part of the trail the Andes are very high with some summits exceeding 6000 m. Here passes typically exceed 4000 m altitude and steep rocky terrain and glaciers impede walking along the main mountain chain close to the continental divide which forms also forms the border between Chile and Argentina. Therefore the trail climbs through the Precordillera mainly along the first mountain range next to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_Central_Valley Chilean Central Valley]. But don’t misunderstand Precordillera as low; here the regular route reaches the highest point with 3300 m. To an altitude of approximate approximately 1500 m to 2000 m you find a semi-desert-like vegetation; above this altitude vegetation is scarescarce. In summer expect a generally hot and dry climate but be prepared for chilly nights higher up. When starting early in the hiking season (November and December) expect large snow fields in higher areas; when getting there late heavy blizzards become a hazard(April and May).

South of Curicó the Andes lower drop in altitude but remain a continuous high mountain range. Summits rarely exceed 4000 m but most passes are still above 2000 m. Here the Andes are much more suitable for hiking. Therefore the trail follows the main mountain range close to the continental divide. Also here the continental divide constitute the border between Chile and Argentina so the trail is mostly close to the international limit but remains on the Chilean side. In this area a large number of route options provides you provide many hiking choices. You can often opt between lower trails and higher more demanding routes that get you in very remote areas of the Andes. Climate during summer is still quite hot and dry but provides sufficient precipitation to maintain a relative relatively open forest in the valleys. In spring while the snow is melting torrential rivers make this area nearly impassable.

These deep gaps in the cordillera (Spanish for mountain range) shift the continental divide in some areas far to the east and cause a partly significant offset between the main mountain range and the continent divide. This offset was one reason for more than a century of border disputes between Chile and Argentine Argentina that are still not fully resolved now (Agreement between Chile and Argentina made in 1881: "(...) The boundary-line shall run in that extent over the highest summits (...) which divide the waters, and shall pass between the sources (of streams) flowing down to either side. (...)". See also [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boundary_Treaty_of_1881_between_Chile_and_Argentina See Wikipedia: Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina]).

South of Puerto Montt the Chilean Central Valley "sinks" below sea level and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fjords_and_channels_of_Chile Patagonian fjords] begin. These fjords and channels form a vast network of waterways with countless islands and peninsulas. In this rugged region hardly any road or trail was build built along the costcoast. The mountains rise directly out of the sea and rarely leave sufficient suitable space for a land connection and the impenetrable tempered rain forest amplifies this challenge. In this region of Chile even the most important road; the Carretera Austral; has a 50 km wide gap that can only be crossed by ferry. There is not even a horse trail or a food path that bridges this gap; just impenetrable dense forest and cragged mountains. Here most land routes are further inland in the valleys and depressions that cut through the Patagonian Andes. Due to this geography the GPT crosses on section GPT22 into Argentina and does not return to Chile until section GPT26. Only passionate and highly experienced packrafters may try the very challenging investigation routes GPT30P, GPT76P and GPT77P that provide a water connection through the fjords and channels on the Chilean side.

In this region of Chile even the most important road; the Carretera Austral; has a 50 km wide gap that can only be crossed by ferry. There is not even a horse trail or a foot path that bridges this gap; just impenetrable dense forest and cragged mountains. Here most land routes are further inland in the valleys and depressions that cut through the Patagonian Andes. Due to this geography the GPT crosses on section GPT22 into Argentina and does not return to Chile until section GPT26. Only passionate and highly experienced packrafters may try the very challenging investigation routes GPT30P, GPT76P and GPT77P that provide a water connection through the fjords and channels on the Chilean side.  In Central Patagonia in particular from GPT28H to GPT31H hiking is less attractive because several historic horse trails have been upgraded to dirt roads. But packrafting in this area is just stunning. Here you can paddle over crystal clear mountain leaks lakes and float down long mostly calm rivers with impressive mountains on either side of your raft until you the Patagonian fjords.

At the latitude of Lago General Carrera and south of it are two large ice fields, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Patagonian_Ice_Field Northern Patagonian Ice Field] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Patagonian_Ice_Field Southern Patagonian Ice Fields]. Here ice fills completely fills the depressions between the island-like mountains to an altitude of about 1500 m. These are the two remnant parts of the much larger Patagonian Ice Sheet that covered most of Patagonia during previous ice ages.   In this area the GPT guides you first though the mountains about 100 km east of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. Here you can opt between attractive hiking and attractive packrafting routes but weather is volatile and distances between settlements are substantial. Towards the current southern terminus of the GPT you reach the eastern edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field what makes an impressive finish. From GPT38 to GPT40 you can walk and paddle though through a rough wind battered land full of milky glacier lakes that get constantly refilled by immense streams of ice that flow down flows from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.