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→Remark to Limits of Patagonia
For more information to this subject read [https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia#Generalidades the Spanish Wikipedia article to Patagonia].
===Lauren "Neon" Reed comparing the GPT with the US Long Distance Trails (CDT, PCT, AT)===
Lauren "Neon" Reed thru-hiked the CDT, PCT and AT before she thru-hiked the GPT in two seasons. This makes Lauren the best person to compare the GPT with the renowned US long distance trails. She writes:
"Having thru-hiked about 8,000 miles in the US before beginning our trek across South America, I would still find myself in over my head at times along the Greater Patagonia Trail. This included terrain as well as culture. The places I've been along the GPT, as a generality, seem more remote than most distance trails I've experienced in the US- think central/northern Montana along the CDT, minus the bears and plus a few more passes. As you walk along the GPT, you will go through many diverse ecosystems, as opposed to desert/mountains which you experience on many trails in the US. The GPT takes you from the glaciated southern ice field of Chile up through pine trees, lush dense deciduous forest, alti-planos, valleys teeming with animals wild and farmed, along/through rivers and lakes (also wild and farmed), volcanoes, to the more arid environments south of Santiago, as well as a few border crossings into Argentina. It is by far the hardest trail I have done due to remoteness as well as terrain- yes, there are times you follow valleys, there are also times along this trail where you will go up, across and down 1,000 meter passes each day (sometimes multiple times in a day), following overgrown horse and animal paths. There are no trail markers or blazes, sometimes there isn't even a 'trail'- just a cross-country route. Do not expect anyone to know what you are doing or why you just walked down their driveway/out of their shrub/over their fence/through their gate (which you closed behind you, right?)
This trail definitely has easier sections, but I cannot remember a day where I didn't look at my compass and/or GPS along the entirety of the GPT. Because of the options we were given and Jan requesting us to investigate some options he had yet to check out personally, I began calling certain sections "Choose your own Adventure", meaning go whichever way you want, as long as you're near the route labeled as the GPT on your GPS. We also tried to not do anything stupid, though there were times I nearly was swept away trying to cross a strong-flowing river or nearly slid down a steep scree field along the GPT. This is not a trail for someone who doesn't know how to use a GPS or Compass. This is not a trail for someone who doesn't know how to properly read a river to know where the best place to cross is. This is not a trail for anyone who doesn't at least have a basic understanding of topography as well as map and compass skills. Jan has a great route mapped so you can download it onto a GPS, but when you come across an area that's swept away by last years snowmelt or on fire, do you have a plan or any idea what to do? What if you're not paying attention to your battery life and your GPS dies? Don't go up shit creek without a paddle, as the saying goes.
There won't always be what you may want in town to eat or even a place to stay with hot water. Knowing at least basic Spanish language skills is a must if you want to feel connected or informed in any of the areas you go through. Any effort of understanding the culture and land goes a long way. Thankfully, I have a basic understanding which has grown over our trek and my hiking partner is fluent in cultural sensitivities as well as the Spanish language. As Jan states, you are an uninvited guest on others' land at times- tread respectfully and carefully- Most of the time, they will respond in kind."
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===Remark to Being a Guest===
Only Israelis get distinguished out of this Middle Eastern group of the "Turcos" because Israelis travel this region in large numbers. They are normally referred to as “Israelitas” and hardly ever as “Judíos” (Jews). When travelling Chile and Argentina I practically did not observe any anti-Semitism but occasional some annoyance with young Israelis. They travel after a long and tough military service, have typically a tight budget and try therefore to get as far as possible with the least amount of money necessary. They tend to break the rules more often<!--(as many youngsters of this age tend to do) ... Bethany: instead of here talking about youngsters, put an article about the Torres del Paine fire, as that embodies the clash-->, they often bargain for the lowest price (what is not common in this part of the world and sometimes perceived as offensive) and they often travel in groups of their own without seeking much interaction with others. <!--If you are an Israeli hiker on the GPT than please don't bargain for a discount if the asking price is reasonable. Take it or leave it, in particular if you are in an remote place along the route and a settler offers you some food or accommodation. I experienced these locals on the trail as generous and reasonable and haggling would be in most cases rude. Be a good ambassador of your nation and be generous where you are treated with generosity (all this applies obviously to all hikers).-->
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===Remark to Best Practices and Hiking Recommendations===
It is standard to whistle as you approach a remote homestead, this alerts both humans and animals that someone is passing and can avoid a great deal of unpleasantness.
