[[File:GPT09-Familia_Carrileo1.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT09: The summer outpost ("puesto") of the Pehuenche family Carrileo near Guallalí. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT09-Familia_Carrileo2.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT09: Being guest of the family Carrileo. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
====An Advise Advice for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thru-hiking Thru-Hikers]====With the recently added extensions to the north (that extends the This trail all the way was not created to Santiago) and in the south (that stretches the trail all the way to edge of the Southern Icefield) the trail now spans about 3000 km in often difficult and slow terrain. With this extension the trail became too long to be safely [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thruthru-hike Patagonia, it's a route network for "immersion-hiking thru-hiked] in one season". An experienced thru-hiker may disagree as with 3000 km the trail is a bit shorter than the Appalachian Trail (AT) The GPT does not get you through Patagonia but the varied and unpredictable terrain makes this comparison inadequategets you deep into Patagonia.
I know, sooner or later someone will try With the recently added extensions to thru-hike the north (that extends the trail in one season all the way to Santiago) and may even succeed if he is lucky with the weather. But attempting this seems foolish, especially this early in the development south (that stretches the trail all the way to edge of the Southern Icefield) the trail now spans about 3000 km in often difficult and the support system along and around slow terrain. With this extension the trail. This focus will mean needing became too long to rush and take less attractive short cuts, ibe safely [https://en.ewikipedia. walk more on gravel roads instead of org/wiki/Thru-hiking on horse trails. It inhibits slowing down to fully appreciate the land and share time with the people along the route. And more important: someone who tries to thru-hike the GPT hiked] in one season needs to take unreasonable risks by throwing himself in torrential rivers and climbing to high elevations when fierce blizzards can kill. And remember, when you walk on these trails you are An experienced thru-hiker may disagree as 3000 km is a guest on bit shorter than the land of someone else. Just Appalachian Trail (AT) but the idea of racing through strangers' backyards feels wrong for mevaried and unpredictable terrain makes this comparison inadequate.
From a I know, sooner or later someone will try to thru-hiking perspective hike the GPT is less than a long distance trail. There in one season and may even succeed if he is no clearly defined lucky with the weather. But attempting this seems foolish, especially this early in the development of the trail and well-marked single the lack of a support system along and around the trail . This focus will mean needing to blaze alongrush and take less attractive short cuts, there is no thru-i.e. walk more on gravel roads instead of hiking community on horse trails. It inhibits slowing down to trail talk fully appreciate the land and there are no trail angles providing trail magic. On share time with the GPT hikers have no domiciliary rights; they are just unexpected guestspeople along the route. And what might be the biggest disappointment for some thru-hikers on the GPTmore important: someone who tries to thru-hikers do not receive any special admiration because nobody along hike the trail distinguishes between thru-hikers, section-hikers GPT in one season needs to take unreasonable risks by throwing himself in torrential rivers and day-hikersclimbing to high elevations when fierce blizzards can kill. And remember, when you walk on these trails you are a guest on the land of someone else. Just the idea of racing through strangers' backyards is regarded a rude in these remote regions.
But for respectful explorers From a thru-hiking perspective the GPT is much more less than a long distance trail. It’s a wide network of routes with many hiking options in a diverse landscape. A unique blend of people lives along the trails and makes out of an hike an cultural experience. If approached with respect There is no clearly defined and interest then these welcoming people will share with you much more than just the right-ofwell-waymarked single trail to blaze along, there is no thru-hiking community to trail talk and this regardless where you are coming from and regardless where you there are walking tono trail angles providing trail magic. On this trail your willingness and capability to immerse yourself in this culture will the GPT hikers have no domiciliary rights; they are just unexpected guests. And what might be more relevant than the weight of your backpackbiggest disappointment for some thru-hikers on the GPT: thru-hikers do not receive any special admiration because nobody along the trail distinguishes between thru-hikers, section-hikers, day-hikers, or tourists in general.
This For respectful explorers the GPT is much more than a long distance trail was not created to thru-hike Patagonia, it's . It’s a route wide network for "immersion-of routes with many hiking"options in a diverse landscape. The GPT does not get A unique blend of people live along the trails and makes the hike more of a cultural experience. If approached with respect and interest then these welcoming people will share with you through Patagonia but gets much more than just the right-of-way regardless where you deep into Patagoniaare coming from and where you are walking to. On this trail your willingness and capability to immerse yourself in this culture will be more relevant than the weight of your backpack.
