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{{IndexadaIndexed}}[[category:KMZconTrack]]{{RutaForm2_englishRutaForme
|Actividad=Trekking
|País=Argentina, Chile
|CiudadesArgentina=El Bolsón
|CiudadesChile=CuricóSantiago
|BellezaEscenica=Impresionante
|Atractivos=Vistas panorámicas, Glaciar, Bosque, Flora atractiva, Fauna atractiva, Lago, Laguna, Río, Fiordos, Formación Geológica, Cascada, Parque Nacional
|Señalizacion=Insuficiente
|Infraestructura=Inexistente
|ComparteIdayRetorno=Cruce
|Latitud1=-38
|AltitudMedia=900
|Primer Autor=Jan Dudeck
|Imágen Principal=Greater_patagonian_trail.jpg
|ComentariosImagen=GPT16: [[Volcán Mocho]] on the background.
|KMLZ=GPT_Minimized_NOT_FOR_HIKING_AND_PACKRAFTING.kmz
|TipoDeMap=HYBRID
|ComentariosMapa=GPT SAMPLE Minimized (NOT FOR HIKING AND PACKRAFTING) {{colores|red|Trail.}}{{colores|blue|Packraft.}}{{colores|blue|Packraft.}}
}}
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==SummaryIntroduction== [[File:GPT01-P0115.jpg|thumb|500px|right|GPT06: The volcanos Descabezado Grande and Cerro Azul with the Laguna Caracol to their feet. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT08-Arriero.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Arriero at the base of the Vulcano Antuco. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT06-P0005.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT11: Araucaria trees in the Pehuenche homeland. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT13-P0028.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT18: Cross Country walking on volcanic ash at Cordon Caulle after recent eruption. File: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT28-Rio_Palena.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT28: Packrafting the Río Palena. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT_Glaciar_O'Higgins.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT38: Glaciar O'Higgins coming down from the Southern Icefield. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
The Greater Patagonian Trail (GPT) is a long-distance route network in the southern [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andes Andes] that spans from the outskirts of Santiago all the way to southern [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia Patagonia].
It’s a stunningly beautiful and diverse trail system that guides you in the first part from the semi-desert of the Precordillera into scenic Andes valleys. The trails cross numerous dormant and active volcanos with partially healed volcanic scars and fresh open wounds from eruptions as recent as 2011eruptions. You can take a dip in more than a dozen hot springs along the way to draw from this energy.
Continuing, you will dive into the twilight of lush green tempered rain forest temperate rainforest lined by snow covered mountains. Numerous passes and high plains get you above the tree line into barren terrain with broad views. Crystal clear rivers descend from these mountains and feed deep blue lake lakes along the way. If you packraft you can paddle over these lakes and float down these rivers all the way into the Patagonian fjords where the Pacific Ocean hits the ragged coast.
Eventually you reach the Southern Patagonian Ice FieldIcefield, one of the world's largest extra-polar ice fieldIcefields. Here giant rock towers stab into the sky and enormous glaciers calve colossal blocks of ice into wind battered lakes.
On the northern part of the route you will meet solitary cowboys (In Chile called arrieros or puesteros) with their animals that move every . Every spring after the snow melts livestock is moved on higher ground to let their livestock feed graze on the mountain pastures. The trail later crosses the homeland of the indigenous Pehuenche (one of the Mapuche tribes) where majestic Araucaria trees tower above the tribal land and provide the traditional food for these sometimes shy and sometimes proud people. When going further south you will meet courageous settlers that have ventured into the challenging back-country of Patagonia. If you are interested, you can listen to their stories while sitting around the warm stove and sharing the traditional drink of this region: Mate. These authentic encounters are part of the beauty of this trail.
In countless locations the trail branches into different routes creating a wide network of tracks that give gives you many choices. You may either walk the entire distance or you can bring a packraft to float down rivers and to paddle and sail over lakes and fjords. There are also various volcanoes and other summits along the route that can be ascended without rock climbing gear. I have also included optional tracks that get you into literally the last valley in the border between Chile and Argentina. These remote corners of the southern Andes are of particular interest to hikers that love to venture into remote back-country.
The Main Route currently spans approximately 5'000 km and the entire route network (including all options) contains more than 20'000 km of tracks.
If this introduction quickened your appetite to explore this network of trails then don't stop reading here and don't pack your backpack yet. The GPT is quite different from what you might expect. Especially if you have thru-hiked the famous long-distance trails in the US (i.e. the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail) or if you walked on the European pilgrimage trails (i.e. the Camino de Santiago) don't assume that the GPT will be a similar experience and that you are already prepared for it. This region and this route network is unequal in nature. Some best practices and habits that are important on established trails in the US and Europe would be foolish in Patagonia. Other skills and aptitudes are essential to truly appreciate the Greater Patagonian Trail.
Since I started publishing the GPT, I consulted and surveyed more than one hundred people that attempted to walk major parts of the trail. The majority were absolutely amazed by the land, the people and their experience on the trail. But some hikers quickly aborted or changed their plans. In consequence they missed the best parts of the trail. Interestingly, some of these were experienced hikers and athletic walkers.
Bethany Hughes and Lauren Reed (Fidgit and Neon): "This trail has been the most punishing and the most magical experience of my hiking career to date.”
Matgorzata (Gosia) Gmerek and Paul Bostelmann: “The Greater Patagonian Trail Network is a challeng¬ing challenging and rewarding adventure that leads one through diverse and breathtaking scenery. Far from crowds and often without seeing other people for days this experience was without a doubt the highlight of our hiking career. Packrafting and exploring the beautiful lakes and rivers allows to reach even deeper into these wonderful and wild ecosystems. This is no ordinary hike and absolute self-reliance and wilderness experience is a must.”<br style="clear:both" />[[File:GPT07-Laguna_del_Maule.jpg|thumb|right|1050px|GPT07: Horse riding with Danilo and Jito (the founder and horse riding guide of [http://www.chile-horseriding.com/ www.chile-horseriding.com]) at the dormant Supervolcano Laguna del Maule. Image: Jan Dudeck]]<br style="clear:both" />[[File:GPT36H-Ruta_de_los_Pioneros.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT36H: Poorly maintained historic horse trail "Ruta de los Pioneros". Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT16-Quetrupillan.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT16: Circling the volcano Quetrupillan with the volcano Villarica in the background. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT_Fjord_Packrafting.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT28: Reaching the sea after paddling down the Río Palena. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT09-Laguna_de_las_Lajas.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Circling the volcano Antuco. Image: Jan Dudeck]][[File:GPT18-Lago_Pirihueco.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT18: Camping at the shore of Lago Pirihueco. Image: Jan Dudeck]] ===Understanding the Trail===The Greater Patagonian Trail is not a hiking trail. Yes, you read correctly so let me repeat one more time: '''The GPT is not a hiking trail.''' So, what is it then? The GPT is an informal route network that consists mostly of trails, roads and cross country routes that were not created with hikers in mind. Most of the trails were made by the local population to serve their purposes, i.e. to drive animals to summer pastures, to get to remote settlements and outposts or to extract wood from the forest. The routes that the GPT is composed of include: * well maintained horse trails that are regularly used by the local cowboys (in Chile called "arrieros" and in Argentina "gauchos"),* poorly maintained and neglected trails that are washed out, trenched and blocked by fallen logs,* minor roads and simple car tracks that are occasionally used by all-terrain vehicles,* trail-less cross country routes in barren open terrain,* a few short stretches of bush bashing through thick growth,* and where no more adventurous route was found also public roads with moderate transit traffic.* Additionally, packrafters can cross mountain lakes, float down generally calm rivers and even paddle on the Patagonian fjords. For more information to the trail types and the trail type composition of the GPT see section [[#Trail Length and Trail Types|Trail Length and Trail Types]]. This diversity is what makes the GPT so authentic but also so inconsistent and, in some sections, challenging. Since the GPT is an informal route network practically no signposts and only few trail markers facilitate route finding. The locals that regularly use these trails don't need them as they know their trails inside out and nobody else is expected to come. In some national parks so there is signage and markers, though these are often unmaintained and inconsistent. Outside of parks, in terms of trail markers, you may see sporadically sun faded strips of plastic, beer cans, or even tea pots hanging in a tree. On many of these trails a customary right-of-way applies but some routes cross private land and you often can’t know what is where the case. Therefore when you venture onto the GPT you are mostly an unexpected guest on trails that were not made for you and you will trespass over private properties. So be at least a respectful and friendly trespasser that can explain in Spanish what he is doing there. What also distinguishes the GPT from many other long distance hiking trails is that it is not a single trail but a wide network of tracks with many options. For some hikers this is confusing as you cannot just follow one trail; rather you need to make many choices along the way. But because the GPT is an informal trail network these choices are sometimes essential to continue your journey when you find one route not passable or closed. For safety reasons I have also included bad weather options and exit routes that get you out of the mountains to the next village or at least to the next road. These additional tracks are not recommended for hiking since they are often not particularly attractive but having these tracks on your GPS can save you in adverse conditions. The GPT is not a trail that can be hiked efficiently. The trail will change you plans without asking and inevitably stop you from time to time and turn you around. Also the period of normally suitable hiking weather is in parts quite short. In particular in the north you need to wait until December for the snow to melt and the rivers to fall to be forded safely. And fierce snow storms may make the route again impassable in late March or during April. The appropriate pace on this trail network is the "appreciation pace". This pace might vary substantially between hikers but gives you the time to make an attractive detour, i.e. to climb a summit next to the trail without worrying about your schedule. This adequate rate of advance permits you to accept the invitation of a settler to share some cups of mate or to sit out a day of torrential rain in shelter (here called "puesto") with an arriero. This adapted velocity allows you to wait in front of a pass if the weather is too volatile to climb up or to spend a day or two waiting at a lake if it is too windy to paddle with your packraft. This trail is therefore not suitable for hikers who are out to race a clock, that need to have full control and who measure their success in kilometers or miles. Its a trail for thoughtful discoverers who can accept being just guests. It's for hikers for whom completion or distance covered is irrelevant or at least secondary but that count their enjoyable and eventful days in a pristine and diverse nature instead. '''All this makes the GPT a discovery network with a good portion of unpredictability but impressive authenticity.'''
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==Information to the GPT=Trail Length and Trail Type Composition===The Greater Patagonian Trail is not a normal single line long distance trail but a wide discovery trail network with countless options and alternatives. Therefore the actual length that someone may walk and paddle depends highly on the selected sections, the chosen route and the method of travel (hiking only, packrafting wherever possible or a balanced combination of both). Also a further extension of the trail towards the southern tip of the continent is in preparation. For this reason there is no precise number for the trail length and only examples can be provided.
[[File:GPT_Manual.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT Hiker's Manual]]
[[File:GPT_Settler_(2).jpg|thumb|500px|GPT22: Discussing route options with settlers at the Río Puelo. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT10-Peuenche.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Being guest at a Pehuenche family: Fresh milk, fresh cheese, fresh meat! Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT07-Laguna_del_Maule.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT07: Horse riding with Danilo and Jito (the founder and horse riding guide of [http://www.chile-horseriding.com/ www.chile-horseriding.com]) at the dormant Supervolcano Laguna del Maule. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT09-Laguna_de_las_Lajas.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT09: Circling the volcano Antuco. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT18-Lago_Pirihueco.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT18: Camping at the shore of Lago Pirihueco. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
[[File:GPT28P-Ferry.jpg|thumb|right|500px|GPT28P: Patagonian fjords seen from the ferry on the way from Raul Marin Balmaceda to Puerto Chacabuco. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
The below overview shows two example based on the current regular hiking GPT is an informal route and network therefore you will not find any “official” information. In the current regular packraft route. The packraft example does not include following I list all possible packrafting but considers a packraft use only on relevant resources that help to understand the selected sections where this equipment is clearly more benefit than burden GPT and is therefore highly recommended to be carried and used (Sections GPT17P to GPT39). This example also excludes the not yet verified and very challenging exploration sectionsget prepared for an adventure on this trail system.
Chapter 3 goes deep into specific topics. You will require this expertise for specific tasks e.g. when setting up your GPS or when calculating distances and estimating travel times. The Appendix also contains valuable additional information that contribute to a profound understanding of the GPT and the region.
The Hikers’ Manual is not available on paper but only as a PDF document. It is designed to be read on a computer or on a smart¬phone while being online or offline. Therefore, it is issued in the screen-friendly 9:16 page format. When reading this document it is best to use full screen slide mode in landscape orientation. Normal vertical scrolling is less practical. Install a suitable app on your smartphone if needed.
The Greater Patagonian Trail is an informal trail network that grows and changes regularly. And creating and updating the documentation to this evolving trail network relies on voluntary work only. Therefore, this Hikers’ Manual is not expected to be completed in the foreseeable future and will remain a growing and evolving document. This unfinished nature has been made intentionally visible by displaying empty chapters with red “To be issued.” remarks and similar comments in red. This shows what topics are planned to be covered with future updates and where contributions and reviews are welcome.
Updates and additions to chapter 1 and chapter 3 are made first in the Hikers’ Manual and not simultaneously copied to the Wikiexplora main article. Therefore, the last published version of the Hikers’ Manual is the most current and comprehensive document available of the GPT. Note the publish date on the cover page in the bottom right corner and check occasionally for updates that are also advertised on the Facebook group.
===The Greater Patagonian Trail snakes mostly through the southern Andes but also diverts to the west into the Patagonian fjords and descents in to east where the vast plains and the Patagonian steppe begins. Therefore you can sample the full variety of Patagonia when walking the length of the Wikiexplora GPT.Section Articles===
The informal and unpredictable nature of the GPT makes it also relevant that hikers quickly exchange updates and advices while travelling on this evolving route network. This can be information to temporary unpassable trail sections, volcano alerts, river conditions or anything that makes you think in hindsight: “I should have known this before!”. In the Wikiexplora section articles, hikers can post such alerts and advices. Additionally, hikers can provide any other beneficial information and suggestion that is not yet included in the section description.
===The GPT Track Files===
The track files are provided on personal request by the author free of charge but not unconditionally. Read Chapter 1 of the [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers’ Manual] where you find the Code of Conduct on the GPT and the Terms and Conditions for Using the Hikers’ Manual and the Track Files. Review these conditions and read why they were put in place. Should you agree all Terms and Conditions, follow the instructions in Hikers’ Manual.
===The GPT Facebook Group===
To become member of the [http://bit.ly/GPTfacebook GPT Facebook Group] you need a Facebook account and request access: http://bit.ly/GPTfacebook
===Publications to the GPT by other Hikers and Packrafters=Southbound====The southern terminus of the GPT stands at the shore of Lago Viedma on the eastern edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. There are attractive and suitable trails and packraft routes south of Lago Viedma but there are three logistical challenges that currently impede a feasible and continuous southern extension of the GPT without significant road walking:
With this Hikers’ Manual and the article on Wikiexplora I aim to create a systematic introduction and comprehensive documentation of the GPT. I intentionally try not to overload these documents with personal stories from the trail.
There is another reason why my writing is rather technical. I’m an Engineer by trade, I work as an inspector and issue inspection reports on a regular base. For this I need to carefully choose my words to be factual and precise but also legally sound. Storytelling is neither needed nor welcome in my inspection reports. When numbers are available or when information can be structured into tables or charts than this is always preferred over well phrased verbal descriptions. You will notice these writing habits in the Hikers’ Manual and the Wikiexplora article.
Keeping my personal stories mostly out and maintaining this documentation rather technical benefits a systematic preparation but makes the Hikers’ Manual and the article on Wikiexplora a bit bland. But for most hikers, and this includes me, the personal experience of the land and with the people are the dominating motives for such an endeavour. To tap on more personal experiences during your preparation watch some videos and read some blogs that were issued by GPT hikers in recent years. In these publications you find the diverse individual perceptions of the GPT. Some blogs openly describe mishaps and lessons learned and hopefully help other in avoiding the same mistakes.
The Hikers' Manual provides in chapters 3.7 Distinct Contributors and 3.8 Publications to the GPT a collection of links to videos and blogs that I consider particularly useful.
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==The GPT Route Network==Security, Police and Borders====In the b
* horse trails that are frequently used by the local cowboys (in Chile arriero or puestero, in Argentina gaucho),
* poorly maintained and neglected trails that are washed out, trenched and blocked by fallen logs,
* minor roads and simple car tracks that are occasionally used by all-terrain vehicles,
* trail-less cross-country routes in barren open terrain,
* a few short stretches of bush bashing through thick growth
* and where no more adventurous route was found also public roads with moderate transit traffic.
* Additionally, packrafters can cross mountain lakes, float down generally calm rivers and paddle in the Patagonian fjords.
This diversity makes the GPT so authentic but also inconsistent and in parts challenging.
The GPT route network starts in the outskirts of the Chilean capital Santiago de Chile and reaches all the way to Tierra del Fuego and Isla Navarino on the southern tip of the continent. The actual length that someone may walk and paddle on the GPT depends highly on the chosen route, the start and the finish point and the method of travel (hiking or packrafting).
The GPT is not a trail that can be hiked efficiently. The trail will change your plans without asking and inevitably stop you from time to time or even turn you around. Also, the period of suitable hiking weather is in parts quite short. Some sections become traversable December or January after most snow has molten and the rivers calmed down and can be forded safely. In late March or during April fierce snowstorms may make the route impassable again.
The recommended pace on this route network is the "appreciation pace". This pace gives you the time to make an attractive detour, in example to climb a summit next to the trail without worrying about your schedule. This adequate rate of advance permits you to accept the invitation of a poblador (settler) to share some cups of mate or to sit out a day of torrential rain in a puesto (improvised shelter) with an arriero (Chilean cowboy, also called puestero). This adaptable pace permits you to wait in front of a pass if the weather is too volatile or to spend a day or two waiting at a lake if it is too windy to paddle with your packraft.
'''All this makes the GPT a discovery network with a good portion of unpredictability but an impressive authenticity.'''
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====Packrafting Including Exploration Options==The GPT Terrain: Greater Patagonia==
[[File:GPT Evaluation PPat_map.pngPNG|thumb|1050px400px|left|Greater Patagonian TrailLimits of Patagonia. Image: Section Evaluation (Packrafting including Exploration Options)[https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia Wikipedia]]][[File:GPT Trail Type PHistoric_Map_Patagonia.pngjpg|thumb|1050px400px|left|Greater Patagonian TrailHistoric map of Patagonia. Image: Trail Type Composition (Packrafting including Exploration Options)]]<br style="clear[https:both" />/es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia Wikipedia]]]
In contrast, when reaching Patagonia, get ready for frequent and enduring rain. Also, don't expect to walk high up in the mountains in the heartland of Patagonia as there is simply no continuously high mountain range. In Patagonia high mountains are rather like islands that are surrounded by dense temperate rainforest in the west and a semi-desert-like Pampa in the east. These island-like mountains are separated by wide valleys that were carved by giant glaciers during past glacial periods. The wide valleys are now partly filled with lakes that drain their water in powerful rivers into the Patagonian fjords. Therefore, “real Patagonia” is best traveled by packraft because a packraft gets you on these lakes, rivers and fjords.
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==Section Information=={| class="wikitable"|- style="vertical-align[https:top;"! style="text//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thru-align: left;" " rowspan="2" | Section Name! style="texthiking Thru-align: left;" " rowspan="2" | Number! style="text-align: left;" " rowspan="2" | Best<br>Season! style="text-align: left;" | Hiking-<br>Only-<br>Option! style="text-align: left;" " colspan="2" | Packraft-Option! style="text-align: left;" " rowspan="2" | Additional Hiking Options! style="text-align: left;" " rowspan="2" | Villages and towns '''on ] the trail''' or ''near the finish'' for resupply|-! styleGPT="text-align: left;" | Direction<br>Options! style="text-align: left;" width="85" | Packraft<br>Usage! style="text-align: left;" | Direction<br>Options|-style="vertical-align:top;"| Volcán Descabezado| GPT01| Dec-Apr| South ↓| Side trips only| South ↓| Summit Descabezado, Hidden Lakes| ''On the way to the start: Santiago de Chile, Curicó, Molina <br> After section finish: San Clemente, Talca''|-style="vertical-align:top;"| Laguna Dial| GPT02| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| May be used| Any ↑↓| Laguna del Maule and El Troncoso, Laguna las Truchas| ''San Fabian, San Carlos, Chillán''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Volcán Chillan| GPT03| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Experts only| Any ↑↓| Summit Chillan Viejo, Laguna las Truchas, Rio Nuble and Las Aguilas, Eastern Side of Laguna de Las Lajas | ''Antuco, Los Angeles''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Volcán Antuco| GPT04| Nov-May| Any ↑↓| Experts only| Any ↑↓| Summit Antuco, Around Antuco, Eastern Side of Laguna de Las Lajas| ''Ralco, Santa Bárbara, Los Angeles''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Laguna El Barco| GPT05| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Side trips only| Any ↑↓| -| ''Ralco, Santa Bárbara, Los Angeles''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Guallali| GPT06| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Not used| Any ↑↓| Summit Moncol| ''Lonquimay''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Laguna Marinanqui| GPT07| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Side trips only| Any ↑↓| Laguna Escondida and Laguna Verde| '''Liucura on the trail''', ''Lonquimay''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Volcán Sollipulli| GPT08| Oct-May| Any ↑↓| May be used| Any ↑↓| Summit Sollipulli, Icalma| '''Icalma and Reigolil on the trail''', ''Curarrehue, Pucon'' |- style="vertical-align:top;"| Curarrehue| GPT09| Oct-May| Any ↑↓| Not used| Any ↑↓| Fundo Huililco | '''Curarrehue on the trail''', ''Pucon''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Volcán Quetrupillan| GPT10| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Side trips only| Any ↑↓| Summit Quetrupillan, Valle Termal| ''Liquiñe, Coñaripe, Pucon'' |- style="vertical-align:top;"| Liquiñe (Hiking)| GPT11H| Oct-May| Any ↑↓| May be used| Any ↑↓| -| '''Liquiñe and Puerto Fuy on the trail'''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Neltume (Packraft)| GPT11P| Oct-May| -| Required| South↓| -| '''Neltume and Puerto Fuy on the trail'''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Lago Pirihueico| GPT12| Nov-May| South↓| Beneficial| South↓| -| '''Chabranco on the trail''', ''Llifén, Futrono''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Volcán Puyehue| GPT13| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Beneficial| South↓| Summit Puyehue, Hot Spring| ''Entre Lagos, Osorno''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Volcán Antillanca| GPT14| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Not used | Any ↑↓| "La Plaza"| ''El Poncho, Puerto Rico, Panguipulli''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Lago Todos Los Santos| GPT15| Oct-May| South↓| Experts only| South↓| -| '''Ralún and Cochamó on the trail''', ''Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| Cochamó| GPT16| Oct-May| Any ↑↓| Beneficial| Any ↑↓| -| '''Llanada Grande on the trail''', ''Lago Puelo, El Bolson''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| PN Lago Puelo| GPT17| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Beneficial| South↓| -| '''Villa Rivadavia on the trail'''|- style="vertical-align:top;"| PN Los Alerces| GPT18| Dec-Apr| Any ↑↓| Beneficial| South↓| -| '''Villa Futalaufquen on the trail'''|-|}
With the 2021 extension the GPT spans about 5000 km in often difficult and slow terrain. This makes the GPT too long to be safely thru-hiked in one season . An experienced thru-hiker may disagree as 5000 km is just 15% longer than the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) but the varied and unpredictable terrain makes this comparison inadequate.
Therefore, I do not recommend attempting a thru-hike of the GPT. This focus would require rushing and taking less attractive short cuts, in example deviating from GPT to walk on main roads instead of following the trails. It inhibits slowing down to fully appreciate the land and share time with the people along the route. And more importantly, someone who tries to thru-hike the GPT in one season is forced to hike some sections off season. This results in unreasonable risks by attempting to cross torrential rivers and climbing to high elevations when fierce blizzards can kill. And remember, when walking these trails, you are just a guest on the land of others. Just the idea of racing through strangers’ backyards is regarded a rude in these remote regions.
'''From a thru-hiking perspective the GPT is less than a long-distance trail.''' There is no clearly defined and well-marked single trail to blaze along, there is no thru-hiking community to trail talk and there are no “trail angels” providing “trail magic”. On the GPT hikers have no domiciliary rights; they are just unexpected guests. Also, the packrafting options do not benefit thru-hiking as they do not make a traverse faster.
And what might be the biggest disappointment for some thru-hikers on the GPT: There is no trail community and 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.
'''For respectful explorers the GPT is much more than a long-distance trail.''' It’s a wide network of routes with many hiking options and packrafting in a diverse landscape. A unique blend of people lives along the trails making the hike more of a cultural experience. If approached with respect and interest, then these welcoming people will share much more than just the right-of-way regardless where you are 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.
If you find Triple Crown Thru-Hikers more credible to speak about thru-hiking the GPT than read in the Hikers' Manual how Lauren Reed (Neon) and Christine Thürmer (German Tourist) experienced the GPT in comparison with the renowned US long distance trails. Lauren was the first hiker to walk the entire length of the GPT in two seasons together with Bethany Hughes (Fidgit).
Someone who wants to explore the entire length of GPT should split this adventure into various seasons. This also facilitates hiking lightly where a packraft would just be a burden and to packraft were the extra weight really pays off. Having more than one season also gives the extra time to take some of the more demanding but rewarding options.
There is one more reason why a thru-hike of the GPT in the literal sense is not viable. Thru-hiking means walking a complete long-distance trail with connecting footsteps from start to finish typically in one season. This is only possible on a well-defined trail with a set start and finish point. This simply does not apply to the GPT.
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[[File:GPT_Fjord_Packrafting.jpg|thumb|500px|GPT28: Reaching the sea after paddling down the Río Palena. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
==Questions and Feedbacks==
If you read this article to this point then you should definitely download the [http://bit.ly/GPTguide Hikers’ Manual from Dropbox] now. Should you have questions that are not answered in the Hikers’ Manual than you may write the author an email. Also feedbacks are welcome.
Email of author: gpt.jan.dudeck@gmail.com
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{{Trekkings Chile}}
[[category:Greater Patagonian Trail]]
[[category:Parche Greater Patagonian Trail]]