Email of author: gpt.jan.dudeck@gmail.com
==Trail Planning Sources and Contributors==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="text-align: left;" style="vertical-align: top;"
! style="text-align: left;" | Section <br> Number
! style="text-align: left;" | Contributor
! style="text-align: left;" | Contribution
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| rowspan="5" | GPT01
| Cristian from Vilches Alto
| Christian a friend of Eladio Gajardo was our horseback guide in February 2011 and he took us by horse from Vilches Alto to the Basecamp Descabezado Grande, on to the Termas de Azufre and via El Bolson back to Vilches Alto. We later reviewed this tour in Google Earth and noticed that most of the trail is clearly visible on the satellite images. This impressive horseback tour was the main motive to incorporate this area into the GPT. For horseback tours with Eladio Gajardo or Cristian try calling +56-9-78433122 or +56-9-93418064.
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| I discovered in Google Earth and Bing Maps the trail from the Basecamp Descabezado to the Laguna Caracol and the volcano and lake Hornitos. With this southbound connection we could integrate this mind-blowing area in the GPT.
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| Manuel Hevia
| The Panoramio images of Manuel Hevia confirmed that a trail from the volcano and lake Hornitos to the Hydro Power Station Cipreces exists and is accessible.
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| Franz Schubert and Malte Sieber
| The authors of "Adventure Handbook Central Chile" describe several hikes in the Descabezado region. This book was good secondary source.
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| trekkingchile.com
| The trekking map "Condor Cicuit" issued by trekkingchile.com was very useful second source. This map indicates an alternative more direct trail from the basecamp Descabezado to the volcano and lake Hornitos but we opted for the slightly longer route around the Laguna Caracol because this route seams more attractive and more convinient for camping.
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| rowspan="3" | GPT02
| Danilo Contreras Sepulveda
| Danilo and his freelance collaborator "Gito" were our horseback guides for several amazing week-long trips in and around the valley Melado, Laguna del Maule and Achibueno. This tours helped us to define the route along the river Melado to the Laguna Dial. For horseback tours with Danilo write to info@cabalgatas-contreras.com or call +56-9-9313 3504 or +56-9-73917717.
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| Locals from Pichirincon
| In 2011 my girlfriend and I planned to do the hike to the Laguna las Truchas that is recommended in the "Adventure Handbook Central Chile". But before we set out we were told by locals that the landlord does not let pass any backpackers. The locals recommended a different trail to the Laguna Dial which we found by following the mostly well-visible horse trails along the river Gonzalez. This hike teached us that in most valleys are horse trails even if maps do not show these tracks and helped us to define the trail from the Laguna Dial to the end of section 2.
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| The trail around the southern side of the Laguna Dial is partly visible in Google Earth and Bing Maps and was essential to plan this part the route.
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| GPT02-03
| "Don Choi" Floridor Sandoval
| On our hike to the Laguna Dial we met Don Choi with a group on horseback. With his advise we found later the alternative route to the Laguna Las Truchas comming from the north via "Las Tragedias" and "Palo Seco".
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| rowspan="3" | GPT03
| Juan Pablo Ortega
| Juan Pablo Ortega published on wikiexplora the rather hidden trail from from El Roble to the volcano Chillan along the rivers Ñuble, Estero El Quebrado and Las Minas. [http://www.wikiexplora.com/index.php/Traves%C3%ADa_Aguas_Calientes_-_R%C3%ADo_%C3%91uble This track] was very useful to find well-hikable route through the rather dense forest in this area.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| trekkingchile.com
| The trekking map "Nevados de Chillán" issued by trekkingchile.com shows the trail from the hot spings at the volcano Chillan via Coihuería to the hot spings Los Peucos. Before findings this trail on this map I considered a challanging cross-country traverse to the river Polcura because I could not find any suitable trail on the Google Earth satellite images due to the dense forest.
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| Google Earth and Bing Maps was very helpful to plan the trail from the river Polcura to the northern end of the Laguna de Las Lajas and over the ridge to the hydro power station El Toro. On the satellite images the "bad weather escape route" well visible. This gave use a save and easy exit from the wether exposed ridge while a snow storm closed in.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| rowspan="3" | GPT04
| Pablo Azua Garcia
| Pablo Azua Garcia published on trekking.com a route from the "Piedra del Indio" to Trapa Trapa. This verbral description provided a useful hint to search this trail on the satellite images of Google Earth were most of the track can be seen quite well.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| Most of this section was planned using Google Earth and Bing Maps. The trails and minor roads are generally well visible on satellite images and the few not visible parts were easy to find when hiking this trail.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| Lonely Planet
| The trekking guide book "Trekking in the Patagonian Andes" describes the trail around the volcano Antuco. The entire cicuit is incorporated into the GPT either a regular or optional route. We hiked this route in 2007.
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| rowspan="2" | GPT05
| Juan Francisco Bustos
| The Panoramio images of of Juan Francisco Bustos indicate a trail in the valley Cochico. This images together with bits and pieces of trails visible on satellite images in Google Earth helped us to find a good traverse from Trapa Trapa to Laguna del Barco.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| A good part of this section was planned using Google Earth and Bing Maps. The trails and minor roads are partly visible on satellite images. The not visible parts were searched when hiking this trail.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| rowspan="2" | GPT06
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| Most of this section was planned using Google Earth and Bing Maps. The satellite images show parts of a trail in a rather hidden and rarely visited valley next to the border with argentina.
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| Don Gregorio Alegria
| In February 2012 we made a one day horseback tour with Don Gregorio from Ranquil to the hot spring Pelehue. These hot springs are located high up on the mountain Moncol and offer an impressive view to the volcano Lonquimay. The trail we took at this time on horseback is now part of the GPT.
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| rowspan="2" | GPT07
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| Two years before planning the GPT I "dicovered" the valley Polul in Google Earth and we did one of our first hikes without a trekking map to this valley and lake Marinanqui relying solely on satellite images. It was an wounderful hike and a crucial experience to start with the planning of a long distance trail though the Patagonian Andes. Trails are also visible on and Bing Maps.
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| Mono Andes
| The panoramio images of Mono Andes indicate a possible traverse over the Meseta de Malonehue which we incorporated into the GPT.
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| rowspan="2" | GPT08
| Luis Toro
| A [http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=9113104 wikiloc track] published by Luis Toro shows a hiking and horse trail that avoids walking on the main road. This route is now incorporated as an hiking option and will probably alter the regular route once this track is confirmed by another hiker.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| Most of this section was planned using Google Earth and Bing Maps. The trails and minor roads are generally well visible on satellite images.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| rowspan="2" | GPT09
| Andes Mountain Expediciones
| A [http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=2281818 wikiloc track] published by Andes Mountain Expediciones shows the rather hidden trail via the Laguna Hualalafquén.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| Most of this section was planned using Google Earth and Bing Maps. The trails and minor roads are generally well visible on satellite images.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| rowspan="3" | GPT10
| Lonely Planet
| The trekking guide book "Trekking in the Patagonian Andes" describes the Villarica Traverse. A part of this route is incorporated into the GPT. I hiked this route in 2003.
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| Fundo Huililco
| The Fundo Huililco is located on a potentially more attractive route that leads directly from Currarehue to the Laguna Blanca on the base of the volcano Quetrupillan. The owners of the Fundo Huililco permit hikers to pass as long they do not leave trash.
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| Locals from Huichahue
| When searching for an alternative route from the Laguna Azul to Liquiñe a local resident mentioned a direct trail but unfortunately describes the route incorrectly. After a long detour we finally found the trail which makes now a much nicer and shorter connections and avoids the main road from the Termas del Rincon to Coñaripe.
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| GPT11H
| huilohuilo
| The wikiloc user huilohuilo published a series of [http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=1833016 tracks] that provide a suitable connection from the Liquiñe to Puerto Fuy.
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| GPT11P
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| The regular packrafting route of section 11 was planned entirely with Google Earth and Bing Maps. The river Cuacuá from Reyehueico to the lake Neltume appers calm and easy navigable on the satellite images which could be confirmed when floating down this river.
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| rowspan="2" | GPT12
| Gabriel González
| The images published by Gabriel González on panoramio indicate a possible trail along the river Curringue that is partly hidden by the dense forest on the satellite images. These panoramio pictures convinced me to attempt this route along the river Curringue and not at the river Río Blanco further west.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| The forest roads visible on Google Earth and Bing Maps provided the rest of the route for this section.
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| rowspan="3" | GPT13
| Lonely Planet
| The trekking guide book "Trekking in the Patagonian Andes" describes the Puyehue Traverse. A good part of this route is incorporated into the GPT. I hiked this route in 2003, 2007 and 2009 before the erruption of the Cordon Caulle which change landscape and consequently also the route. A part of the trail was destroyed by the erruption and is not passable any more.
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| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| When we did the first hike of the GPT in 2013/14 we took a quite demanding detour around the eatern side of the lava field. After reviewing our acutal GPS record I could draw a more suitable route around the western side of the fresh lava field that is similar impressive, contains less ascents and decents and gets hikers close to a hidden hot springs.
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| Pinot
| The wikiloc user Pinto published the [http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=7016869 GPS record of a horseback trip] to a hidden hot spring on the Cordon Caulle about 7 km off the regular route. Before the erruption of the Cordon Caulle I visited 3 times other hot springs that are now covered by a 7 square kilometer large lava field.
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| GPT14
| Eran
| When searching the trail from the volcano Antillanca to the lake Rupanco we got stack in inpassable forest. I took this trail 10 years earlier but it seems that that this route was given up and became overgrown. When reaching the nearby ski hotel Antillanca we were recommended a guide to show us the new trail that connects the open volcanic pleteau at the volcano Antillanca with the lake Rupanco. Eran came by horse to guide us to Las Gaviotas at eastern shore of the lake Rupanco.
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| rowspan="2" | GPT15
| Lonely Planet
| The trekking guide book "Trekking in the Patagonian Andes" describes the trail to the Termas de Callao. This route is now incorporated into the GPT. I hiked this route in 2003.
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| Maricel Arias
| A [http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=5156072 wikiloc track] from Maricel Arias shows the trail from the lake Cayetue which is not visible on satellite images.
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| GPT16
| Municipalidad de Cochamo
| The municipal administration of Cochamo published a hiking map showing the horse trail that are used and maintained by the local population that lives in the remote back-country. We found this map during our hike in an accommodation and changed our preliminary route to incorporate additional lakes and trails. This change of plan turned out to be an excellent choice.
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| rowspan="2" | GPT17
| Estefania Chereguini and Walter Oszust
| When I started to work on the southern extension of the GPT I struggled with finding a route from Lago Puelo to Lago Cholila. Due to the dense forest possible trails are well hidden and [http://yetithruhikes.blogspot.de/ another hiker] had to return half-way because he got stack in inpassable forest. It was Estefania Chereguini and Walter Oszust, the initiators and authors of the Huella Andina, who guided us most of the way. Due to a wild fire we could not walk the entire trail but the most challanging part of it. Thanks to Estefania and Walter the GPT could be extended further south avoiding long walks on roads with substantial transit traffic.
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| The regular packrafting route was planned with Google Earth and Bing Maps. The river Carrileufu from the Lago Cholila to the Lago Rivadavia appers calm and easy navigable on the satellite images which could be confirmed when floating down this river.
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| rowspan="2" | GPT18
| Estefania Chereguini and Walter Oszust
| Estefania Chereguini and Walter Oszust initiated and developed the Huella Andina which is the recommended route for hikers in this section.
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| Google Earth, Bing Maps
| The regular packrafting route was planned with Google Earth and Bing Maps. The rivers that connect the Lago Rivadavia with Lago Verde Lago Futalaufquen appers mostly calm with a few smaller rapids. This could be confirmed when floating down this river.
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|}
==Questions and Feedbacks==
