GPT78P (Estuario de Reloncavi)

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Summary with remarks to route that are considered useful for other hikers and packrafters. Include alerts, suggestions and personal perception of attractiveness and difficulties.

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Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions

Season 2018/19

• 2018-Dec-14 to 2018-Dec-17 / GPT78P / Packrafting (Hornopiren to Rio Puelo along the coast) / Jan Dudeck & Meylin Elisabeth Ubilla González

After we failed to traverse on the land route from Hornopirén to Rio Puelo (via Lago Pinto Concha and Rio Traidor) we opted for the sea route. This water route turned out to be challenging as expected but more feasible. 100 km in fjords and along rather open coast lines was easier and also more attractive than fighting our way through 7 km of Valdivian Rainforest (this was the length of the „missing link” of the land route that we attempted last week but couldn’t traverse fully).

Hornopirén to Puntilla Pichicolo: This is a section with very few exits along a steep coast. It should be paddled in the early morning before wind picks up. A short cut from Cholgo (GPT77P) via the hot springs Llancahue to Puntilla Pichicolo is smart choice if you do not need to resupply in Hornopirén. We paddled it on a calm morning with hardly and wind.

Puntilla Pichocolo to Rolecha: This sector is less problematic since you paddle along a flat coast with plenty of exits next to a road. This part is more wind exposed but you can easily switch between paddling, hiking or taking motorized transport. We paddled most of this segment (to Queten) where increasing head wind forced us out of the water and we took motorized transport to Caleta Puelche to not wait two days for a change of weather.

Rolecha to Tentelhue: Due to strong currents and wind exposure at the water route around tip of the peninsula it seams a wise choice to hike 2 km on the road instead of paddling if you camped or stopped nearby.

Tentelhue to Caleta Puelche: This segment is less problematic since you paddle along a flat coast with plenty of exits next to a road. This part is more wind exposed but you can easily switch between paddling, hiking or taking motorized transport. We took motorized transport to Caleta Puelche.

Fiordo Reloncavi (Caleta Puelche to Rio Puelo): This fjords is quite challenging due to wind and partly strong tidal currents. There are some exits along the coast. Favourable wind (Northbound travel direction) are common but might get too strong to paddle or sail safely. We struggled on the first 8 km with strong currents despite having rising tide. Flows at the fjord entrance are rather strange and unexpected. We than continue the next morning but had to bail out after 1 hour on the water to wait for more suitable weather (strong wind, heavy rain, low visibility made paddling to dangerous). We luckily stopped at the right place and became the guests of an older couple that cultivate mussels. We spend a day of rest with them in their tiny house right on the coast. Once the conditions improved it became a fantastic but demanding paddling day. We started in calm weather and around noon strong wind from the back pushed us to Rio Puelo and further to Cochamo. More details on request.

Links to other Resources

Retired Section Article GPT78 - Estuario de Reloncaví