Cambios

I took the route Tomas suggested and highly recommend it to everyone new on the gpt and early in the season (check your gear, device/s, body on a very scenic route (95% TR, 3%CC, 2%MR); in summer probably very hot, in mid-november it was already quite warm in the lower parts).

If you start late 2 p.m,) as I did, either camp at the waterfall or make sure to take enough water to camp 15min before you reach the 2nd river. The way down is steep and slippery. If you start early you will reach water at 2200 m and camp sites before or at the pass.

Up there very windy, but not too cold, protected camp site 10 min after you reach the pass. Part of the path covered by snow, you can bypass it on the eastern side. Ridge to Cerro San Ramon under snow, probably not to difficult (if you have crampons). 1 steep snowfield on the way down (I used it to try my mini spikes, which was not necessary in the early afternoon, but in the morning you will be very glad to have them). Camped not far from the puesto, didn‘t see anyone, just horses and barking dogs. The path to Rio Maipo valley crosses the river 8 times, fords mostly easy (though 2 far over my knees (1,97m), but one quite hard (I did. 15 min of CC and BB to find a place upwards)). Last 30 min MR. The road ends at a high gate (3m), no way around, the man in the container told me to take another way. I asked a local not far from there, he promised to help, told me to wait at the gate, in 3 min he arrived with his car and drove me down to El Manzano. I just got out of the car, when on the other side of the road a bus driving EABO stopped, I jumped in and got out at El Melocoton to continue with gpt 02 .

==Season 2023/24==

Not sure if on topic as it is technically east of Santiago and not south (but also not north!), but I thought I would share anyway. A nice trail that can be done around Santiago while waiting around. In my opinion, it also better fullfils "starting from Santiago on foot", as the current start involves quite a long stretch from Puente Alto on road. Here you start walking 100 m from bus stop (C-02, every ten minutes or so from Los Dominicos) integrated into Santiago's public transport system, or 5 km from Los Domincos terminus of the red metro line (but really, why would you not take the bus?). [https://www.facebook.com/groups/222224388283455/posts/1765972160575329/ Pictures].