Volcán Antuco - Trapa Trapa
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Summary
- Duration: 3 to 5 days
- Distance: 57 km
- Ascent: 1380 meters ↑
- Descent: 1770 meters ↓
The fourth section of the Greater Patagonian Trail sets out on the base of volcano Antuco; a nearly perfect cone build with pitch black volcanic rocks and boulders. You can optionally climb this summit before continuing on the regular route. It’s a demanding long ascent over rather loose piles of sharp volcanic rocks that make the returning descent even more tiresome. But if the weather favours you, you get rewarded with an outlook that reaches north to the volcano Chillan and south to the volcano Copahue; a total distance that takes about 10 days to hike.
The regular trail takes the road to Argentine through vast fields of black volcanic ash in between the Laguna de Las Lajas and the volcano Antuco. On May 18, 2005 this road became the tragic scene of the worst peacetime military disaster in recent Chilean history. An overeager commander ordered about 400 poorly equipped conscripts to march this road despite a starting snow storm. 45 soldiers got disoriented and paralyze by the fierce snow storm and froze to death on the side of the road. Take it as an advise to always carry protective cloth and rather seek shelter if the weather turns against you. This trail is published for prudent hikers and not for wannabe heros.
After passing the ill-fated military post and the border control you need to leave the road before crossing into Argentina at the "Piedra del Indio" and turn south to enter the territory of the Pehuenche people. The "Piedra del Indio" or "Rock of the Indios" received its name because two "Indio" families where surprised by a similar fierce snow storm and were wiped out all together. A wide open valley leads you towards the first Araucaria trees that also mark the initial of the tribal land. Indigenous herdsman have set up their “Puestos” to look after their animals on the summer patches of grass. Centuries of disrespect, deceit and displacement by colonists have made this people withdrawn and sceptical compared to the settlers and “Puesteros” that you meet before. But if you approach them with respect and in a humble attitude you may get invited into their huts and listen to them speaking their native language Mapuche.
After crossing a saddle and descending into the Valley Queuco you finally reach the Pehuenche settlement Trapa Trapa. If you ask around and you are lucky you may stay for a night with one of the families.
Images
Recommended Season
Difficulty
The isolation and the high passes make this a rather difficult but rewarding trail. Good orientational skill are required because hardly any signposts are placed and some parts of the trail are cross country.
Expected Duration
Recommended Season
Trekking Direction
Permits and Entrance Fees
Inhabitation and Tourism
Food Supply
Water Supply
Maps
The electronic map Topo Chile Deluxe from Garmin shows the contours precisely but some lakes and smaller river are incorrect displayed. Only few trail sections are integrated. Some of the “Alleys” of this electronic map are far off the true position or inexistent. You should use the Greater Patagonian Trail data files for navigation.
Difficulty
Access to Start
Return from Finish
Suggested Stages
| Stage | Days | Stage End Point | Stage End Waypoint | Distance | Ascent ↑ | Descent ↓ | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | (Start to) El Boslon | Refuge (GPT01-WP011) | 20 km | 1180 m | 140 m | 06:10 |
| B | 1 | Laguna Mondaca | Camp (GPT01-WP016) | 16 km | 1000 m | 1210 m | 05:20 |
Stage A: Start to El Bolson
If you leave in the morning in Radal you can reach in one day the camp and refuge El Bolson. Parque Ingles is a good place for a lunch break.
Stage B: El Boslon to Laguna Mondaca
From El Bolson you get in one day to the Laguna Mondaca. If you partition this stage differently be aware that there are no inviting camp sites between the Laguna las Ánimas and the Laguna Mondaca. This stage should not be attempted in bad weather.
Waypoints
| Waypoint Name and Waypoint Code | Comment |
|---|---|
| Start (GPT01-WP001) | Start in Radal at final bus stop. Only in January and February some busses continue to Parque Ingles. |
| Shop (GPT01-WP002) | Small shop with basic supplies in Radal. Good to get a beer and some extra goodies for the night but not to supply you for the trip. |
Tracks
| Track Name | Comment |
|---|---|
| GPT01-TR001-2 | Take the public gravel road from Radal to Parque Ingles. Only few vehicles use this road but traffic increases in January and February. |
| GPT01-TR002-1 | The track starts left at the entrance of Parque Ingles. The national park trail from Radal to El Bolson is well main-tained and clearly visible with some signposts and marks. After El Bolson the trail occasionally splits and peters out so try to follow the GPS trek when in doubt until reaching the 2560 m high pass. At the pass do not descent the well visible trail that keeps right but follow the GPS trek that descents directly towards the Laguna Mondaca. During the descent the trail is partially only vaguely visible.
Option 2: If you took the short way to the Route 115 and you still want to complete the entire trail than you need to walk 9 km on the paved Route 115. Not recommended! |
Next Sections
| Next Section | Comment |
|---|---|
| Northern | Section 3: Volcán Chillan |
| Southern | Section 5: Laguna El Barco |
Image Gallery
El Bolsón
Leaving El Bolsón
