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==Season 2023/24==
2024-04-05 to 2024-04-08 // 3,5 days // Hiking // NOBO // variant H + RR // Quentin Clavel
I combined the GPT 6 to GPT 5.
After reaching the thermals del Azufre, I took the variant H to link these two sections. On this variant the path is less visible, you somehow can follow cow track then it goes very down on a pretty steep ridge to the valley. CC on the valley then leaving the river bed to go a little bit higher and reach the GPT 5. This variant is a bit annoying, but doable.
When you reach the GPT5, there's a better marked track, still very sandy, you'll follow it until reaching the private property near Lago Mondaca. I conturned it around the fences and haven't seen anyone around. Later one you reach the puesto with a right of way.
Same method, I conturned it, but there was a lot of movement at this place, with lot of horses and people around. I saluate them nicely, and the right of way turning into an unexpected hospitable invitation !
6 arierros were there, in the puesto of Ricardo, doing a break of few days before guiding a big group of cows (470 animals !) down the valley. They gave me juice, cazuella, mate, bread, harina tostada, and I had to stop them because my bag begun to be too heavy aha ! Amazing stop, great discussions, but I'm quite sure that if Ricardo were alone he wouldn't invited me like that !
Anyway, that was a very good surprise of this section !
I continued threw valleys and pass and was absolutely amazed by the geological formations up there ! I had the feeling to be in Game of Thrones !
Until the lake KM 66,65, you'll find a track, sometimes you'll lose it, but find it again. You'll have wet feets on this stretch ! Lots of river and wetland to pass, but no-one were bad at this time of the season.
Then, from this lake, the track will be harder to find, it's a combination of CC, your own judgement of following what looks like a trail, and an horse trail that is sometimes appearing.
After the second lake at 2300m, there's a clear trail and then you'll reach some gullies that are a bit annoying and where track disappear. Just go slowly and be careful where you put your feets as it move quite easily, lot of falling rocks and quite unstable ground. I didn't followed exactly the RR but more my instinct and what looks like more safely there.
All the way along Rio Colorado is slow and you have to be a bit careful as it's slippery, but a cow track is there. It's only the 500 last meters that are a bit annoying, but I was expecting worse. Going from higher helps you to see where to pass, should be harder SOBO.
I arrived at the puente Las Yeguas, and another surprise : there were no more puente ahaha ! All the planks were retired from the bridge and putted nicely and the side of the riverbank. Some people worked on it apparently, and will rebuild it when the winter will be over I guess. I just arrived too late on the season at this stretch.
After long time of reflexion of what I should do, I walk a bit higher to check how looked like the Rio Colorado. It was very powerful, but 300m upstream there were a small island and the current where divided into 3 branches. I backtracked at that point and tried to cross this monster.
I managed to do it, but it was savage, strong current, water going on me by waves, and big adrenaline moment. No doubt the hardest river of this GPT by far !
I continued on what was the hardest part of the section, all in CC, with big gullies to pass threw followed by a tuff and very steep ascent. Some people mentionned cairns here. I haven't seen any and was hiking straight to the top on a very demanding effort !
From there it's easier imo. Still on CC but following the RR and everything is gonna be alright, especially on the last big gully to pass before Rio negro, follow as close as possible the RR, that's where you'll passed it.
I camped next to Rio negro and passed it the day after without any troubles. Then it's new ascent on CC, and when you'll arrive at the top KM48, the track is appearing again. You've made the hardest part of this section. From there, it's gonna be from better to better.
Going on a little track, then on a more marked one (KM40), and finally on a large one that turns into gravel road for the last kilometers until Los Quienes.
Ar los Quienes, I had a proper rest, well needed after this exhausting but beautiful section (GPT6 + 5). At this tiny city you'll find accomodation (from the end of the section, turn right on the road in front of the carabineros, at the end of the curve you'll find a place with kind of a food truck, there is accomodation for 15K CLP for a room. In front you have supermercado. Going back to carabineros and continuing on the road you'll find other mercados, pizzería, restaurant, there's a feria with few food trucks and a cafe. Perfect place to spend some time. It's been a while that I haven't passed threw a "city" that big and with that choice for food and rest ahaha.
* 2024-March-26 to 2023-April-02 / 7.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + C + D + F / Gerald