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*GPT37H Penisula La Florida/ Iris, Alexis / 2022-Dec-18 to 2023 -Jan 18-2116 / 330 Days / Packrafting / GPT37P Initial Investigation / Villa O'Higgins,5 days Lago Negro, El Taitao, La Morocha, Isla Central, Brazo Poniente, Rio Condor, Lago Chico / West TraverseMeylin Ubilla, Masha Ovchinnikova, Misha Bogdanov, Jan Dudeck, Tobias Schorch

We were able to get a boat ride to Bahia Pescado by asking Rudeas de Patagonia. We came at In the end 10 years of the day investigating and they sold us some remaining seats at a fair price (50k for 2). Earlier in publishing the day, GPT this has been the price was 60k eachmost diverse, intense and longest exploration trip.

When arriving at Bahia Pescado, we had difficulties Lago O’Higgins is not completely unknown in the travelers world but most hikers and cyclists perceive this lake rather as an obstacle then as a region to find explore. Lago O’Higgins is located between the trail southern terminus of the Carretera Austral and struggled in the first ascenthiking mecca El Chalten. We pitched the tent at Water {37H} [56.7/408]. The view all along Hikers and at cyclists that wish to connect along the spot is stunningCarretera Austral from Cerro Castillo or Parque Patagonia to El Chalten often take the ferries that cross this lake from Villa O‘Higgins to Candelario Mancilla but furious wind can result in waiting times of more then one week.

On While visiting Villa O’Higgins in recent years we learned more about the second day, handful of settlers living remotely on the ascent through RHshores of this lake. The first settlers arrived around 100 years ago by boat coming from the Argentine side of this bi-CC-A {37H} [5national lake.6/48.0+0.5] was tough because it was really hot and And satellite images provided some information about the path we found was trails in rocky former river stream. Then, RRthe vicinity of this octopus-CC-A {37H} [39like lake with numerous arm.9/40.7+1.7] is even harder when going up. We suggest to continue to follow the shore After years of contemplating we reserved a bit and going up straight instead good part of trying this season to do both at venture on this lake and to visit the same time. It looked easier when above. We camped at Camp {37H} [36.5/776] but we did not find water nearbysettlers.

Third day was without any specificities except gorgeous landscapes and scenic views. Of note, Camp {37H} [114.9/268] Lago O’Higgins is probably not available infamous for the season as it is occupied by a dead cowoften furious wind that can last for days. We found a suitable pitch a bit further on the beach (Especially in summer wind rarely stops making any packrafting attempt an old corral)exercise of patience.Of the 30 days at the lake we spend 10 days waiting but these days were “value time” because we stayed at the homesteads of the settlers and tasted their way of life.Highlights of the trip have been:

The return to Bahia Bahamondes was straight forward. The beginning of the trail is easily lost - Searching and we checked our GPS quite often. Then, documenting the barely travelled trail is visible and beautiful. We were lucky from Villa O’Higgins via Lago Negro to find a ride to Villa O'Higgins at the port and did not walk the last 7 kilometers.El Taitao

Overall, we struggled a bit but had no real difficulties. The weather was excellent (even a bit too hot) - Crossing by packraft Lago O’Higgins at Brazo Desagüe and the rivers crossable easily. This hike was super beautiful and diverse. Also, we met nobody on the trail and it was really pleasant to feel diving into barely frequented nature.Bahia Pocas Pilchas

* 2023-Jan-07 to 2023-Jan-07 / 6 days / GPT37P(H): Peninsula La Florida. Full "8" route Packrafting and side hikes (hiking Brazo Poniente all the way to Cerro Tres Frailes) / Clockwise / Alex Abramov the glaciers that creep down from the Southern Patagonian Icefield

An excellent route ranked in my top five favorites in Chile. Very scenic, varied, secluded, - Investigate a real gem. In general, there are no problems with water or camps. Not particularly difficult, but the new cross-country hiking route has at least two quite demanding fords and many sections with complicated navigation and annoying thorny bushes (I always use my running shoes). to a viewpoint of Glacier O’Higgins that was probably never walked before

My choice of direction, clockwise, is due - Traversing the Pensinsula La Carmela from Glaciar Gaea to trying challenging fords first.Lago Chico and crossing this lake by packraft next to Glaciar Chico

I am somewhat skeptical about - Ascending on the length of Southern Patagonian Icefield along Glaciar Chico to Paso Marconi with the track by Jan, mountain guide Leo Muñoz - Arranging food shipments with the discoverer of the area, I believe supply boat that 3 times per month visits the real classic “8” will be closer to 150 kmsettlers of Lago O’HigginsCrossing the Aro(s) River requires a lot The balanced combination of carehiking, especially when passing alonepackrafting and living with the settlers made this 30-day trip an intense but not tiresome experience. It can  A detailed route description and recommendations will be extremely dangerous or impassable in provided with the early season, I put some useful tips in the comment on next update of the FB postHikers Manual.