Cambios

* 2024-Jan-19 / 2 days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP / Lauren & , Sebastian & Daniel

Day 1: We met fellow GPT Packrafter Daniel and paddled together on this leg. Left camp Abuelo Daniel at 6:45am and it was smooth passage on Lago Rivadavia and Lago Verde. If you leave too late, head winds traveling from the Chilean coast inland start around noon. Rio Arrayanes was a relaxing float downstream. By the time we reached Lago Futalaufquen, we had good tailwind as the direction of the valley points inland so we set our sails. We camped just before turning eastwards around the first corner but were visited by rangers at around 9pm. They were very clear that wild camping is not allowed in Argentinian National Parks. As it was late and the next camp site quite a distance away, they only took photos of our passports. They were very strict and even though they may have made an exception- be more responsible than we were.

Day 2: We started in increased team size as we joined forces with GPT Packrafter Daniel on this leg. Leaving camp Abuelo Daniel at 6:45am we hoped waited until around 11am for the head winds to ensure smooth passage on Lago Rivadavia slow down and Lago Verdethen set off paddling towards Villa Futalaufquen. Note that if you leave too lateAfter turning onto the southwards stretch, there will be strong headwinds on both lakes starting typically from early afternoon, as the general rule is that winds are traveling from the Chilean cost inland starting around noon.We managed slowly started to cross Lago Rivadavia without problems, but had some headwinds already on Lago Verde. We pushed through this short lake shift and floated down Rio Arrayanes. By the time we reached Lago Futalaufquen, the wind was strong. As the direction of the valley points inland we now had a good got some tailwind and set our sails. We camped further down set the lake just before turning eastwards around the first corner. I won’t specify sails on both boats and continued along the spotwestern shore, as we camped wild and were visited only to be stopped by rangers coming down from the road at around 9pm. They were very clear officials, who told us that wild camping is not allowed in Argentinian National Parks and we had to excuse our ignorance cannot paddle on this matter, even tough we camped only 5 meters away from the official free camper van camp spot. Camping is ONLY allowed at western side of the official campsites in Argentinian NPs. I guess lake as it was so late and the next camp site quite a ways away, they made an exception and only took photos beach at the southwestern end of our passports for registration purposes. I want to strongly discourage anyone from doing the same lake is used as we dida private landing point for motor boats. They were very strict and even though they may have made an exception, I’m sure that they will not do asked us to cross the same next time! Be more responsible than we werelake to the eastern side.

Day 2 We expected to have a calm morning, but winds were not in our favor. We waited until around 11am for the head winds to slow down and then set off paddling towards Villa Futalaufquen. After turning onto the southwards stretch, winds slowly started to shift and we got some tailwind. We set the sails on both boats and continued along the western shore southwards, only to be stopped half way down by officials, which told us that we cannot paddle on the western side of the lake. They mentioned that the beach at the southwestern end of the lake is used as a private landing point for motor boats, and we should stay away from it. They asked us to cross the lake to the eastern side. We continued to sail, now in southeast direction, and landed at about the middle of the lake and concluded a great GPT section. Overall: A very An enjoyable and scenic chill section! Expect lot’s lots of tourist traffic on the lakes, but we still highly recommend it! Rivers were not difficultfor the seamless connection of pristine water bodies.