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2024-Feb-12 to 2024-Feb-16 Trail attractiveness: 4/ 4.5 days ;Difficulty: 3/ Hiking / SOBO / Option 03B, RR, Variant C, E, H, K / Tomáš & Natalie5(keep in mind that this is our first GPT hike)

The MR at 24.2 is in a bad shape due Day 1: ‘GPT33H-03B start’ to erosion after ford at about 12 km in(-46. Tomáš made a bridge out of a log but managed to jump into the water while doing it. Enjoy the bridge while it lasts as did a Frenchman we met there. He did the circuit NOBO based on wikiloc. He said he keeps coming across GPT2570, but could not figure out how to get the GPS route. We told him to talk to Jan. Maybe he will come back the next day-72.3711):

On the way to the Torres, we met 3 pairs of Chilean hikers going back. Tomáš went to We entered from Carretera Austral at Laguna La Plaza Verde (option COption 03B). Lake is grey but after being dropped off by the valley is nice enough morning bus from Coyhaique (heading to justify Cochrane). Arrived at the short detourcrossroads at 11:30am with Don Carlos bus. It is no BBWhole day was walking on roads and relatively easy to make distance.At (-46.2671, -72.3561) there is was a trail in the forrest sign reading "se prohibe la entrada al predio" and above the tree line a vague trail or easy CC. The Torres are indeed magnificent. One can easily walk on locked gate with a ladder to climb over the sloped polished slab falling into the far side of the second lake before the pass - it . There is an exhilirating detoura campsite (Camp, X {33H} [32. Going down from the pass0/700]) pinned shortly after, when the GPX turns right, Tomáš actually managed but we decided to walk over one keep going because of the ledges above the GPX and liked itsign. Just be extremely careful with moss and water, they can make the stones extremely slippery, but he survived that without fallingAt (-46. About 100 m before the lake2621, -72.3613) there is a an end to the property (same sign facing opposite direction, no gate). We camped on an area used for chopping wood at(-least46.2570, -a-ton heavy swing in the form of a loose boulder72. Enjoy if you can find it3711). Camp 63.4 is literally awesome. We had a very warm almost windless night thereShort scramble down to the river.

Ford at 69.8 around noon was slightly above the knees. Ford it diagonally as the trail wants you to Day 2: (- it is shallower that way46. Greeted grandfather2570, Maria and Julio and their three kids and had a short talk with the grandfather-72. From their place, the trail sort of is wide enough for a car (there is one at their place3711) but we think it is never or vietually never used by carsto Camp {33H} [52. Ford at 81.4 at six in the afternoon was 5 cm under our crotches (we are about 1.70), we forded about 100 upstream of GPX. The river was strong but we did not feel it was dangerous for us. The day was hot and despite not covering even 20 km, we felt superexhausted. Strong sun and spikees got to us!7/953]:

We camped about 4 km into Large part of the day was also roadwalking, shortly after the second (both jumpable/bridgable afterwards trails and some cross country.Camped by log) fordCamp {33H} [52. It must be a good place to camp, as Tomáš, who went back to the big ford where he left his sandals the previous day, met a GPT hiker going NOBO who apparently slept in a hearing distance from us7/953]. Camping around Puesto {33H} [53. The hiker first started to come to Patagonia decades ago0/946] has better mountain views, before it Puesto itself was overrunbeing used, possibly for guided horseback trekking. Tomáš sadly never asked his name. Met the grandfather again, coming back from the port, horses are fast!

Variant K misses last water but is easy to follow, nicer than a road and involves only three very easy fence hopsDay 3: Camp {33H} [52. Reached the bus stop for Puerto Ibanez around three. Got lucky and got a hitch from two British tourists 7/953] to Puerto IbanezPass {33H} [62. The shops there stock overpriced pesto 0/1314] and gnocchi, Tomáš is almost as joyful as cherries make him!back:

Day 4: Camp {33H} [52.7/953] to Camp ? {33H- Something feels wrong to express joy for the warm and fabulous weather we had08} [11. It should not have been ~25degrees and we should not have been able to sleep without a tent6/warm clothes at camp63 and be too warm...I 548]:

Probably hardest day in navigation, trail disappeared often, but manageable.The former landslide section at (-Pedro Zuleta: +56 993 5786 68 46.3853, -72.5520) did not pose any difficulties for us as the water level was our driver from Villa Castillonot too high and the main river flow now goes near the northwestern side of the valley. We just had to step over the remaining side stream. With more water some fording might still be necessary, but I imagine you could get away with staying near the southeastern bank for this section.At Camp ? {33H-08} [11.6/548] there is a puesto that seems to be in use, but we saw no one and camped a little lower near the river.

 Day 5: Camp ? {33H-08} [11.6/548] to ‘GPT33H-08 start’: Right after camp there was a makeshift bridge to cross the stream (tree and rope, very rickety).Trail seemed to be used and maintained on this part of option 08.Shortly before Camp {33H-08} [6.9/435] there was a previously washed-out section with a new path already laid out. In heavy rainfall this could wash out again but should not pose a big hindrance.  Notes: - RR + option 08 is a great short alternative without much backtracking. - Our hitch out of Puerto Murta happened to be local members of an association that wants to bring more tourism to their town and the Torres del Avellano. If their plans are fruitful, traffic and trail maintenance may increase on option 08. - We organized the transport of our non-trekking items from Coyhaique to Puerto Río Tranquilo by encomienda. Ines, the lady working at the Sao Paulo bus office in Coyhaique terminal was kind enough to hold our boxes until we arrived and called her from Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Our things arrived the day after we called at around 1pm. We shipped a rather large quantity of items (enough items to fill 50L bag) for 12000 CLP. Sao Paulo bus Coyhaique telephone: +56 672 255 726   * 30/01/2024 - 01/02/2024, 3 days, 78 kmSouth bound (east bound).“Mountain route”, a combination of Options 06 and 07 which are now passed and confirmed. Difficulty: Difficult/Very Difficult Most of the route is off-trailAlex + AndreyThanks to Jan for the suggested routes and clues.Short resume: This mountain route is a more difficult and demanding alternative to the regular route but can be an interesting option for those looking for a challenge.The combination with a regular route allows to form a full-fledged “eight”, a trip of 6-10 days. Option 07 is a shorter, although more difficult, alternative to the regular route in case the Avellano River cannot be forded NOBO.Notes and recommendations. Option 07: All fords do not pose any significant difficulty.Due to the height and southern exposure the areas between Pass 1 and Pass 2 (Pass {33H-07} [17.0/1755]) and descents from Pass 2 in the early to mid-season have extensive areas of snow where microspikes or crampons may be required.The main difficulty on the descent is overcoming several side washouts, which are small but deep and steep canyons. Option 06: There is no water during the first 4-5 hours of ascent to the valley.The open area of ​​the upper valley at Camp 2 and beyond throughout the ridge is a resort for very strong winds. Setting up camp may be difficult or impossible. A strong hiker can combine and complete this section notes in one day.The predominant wind exposure makes passage from west to east highly recommended.The last reliable source of water is before reaching High Pass 3. Further east there is no water until the junction with the regular route, except for temporary streams from seasonal snow. The track and additional information are here:https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/avellano-mountain-route-chilean-patagonia-160489118  *2024-Mar-04 to 2024-Mar-08 / 4.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / OH 03B + RR + OH D + K / Joscha Day 1: OH33H-03B + RR [24.2-41.2] I tried to hitch from Villa Cerro Castillo to the start of OH33H-03B. After 1 hour a Bus arrived and took me to the start for 2000 Pesos. The Bus runs from Cohayique to Chile Chico on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It starts in Coyhaique at 9 am and stopps in Villa Cerro Castillo at around 10:30 am. From the brigde at km 25.7 until km 35.8 there is no water on the RR. You walk close to some rivers but I didn't check if its possible to acces them. After km 35.8 there is plenty of water. At km 38.5 is a big flat field for camping with a creek next to it. I camped just before the crossing of the river at km 41.2.  Day 2: RR [41.2-58.3] + OH33H-D + RR [61.0-63.4] There was plenty of water all along the trail. Camping possible at -46.291963, -72.470389 just before the Pass (km 44.4), at the start of OH33H-C and along the CC section from km 49.0 to 50.8. I can recommend OH33H-D. I especially liked the first Laguna. Camp 63.4 has awesome views, but is only slightly wind protected and the spots are only good for small tents.  Day 3: RR [63.4-93.2] I stayed inside the riverbed for the last 2.5 km of the CC&BB section. I had to cross the river about 20 times, but its the fastest and easiest way. The ford at km 83.6 was just below my crotch (I am 191 cm) and the current was pretty strong at around 5 pm. It would have been difficult for smaller persons. All the other fords today were at max. knee hight. There is plenty of water all along the route. I camped next to the RR on a flat, grassy field at km 93.2.  Day 4: RR [93.2-116.3] Plenty of water along this part of the RR. Day 5: RR [116.3-119.6] + OH33H-K + RR [122.6-141.0]  OH33H-K is easy to walk but does not offer any great views. If you choose OH33H-K, than there is no water between km 117.5 and 138.5 (at km 135.2 is a water marker, but I didn't see any as I walked by. Maybe I missed it, because I wasn't looking for it). There is water at km 140.3. I got a hitch from km 141.0 to Puerto Ibanez. But there are very few cars on the road, so don't count on getting a hitch. *2024-Feb-12 to 2024-Feb-16 / 4.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / Option 03B, RR, Variant C, E, H, K / Tomáš & Natalie There was a queue of three hitchhiker groups who did not get picked up while we were doing our shopping so we opted to hire a taxi for 15000 to the start of 03B (Pedro Zuleta: +56 993 5786 68). Somehow, during our arranging of the taxi, all three groups left. Roadwalking to option 07 was uneventful. Tomáš got a hitch (he eats lunch too slowly so Natalie got ahead) for about 5 km from a family which was exploring in a car. About 500 m before the diversion to option 07, there is a locked gate with a sign saying the property is private, but one can go over a ladder. At the gate, we met a local with a key who has a house on Option 07, if we got him right. He gave us a ride of 500 m. The start of option 7 is actually a road.  The MR at 24.2 is in a bad shape due to erosion after ford at about 12 km in. Tomáš made a bridge out of a log but managed to jump into the water while doing it. Enjoy the bridge while it lasts as did a Frenchman we met there. He did the circuit NOBO based on wikiloc. He said he keeps coming across GPT, but could not figure out how to get the GPS route. We told him to talk to Jan. Maybe he will come back the next season. On the way to the Torres, we met 3 pairs of Chilean hikers going back. Tomáš went to Laguna La Plaza (option C). Lake is grey but the valley is nice enough to justify the short detour. It is no BB, there is a trail in the forest and above the tree line a vague trail or easy CC. The Torres are indeed magnificent. One can easily walk on the sloped polished slab falling into the far side of the second lake before the pass - it is an exhilirating detour. Going down from the pass, when the GPX turns right, Tomáš actually managed to walk over one of the ledges above the GPX and liked it. Just be extremely careful with moss and water, they can make the stones extremely slippery, but he survived that without falling. About 100 m before the lake, there is a at-least-a-ton heavy swing in the form of a loose boulder. Enjoy if you can find it. Camp 63.4 is literally awesome. We had a very warm almost windless night there. After the boulder field under camp63 we loss the rest of the elevation on the right side of the creek and then when the swamp appeared on the right we went to the left and stayed on that side (North) for the entire BB/CC. There is a vague trail most of the way, but is has many many logs over it. It took us 3 hours to walk to the trailhead. We kept our feet dry and were in the shade, but it would have been quicker and far less tiring just following the riverbed and constantly crossing the river. Ford at 69.8 around noon was slightly above the knees. Ford it diagonally as the trail wants you to - it is shallower that way (ie a little further down than where the trail spits you out). Greeted grandfather, Maria and Julio and their three kids and had a short talk with the grandfather, nice to see the whole family working together on projects. From their place, the trail sort of is wide enough for a car (there is one at their place) but we think it is never or vietually never used by cars. Ford at 81.4 at six in the afternoon was 5 cm under our crotches (we are about 1.70), we forded about 100 upstream of GPX. The river was strong but we did not feel it was dangerous for us. We forded the widest part of the river just before a dead end fence (if you are coming from the other direction, after the grey river and around the dead end ford you will see the widest part of the river).The day was hot and despite not covering even 20 km, we felt superexhausted. Strong sun and spikees got to us! We camped about 4 km along the road, shortly after the second (both jumpable) ford. It must be a good place to camp, as Tomáš, who went back to the big ford where he left his sandals the previous day, met a GPT hiker going NOBO who apparently slept in a hearing distance from us. The hiker first started to come to Patagonia decades ago, before it was overrun. Tomáš sadly never asked his name. Met the grandfather again, coming back from the port, horses are fast! The road is not used by cars but stiĺl quite ugly. Around middle, near option 6, there are two shortcuts (400 and 50 metres) to the zigzags, three of which were marked by cairns by Tomáš. Please add the fourth cairn. Puesto 98.3 is a settler. He offered Natalie to come inside and rest but she didn't feel right stopping at that moment and kind of got the "heeby jeebies" from him. Met another pair of GPT hikers, doing just 33. The stretch along the coast is beautiful and very Mediterranean. All day the lake was without waves, even that can happen. Slept at Lake 113.8: nicer, with water and less buggy than camp 200 m earlier (just beware if the wind picks up the waves can be very loud).  Variant K misses last water but is easy to follow, nicer than a road and involves only three very easy fence hops. Reached the bus stop for Puerto Ibanez around three. Got lucky and received a hitch from two British tourists to Puerto Ibanez. The shops there are larger than expected and stock overpriced pesto and gnocchi, Tomáš is almost as joyful as cherries make him! Nat's Notes - For views I would prefer this NOBO. I suffered a new type of "look back" syndrom on most of the route. Plus, if you are walking the lake shore in the afternoon, the sun should be on your downhills and not your uphills (it was insanely hot when we did it and without a whisper of wind). -In the section notes for km24-45 I think what was meant was that from roughly km36-45,, "there are many small streams and camping spots", this is indeed is true. However, from between km 24-36 and option 3 (the carretral austral) to ~km36 there are no NO longer many streams STREAMS to drink from, I remember only one slightly decent one and both sides of the road are fenced so if you want to camp or drink water from the main river then you must jump the fences (cow panels or barb) or ask a settler. Also, strange to say, there is very little shade and can get uncomfortably hot...

-on Trail#9 (ascent before the first two alpine lakes) I took Veronicas advice about going into the woods where the RR is but rather than trying to follow the gps I followed what seemed to be a trail along the river creek with some cairns here and there. Eventually it ends above the trees but you should be able to make your way back to the RR once the "coast is clear", ie. no more trees. If you want to walk along the lake then you should do the CC up the boulder field on Variant D.

-Going down from the pass was no problem, like everyone says, "just follow the gps". However with that said, it is very tempting to make your own way bcs there are many good looking ledge systems but after reading Wills experience I backed away from the temptation and followed the GPS. I also slipped on some wet moss in RR

-When doing the BB/CC section, after the initial elevation loss from the lake there isn't much drinking water apart from the river until near the end of the BB. I think you could make "makeshift" camps. I was tempted to cross the river early to avoid crossing it at km67 km69 but once again I remembered what Will wrote last year about the thorns and cliffs so, I don't think that's a good idea.

-Not a fan of the lake side lakeside gate locking technique (remember how it looks before you open it;)

-I surprisingly really enjoyed the lake stretch, it seemed it is where Pantagonia meets the Mediterranean/Arizona. The trail is in good shape, just a few overgrown roses and thorny bushes here and there (regretted shorts only a little bit). If you are coming from the north and still have your sand gaiters, this will be a good time to reuse them :). No exposure, wish there was more wind the day we were there. I am usually the biggest hater of "PUDs"<--thanks for the new word- but these were not annoying because the ups and downs were large and not . These PUDs are just a few large hills rather than a bunch of mini steep micro hills like gpt22 or the valley bottoms in Argentina. Water WATER is at pretty much every "notch" in the hillside.

-Water is at the bottom of the MR~117.5 and there is still water at the top 119.9 RR (easier to grab it a little higher up).

- Trail condition : gpx easy to follow / between km 63,7 and km 68,5 we mostly stayed on the left of the river- Water : easy to find plenty of rivers and lagunas- Camping spot : easy to find and the one at km 68.7 is nice // the refugio near the lake at km 98.5 is perfect - make fire, sleep inside, we even could ask for some bread- Weather : some rainy and cloudy days but overall the weather was ok- River crossing :at km 69.8 we crossed the river early in the morning and the current was strong and the water up to the middle of the thighs but manageable // at km 81,2 the river was strong and up to our hips, we crossed it in the rain, it was also manageable for us that already jave a little bit of experience- Resupply : in Villa Cerro Castillo and in Chile Chico ( a bulk shop just opened in front of the camping Nandu) // at km 76,7 we could buy some bread, cheese and eggs at Maria and Julio's house - Overall : we absolutely loved this section ! The views are spectacular and really diverse from one day to another // we got a hitchike at the end on the gravel road to go to Puerto Ibanez.   *From 2023-01-20 to 2023-01-21 // 1,5 day // Hiking // NOBO // option 1 Valle Ibanez // Quentin Clavel