GPT41 (Lago Viedma)

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Summary with remarks to route that are considered useful for other hikers and packrafters. Include alerts, suggestions and personal perception of attractiveness and difficulties.

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Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions

Season 2023/24

• November 2023 / Regular Route / Southbound / Frank Creedon

On the wide open road from El Chalten, GPT41. Although you are on tar there are no facilities for 108KM. The route is featureless pampa & you will often go 20KM or more before finding a boulder or calafate bush to shelter from the relentless wind. Only recommended for hikers who are fanatical about connecting footsteps.

Resupply and Accommodation

No facilities for 108KM after you leave El Chalten. 89KM from Chalten where the road joins Ruta 40 there is a big bus shelter, you could sleep in it. However the route via the shelter is about 7KM longer than the inland route on dirt tracks,

The pampa is semi desert & there is no water along the route apart from the points marked Bridge on the track file. Water is very silty, you will need a filter.

Possible campsites: A few widely spaced estancias but most are well back from the road (often several kilometres) Estancia Santa Margarita (marked on Openstreetmap) is by the road & you could ask if you can camp there.

15KM from Chalten just after the bridge is a building with no roof. You could sleep in it or camp behind it. 55KM from Chalten just before another bridge is another building with no roof, another possible refuge or campsite.

It will probably be too windy & exposed to camp by the lake. Going along the lake SOBO on dirt tracks about 6KM before you reach the road is Punta del Lago Estancia, you may be able to camp there behind trees or buildings. There are no trees & no shelter on the pampa. Trees only grow at the estancias.

After 108KM (or 102KM if you take the jeep tracks) you reach La Leona. Camping for $10 US or 9000 pesos (nov. 2023 price) Expensive accomodation (about $100) but rooms were closed in November. They said rooms open in high season (beginning in December) Restaurant open for hot food 8AM=4PM & for snacks, pizza & beer until 8PM. Pick the most sheltered spot in the campsite, it gets very windy & can knock tents which are not well sheltered.

Resupply and Accommodation in nearby Towns

Lots of shops & bakeries in Chalten. Hiking shops also & you can get camping gas.

La Anonamia supermarket in Calafate.

Transport to and from Route

Nov 2023 info

5 buses a day El Chalten to Calafate & Calafate to Chalten, 11000 pesos They pass by La Leona.

If they have spare seats Chalten Travel will drop you in La Leona for 5500 pesos. Other companies may be reluctant to do so. In high season they may make you buy a full fare ticket.

A few long distance buses stop at La Leona.

Buses wont drop you at any locations along the route apart from La Leona & are unlikely to pick you up along the route either. Hitching is fairly easy.

Images

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