Cambios

==[[GPT 1: Volcán Descabezado|Section 1: Volcán Descabezado]]==

[[Archivo:Perfil Greater Patagonian Trail - GPT1.PNG|thumb|500px|right|Profile Greater Patagonian Trail: Section 1: Volcán Descabezado <small>[[Greater_Patagonian_Trail#Profiles|profile specs.]]</small>]]

* '''Duration: 6 to 8 days'''

* '''Distance: 103 km'''

* '''Ascent: 4970 meters ↑'''

* '''Descent: 4870 meters ↓'''

* ''Option 1: Climb to the summit of the volcano Descabezado Grande''

* ''Option 2: Explore two hidden lakes''

** ''Duration: ½ to 1 day''

The first stage of the Greater Patagonian Trail gets you right into a mind-blowing volcanic theatre. The landscape is transformed by numerous powerful eruptions of the volcano Descabezado Grande and it’s equally potent smaller brothers in the surrounding. During the last major outbreak in 1932 the Quizapu; a parasitic crater 6 km south of the main crater; vomited an estimated 25 cubic kilometer of lava and volcanic ash.

After leaving the forest you will step through endless fields of pumice, climb three passes and cross a 4 km wide lava river. The struggle is rewarded with amazing outlooks, deep blue lakes and lagoons that suddenly pop in a surreal scenery and two thermal springs. Here you can soak up heat during a freezing night while admiring a sky full of stars. You can even cook your meal on one of the hot steam vents.

As an option your may climb to the 3900 m high summit of the “Great Decapitated”; this is what Descabezado Grande means. It’s a demanding long but technically uncomplicated ascent.

You can also explore two hidden lagoons; one that fills an ancient crater and a second one that was dammed up by another

smaller volcano. Both lakes are not far of the trail near a scenic camp site.

Here you can see plenty of [http://www.panoramio.com/user/7876187/tags/GPT%20Section%2001 images of section 1 of the Greater Patagonian Trail] that are uplodaded to Panoramio and Google Earth.

And here you can read the detailed trail section description on wikiexplora: [[GPT 1: Volcán Descabezado|Section 1: Volcán Descabezado]]

==Section 2: Laguna Dial==

[[Archivo:Perfil Greater Patagonian Trail - GPT2.PNG|thumb|500px|right|Profile Greater Patagonian Trail: Section 2: Laguna Dial. <small>[[Greater_Patagonian_Trail#Profiles|Profile specs.]]</small>]]

* '''Duration: 7 to 10 days'''

* '''Distance: 144 km'''

Here you can see plenty of [http://www.panoramio.com/user/7876187/tags/GPT%20Section%2002 images of section 2 of the Greater Patagonian Trail] that are uplodaded to Panoramio and Google Earth.

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==[[GPT 2-3: Alternative Long Distance Challenge via Las Truchas|Section 2-3: Alternative Long Distance Challenge via Las Truchas]]==

* '''Duration: 14 to 21 days'''

* '''Ascent: 12710 meters ↑'''

* '''Descent: 12100 meters ↓'''

If you are near the finish of section 2 and your backpack is still filled with plenty of food and you are ready for the ultimate endurance challenge, then you can leave the regular trail in the lower part of the valley Rodriguez and climb up the steep valley Las Tragedias: “the tragedies”. This optional trail section bypasses the settlement Pichi Rincon and the road to San Fabian via the scenic lake Las Truchas and the pristine river valley with the same name. Don't miss to take a dip in the refreshing water of the the lake or the Río Las Truchas or one of the contributary side streams! You will re-joins the regular trail in the small settlement El Roble without the possibility to resupply until the end of section 3 at the Laguna Las Lajas. There are few trail where you can walk such a long distance through a nearly untouched wilderness. If you combine section 2 and 3 with this alternative trail you will walk for 2 to 3 weeks without passing a village or a public road.

Here you can see plenty of [http://www.panoramio.com/user/7876187/tags/GPT%20Section%2002-03 images of section 2-3 of the Greater Patagonian Trail] that are uplodaded to Panoramio and Google Earth.

==Section 3: Volcán Chillán==

Here you can see plenty of [http://www.panoramio.com/user/7876187/tags/GPT%20Section%2003 images of section 3 of the Greater Patagonian Trail] that are uplodaded to Panoramio and Google Earth.

And here you can read the detailed trail section description on wikiexplora: [[GPT 3: Volcán Chillan|Section 3: Volcán Chillan]]

After passing the ill-fated military post and the border control you need to leave the road before crossing into Argentina at the "Piedra del Indio" and turn south to enter the territory of the Pehuenche people. The "Piedra del Indio" or "Rock of the Indios" received its name because two "Indio" families where surprised by a similar fierce snow storm and were wiped out all together. A wide open valley leads you towards the first Araucaria trees that also mark the initial of the tribal land. Indigenous herdsman have set up their “Puestos” to look after their animals on the summer patches of grass. Centuries of disrespect, deceit and displacement by colonists have made this people withdrawn and sceptical compared to the settlers and “Puesteros” that you meet before. But if you approach them with respect and in a humble attitude you may get invited into their huts and listen to them speaking their native language Mapuche.

After crossing a saddle and descending into the Valley Queuco you finally reach the Pehuenche settlement Trapa Trapa. If you ask around and you are lucky you may stay for a night with one of the families.