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→Season 2024/25
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=Overview=
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=Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions=
==Season 2024/25==
We set out from El Chaltén before noon, following RP23. On the second day, we chose Route A, but walking along the beach proved challenging due to the soft terrain, so we frequently shifted closer or farther from the shores of Lago Viedma. We recommend to keep farther from the beach. At point X {41} [108.0/256] near La Leona, we continued along RN40 and later switched to RP11 at the junction (-50.30970, -71.85501), following it all the way to El Calafate. Strong headwinds were a major challenge here.
*Challenges:
-Water management
-Long, monotonous stretches on asphalt
-Strong western wind
*Bivouacing:
Finding a good wind-sheltered spot can be tricky. These are the places we camped:
1. Old quarry – provided decent wind protection (-49.5197272, -72.5477242)
2. Lakeside embankment – protected from the wind, close to the lake for water (-49.6568358, -72.0516014)
3. Near Río La Leona – mild winds, easy water access (-49.9726949, -72.0823503)
4. Flat spot near water – slight wind, but took time to find a shard-free area (-50.2696277, -71.8864846)
5. Hostel Aguilar House – includes breakfast, 12,000 ARS (-50.3333094, -72.2610229)
*Water:
Water is scarce in the dry pampa, so planning ahead is essential.
Available water:
Small stream: -49.4040636, -72.7553371
Small stream: -49.4112803, -72.7401567
Small stream: -49.5036340, -72.5822583
Stagnant pool: -49.5081890, -72.5713409
Stagnant water: -49.5560720, -72.4225271
Tap with potable water (restaurant): -49.8090569, -72.0532054
River: -50.1568505, -71.9900064
River: -50.2698608, -71.8851865
No water available:
Dry riverbed: -50.0023450, -72.1077764
Dry riverbed: -50.3111712, -72.0635096
*Resupply:
El Chaltén - As far as we know, there’s no resupply option near the border control at the beginning of the section. However, on the other side of the lake (km 11.6), there’s a restaurant.
At the end of the section, in the tourist trap of El Chaltén, everything is incredibly expensive, and the selection is fairly limited, but you can resupply well enough. We combined resupplies from the supermarkets Lo de Lourdes (-49.3254052, -72.8916425) and Supermercado Chaltén (-49.3307613, -72.8857952), which seemed to us the best-stocked.
We also briefly visited Supermercado Pachamama on the main square (-49.33318, -72.88383), which we found to be the worst option.
Most outdoor shops in El Chaltén sell gas canisters.
La Leona – Overpriced tourist restaurant with friendly staff. Offers empanadas, pizza, some fruit, WiFi, and potable water.
El Calafate – We resupplied in the La Anónima supermarket (-50.3375244, -72.2616506). Plenty of restaurants, fast food, and a few outdoor stores available.
==Season 2023/24==
* '''From 2023-12-15 to 2023-12-21 //6,5 days // Hiking // NOBO // Quentin Clavel'''
Not exactly the track who's in the GPT guide, because, as I mentionned in the previous section, the National Parc didn't allowed you to pass threw between estancia Cristina and estencia Helsingfors if you're not a group of, at least, 3 people.
11 kilometers before if you go NOBO, or after if you go SOBO, you can find the ex restaurant "Luz la divina", an abandonned pink house, which is an inspiring obligatory passage, even a museum for our fellow cyclists friends, with a lot of signatures on the walls since 2013. (49°53′26.45″S 72°02′37.1″W).
The arrival to Chaltén is long but exciting as the mountains and the amazing Fitz Roy reveals itself at every step.
* '''November 2023 / Regular Route / mostly SOBO / 3 days / Frank'''
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.
The above strategy is a bit risky with a daypack as if you do not get a lift you are snookered. However I was lucky with lifts and never had to wait more than an hour. Vehicles will not stop much near Chalten and Calafate but on the open pampa they often do stop. There is quite a bit of traffic between Calafate and Chalten and also from Rio Gallegos.
=Resupply and Accommodation=
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)
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.
11 kilometers before La Leona if you go NOBO, or after if you go SOBO, you can find the ex restaurant "Luz la divina", an abandonned pink house, which is an inspiring obligatory passage, even a museum for our fellow cyclists friends, with a lot of signatures on the walls since 2013. (49°53′26.45″S 72°02′37.1″W).
==Resupply and Accommodation in nearby Towns==
=Permits, Entry Fees and Right-of-Way Issues=
=Links to other Resources=
=Images=