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→Season 2025/26
=Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions=
==Season 2025/26==
*'''2025-08-23: Track file update 2025 and investigation suggestions of Jan Dudeck'''
Carefully read all previous reports to this section before even considering to venture on this very demanding and dangerous section.
The GPT Track Files 2025 are updated based on the GPS records and reports from Celio Lebsilly, Robin Marcille and Tim Kronsbein.
- Obtaining a permit for the Regular Route (southbound and northbound) appears to be somewhat complicated. Also, the Estancia Helsingfors (northern terminus) and the Estancia Cristina (southern terminus) are very exclusive adventure tourist destinations. On top of this, the ferry between Estancia Christina to Puerto Bandera (GPT43) is expensive.
- GPT42 Option 3 (PN Los Glaciares Centro) is an interesting alternative to the Regular Route. This Optional Route is best attempted in northbound direction starting at the northern shore of Lago Argentino somewhere along Route 19. This remote and wind exposed Optional Route connects via Lago Tannhäuser to Lago Anita at the Regular Route from where the Regular Route can be followed to the northern terminus. A permit is required to enter the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares on this route but when hiking starting at the shore of Lago Argentino and hiking northbound then check points will be passed when entering the protected area. When taking this route without a permit then best avoid being seen at Estancia Christina, Estancia Helsingfors and the Park Administration near Estancia Helsingfors. This Optional Route is still classified as "Investigation" due to the small number of GPS records and report. Risks are primarily the remote and wind exposed route and wild, potentially aggressive cattle (baguales).
- Option 2 (Lago Argentina Costa Oeste) had been only partially recorded by GPS but is reasonable well visible on satellite images. Compared to Option 3, this coastal route is lower and offers more wind sheltered camp sites. For permits read the remarks to Option 3.
- GPT42 Option 1 (Glaciar Upsala) is a highly recommended detour to various viewpoints over glaciar Upsala. This detour commences at the northern terminus of GPT42 Option 3 and reconnects with the Regular Route north of Lago Anita.
- Option 4 (Rio Matas Negras) is a cross route for diehard thru-hikers that wish to connect on a faster route from Lago Viedma to Lago Argentina but want to avoid the paved main road. This route is not traversable early in the season due to the high water level of Rio Matas Negras during snow melt. But this Optional Route becomes particular interesting later in the season when the more mountainous routes further west are already covered by snow.
==Season 2024/25==
Je suis quand même allé au bureau du Parque National Los Glaciares également situé dans la rue principale de El Calafate. Et là on me dit qu'il faut faire la demande d'accès 3 jours avant, et pour 3 personnes minimum.
J'abandonne doublement puisque je n'ai pas le droit d'y aller et qu'en plus ce n'est pas dans mon budget. Je suis profondement déçu et me tourne vers ma prochaine randonnée. Le GPT44 présente des problèmes de faisabilité à cause de la frontière, je ne peux pas le faire. Il se trouve que les bus pour Torres del Paine coûte 190 000 ARS et celui pour Puerto Natales 32 000 ARS. Je vais donc faire le GPT46 puis le GPT45 NoBo, pour des raison financières. Le stop est évidemment possible car la route est très fréquentée. C'est la première fois que je me prend la tête à ce point sur le GPT. L'intendance, le transport, le coût, et l'administration prennent des proportions insensées pour un simple randonneur. Si ça avait été aussi compliqué sur les étapes précédentes je serais encore au GPT03 à l'heure qu'il est. Bon courage à ceux qui veulent absolument voir cet étape 42 qui est sûrement grandiose
Google Translate: This stage doesn't look mature, the trail is non-existent (either from the CC or BB) and routes 19 and 21 to go and back are a big uncertainty. How many days of food to take, how to book the boat (GPT43), for what rate, regulation prohibiting hiking alone, the obligation to declare ... The region south of El Chalten is definitely made for the packraft. My plan was to do a round-trip boat trip to Puerto Bandera <-> Cristina Estate and to do the 42-01 option (~60km) as well as Tannhauser Lake and Sombrero Mountain (~50km) over 4 days. In fact the returns on wikiexplora indicate that these areas are magnificent, and that the northern part of this stage is abandoned and uninteresting. The boat is expensive, but it is a reliable transportation. Marching on deserted roads waiting for cars cost me a lot more dearly in morale, energy, and time. I went to the office of the Cristina Estate in the center of El Calafate. I was told it was ARS 200,000 for a same day round-trip. And that if the return was made on a different day than the departure, it was ARS 200,000 the departure and ARS 200,000 the return. It's completely grotesque and insane. He doesn't want us to hike without a guide and he makes us pay for it. I am when I went to the office of Los Glaciares National Park also located on the main street of El Calafate. And there I was told to apply for access 3 days in advance, and for 3 people minimum. I doubly abandoned it since I couldn't afford to go and besides it wasn't in my budget. I am deeply disappointed and turn towards my next hike. The GPT44 presents feasibility issues due to the border, I can't do it. It turns out that buses to Torres del Paine cost 190,000 ARS and the one to Puerto Natales 32,000 ARS. I am therefore going to do the GPT46 and then the GPT45 NoBo, for financial reasons. The stop is obviously possible as the route is very busy. This is the first time I've gotten my head to this point on the GPT. The demand, the transportation, the cost, and the administration assume absurd proportions for a simple hiker. If it had been too complicated on the previous steps I would still be at GPT03 at the time it is. Good luck to those who absolutely want to see this stage 42 which is surely grand
* '''2025-01-16 to 2025-01-24/ 9 days (including one rest day, excluding multiple hitchhiking days!) / Hiking / NOBO / EXP43, New Route, RR, option 1/ Magdalena & Tim'''
