9
ediciones
Cambios
→Season 2025/26: Added track log
==Season 2025/26==
* '''GPT38 / 2026-02-03 to 2026-02-07 / 5 days / SOBO / Anti Clockwise / Hiking / Variant A, RR, Opt 01, RR, Variant A / Alex and Aoife''’
Glacier Chico, Carmela Peninsula.
Attractiveness: 5/5
Difficulty: 1/5
Beautiful views of Chico Glacier and O'Higgins Glacier if you get to make it to Peninsula Carmela.
Day 1:
Distance: 21km
Time: 1040-1930
Water: Numerous water spots
Left Maria and Ricardos with fresh bread in our bags and belly's at around 10.15am on variant A to the RR. We also Left a food bag with them which was no worries at all.
Went and spoke to the Gendarmarie at the Chilean border control. Where they asked us a few questions, similar to a trip intention form some National Parks have.
- Contact details
- Emergency contact
- Route planned
- How many days of food
- Took our photos
It was all completed with a smile and friendly manner. They asked us to come by when we finished our hike and we then set off.
Route:
Very enjoyable, easy walking, we stopped for lunch at ( -48.828432, -72.794089) where there was a stream.
After lunch the terrain was very open and undulating, numerous animal trails. Had to constantly check GPS as it was easy to go off. Although technically it wasn't hard, we Found the constant checking of trails slow.
Saw farmer from a distance at:
Settler [19.1/282 Cerro.Colorado abandoned)
Not abandoned, when we got near. We called out. Owner never came out. We carried on walking.
Camp:
(-48.86614,-72.89986) incredible views, relatively sheltered , ground not fully flat. Numerous good water sources before and after camp.
Another optional camp site at (-48.87116,-72.90549) bit further away from farmer, stream near by.
Day 2:
Distance: 8.5km
Time: 0730-1100
Water: Streams near camp at start and near abandoned (not so abandoned) settler.
Route:
We got up earlyish with the intention of getting to the river to catch Don Lucho.
Not far in we were again being mislead on animal trails and finding the correct trail finding slow so it took us longer than expected.
Once we got within eye site of:
Settler {38} [27.1/261] (Estancia Ventisquiero Chico, abandoned ?)
Which is not abandoned. It is owned by Don Lucho, but he doesn't live there, a few guys working for him were living there at the time.
We stopped for a break and some water from the stream there. A man on a horse appeared, we told him our intention to go visit Carmela Peninsula and to try catch Don Lucho. Lucky for us, We were talking to the man himself! He advised us he would be back and take us over in the afternoon (Tarde, which as we have learnt is considered all the way upto darkness)
We hung out relaxed around that area all day, at around 2130 we figured either we got the message or wrong or he wasn't coming back.
Camp:
We pitched our tent next to his horse yards at around (-48.91389, -72.96153). At about 2215 Don lucho appeared on Horse back with two other men and around 10 dogs and a couple of cows They had caught and Brought back. Everyone looked tired, he said It was fine For us to camp there and to meet him at the river (-48.90912, -72.98027) opposite his house at 0800.
Day 3:
Distance: 8.9km
Time: 0730- 1100
Water: stream at Don Luchos and at campsite.
Route:
We walked on option 1 the 1.5km to the river. At 0750 Don Lucho appeared by his Row Boat on the other side. He paddled over and picked us up and took us onto Peninsula Carmela. His place is quite an Oasis there, he lead us over to the trail head.
We explained we were going to camp up there and come down the following day which he told us he will take us over in the afternoon. He asked for 20k CLP total.
Easy walking on a clearly defined track, slightly steep for short intervals.
It was a windy day so once we were up top we were getting gusts of around 60-70kmph straight from the southern ice field so the temperature was ‘invigorating’. Views of Glacier O'higgins were spectacular.
Camp:
Camp {38} [32.0/744
-48.92009, -73.05421
Beautifully sheltered camp site with a nice stream running through it. Due to cold and windy weather, we were happy to use this as a rest day and just park up for the remainder of the day.
Sunset and sunrise views at -48.91952, -73.05376 2 min walk from camp.
Day 4:
Distance: 13.8km
Time: 1030-1430
Water: No issues, plenty around.
Route:
Walked The leisurely 3.5km to:
Viewpoint {38} [35.5/874]
-48.92954, -73.09554
Incredible views. Probably The best we have seen on the few sections we have done of the GPT so far.
Descended back down To Don luchos where we waited out of the wind and read a book. He appeared at around 1930 looking tired saying he will take us over tomorrow morning at 0800 and to camp at his.
Camp:
Don Lucho took us to a little fenced off section, by his house had a pipe from the stream for water, nice grass, wasn't completely sheltered but wasn't too bad.
Day 5:
Distance: 25.5km
Time: 0800 - 1600
Water: Plenty
Route:
Don Lucho rowed us back Over at 0800, we said our goodbyes and continued on option 1 to RR back over the pass to Candelario Mancilla. Saw our final views of Chico Glacier as we were ascending to the valley be the pass.
The walking was easy on a very prominent track. Took our shoes off at 2 fords, nothing to mention there. The walking is quick once on the MR back to Candalario.
We actually passed 3 other people that day in two party's none of whom were GPTers who were going to try and visit Carmela. Which kind of took us by surprise.
We went back past the Gendarmarie. We signed their form to say we were back and safe and they asked us to complete the Salvoconducto form that night so we could leave for Argentina the next day.
Camp:
We went back to stay at Ricardo and Marias. They had received a food delivery that day and had beers for Sale at 2k CLP from memory as well as more fresh baked bread and eggs.
'''2026-Jan-16 to 2026-Jan-18 / 3 days / Hiking / NOBO / RR / Kole'''
Route (includes part of GPT39):
El Chalten > Lago del Desierto > Border Posts > RR through Valley/Pass > (Failed) Attempt at Don Lucho Crossing to Peninsula Carmela > Mirador Glacier Chico Piedra Grande > Candelario Mancilla
Day 0:
After having completed GPT39 with Emily and returning to town, I started off for GPT38 road walking from El Chalten around 17:00. This was probably late in the day for anyone to be heading to Lago del Desierto, so was unlucky getting a hitch all the way, and with some wind and rain decided to pitch near the GPT39 Valle Eléctrico trailhead: -49.22676, -72.94118
Day 1:
Quickly got a hitch in the morning to Lago del Desierto. Heading north on the trail along the lake was nice, many birds along the way in the forest. Both sides of the border crossing went quickly, but the Argentine officer made sure that I headed straight to the Chilean post the same day. The walk between the two posts is straightforward. I camped at Ricardo’s campground 1km past the Chilean border post. Eggs and pan for sale. Great views of Lago O’Higgins and Peninsula Florida.
Day 2:
In the morning I stopped by the Chilean border post to fill out a form outlining my plans to visit Peninsula Carmela. I told them I was hoping to cross the channel with Don Lucho but they did not seem to notify him. The Valley/Pass along the RR was a nice hike, but a bit boggy at the top, and easy to lose the trail on the west side while descending. I arrived at 16:00 across the channel from Don Luchos. I called out and was answered by his dogs, someone briefly walked around the corner, saw me and then turned back around out of sight. Figuring he was busy, I camped out and waited for the next 4 hours intermittently hollering without trying to be too desperate or bothersome. At 20:00 I accepted defeat and walked back to pitch at Settler {38} [27.1/261]. This was a great peaceful and sheltered place to camp: flat, tall grass, many trees.
Day 3:
Went for another attempt at Don Lucho’s, arriving around 7:45. I called out and again saw someone but they made no movements to the channel and walked out of sight. Determining that they weren’t available for a channel crossing, I hiked to the mirador of Glacier Chico instead, Viewpoint {38} [32.2/484] (Piedra Grande). The trail up to the viewpoint was easy to lose and a bit overgrown but not too challenging in good weather. Overall it was worth it and great views. I hiked back to Candelario Mancilla on the same RR through the Valley/Pass. Arrived back at the Chilean border post to close out the expedition form, then camped again at Ricardos. Could connect to WiFi and purchase a ferry ticket to Villa O’Higgins for the next day. Ferry ended up being delayed another day due to wind.
Ferry WhatsApp: +56966278836
''' 2026-Jan-10 to 2026-Jan-12 / 3 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR, A, D, E / Emily'''
Beautiful section and well worth the detour - great views of glaciers, easy walking, and no one around. I did an out-and-back on the RR to the first marked viewpoint for Glaciar Chico. Unfortunately I had to cut my route short due to not being able to catch Don Luis, a short weather window, and a need for gear repairs. If you’ve time, I think it would be well worthwhile to spend longer on this section. Attractiveness - 4/5. Difficulty - 1/5.
Camps
Night 1: -48.94216, -72.96680. (As suggested by Michael and Kasia in 2024/25 season). Good spot, but quite a bit of animal excrement around.
Night 2: Ricardo’s at Candelario Mancilla (Settler {38-A} [0.5/310]). 10.000 CLP p/n.
* I signed in with the Carabineros prior to leaving - very quick process.
* Trail is mostly clear and easy to follow. There are some small parts of overgrown trail, particularly on the descent from the pass, however these can easily be avoided by taking Variants E and D.
* Trail is well-marked with red paint/yellow reflective stickers along the Glaciar Chico trail.
* Viewpoint 32.2/484 (Piedra Grande) is worth the backtrack and beautiful at sunset. There is a small, flat-looking spot here that would be a nice camp in perfect weather (no protection, likely prone to flooding, dry camp).
* I started along Option 1 for Peninsula La Carmela and arrived at the Don Luis’ in the early morning (around 7am). After trying and failing to get his attention for a while, I cut my losses and started back. I didn’t hear any dogs, so assumed he was not home. Although I informed the Carabineros I would be taking that route, I’d suggest explicitly asking them to radio the gaucho beforehand.
* For Ford 6.8/556, look for a rock shelf heading downstream on a diagonal (starts on the eastern bank around -48.90159, -72.77769). While the ford is easy at the waypoint, fording along here is below the knee (165cm).
* Signed back in with the Carabineros around 5pm. I asked if I could start to the border that evening (i.e camp in Chile, and arrive in Argentina the next morning) but they said it was too late. I camped at Ricardo’s for wifi and my salvoconducto, but the Carabineros noted I could also camp near their horses.
* Immigration was quick the next day; 15 minutes in Chile, 5 in Argentina. Both were very friendly. I continued on to GPT39 and was able to hitch from the southern end of Lago del Desierto.
<big>'''GPT38/ 2025-12-15 to 2025-12-16/ 1 day/ Hiking/ NOBO/ RR/ Greg Carter'''</big>
Note: this hike was a continuation from GPT39 (see separate log), and just a transit section for me to get to Candelario Mancilla.
Attraction: 1
Difficulty: 1
After hiking to the northern end of Lago del Desierto, I had my passport stamped by a friendly gendarme and continued onto GPT38. It is 22km to Candelario Mancillo, the first 7km (to the border with Chile) is slow going, in forest with a lot of up and down, mud and fallen branches. The last 15km (in Chile) was easy, being entirely on a well-maintained secondary road. In Candelario Mancillo my passport was stamped by a friendly carabinero, after he took approx 20min to do some online checks.
I then walked about 1km S-E, along the coastal road, to get to the campground Camping Estancia Santa Teresita (-48.87812, -72.73993). There is a friendly manager called Ricardo. Cost CLP10,000/night per tent. Free StarLink wifi! Freshly baked pan. No cervezas when I was there.
*'''GPT 38 / 2025-11-21 to 2025-11-23 / 3 days / hiking / NOBO / RR, Opt 1 Peninsula La Carmela, RR / Bailey'''
Day 1
Woke up at the Argentinan border. The border opened at 8:30 am. We received our exit stamp and continued to the Chilean border. Had lunch by the river and bridge after the airstrip.
We were greeted with a coffee, cigarettes, dogs and friendly carabineros at the Chile border control. We received our entry stamp, they didn't check our bags.
We told the carabineros about our plan to visit Mirador O'Higgins glacier. They took our photos, asked if we had enough food, if we had a satellite device, and made us sign a document. We left after 5:30 pm. They seemed a bit reluctant to let us leave this late.
We were told they had a radio to communicate with the gaucho, and said they will give him a heads up we were on our way.
We arrived at 8:00 pm, we camped in the forest at S48.889469° W72.816748°. there were a few good flat spots here and sheltered, with a water source.
Day 2
We started hiking by sunrise. The pass was incredibly beautiful with the morning light. There's plenty of bog up here.
The river fords were okay. Only knee deep for me. After the first ford we encountered the only snow on the trail.
On the descent you get an incredible view of glacier Chico. I found a morel mushroom before the marked campsite. Towards the end of the descent, we lost the trail with many animal trails.
When we arrived at the river, we yelled out a few times to the gaucho. First the dogs responded and started barking, and shortly he appeared. It cost us 20,000 CLP for two people both ways. We let him know what time we were returning by roughly.
We left our bags in the forest after the gauchos farm. We continued to Mirador O'Higgins glacier. The trail was pretty good in the forest. We cleared deadfall on the way up. The view of O'Higgins glacier was incredible. The weather started to change on us so we decided to turn around earlier than planned.
The gaucho took us back to the other side. We camped at camp [20.8/693]. Plenty of branches have fallen around here and it was still pretty windy here.
Day 3
Made our way back to the Chilean border. Notified the carabineros that we have returned. Camped at Ricardo's. Starlink available, cold shower, toilet, a shed to sleep inside and eat. He sells beers. You can also charge your phone here. Incredibly beautiful spot
Notified the ferry early that we needed a ride to O'Higgins via WhatsApp. Number +56 9 6627 8836
==Season 2024/25==
*'''2025 Apr 16 to Apr 26th / 10 hiking days, 1 zero day / SOBO / Hiking / RR, Opt 1, Var D / Michael and Kasia'''
Quick Notes: A really stunning and worthwhile section. This was a close second to GPT37 La Florida for us. We had great weather during most of it, and there was just something calm and meditative in the atmosphere. The area on Peninsula La Caramela was especially enjoyable. Note: the track files were completely redone last year or the year before. I have used GPS coordinates as much as possible. Whenever km markers are used they refer to track files that were sent out by Jan for the 2024/25 season.
CAMPS:
Night 01: -48.82792, -72.79143 (inside of disused corral just below the trail, flat spot for one tent, no meaningful wind protection, water is about 150 m away)
Night 02: -48.86604, -72.89975 (this was an emergency camp literally in the middle of the path because we couldn't find a flat space anywhere else, so we don't recommend it; it was flat enough for us and water was about 150 m back up the trail, no wind protection, nice morning view)
Night 03: -48.90699, -72.98192 (camping area at the home of Don Luis, covered area for food prep and eating, flat spaces for tents, water close by, mice in the covered area, so we recommend keeping your stuff near the tent away from that area at night)
Night 04-06: -48.92020, -73.05417 (Camp 38-01 8.7, flat spaces for tents, good wind protection, great water access, we really liked this spot)
Night 07-08: -48.94216, -72.96680 (around km 30.6 of RR from 2024/25 track files, inside a grove of large trees, flat space for two or three tents, very good wind protection, good water access, the space almost looked prepped for camping, we really liked this spot)
Night 09-10: -48.90111, -72.77850 (just after Ford 71.9, flat space for two or three tents, okay wind protection, easy water access)
Night 11: Argentina BCP, north end of Lago del Desierto (Very nice view of Fitz Roy, easy water access at the lake)
WATER: We found water easily and often.
Day 01 - April 16th
We left Ricardo and Maria's around 10:00. They had agreed to store the food we had for section 39 at their place until we returned. We passed by the carabineros to register. It took about 15 minutes. The officer filled out a form with our passport info, age, emergency contact info, and asked if we had an SOS with an active subscription, how many days of food we had, how many days we planned to be out, and if we had mountaineering experience. Then he took our photos and showed us the route on the map hanging on the wall. We started up the road, then crossed the Bridge 1.8. It was old but stable. The route was sometimes good and clear, other times hard to follow. I checked the GPS a lot since there were so many animal trails. We stopped at Settler 4.5 for lunch. It was sunny but windy and the space in front of the house provided some wind protection. After lunch we continued toward Port 8.5 Bahía Esmeralda. To that point the trail was fairly clear and easy to follow. Around km 8, just below the trail there was a corral (-48.82792, -72.79143). We found a flat space big enough for the X-Mid 2 just a few meters inside the gate. Water access was down at the lake, about 100 m away.
Day 02 - April 17th
We continued on the route. For quite a while it was surprisingly easy to follow. There was some light bush bashing getting around the Bahía, but once up it was fairly clear. At around km 10.5 (-48.82381, -72.81144) the trail passes through an unmarked abandoned puesto. This would make an excellent camp site. There seemed to be a lot of flat space both in the open on grass, and under trees in the event of strong wind. There was also a stream running through it with good water access. The property seemed to be in a bit of a depression that provided the whole space with some degree of wind protection as well. If we had known about this property we would have tried to make it there the night before. The route led up into some rocky hills, the trail was still generally fairly easy to follow, though sometimes different animal paths made it confusing. The views of the lake were very pretty. There was some bush bashing but nothing that we found too difficult. We would not recommend trying to camp at Settler 19.1 Cerro Colorado. There was nothing flat, the property is fairly wind exposed, and there is no easy water access as it sits up on a plateau and the water is in the valleys on either side. It isn't difficult water access, it just isn't close. We ended up going about another half km to try to find a better spot. It started to get dark and we just ended up setting the tent up right in the path because it was the only flat place we could find. Water access was about 150 m back up the trail.
Day 03 - April 18th
This day had the most bush bashing and the most challenging navigation. It was still really pretty and we enjoyed it, but it was definitely slow going. Be sure to keep an eye on the GPS. There is a point that both Misael and Ricardo had warned us about where it is critical to cross one of the gorges at the correct spot or you have to hike really far down and then really far back up again. If you follow the track files it is not a problem at all. As the route dropped down toward the lake there were some very pretty forested sections. At km 26 (-48.90595, -72.95504), a little over a km before Settler 27.1 Ventisquero Chico, there was a really nice area to camp. There was some flat space with grass and a small stream for water. This is a good option going either direction as an alternative to camping at Ventisquero due to the mice issue. We arrived at the lake around 17:30 and it took maybe 10 minutes to get the attention of Don Luis. He came down and rowed over to pick us up. (This was in mid April when sunset is around 19:00, so I think that was why he was available earlier) We found Don Luis to be a very kind, gentle soul, soft spoken but friendly and helpful. The 20.000 CLP includes boat transfer both ways and the ability to camp at the small campsite he has set up at his place. There was a flat, grassy area to set up the tent, and he had a small shed with two walls, open on two sides that provided some wind protection and also had a table for cooking. He also had a water line from the creek to use for convenience, but the creek was just outside the gate anyways. He initially offered to let us set the tent up in the shed for the wind, but the tent was too big so we went with the grass, and there was no wind in any case.
Day 04 - April 19th
It turned out to be good that we did not set up in the shed. We had left a few of our kitchen things there overnight, and I arrived in the morning to find that a mouse had chewed some things. It seems like the mouse was not after food, but maybe nest materials. It chewed up a rubber spatula, a sponge, my rubber gloves for washing, and it chewed on the soft rubber caps of our thermoses. It didn’t touch two rigid plastic containers with food in them, nor the two rigid plastic bowls that we eat from, which were clean but definitely smelled like food. All that is to say, if you camp here, the shed is a useful place to cook and eat, but we don’t recommend leaving stuff there overnight. The trail up to the pass is in great shape and easy to follow, though there are occasional diverging trails, some which come back and some which don’t, so I checked the GPS often. The forest there was amazingly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale. We really enjoyed just being in it. At the top the pass was a bit marshy in spots, but nothing too tricky. We decided to camp at Camp {38-01} 8.7. There was a clean running stream just a few meters away with easy access, and the whole area had good wind protection
Day 05 - April 20th
The weather forecast for the day was rain and high winds throughout the day so we took a zero day. Throughout the day we could hear the glacier cracking from the other side of the hill, almost like small thunder.
Day 06 - April 21st
We did a day hike out to see the glaciers. The trail out is again mostly very easy to follow with markers nailed to trees fairly often. Once out of the forest there are various animal paths, but they mostly go the same direction so we picked the ones that had the least amount of water in the trail. The day was full sun with almost no wind, and it was such a pleasant day to be out. We made our way up to the plateau and then started across it. We were hoping to see Glacier Chico. What we did not realize until we were already up there is that it is not possible to see Glacier Chico from that side unless you walk almost all the way down to Refugio Militar. After it became clear that we would not get a view of the glacier we started back. The plateau itself was pretty and we stopped to have a cup of coffee and enjoy the view. We backtracked to camp for the evening. It was a great day hike and very recommendable, but if we were to do it again we would skip the plateau and, at the point where Opt 1 and Opt 14 meet, switch to Opt 14 headed southwest to get a better view of the glacier that direction.
Day 07 - April 22nd
We packed up and started back down to Don Luis. It was cloudy, but not windy. In just the couple of days we had been up, most of the leaves had finally fallen off the trees making it look more like winter. We arrived at Don Luis’ place around 14:30. He was there and took us across right away (again, this is in the fall so we probably had very good luck with his schedule and we wouldn’t count on that during the summer months). At Ventisquero Chico we stopped for lunch. Then we began hiking south. The trail was overgrown in parts and difficult to find in places. We got lost a few times. It started to rain a bit and we found a tree under which to wait the rain over. We found a great campsite at (-48.94216, -72.96680). It looked almost prepared for camping. There was a nice stream with easy access about 50 m away.
Day 08 - April 23rd
We did an out-and-back toward the viewpoint. It was a partially overcast day. The trail was difficult to follow at some points and there were many muddy spots and lots of streams crossing the trail. We stopped at the Viewpoint 32.2, and also at the puesto Mosquito. It looked like it would be possible to camp there, though we preferred the spot we were in. We got to about a half km past X {38} 37 before we had to turn back. It was getting late in the day so we sat for a snack and to enjoy the view, then headed back to camp.
Day 09 - April 24th
We took Var D up the hill. It wasn’t really visible for the first half or so, but the second half was clear. The rest of the way up to the plateau was easy to follow. On the plateau it was cold and kind of windy. There were a number of marshy spots. The few river crossings that there were were all dry foot crossable when we went through. At Ford 71.9 we did have to switch shoes to get across. The water was mid-calf and moderate current. We camped just on the other side of the ford. It started to rain some just as we finished getting things set up.
Day 10 - April 25th
We hiked up from the Ford 71.9 to the road, then down to the carabineros. It was very cold but not windy, and the clearing over Fitz Roy behind us promised sun during the day. We arrived at carabineros around 11:30. When we arrived at the BCP we checked back in and signed off on our expedition report. We then applied for our salvoconducto. While we waited for it to come in we set up everything to charge, and I walked over to Ricardo and Maria’s place to collect the resupply that they had stored for us. I bought a couple of breads, a package of cookies and two pears from her. She didn’t have much left as it was the end of the season. The salvoconducto was not coming and we were beginning to think that we would have to camp for the night. Around 15:00 the border guard took pity on us and called to see if it could be expedited. They arrived in about 5 minutes after that. He said that they prefer people complete the trip between the two BCPs the same day for safety reasons, because of “wild animals” (I think he meant cows) and branches that can fall in high winds, but that if we knew the risks and accepted them, we were fine to camp part way between as long as we stamped in on the Argentinian side within 24 hours. We checked out, packed everything up and started back up the road. Due to how late in the day it was, we knew we would not make it too far. When we got to X {38-01} 0.0 we found a really good, flat spot just off the road with a good stream close by for water. Unfortunately the winds were really strong, and Garmin weather was forecasting them getting stronger throughout the night. After looking around and failing to find a more protected spot, we finally walked back down the hill to where we had camped the night before. It was windy down there as well, but noticeably less so. We also constructed a meter high wind wall which helped a lot.
Day 11 - May 26th
We hiked back up the hill and got back to the road. It was windy, but not raining. The road was in very good condition, and there were only a few points I had to check the GPS due to roads branching off. Beyond the sign at the end, it was very clear where Chile ended and Argentina began. I guess because the border patrol uses horses on the Argentinian side instead of trucks they did not feel the need to build a road. The trail was often confusing and had a lot of muddy spots. There were also several ad hoc bridges that hikers had built to get over streams. We arrived at the BCP around noon. The guard was very nice. He took our information and hand wrote it in a book (they must radio in the information later) and we got our first stamp into Argentina, as all the other entries we had made had been through border points that do digital-only. We were considering continuing around the lake, but the weather was leaning toward rain and the next day was supposed to be nice, so we decided to camp for the night. We dropped our bags and began looking for a campsite. Much of the area that is designated for camping was on a slight incline so it was a little challenging. At one point I made a small hop over a stream and when I came down I must have landed weird as I heard an awful sound and felt a terrible pain in my calf muscle. It ended up being a level 1 calf strain, but at the time there was no way I could hike further. It was devastating to have gone so far and end up with a hike-ending injury after something as small as a little jump on relatively flat ground without even any weight on the back. Kasia went and talked to the border guards. The short version is that, since the last of the tourist boats were done for the season, they arranged to take us across on their boat. We waited two nights there and then at 09:00 they took us across the lake. A couple of military guys picked us up on the other side and drove us to El Chalten and to the health center there and then left us. Ultimately we were not charged anything and did not even have to do any paperwork.
'''2025-MAR-14 to 2025-MAR-17 / 3.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / OH-2 + RR to chalten / Adrien, Julien et Valentin
'''
GPT38 optional road 2 failed:
No boat in the evening or morning, as indicated in the comments, at S 48° 54.508', W 072° 58.847' to go to the glacier. However, the Settlers (Estancia Ventisquiero) was empty (off-season?). We camped there and saw a lot of mice in the evening. The next morning, the puesto Estancia la Carmela refused to communicate with us, despite the fact that they had seen us clearly and that we had called at length. Very pleasant. So we took the option to walk to the intersection of the Diablo Pass, where we pitched our tent and walked to the glacier without our bags. A breathtaking view of the magnificent glacier. Then we returned via Argentina and the Diablo Pass to return to Mancilla and make a loop (without telling the carabineros, however). The return via Argentina is much easier, even though there is a lot of undergrowth. We went off-trail at S 48° 59.436', W 072° 51.701' to avoid the customs officers when we saw the control houses to reach the laguna larga at S 48° 58.920', W 072° 49.908'. Lots of animal trails so off-trail quite easy, nice surprise. That being said, passing the next day by the police house at the control brothel (S 48° 59.938', W 072° 50.363'), they were not very attentive to what was happening outside. Very beautiful path then which borders the lago desierto. A happy Hitchhiking to el chalten to finish.
'''2025-MAR-05 to 2025-MAR-08 / 3.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR/ Nimrod & Tamar
Aux km 12 et 12,5 je suis passé sans me mouiller. Le sentier est globalement envahi du coté chilien, même végétation abrasive que sur la peninsula Florida. Pas de bush-bashing, juste beaucoup de végétation au point que j'ai souvent utilisé mon GPS. Je voulais faire la 38-01 mais j'ai appelé 1h et personne n'est venu. Pourtant j'ai vu le monsieur et je suis sûr qu'il m'a vu, ses chiens aussi. Je pense qu'il ne prend pas les gens seul car les 2 personnes qui m'en ont parlé y sont allé en couple (Sophie & Gaspar, Tamar & Nimrod). Je suis déçu même si je suis content de ne pas avoir payé 20 000 CLP pour 30m de barque. Je n'ai pas essayé de traverser à pied car il faisait trop froid, je ne pense pas que ce soit possible de toute façon. Attention aux marques rouge sur le sentier qui longe le lac, elles n'indiquent pas toujours le bon chemin. Le sentier est parfois très humide, difficile de garder ses chaussures sèches. Du côté argentin par contre, j'ai trouvé le sentier en bon état et il est balisé (il faut quand même utiliser son GPS).
Il faut traverser plusieurs fois des cours d'eau, mais je n'ai eu de ford qu'au point (48.984882° S 72.877802° W). Le refuge Diablo est petit mais c'est un vrai refuge étanche avec 8 places pour dormir et un poêle. Camping à la Gendarmería. Le lendemain au contrôle argentin, ca n'a posé aucun problème que je sois resté deux jours sans autorisation.
'''2025-1-Mar/ 0.5 day/ Hiking/punta Norte - Candelario Mancilla directly: RR / Timothée and Maëlle'''
Due to bad wheather we went straight to Candelario in a day. We heard it is also better to pass both border control in a day ( no reliable info about that)
We did not find a proper resupplying in Candelario. Maria, the tenant of the camping sells eggs and bread, pasta, sauce, sometimes carne (possible to pay with card).
We then waited 3 days in the camping in candelario waiting for the boat with lilian, Clara and others ( quite a nice time with you guys despite the rain and the cold, thanks!)
'''1Mar2025 / hiking NOBO / RR / 1 days / Lilian and Clara'''
All tracks are also on Strava and general contact for questions: https://linktr.ee/RundW
*'''2025-01-01 to 2025-01-04 / 4 days / Hiking & Packrafting / NOBO / Hiking: Option 1, RR, Option 3B, Option 3A / Manon, Robin, Lucie, Thomas'''
Day 1:
We left the argentinian border towards the chilean border (large and well marked path) following option 1 until reaching the RR at km 6.6. We had planned to turn west following the RR at this point but needed to go collect a stamp from the chilean border first.
Therefore we left our backpacks at the RR km 6.6 and walked RR km 6.6 until the border at RR km 1.5, thinking we would go faster to the chilean border and then back at that point. Bad idea ! The chilean carabineros wanted to check our backpacks so we had to go get them back (they didn't check the backpacks in the end). Lesson there is: bring the sufficient amount of stuff to look like a realistic backpacker ! We left the packrafts before the border though as we didn’t want to justify us. Chile and Argentina are not very friendly with packrafts because of Didymo propagation
We had to fill in an area remoto permiso for our expedition around the lake. The carabinero was not used to this kind of circuit, mentioning that we had meeting points with Leo Muñoz and Andrea Arriagada Mancilla helped. In the end we filled a 15 days expedition permit.
We went back to RR km 6.6 towards the end of afternoon and followed the RR for a bit more. Easy path. We slept by rio obstaculo.
Day 2:
Followed the RR from km 7 to km 33. Stunning view at 48°54'10"S 72°55'50"W. At km 33 we went down to the lake following Option 3B and 3A (some bad bush bashing) and slept at the Playita (start of Option 3A).