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→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: 5/5Difficulty: 1/5 Beautiful views of Chico Glacier and O'Higgins Glacier if you get to make it to Peninsula Carmela. Day 1: Distance: 21kmTime: 1040-1930Water: 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: 8.5kmTime: 0730-1100Water: 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: 8.9kmTime: 0730- 1100Water: 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: 13.8kmTime: 1030-1430Water: 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: 25.5kmTime: 0800 - 1600Water: 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.