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'''