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A big thanks goes to Tomáš and Nathalie who told us right on time how to avoid the BB (Var. D and Var. E)! After an off day at hot springs with asado with Chileans (camp 82.3), we started relaxed in the section. We followed the quad tracks (Var. D and Var. E), there was water every 30 minutes. Some fallen trees, especially after the first pass (NOBO). Ferry schedule for Lago Pirihueco: https://barcazahuahum.com/en/schedule-and-prices/
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2024-12-30 to 2025-01-01 / 3 days / Packrafting/ SOBO/ RP, RR, variants D, E / Natalie & Tomáš'''</span>
Day one: The lake, 22 km
After a slow rainy morning, we started to paddle around 10:30. From the start, we had wind on our backs and manageable waves. We tried to improvize a sail from our tyvek and it worked (and is faster) however holding it with one's hands is tiring and overall it feels a bit less stable. Mid-lake, waves had maybe half a metre. On our way to "Hot spring 13.4" we stopped advancing to the shore due to the waves. We very shortly panicked and then realized we were both backpaddling. Stopping that solved our motionlessness and we shortly reached the luxury "Hot Springs" where we had lunch. The resort looks somewhat deserted and the various pools were empty. The water comes from underground and is only available when the generator in a building is turned on. We discovered this when suddenly a private group of day trippers appeared and water started to flow. They did not seem frazzled by our presence and their guides chatted with us amicaly. Apparently it is used during afternoons when guests are interested and ferried in, which is probably several times a week. The whole thing is bizzare but suitable for a stop, however do not expect a hotspring.
We then continued to where RP lands. Waves got to about 70 cm and twice we had to turn and ferry away from the shore, however mostly the wind pushed us in the right direction.. Indeed end of RP is a good camping spot. There was a speedboat parked. After some time, two people on another boat came. One of them approached us, raising fears we would be evicted. However, he just announced his boat was broken and asked if we would not mind if he picked it up two hours later. We did not and he later indeed came and left with the boat.
Day two: The road, 28 km
Nothing exciting here. This is all on a minor road in various states of disrepair. Apart from the first two km and on one km in the middle around camp at 55.4, this seems never to be driven by cars. In some sections, there is a lot of treefall (Tomáš used our machete here) or grass that it feels more like a trail. It is possible the tree fall is mostly being cleared as most of the trees were fresh but we were not sure.
Day 3: No bushbash 21 km
Tomáš wondered that nobody tried variant D. When we got to camp at 64.1, we saw fresh quad/ATV and motorcycle tracks coming from it. When we discovered very fresh cuts on wood, we took our chances, as the quad must have driven from somewhere. This is a former MR (same as E), now mostly overgrown with up to 1 m high grass (the quad did a good job of pushing it down) and occasional overhanging bamboo, but it is no bushbashing (a quad made it through!). Not sure if the end of D variant after fording the river exists(it used to be a road, possibly very overgrown). Around -40.12325, -71.90483, the GPT tracks are imprecise, there had been a huge landslide and the route goes down to overcome it, leading to a sharp and unexpected climb. However, it is easy to follow and RR should be probably rerouted through here. RR 64.9 is again a road, not a trail. At -40.16345, -71.92168, it looks like NOBO one could follow and find a shorter route up (here the former MR is so receded that it is a TL). Ford 77.7 was to our thighs but easy. You can climb up the bank on the right near a broken fence but then you have to pass through a very slack barbwire fence on your left. Then you are in the road. On your left, remnants of abanoned sawmill (that is what it is, Lilian) will please any urbexer. We walked to the free termas, where on New Year were quite some locals and we also met Tobias and Mara there. The water was pleasantly warm, would not describe it as lukewarm. They met a guy with whom we arranged a free ride to Puerto Mahiue. The last ten km or so is paved and is a PR, not MR. We slept as the only guests at a Camping Don Julio. No hot water and electricity went off during the night (maybe battery powered?) made us think 8000 was a bit overpriced. Entel internet here fast enough but not the greatests.
* '''24-12-28 - 24-12-29/ 2 days / SOBO / RR, OH18a / Volker'''