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→Season 2024/25
==Season 2024/25==
*'''2025-MAR-8 to 2025-MAR-14 / 6 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + var. B + own exp. / Ivan, Jakub, Daniel'''
Long, wild, and beautiful. The GPT36H Ruta de los Pioneros is undoubtedly one of the most stunning sections of the entire GPT and one of our favorites, as we primarily seek out wilderness, remoteness, and breathtaking panoramas. Apart from two arrieros, we encountered no one on the trail section of this segment, and we even successfully fished in the crystal-clear Lago Alegre. Sections 0-53.1 and 142.0-183.4 are on a gravel road, which is fairly dull, but it can be covered quickly, allowing you to focus most of your time on the trail between these sections, where you'll enjoy views of glaciers and crystal-clear lakes.
We completed the route in six days, sticking to the RR with two exceptions:
1) OH-B between the Ford Start/End points [66.5/867] (Rio Pedregoso) and Camp [68.4/1089]. The only challenging spot is Ford {36H-B} [1.3/934] (La Picota, often not fordable). At the end of the season, the crossing was completely manageable and could even be jumped over.
2) The trail section between kilometers 104.7 - 110.9, where RR unnecessarily directs towards Puesto {36H} [107.4/479] (Rial), can be taken as straightforward cross-country, as noted by Natalie and Lillian before us.
Challenges:
It's hard to pinpoint one main challenge; perhaps just that the entire trail section of this segment is quite time-consuming, and the real elevation gain is much greater than it may appear on the map. This section is an ideal cocktail of all the challenging aspects that the GPT as a whole presents. You definitely need to account for long resupply distances, difficult fords, strong winds and snow, frequent tree crossings, and at times ambiguous navigation in the terrain.
Bivouacing:
We had no problems finding a bivouacing spot along the entire route. You can also use puestos (small simple enclosed shelters) that typically have a table or fire pit. We preferred not to sleep in them due to the presence of mice (hantavirus) and opted to bivouac a short distance away. For example, we bivouacked near Puesto {36H} [57.6/667] (Calloqueo), which is managed by Don Aguilar and is usually closed. He was there, hosted us, and we cooked together. We then slept in the fenced enclosure next to the puesto because he had a bull roaming freely nearby. Bivouacing is also nice near Puesto {36H} [83.9/820] (La Pampa) and Puesto {36H} [98.4/553] (Puesto Tablas) – both were open and can be utilized. The Refuge {36H} [148.6/464] was very pleasant (with a stove and grill).
Water:
Water is not an issue; the trail frequently crosses a stream or river.
Resupply:
1) In Cochrane, there are several shops; we were recommended the Rojita supermarket (-47.2533068, -72.5755978). In the eastern part of the town, there is also a well-stocked supermarket, Emporio Vecino Arno (-47.2508926, -72.5610763). You can also find gas cartriges there. They can reliably be purchased at the ferreteria (-47.2550686, -72.5761167). For food, we recommend Cumbres pizzeria artesanal above the Rojita supermarket. It’s a small pizzeria, but the lady was very nice, and it was definitely the best pizza we had in Chile.
2) In Villa O'Higgins, there are again several shops. We chose the very well-stocked Supermercado Cordillera (-48.4668002, -72.5610119) for buying additional supplies. Directly across the street, there is a ferreteria where you can buy a gas cartrige.
25-03-03 - 25-03-06 / 3,5 days / Upper valley of Rio Tranquilo/ Thijmen and Volker