=Overview=
=Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions=
*'''2025-12-09: Track file update 2025 Jan Dudeck'''
- GPT09 Regular Route: Based on route verifications and recommendations from the previous season I rerouted the Regular Route onto the ridge (previously Option 3). This reduces road walking and the ridge route is without doubt more scenic. In instable or poor weather best stay in the valley (now Option 4, was regular route till season 2024/25).
==Season 2025/26==
*'''Dec 19th 2025– Dec 23th 2025 / 4.5 days (including 1 rest day) / NOBO / Option 4, Variant D, RR, Variant B, RR / Matt&Linda ''' Day 1: from what I read in the logs it seems like Option 4 used to be the RR, the new RR has a longer and steeper climb starting from Trapa Trapa and there weren’t any campsites marked for the first 25km. With a late start in Trapa Trapa and bad weather coming in the following day we decided to take Option 4. The ascent along the river in the cool of the afternoon was quite nice, easy path. We met a lot of Pehuenche and arrieros coming down from the pass. We said our hellos but no one stopped long enough to talk. The pass and the high, open valley that followed was so beautiful. I was sad we had to rush through it a little. We camped at a closed puesto (Camp 09-12-04 [9.5/1709]. Day 2: we started early to beat the rain. Stopped for breakfast at a nice site that isn’t in the GPS files with wooden benches and tables a couple of meters off the trail (S 37°34.568, W71° 14.489), could be a nice campsite?! The path was very comfortable to hike and we enjoyed the valley. The fords were no problem for us, could do most of them with dry feet. There is a little metal bridge right by a puesto to cross the Rio de los Pinos here: S 37° 31.047, W 71° 15.071. Closer to Laguna de la Laja we finally got our feet wet but the water only went up to our knees. We set up our camp on the riverbank, trying to find a sheltered spot for 1.5 days of rain. Found a good spot and build a little fire pit here: S37° 29.090, W71° 16.148 Day 3: rainy rest day Day 4: incredible day! We abandoned the straight line of the CC Section between Laguna Laja and Ruta Q45 and headed more towards the police building (Police 09-C [1.1/1475]). We ended up standing in front of the old bus-turned-diner that has been mentioned in the logs before (S37° 27.996, W71° 19.154). When we arrived, a young man called Jurgen greeted us, opened the doors to the bus and got a whiteboard with the menu written on it. They serve churrasco, barros luco, empanadas, sopaipilla, spring rolls, pizzas and drinks. You can get wifi for 5000cp. The sandwiches were good, empanadas and sopaipillas store bought, didn’t try the rest. I’ll add a picture of menu/prices. We talked to Jurgen a bit and heard that they are about to open a restaurant in the container house they built right next to the bus. They also want to develop more (campsites, rooms, bike rental, quad drives, something similar to paintball). We went on our way on Variant B to reconnect with the RR. Note: Track file update 2025 on Variant B you have to ford the river whereas you wouldn’t have to following the RR, crossing the bridge on Q45! We didn’t mind, though. It was a windy day but the pass was no problem, the trail is relatively good to follow on the southern side. I had a small hope to summit Volcán Antuco but with fresh snow and those winds I quickly discarded it. The views of Antuco and Velluda were incredible nonetheless! We enjoyed our time exploring the lava field on the northern side and eventually set up camp at the “amphitheatre” but not at the campsite marked in OSM. We just pitched our tent close to the river here: S37° 25.427, W71° 24.952. Beautiful views, highly recommend!!! We arrived there on Dec 22nd and we were expecting to meet some people but we got to spend yet another night in solitude. Day 5: we hiked the last couple of km down to the park ranger on good and well marked trails in the morning. The trail ends before the office, as far as we could tell. There was no one around who asked us for a permit or a fee. We hitchhiked into Antuco without a problem. Due to tendon issues we had to make the call to end our adventures on the GPT for now. A big thanks to Jan Dudeck''', David Brophy and all the others who contributed to making the GPT happen for so many people! Final note: We hadn’t planned to be in town for Christmas and found last minute accommodations with an unbelievably open and welcoming family in Huépil. It took us about 2 hours to reach it by bus (Antuco – Canteras – Huépil, 4000cp total). It is probably too far from the trailhead if you only want to stay the night but we can highly recommend “El mercadito de Pamela” if you want to be pampered with good and abundant local food by a lovely family. We couldn’t believe our luck to be asked to join the Christmas feast and be part of preparing “Chivo al Palo” with Pamela and her family.
- GPT09 Regular Route: Based on route verifications and recommendations from the previous season I rerouted the Regular Route onto the ridge (previously Option 3). This reduces road walking and the ridge route is without doubt more scenic. In instable or poor weather best stay in the valley (now Option 4, was regular route till season 2024/25).
==Season 2024/25==
