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ediciones
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→=Season 2025/26
==Season 2025/26=
'''2026-Jam-2 to 2026-Jan-7 / 6 days / Hiking / NOBO / RR / Mor'''
All in all a beautiful section with the definite highlight being the plateau for me. Did the whole RR but would recommend Option 3 and finish either in Valle Chacabuco in the very nice visitor center or cross from there to Cochrane. The walk along lago Cochrane is not interesting or too nice while lagunas altas trail is impressive.
I did the hike during a heatwave which made the exposed sections between Lago guagua and up to Valle hermoso tiring and with a constant buzz of the Tabanos.
Day 1: Cochrane -> camp35(119.1, 716)
~ 10.5 hours day
Long day with not so interesting of views besides lake Cochrane in the beginning and the valleys and lagunas towards the end. Water is almost solely at the lagunas once leaving the lake.
Gorgeous camp location, fairly protected from the wind.
Day 2: camp35(119.1,716)->refuge35(94.7,618)
~9.5 hours day
Walk is not too interesting and mostly follows the lake's sides. Makes the walk in poorly maintained trails confusing at times with fallen trees or overgrown thorny vegetation. No water between Laguna guagua and Laguna Gutierrez. No shade after pass35(111.6,1126).
Water at refuge35(94.7,618).
Chatted with the Ranger at Casa del piedra which was mostly caring for the wildfire hazard due to the heatwave.
Day 3: refuge 35(94.7,618) -> refuge 35(69.0,867)
~ 8 hour day
A few new fords which are not marked at -46,94964, -72,15276 and -46,88983, -72,16463.
Plenty of water along the path.
Plenty of fallen tree in section leading to Valle hermoso making finding the trail hard at times.
Fords were at most mid thigh for me(1.80). Watch out for following the trail without checking GPS when fording as it ends in a swampy area.
Valle hermoso truly deserves the name. Camp at refuge is well organised, had a few other hikers with me and along the way as it is a more popular hike.
Day 4: refuge35(69.0,867) -> camp35(34.8,1170)
~ 12 hours day
A long day with easy walking for the most part but 12km along the road after the park as no hitch was to be found. An immediate and welcomed change of scenery from alpine to pampa as you exit the park. Plenty of water all along the day.
From X35(41.4,768) to X35(38.2,916) the walk is on a double tracked road but after roads it turns CC. Have the fence on your east (right I'd you're climbing) and there'll be a horse trail most of the time.
Day 5: camp35(34.8,1170) -> -46,61892, -71,81546
~ 8 hours day
Hands down the highlight of the hike. DO NOT SKIP. herds of guancos and flamingos and the occasional heir make it all worth it with the beautiful views. An easy walking once above 1400m as the vegetation disappears.
Water is no issue at all as entry of lagunas and streams.
Met Siyuan and Dave as I was going down and camped with them for the night.
Day 6: -46,61892, -71,81546 -> Chile Chico
~ 4 hours day
Strolled down to the main road and after half the way to Chile Chico managed to get a. Ride into town. Pretty views of the lake as descending. Did not meet any of the puetsos or settlements occupied as I was passing.
'''2025-Dec-2 to 2025-Dec-7 / 6 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Emily & Kole'''