===Future Development of the Trail===
This trail is not finished yet. There is plenty of terrain left till this trail finally reaches the southern tip of Patagonia and ends either on the shores of the Magellan street or even on Tierra del Fuego. Also a few smaller sections need to verified and recorded and additional alternatives may be aggregated. Read the chapter [[#Trail Verifications, Additional Options and Extensions|Trail Verifications, Additional Options and Extensions]] to see how you can contribute to perfect and extent the Greater Patagonian Trail.
==Code of Conduct==
[[Archivo:GPT02-P0088.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Greater Patagonian Trail Section 2: Closing a gate after passing. Image: Jan Dudeck]]
The trail leads mostly through unspoiled wilderness with little human intervention. And where you meet some settlers or herdsmen you are welcome and get treated as honourable guest. To maintain this I plead all hikers to follow this code of conduct:
* Leave no trace and in particular no litter. All packings that can be carried with content can be returned when empty.
* Make camp fires only where permitted and where and when it is safe to do so. Don't light a fire in dried out areas or when wind can carry sparks that may ignite nearby vegetation. Use only death wood and put the fire out with plenty of water. Don't leave the fire or go to sleep before having it put out completely.
* Don't abuse the hospitality of the people along the trail and pay fairly for what they share with you. Using a trail or camping in a not maintained place should be free of charge but if you get invited to a meal or use a camping ground that was installed by a local settler pay what you would get charged in other places. Don't ruin the hikers reputation by misusing the generosity of humble people. They might refuse to take your money but insist because they need it; it's part of the hospitality.
* Near a Puesto you find often a good camp spot because the grazing animals create and maintain nice patches of grass. If the puesto is inhabitated always introduce yourself and ask first for permission before pitching your tent. This also calms down the dogs.
* If you are caught by bad weather feel free to knock on doors and ask kindly for shelter. Helping is such situations is part of the ethics in the mountains.
* Don't enter locked Puestos except in emergencies. This is also for your safety since poorly ventilated and maintained puestos pose a Hanta virus infection risk. See also [[# Deseases| Deseases]].
* Leave all gates in the condition as you found them. If a gate was closed, close it after you. If a gate was open, leave it open.
* If you meet people on horses on a narrow trail step to the side and let them pass. It's for your own safety.
* Respect the rights of the land owners. Don't dispute over rights of way but ask kindly for permission to pass.
==Comment to KMZ File for Hiking==
