Summary
A beautiful section, particularly from Glacier Callequeo to the Pass, and around Lago Christie.
The trail is mostly well-defined. There are several sections with a lot of fallen trees, but they’re easily stepped over or passed with CC/light BB on occasion. I found it more bothersome than difficult. Similarly, the sections I had to roadwalk were more monotonous than difficult. No issues with fords; a couple reached my upper thigh/crotch, but all had weak to mild currents. Plenty of water around.
A beautiful section, particularly from Glacier Callequeo to the Pass, and around Lago Christie.
The trail is mostly well-defined. There are several sections with a lot of fallen trees, but they’re easily stepped over or passed with CC/light BB on occasion. I found it more bothersome than difficult. Similarly, the sections I had to roadwalk were more monotonous than difficult. No issues with fords; a couple reached my upper thigh/crotch, but all had weak to mild currents. Plenty of water around.
Fortunate to have some great weather - several days of sun and minimal winds. I’d expect that the exposed and swampy sections of the trail would be significantly more difficult in poorer conditions. With the exception of the road and at the Glacier, I didn’t see anyone.
Day 1
- * Caught the bus to Cochrane from Coyhaique and started walking at 4.15pm. I was able to get two short hitches but mostly roadwalked. - * I camped at Settler 36H-23 [33.2/290]; approximately 1.5km off the RR at 15km. This is an established campground, though there’s currently no sign. Friendly family, flat grass area for tents, big dining/kitchen space with fireplace, showers and toilets. 7.000clp p/n.
Day 2
- * I was able to hitch from ~20km to the glacier with a local guide. - * After the Puesto at 57.6/667 there’s a bad patch of fallen trees. For the most part the RR was obstructed or not obvious. I instead followed a mix of game trail and RR; whatever was the path of least resistance. Some CC/BB required, which was time-consuming but not difficult. - * Note that there’s no water at 67.3/1041, but plenty at the following waypoint [68.4/1089]. - * Only one small patch of snow on the descent from the pass - could be avoided if you wanted. I forded [71.8/1262] on a snow bridge.
- Camped a few hundred metres before 79.9/876 where there was a flatter spot.
Day 3
- * There were a lot of fallen trees throughout the day, though as with the day before, they could be bypassed relatively easily with CC. - * I bypassed the Puesto at [107.3/479] by cutting across at -47.98615, -72.55851. While there’s no trail as such, there are several game trails and it’s easy CC (more straightforward than the RR at times). I reconnected with the RR at -47.99036, -72.55305.- * Space for 1 tent at 110.9 but potentially more in the vicinity if you got creative. Beautiful spot, highly recommend.
Day 4
- * Trail overgrown in parts but mostly easier to follow. Some CC still required in sections with deadfall. - * An incredibly bad patch of mozzies around ~116km, near the OSM-marked camp. Though only for 500m, I’d suggest applying repellant or putting on a head net prior to. - * Recommend keeping an eye on your GPS after the puesto at ~135km. I followed a clear trail to the right of the RR. While in other instances these game trails usually reconnected to the RR, this one didn’t; required some BB through swamp to reconnect. - * I camped just below a lean-to around 138.5km. Space for one tent; good wind protection, stream nearby, slightly lumpy but overall okay.
Day 5
- * Hitched from ~148km to Villa O’Higgins, arriving around 10am.
==Season 2024/25==
