JPVM, You are correct in everything you mentioned above, still, even Cochamo and Ralun are starting to see more people from Santiagon, Conception and other places move in. So, more and more of the land is being built on, and prestine views are being built apron. Please don't take what I say to an affront to those mobving in. It's just how things are.
Valley Cochamo has even seen a huge growth in popularity. One or two tourism companies have started bringing College kids by the bus load to trek the valley. In fact, when we went in March of 2014, we had to walk to 2-3 different camp grounds just to find one that wasn't at capacity. One of the registers at the entrance of the valley (where you sign in), said that they estimated 200-300 to be in the valley. They told us that that kind of traffic had been common since the beginning of the summer (late Nov.), and that they expected that quantity of traffic until the valley closed.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying people shouldn't go. Still, if you go, don't be expecting the long past days of there only being 50 people up there, and hardly running into anyone.
Next month, I hope to make a trip crossing Tagua Tagua, and believe it or not, there is a gravel road being made all the way up to Segundo Coral. There is even some talk about the round being continued on up to Argentina thru Paso Leon. If that actually happens, then I will get some more footage of that too.
In the meantime, here is a video that I did. This is a video of us up in Valley Cochamo. Please excuse the poor quality the Valley Cochamo one, as it was done on a whim, we were extremely tire, and it was litterally thrown together. Still, I think you all will like them.