A pleasant,
early-morning hike brought us face-to-face with the colossal and spectacularly
located Bernal Glacier. Back on board, we readied for entrance to Seno Última
Esperanza (Last Hope Bay) and waited for the slack tide, when the sea currents
of this very narrow passage are not so powerful and therefore safer for
navigation. After crossing, we boarded Zodiacs once again to explore the little
archipelago on its eastern side. The rain let up, and we had an amazing
encounter with very rare Chilean dolphins before we sailed on to the town of
Puerto Natales, where we spent the night in port.
11/10/2024
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National Geographic Resolution
Garibaldi Glacier, Romanche Fjord, and Beagle Channel
The first rays light up the northwestern branch of the Beagle Channel. In the distance mountains glow in pale yellows and oranges as well as the water’s many birds, including a flock of hundreds of sooty shearwaters as they search for food. By breakfast we are at the entrance of the Garibaldi Fjord, steep gray rock walls on either side, and at the end the beautiful eponymous glacier. We head out on Zodiac cruises to get closer views of the tortured rocks, beautiful waterfalls, stunted forests, and of course wait for the glacier to calve. It obliges us many times. During the afternoon, we nose into the Romanche Fjord and then head out to sail along the Beagle Channel. Along the way we encounter many seabirds. Before dinner we attend the captain’s farewell cocktails and enjoy the guest slideshow before heading down to our special asado dinner! Our remarkable expedition through the Chilean Fjords is coming to an end. We have all witnessed some amazing wildlife encounters and marveled at the beauty of the Torres del Paine Massif. Memories we have aplenty, which will be cherished for many a year.
