Today, National Geographic Resolution headed into uncharted waters. Dawn found us approaching the Canal Gajardo, a glacial valley that cuts through the Munoz Gamero Peninsula. As we settled down for breakfast, the ship’s sounding Zodiac pulled ahead of us to gauge the fjord as we marveled at the polished rock faces on either side.
Eventually, a submerged glacial moraine blocked our passage any further, so we landed at Ensenada Ventisquero (literally Glacial Cove) where a post-glacial river valley joins the canal. Making a quick climb from the beach onto the muskeg (peat hill) behind, we explored the boggy habitat and admired the awesome ice caps above us.
After lunch we enjoyed a presentation from the Wildlife Conservation Society Ranger Nicolas Jaras (who has joined us for this stage of the expedition) on conservation in Karukinka Natural Park, tomorrow’s destination. Meanwhile the ship had transited to Estuario Portaluppi (Portaluppi Estuary), another uncharted area. After being carefully led in again, we took to the flotilla of Zodiacs to explore the small inlets and bays on either side of the estuary. Imperial cormorants swooped around us while kingfishers watched the streams from dozens of waterfalls carrying fresh glacial water into the sea.
