It is a beautiful morning for exploring Chiloe. Ashore we became three groups with distinct missions, exploring the town of Castro, bird watching, or hiking at Chiloe National Park. I went to the park. We expected lots of mud in this wet area, but surprise, surprise there is a brand-new boardwalk, no mud! The center of the park is a thickly vegetated area known as tepual, named for the dominant shrub tepú (Tepualia stipularis) in the myrtle family which makes it difficult to take comprehensive pictures. After hiking we returned to Castro for a traditional Chiloe meal.
10/28/2024
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National Geographic Resolution
Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
Our first morning aboard National Geographic Resolution was truly breathtaking. As dawn broke, we sailed through the picturesque Estero Comau, a narrow fjord along the western edge of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park. The stunning scenery set the perfect tone for the day. We gathered in the ice lounge to be introduced to our knowledgeable expedition team, including two visiting scientists and our National Geographic photographer. Gerardo, one of our local guides, enlightened us about the vital conservation efforts shaping Chilean Patagonia, highlighting the pioneering work of the Tompkins Conservation and rewilding foundations in both Chile and Argentina. After lunch, we disembarked in the small town of Chaitén, nestled at the foot of its namesake volcano. Memories of its dramatic 2008 eruption linger, but today we ventured into the lush embrace of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park. Hiking through ancient temperate forests, we marveled at cascading waterfalls and the majestic alerces, some over 2,000 years old. Back onboard, we gathered for Captain Heidi's welcome cocktails and dinner. As the sun set, we caught the last glimpses of the stunning landscapes around us, filled with anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.
