Torres Del Paine National Park, 10/17/2019, National Geographic Explorer
Aboard the
National Geographic Explorer
Patagonia
Waking up at five in the morning is never pleasant, but sometimes the rewards make it more than worth the effort. Besides, you can sleep in the bus! Our tiredness soon disappeared as the scenery around us started to change. As we drove through the grasslands, we anticipated what lay ahead of us at one of Chile’s premier destinations, Torres Del Paine National Park. Breath-taking views and chances for incredible wildlife awaited us, and any discussion of the early morning soon went away.
Steve Morello has had a long and colorful career in the natural history world. Born in New Jersey, he was lucky to be able to summer on the shores of Cape Cod. Whether it was exploring the tidal pools, snorkeling along the beach, or hiking in the dun...
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Steve fell in love with the beauty of the natural world at an early age. In addition to nature, his other main passion was telling stories though the medium of television and radio. Steve studied broadcast jo...
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This morning, we awoke to the awe-inspiring beauty of the Agostini Channel surrounded by towering peaks and glaciated landscapes. The rain and overcast skies couldn't dampen our spirits as we set out for a thrilling adventure in these remote fjords, where glaciers’ icy tongues stretched down to meet the ocean. The morning excursion, though cold and wet, was unforgettable. We explored the rugged coastline by Zodiacs and kayaks, navigating through brash ice and beneath thundering waterfalls. After thawing out and warming up, we gathered for a delicious lunch, followed by the disembarkation briefing in the ice lounge. Alyssa then captivated us with her presentation on kelp ecology, giving us a deeper understanding of this unique ecosystem. By the afternoon, the weather cleared and the sun even peeked through the clouds from time to time. We ventured out for a hike along a pristine beach, taking in the breathtaking sight of a crystal-clear lake framed by another magnificent glacier. Right after recap, our day ended with a golden hour of stunning views, including the towering Mount Sarmiento. As we settled in for the night, the promise of one last day of Patagonian adventure awaited.
At Karukinka Park this morning, we were greeted by over thirty Andean condors soaring above the majestic mountains that border Jackson Bay. Once on the beach, we then observed over seventy elephant seals. This park is so very special as it is a protected area located on Tierra del Fuego. It is administered through the Wildlife Conservation Society, a nature protection organization that was founded in 1895. A short hike to a nearby waterfall, a longer hike up the valley to a viewpoint, and a beach walk to view the elephant seals were activities enjoyed by guests. Our navigation then took us to Ainsworth Bay where we were able to make a beach landing and enjoy a walk through a Nothofagus temperate forest. Our walk then continued over adjacent land that was a landscape dominated by ponds, streams, and bogs caused by an altered drainage system due to intense beaver activity. It was another wonderful day in beautiful Patagonia.
After a night at the dock in Puerto Natales, National Geographic Resolution left port and sailed early Thursday morning, winding through protected waters, heading towards the White Narrows. Chilean Patagonia is full of small islands, outcrops lining the southern half of the country’s slender but lengthy coastline. Expedition ships don’t often navigate through these channels, but when they do it must be done carefully. On the way south from Puerto Montt, we navigated several of these passages, including the Kirke Narrows. Today, we traversed another, White Narrows, which mandates a tight squeeze through some of these islands, at one point as skinny as 260’ wide. The atmosphere on the bridge was serious and focused but remarkably, regardless of the tricky nature of this maneuver, the bridge stays open to guests. Silent and respectful, all watch as Captain Heidi and the local pilots work through the squeeze. After we passed through the narrows, we cruised on towards tomorrow’s destination in the south of Patagonia, Karukinka Natural Park. In the afternoon at sea, guests onboard were able to take a galley tour to gain a better understanding of the hotel team onboard, and presentations were given. We were lucky to have Melissa Carmody, the director of Karukinka Natural Park, onboard. She gave a fantastic talk about the history of the park and its future direction, building anticipation for tomorrow’s activities.
