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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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.
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.
