Day 7: At Anchor, by Liz

After several days of heavy transit and weather, today we are staying put.

A welcome respite to stretch our legs in some nice hikes, and our imaginations of the days when Fitzroy navigated his ship the Beagle through these fjords and canals. It would have been impossible for Fitzroy to come to this little protected anchorage without the ship’s small cutter and a whaleboat, both of which could be easily rowed or sailed. These boats explored far into the small bays and narrow channels where the larger ship would have had difficulty. Bringing supplies and stores for several weeks of camping on shore, Fitzroy and his men worked with heavy loads in the worst conditions surveying these waters. The survey work and navigational charts from their efforts are the root stock of the charts used by modern mariners today.

These landscapes look nearly the same as they did those many years ago. Steep fjords covered with forests, rough barren hills towering above and cascading water tumbling down to the sea. It was wonderful to have time to slow down and appreciate this breathtaking scenery.

We look forward to many years working with Fede and Laura on the Ocean Tramp.

Liz and Gifford Hickey Punta Arenas, Chile