South American trip map

South American trip table

Pos: here
Loc: Bahia Cordes
Acc: tent
Dist: 0 km

As I decided yesterday, this day was a weather rest day. During the night, it started to rain heavily, and strong wind came up. Fortunately, my tent was pitched in a bit of wind shelter, but not in shelter from the rising water!

Pos: here
Loc: Bahia Cordes
Acc: tent
Dist: 39,5 km
Start: 6:40 End: 16:45

The whole day was hard work, much tougher than yesterday. The first section to Bahia Woods was the easiest, with moderate head wind and a bit of shelter in the bays. In Bahia Wood was a small fishing boat, which drove away just 100 m before I reached it – were they scared I’d want some help? Or just didn’t see me? Or just impolite?

Pos: here
Loc: Bahia Snug
Acc: tent
Dist: 45,4 km
Start: 6:35 End: 16:45

Kiko drove me back to the landing spot yesterday, thanks again! Sorry I already fell asleep on the drive… I put up my tent and fell really asleep around 10.30 pm. Still too late for me, especially after the other nights online and having dinner with friends. This meant for today, despite low winds, I was dead tired to paddle. 45 km only, and then a large bay with a big river was lurking. the next bay like that would have been 15 km further, and no idea if in between would be a good campsite. The wind freshened up later in the afternoon as well, so it was time to call it a day.

My Punta Arenas host Ricardo, Lieutenant Commander Milidreag Delic, myself, Punta Arenas Port Captain Lieutenant Commander Pablo Ferrada Orellana

Pos: here
Loc: 8 km north of Cabo San Isidro
Acc: Ricardo + Elli’s house in Punta Arenas
Dist: 0 km

The first thing in the morning was a small boat repair on my seat.

Navy inspector Troucoso's heart was glowing warmly inspecting my gear ...

Pos: here
Loc: 8 km north of Cabo San Isidro
Acc: Ricardo + Eli’s house in Punta Arenas
Dist: 0 km

Busy day again with calls, e-mails, gear work, a check of my gear for my next permit by Navy officer Troucoso, and finally a dinner with a few kayaking friends which I enjoyed very much. Thanks for inviting me!

The nice dinner party tonight!

Typical cypress trees in Punta Arenas, these are the smaller ones...

Pos: here
Loc: 8 km north of Cabo San Isidro
Acc: Ricardo + Elli’s house in Punta Arenas
Dist: 0 km

The wind was howling again around the house, strong westerlies the whole next week! So nothing to miss so far…

H41, the boat of the day!

Pos: here
Loc: 8 km north of Cabo San Isidro
Acc: Ricardo + Eli’s house in Punta Arenas
Dist: 65,9 km
Start: 6:35 End: 19:15

After a good night’s sleep, I woke to a dry and almost sunny, calm morning! Day three with calm weather in a row, but unfortunately the last one…but it will do to make it to my meeting place with Kiko! 60something kilometers to paddle.

My double sided campsite on the open sandy ledge

Pos: here
Loc: Ilsa Capitan Aracena
Acc: tent
Dist: 50,1 km
Start: 7:30 End: 18:15

Now Fjordland is becoming the “easy walk in the park” as I was estimating it to be…though walking in a park is on the long run quite boring as well. But no complaints!