26-03-2025, 52°54’S 073°55’W
Roughly the same latitude as home, but a different season and a different night sky. In fact, very little here resembles home. We are sailing through pure wilderness—snow-capped mountains towering above dense forests that reach the water’s edge.
Last night, we passed through the Strait of Magellan. With favorable winds, we made good time, though it was a shame to rush through such an incredible place. We lost time in the last gale and simply have to make up for it. The night before was windy as well, but the day was superb. A beautiful hike at Caleta Gallant, an anchorage once used by Magellan himself to regroup and meet his second-in-command. That meeting never happened—they had already left for Spain with their mutinous crew. Hard to imagine how those early explorers managed to navigate these straits with mostly headwinds and no clear idea of where they were!
We, on the other hand, know exactly where we are. Just turned north, passing Isla Tamar, and in about an hour, we will check in with the Armada on the VHF—our first human contact in a while. Then, onward into the night, heading north to reach Natales in time for the airplane.
What a place!
All is well. Gijs
