Antarctica to Zimbabwe – Day 35 – Silver Wind, Beagle Channel can be found here.
Another relaxed departure today, waking at around 8 am for breakfast at La Terrazza before departing on the challenging hike to Cerro Bandera. Official departure time was 9:30 am but it took a little longer to get customs clearance for the crew so we left at closer to 10 am.
We depart straight from the pier, and the hike is expected to run over 13 km and more than 600 metres of elevation gain – compared to the 9.7 km and 578 metres of elevation gain as described in AllTrails.
Even the Puerto Williams pier has beautiful scenery:
And wildlife:
The initial phase of the hike was along public roads, but the local horses seem to neither notice nor care:
They are, however, extremely photogenic.
We soon plunge deep into the forest:
The hike is challenging but manageable, with viewpoints (and benches) along the way:
Puerto Williams faces north toward Argentina – which is on the other side of this narrow channel.
You can even spot Ushuaia in the distance:
We carry onward, secure in the knowledge that we can join the moderate hike if the kids began to flag – the moderate hike would stop prior to summitting, while the challenging hike included the summit.
The scenery continues to impress as we near the top of the treeline:
And we reach the second-last viewpoint:
The Silver Wind waits in the distance – have we really come all this way?
One of the kids begins to flag and an agreement is struck – they get to hit me with a snowball if we carry on to the top. (The snowball hits me full on the side and even manages to land in my pocket so I’d say they got the better end of the bargain.)
Onward we go, making a small snowman to mark our path:
We carry on past the treeline, donning our coats as the wind and rain build…
… And we reach the summit!
I’d love to carry on to see what else there is to see, but apparently this route takes a full five days so I guess it’s time to head back.
The scenery on the return trip is equally impressive:
On the return leg, we ask one of the expedition guides where the turnaround point was for the midway hike – apparently I had it wrong, and it was much much lower than I had suggested. Sorry, kids!
Eventually we reach the road back to town.
Cerro Bandera was nowhere near as long as our Cuernos hike in Torres del Paine but we still find it a slog. Cruise life – and the lack of hiking in Antarctica – has sadly taken its toll on our fitness levels. It’s been worth it to see such spectacular sights, but we resolve to walk at least 10,000 steps a day from here on.
On the return trip, we pass the yacht club at the end of the world:
And then we’re back on the Wind.
Everyone is bushed, so we opt for room service pizza for lunch:
It took a while because everyone else had the same idea, but it was spectacular.
Then off to trivia where we properly took first place – I was able to recognize a childhood photo of Eminem while my son was able to identify the Jamaican flag. We are, however, quite sad to see our trivia team depart – they shall be missed.
Off to redeem our prize points:
Plenty of options on offer today:
My daughter opts for the fanny pack, while my son picks up some playing cards. We struck a deal with Chloë for a reduced rate – the discount code is CHLOEISTHEGREATEST for those wondering.
We hang out in Dolce Vita for a bit, where we enjoy some delicious canapes:
It’s then time to get dressed and head to dinner.
I have the crab tempura as my starter:
My son has the veal schnitzel as his main:
While my daughter has the pork medallions:
For dessert I have the baked raspberry meringue:
I’m still craving berries, so this is delicious.
In-transit guests are given our own special in-transit Chronicle.
Not much on the agenda for tomorrow!
There’s a different kind of sunset picture tonight:
We’re taking a moment tonight to think of all the wonderful crew and guests leaving the Wind who made our first leg so special – thank you all! You will be missed.
Continue reading Antarctica to Zimbabwe – Day 37 – Silver Wind, Puerto Williams.