Cape Horn
Sailing to the myth of the end of the world
On a 54 ft. yacht, together with our guests, we are going to experience the natural wonders of Patagonia. On a five days trip we will "conquer" Cape Horn and we will live surrounded by the natural beauty of the Patagonian south, amongst the waterfalls, the beavers, the guanaco's, seals...
Five Days Itinerary
1. Day Ushuaia (54°56'S / 68°06'W)
Beautiful view from the plane across the Beagle Channel and glaciers - we meet at the jetty of Club Nautico - you choose your bunk and get familiar with the boat - sailing across the Beagle Channel - we pass 'Isla dos Lobos': Sea Lions and Cormorants before we arrive in Puerto Williams, Chile (54°56'S / 67°36'W).
The wreck of the 'Micalvi' is our jetty and provides at the same time all harbour facilities: pub and shower - here are a handful of boats tied off already, getting ready for Antarctica, Cape Horn or just coming down from the Chilean Channels - Yamana Indians - Martin Gusinde Museum - last shower at Micalvi
2./3. Day Rounding Cape Horn (55°50'S / 67°18'W)
"The classic aspect of Cape Horn is the cliff face to the southern headland. Well below its summit, the old lighthouse I saw burning back in 1977, still stands, but shines no more below the clouds. On exposed rocks, a mile offshore, the sea breaks heavily even on a calm day, as the rollers coming in from the Southern Ocean pile up on shelf water, 75 miles away to the south-west."
"Cape of the ultimate challenge" - many destinies and catastrophes have taken place here - symbol for the end of the world. - visit to the island: Chilean navy control post - passport stamps and post - chapel - monument - wildlife - deep tussock grass.
This will most probably be a tough day, the sea is very rough, we get short waves, we get changing local winds, its cold and wet - we have to fight - last radio contact with navy patrol station at 'Cabo de Hornos', they will contact Puerto Williams and have our names registered: we have rounded Cape Horn - the sea contains plenty of life: Commerson- & Dusky Dolphins, Seals. Wandering Albatross, Condors, Giant Petrels, Skuas will follow us.
We deserve a quite rest at caleta Martial.
4. Day Puerto Toro (55°05'S / 67°06'W)
Puerto Toro: most southern settlement of the world - fifty inhabitants - dealing one bottle of whisky or some fruit for more than enough King Crabs, Centollas, to feed the whole crew.
5. Day Puerto Williams /Ushuaia
At the navy control post we can pick up our Cape Horn certificate - we can make a splendid trekking up to the 'Pico de Bandera' from where we get a tremendous view across the Beagle Channel - we exchange our experiences with the other yachts around - yachtlife.
For the last time we sail the Beagle - back to Ushuaia