Patagonia and the Chilean Fiords

Seeing some green again…

After 13 days in and getting to Antarctica, during which time the color green was non-existent, I began seeing the color green again.  It didn’t occur to me while I wasn’t seeing it how much I missed it.  While I was awestruck by the raw beauty of Antarctica, seeing the contrast of colors here is in a different way, its own beauty.  I went white water river rafting on the Petrohue’ River.  The river was really running.  In parts it appeared as though it was boiling.  

Rafting on the Petrohue’ River with the volcano known as Villarrica in the background.
Class 4 rapids as this is near the high season for river flows. This was a challenging and exhilarating rafting trip today.

Looks as though we lost a few.
Hold on.
Receding glacier. See these while they are still here. It is quite disturbing how quickly these are disappearing.
Melting glaciers.
Once glacier filled, this valley is now devoid of any such ice forms.
View to the stern during our AM sail through this beautiful area.
View of a bay in the “glacier alley” of the Beagle Channel.
Pictured above is the Santa Leonor which sank in March 1968, over 50 years ago. This ship was formerly known as the USS Riverside and was an American Bayfield-class attack ship that was built in 1944. It served during WWII fighting against Imperial Japan.
Just like the Neil Young & Crazy Horse album, “Rust never sleeps,” neither does this rust. Close up of the rusting hull.

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Craig

Born in New Jersey in 1956. Lives in Colorado and travels the world.

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