Today was the first full day of our voyage, and we made good progress through the Drake Passage towards “The White Continent.” For most of us, the expedition began several days ago when we journeyed across broad distances to gather in Santiago de Chile. We had a brief respite (very brief for some) prior to boarding the charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, the self-proclaimed end of the earth and certainly the southernmost city on the globe. We enjoyed a chance for short excursions in Santiago and Ushuaia. We could feel the transition from weeks and even months of planning to the actualization of our embarkation aboard National Geographic Resolution last night as we made our departure from the South American continent through the Beagle Channel and towards the wild Southern Ocean.
2/28/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
Northbound Drake Passage, Cape Horn, and the Beagle Channel
This morning, we had a later start than usual after a late night enjoying the crew show. Our galley team gifted us with a fulfilling brunch. We then had a brilliant forum about climate change with the participation of our panel of experts onboard. Afterward, our expedition leader called us to the bow to see Cape Horn, which was only a few miles ahead. The good weather allowed us to have a smooth and fast crossing, allowing extra time to swing by Cape Horn, the most southern tip of the Americas. Over the PA system, Steven provided a very interesting description of the historical importance of this area, then Pablo read a beautiful poem, a memorial to the seaman lost at sea. We could see the monument in the distance, two metal sheets that depict an albatross in flight. During the afternoon, we enjoyed Madalena’s presentation about Women in Antarctica. This was an incredible voyage through the struggles and delays of allowing women to participate in science and logistics in Antarctica. We entered the Beagle Channel around 17:00 and we encountered black-browed albatrosses, cormorants, dolphins, and whales. On our final approach to the beautiful city of Ushuaia, we passed by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and some of the seals that live in the Bridges Islands Archipelago.
