Sunrise was at 5:13 am today, but no sun could be seen through the heavy layer of overcast as we sailed south toward the Wollaston Islands of which Horn Island is the most southerly, at 55˚56' south and 67˚19' west, where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet. We hoped for good weather, but the heavy winds prevented any chance of setting foot on the island. The first thing that I noticed was the barren landscape devoid of any trees.
In 2005 the Cape Horn National Park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve Site by UNESCO.
I think that Cape Horn is more a symbol than a scenic tourist destination. I missed the Magellanic forest of the Beagle Channel. It would have been interesting to visit the Cape Horn Memorial, a metal sculpture symbolizing the meeting of the two oceans, inaugurated in 1992 by the Chilean Society of Cape Horn Captains. A family of four lives on the island to maintain a Chilean presence there.
In order to disembark, the cruise company requires winds less than 30 knots (35.5 mph). Today we experienced winds of 50+ knots (58+mph). This happy photo was taken as we headed back to the north. The seas became very heavy. Once I witnessed two waves crashing, creating a vertical spout. Let's not talk about the next few hours which became very difficult for this landlubber. I ate only lettuce for lunch.
Lili is about ready to take flight
Next: Navarino Island and Wulaia Bay.
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