Trekking and canoeing. 12 March 2023

Awoke early, to a delightful sunrise with a few more clouds this morning, after and short and fitful sleep (brain working overtime).

Breaky, pack gear for a full day out with ‘Canal’ Trekking and canoeing. Pick up time was 8.30, onto a bus with about 10 others plus guides and driver. We headed for Parque Tierra del Fuego, where we paid our NP entry fee 5500pesos per head ($41.47 per head). We started the trek at the edge of the Beagle Channel near the southern most post office. We walked for 8kms along the coastline and through beech forests, a bit of up and down. Caro was able to tell us the name of the round fungi we have seen lots of. They are called Indian Bread and picked from the tree they are edible (tasteless evidently) once they fall they turn black and are no good. We saw lots of different foliage, wild horses, beautiful coastal and mountain views across to Chile. A stop along the way for a cuppa. We also heard and saw a woodpecker and Timango caracara, plus ducks and geese and a range of other water birds including cormorants and the symbol of TDF NP –

After lunch the rain had set in, light but windy and cold. It looked miserable for canoeing, but off we went back on the bus, stopped at NP loos for the second time, then onto the lake. Here were two inflatable rafts. We were given gum boots and questionably waterproof over pants. Coats on, cameras etc on the bus. We broke into two groups- Spanish speakers and English speakers (plus one guy from Buenos Aires for even numbers). Our guide was Mari, and our walking guide Caro was with the other boat.

With a very windy, wavy and choppy lake this was not looking good. After a quick overview and lesson, we then picked up the boat and walked it along the shore a bit before launching with Mary and I in front copping the waves – quickly determined that pants weren’t totally waterproof.

We began on a river which actually carried us along quite nicely, till we bottomed out in shallow bit. Mari jumped into the water and pulled us off, along with the other boat. Then we approached a bridge which we were not allowed under, so again beached and carried boat up over the road and let then slide down a hill, while we walked around to reboard. More paddling along a river, into the Beagle Channell, then to our finish spot on Lake Pattaya. Here is also the End of the Road. The finish of the Pan American Highway. So photos were in order after ditching our equipment. Then back on the bus for home.

Once home we decided showers to warm up before coffee and computers and photo downloads led to drinks and some nibbles for tea, I think Mary and I have made to our third or fourth Pisco Sour so far. We are all weary and in need of an earlier night. It was quickly getting late so bed called. Made into bed before midnight for the first time- yay.