Day 2 – Puerto Navarino to Cla Olla

The true beginning of exploring the Western end of the Beagle Channel. No wind so a quiet motor westward before taking the northern channel to the right of Isla Gordon. While motoring along we got the job of reassembling the kayak rudders, hatch covers, and generally putting them in working order. It was a might bit cold on the front deck as we motored – not the time to drop nuts, bolts or tools despite having frozen fingers. The job was completed before we reached our first destination despite the visual interruptions of another glacier view, spectacular scenes of islands and shear sided land.

Looking west along the Beagle has great views of the channel and past every promontory pops yet another one, all stretching into the distance. Without charts it’s difficult to see where fiords or passes are as the entrances are often narrow.

As we entered Cla Olla a large glacier opened up to view. We anchored in the Bay below Glacier Holander. Two short zodie trips had us all on shore for a walk to the glacier lake. The land was again very damp – a few or us had not donned overtrousers to walk in – a big mistake as there were many mud scrambles. The introduced beavers have not helped the situation as any low lying land has been very effectively damed and the water is over knee deep. The climb afforded great vies out over Cla Olla and the glacier in the distance. A scramble down found a track that took us down to the lake – the sun broke through and shone on the ice floating in the water and the glacier face – spectacular. Frances posed a la Pania of the Reef (with clothes) on a large rock just out from the shore and we all taste tested a fresh lump of berg – definitely confirmed its fresh water!

To complete the magic two condors flew over us and then back to the head of the valley – damn wrong lens on camera.

The ground is very fragile and the trip back was equally as muddy as we’d exposed the surface on the way in.

Time for a short paddle – down the channel and then back as the light fell. Round the last corner for a perfect sunset.