Day 5 – Cla Morning to Fiordo Pia

An early start and a short trip further westward up the Beagle to Fiordo Pia. A double ended fiord that we motored up with an ‘ice’ watch on deck. At the head of the left arm were two spectacular glaciers. The regular calvings create yacht damaging blocks of ice hence the watch. The sun was shining and the view breathtaking. After launching all the kayaks we paddled up toward Glacier Guilcher (not too close) before paddling back down the left arm, across the wide fiord and up the right arm to where Spirit was moored for the evening. We’d stopped for lunch on a beach within view of the glacier to make the most of the stunning views. While paddling up the right arm Spirit altered us to a cruise ship in the fiord – it came round the corner and passed us on the far side – no wake to worry about and very few people on deck as the light was fading. Shelene, Brett and I paddled past Spirit and up to the face of Glacier Pia in the low light – we’d had a gentle head wind while paddling over and then turning around to come back the wind swung round as well and we had bit of a workout as we came back into 12-15 knots across the bay.

Out and changed before taking the zodie over to the shore and gathering wood – the beavers are a help here as they’ve cut a lot of it to size, before dragging it back to light a bonfire on the beach (or in James case calling for the zodie to carry his large load). A great place to have a well earned beer.

The next morning was cool and still. Another glacier – Galcier de los Fotografos is at the end of the right arm and only accessible by kayak as the water depth is low in places. An excellent paddle through very still water with amazing reflections, lots of burgy bits and through sheets of ice on the water – yes it was cold and the cold definitely came up through the kayaks. Thank goodness for dry suits and layers.