Punta Arenas fort
Weather: mostly cloudy with intermittent heavy rain
Today, we went out to an original Spanish Fort about an hour outside of Punta. With Dr. Diego Delgado as our translator, we were able to get a lot of the history of the region. We passed Hudson Island, famous in Pinochet’s time for housing prisoners and the disappeared. We were able to follow the outline of Tierra del Fuego as it arched along the coastal road following the Strait of Magellan.
The Fort itself was built in the 1800s for the Spanish who colonized and protected the strait. The major route for East West shipping was along the Strait of Magellan as passage across Tierra del Fuego was far too dangerous. Punta prospered during this time and fell into some decline after the Panama Canal was opened and trade routes shifted.
We got back to the hotel around 2 and headed into town for some last minute supplies. The team then congregated at the Shackleton Bar. We met all three guides and two of our group – Ian and anotherindividual. There were lots of introductions – a really good group. Two members of the team were delayed, one individual has lost a piece of luggage; and three more are to arrive late tonight. We ate a late dinner with the group.
Tomorrow, we have our briefing with ALE. We need to be packed and ready to go – gear goes to the storage area tomorrow so once its sent its sent. We then start on call for the flight as of the 4th.
5 Responses
Hi Everybody and Happy New Year to all of you. Sounds like things are underway and the day that all of you have worked so hard to get to is fast approaching. We are all here cheering you on and wishing you all safe travels.
Take care of each other. It is so reassuring that you are working as a team and as a result I am confident that although limits will be tested, everybody will be safe.
stella
Sounds like you’re all off to a great start! Happy birthday (yesterday) Uncle Dale! Looking forward to more updates,
Sara xo
Hi to the team and more specifically Michel ?
I am wishing you a great and safe departure to Antarctica tomorrow, hopefully.
The team seems to be in great spirit and I am looking forward to discovering with you this mysterious pole.
I am sure your passion, humor, and experience will enable all of you to take care from one another, and fully appreciate the unlimited wilderness of South Pole. We are so proud of you all.
Here’s a great quote from Freya Stark, women explorer, which I think you will like.
“There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.”
Have fun!
Sophie
Hi Dale and team. We are looking forward to following your progress when we get back to school on Monday. God bless!
Jean
good luck on your departure tomorrow. We are all thinking of you. Will follow your daily comments.
love
Mom, Jamie and Adrianne