Straits
of Le Maire for Staten Island
Upside
down tides to work out, falling Pacific rushed out and on the other side of the
Straits the Atlantic push was a half tide forward. Cleared into the Straits of
Le Maire proper for a very good run. Slowing down by afternoon on approach to
Staten Island, Isla de los Estados we sighted a single handed sloop crashing and
bashing back in. VHF to say hello to single hander Bob on Sylph VI, he had been
travelling down the Argentinean coast and was heading for the very Fjords and
adventures we had left behind.
Weather
turning, Staten Island stood before us, four mighty bare white rock mountains
sat in the sky like humps of camels. As the magnificent panorama grew close the
end of those Ocean tides saw our ground speed collapse, we saw a low of two
point three knots. San Antonio a little lee and around the headland.
Puerto
Hoppner ship anchorage, wide and well sheltered. We traversed the tiny gorge
entrance to an inner lagoon at the back of the outer
anchorage.
The
smooth waters went mirror like and we found ourselves amidst wild mountains
touching the sky with their snow, green waterfall lagoon water at our feet. A
multi rope tie in a southern paradise of wilderness proportions fit for any
Antarctic destination.
54.46.90
S 64.24.55 W
Outside
the turning weather fuelled those clouds to dash past the mountain tops, we
slept silent and safe tucked up in Jurassic Park bliss. Winds grew and presure
fell, a fine bolt hole of safety.
