Before the construction of the
Panama Canal, the only way for ships to cross between the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans was to brave the southern ocean. Cape Horn
is the most extreme southern tip of Chile and the seas there as
as rough today as they were hundreds of years ago. Sailing around
the 'Horn is considered by some to be the Mount Everest of sailing.
We not only rounded the 'Horn but were able to make a landing
on the island.
The waters around Cape Horn are known for
being rough and dangerous..Not to mention my weakness for seasickness.
Horn Island and the Albatross statue which
is a monument to the countless sailors who have lost their lives
sailing in the area.
Greg at the helm and one of many visitors
we had.
The journey was made aboard the sailboat
Northanger which is a 54 foot, steel hulled expedition sailboat
that has been to Antarctica many times.
It is so consistently windy that many of
the trees grow at an angle from the never ending force of the
wind. Also, a view of Puerto Williams, Chile.
There are an estimated 800 shipwrecks near
Cape Horn. The one above was carrying a shipment of bibles when
it ran aground.