Isla Navarino and the Beagle Channel Gallery. Last updated 09.02.08
 
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The small island of Isla Navarino is situated on the southern side of the Beagle Channel, to the south of the main island that forms Tierra del Fuego. Despite it's small size of 100km by 40km it is a superb subantarctic wilderness with mountains which rise to over 1000m. Because the latitude, the bush line  here is very low, with only true forest in very sheltered areas. Its isolation from the rest of the South American continent has allowed subtle changes to develop in the evolution of the native animals. The island is exposed to the full force of the southern ocean and snow regularly falls down to sea level even in summer. This island has the most southerly trekking in the world and apart from the port town of Puerto Williams is basically uninhabited.

Photographs from one visit.

In February 2008 we spent a week trekking the Dientes Circuit and visiting Lago Windhorn on Isla Navarino. We crossed by the Beagle Channel by small boat in a howling gale to arrive at Puerto Navarino before travelling to Puerto Williams. This is the start and finish point of the Dientes Circuit. We found no maps at a suitable scale for trekking, through the Chilean Authorities produce a detailed and essential route guide. There are no huts on this route, except for a rough shelter on the side trip to Lago Windhorn. As the photos show, heavy summer snow fall is not unusual.
After returning to Puerto Williams, we travelled by Cargo Boat to Punta Arenas a trip of some 36 hours along the Beagle Channel through the mighty Darwin Range, where we were treated to spectacular views of sea level glaciers.

Sailing ship moored at Puerto Navarino, after a rough crossing of the Beagle Channel. (01.02.08)
Carol descending to Laguna del Salto on the first day of the trek. (02.02.08)
Subalpine Plants on Paso Australia. (02.02.08)
Laguna's del Picacha and Picacho Diente de Navarino. (03.02.08)
Looking back to the Cordon de Los Dientes from the Lago Windhorn Route. (04.02.08)
Heading over Bettinelli Mountain. (04.02.08)
The Hut at the end of the world. Refugio Charles on Lago Windhorn. (04.02.08)
The local wildlife...... (05.02.08)
.....and the local bog life. (05.02.08)
Looking back at Bettinelli Mountain from the Dientes Circuit. (05.02.08)
Waking up a storm at Laguna Escondida. (06.02.08)
The bush under heavy snow, the tent has been cleared. (06.02.08)
Leaving Laguna Hermosa in heavy snow. (06.02.08)
Looking across to the Montes Lindenmayer after the heavy snow. (07.02.08)
Climbing up towards Paso Virginia. (07.02.08)
Carol posing on Paso Virginia!, with the Montes Lindenmayer in the background. (07.02.08)
Several slab avalanche sites above Laguna Los Guanacos. (07.02.08)
A wider view of the crags above the Laguna. (07.02.08)
Looking back to the descent route from Paso Virginia, (left of the snow) (07.02.08)
Fishing boats at Puerto Williams. (09.02.08)
On the Punta Arenas Ferry, looking across the Fuegian Andes. (09.02.08)
Heading up the Beagle Channel. (09.02.08)
Sea level glaciers of the Darwin Range. (1) (09.02.08)
Sea level glaciers of the Darwin Range. (2) (09.02.08)
Melt water from the glacier mixes with the sea water. Beagle Channel. (09.02.08)