[password] rachel25
[position] 51 43.713s 072 31.778w
[status] Anchored in Puerto Laforest, opposite Puerto Natales

We were up at 5.30 to catch the right side of the tide to go through the last section of Angostura Kirke. Apparently the tidal stream can reach of maximum of 8 to 10 knots, one of the strongest currents in Chile. We had a 2 knot current going with us, when suddenly a 35 knot wind squall funneled down through the strait, making Ithaka do 10.5 knots. Then, just round the corner, the wind dropped completely and we had to motor for a while.

Angostura Kirke lies right on the border between the Cordillera de los Andes and the transition zone of semi-arid pampa. The west side of the narrows is typical of Patagonian channels, with high mountains and rainfalls. Because the Cordillera peaks provide a barrier to the clouds, the east side has a low rainfall, and there are plains.

As we approached Puerto Natales, we caught sight of a 4 x 4 truck driving fast along a dirt, flat road throwing clouds of dust behind it. Such a contrast of all we have experienced in the past few weeks.

Plan to go ashore tomorrow.

PS Apologies for an error I made yesterday. Lucas has pointed out that the university in La Plata is in Argentina, not Chile. It seems that both Argentina and Chile suffered from oppressive military regimes during 1970 to 1990, causing many thousands of people to "disappear".
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