Angel woke me up at 6:00 and I awoke everyone else. We ate a quick breakfast and then piled into the vehicles and drove to the boat at Punta Banderas. Our seats were on the lower forward deck so we had good views all around. It was overcast and drizzling so we stayed below until we got to the area where we started seeing lots of icebergs. The drizzle had stopped but it was cold with a stiff breeze. As usual, everyone was amazed by the ice. We stood off of the Upsala Glacier for a few minutes. I was amazed at how much the ice has retreated since I first visited the area in 1989. We then headed back down the lake to Estancia Cristina. The mountains still had snow on them so the incredible structures that I saw on my last trip here were invisible.

At the ranch, we took off on a 6 km hike that climbs a gentle slope to a nice cascade incised into the hillside. The ceiling lifted some and we got a nice view up a long glacial valley to the cirque which spawned the glacier. Wereturned to the ranch and were very hungry after our tiny breakfast. The lunch they serve at the ranch is excellent. I ate lots of lamb, salad, and fries with an ample amount of wine. The dessert selection was huge and I tried all of them.

We took a quick tour of the ranch museum and learned about the Masters family who owned it until 1994 when the last one died and it became property of the park. We then said good-bye to our guides and reboarded the boat.

Most of us slept some on the way back. I sat with Jackie both ways. We talked a lot about many things in spite of her very soar throat. As interesting as it was, we both nodded off too. Most people continued their naps during the ride back to camp. Darkness was falling as we returned. Zeek and I went out and bought a sleeping bag for one of the three baggage – less students. He is loaning us two others.

Upon returning to camp we had an excellent chicken and rice dinner. Most people went to bed right after dinner. I took a shower before turning in around midnight.