RTW Sailor Rescued

by Erik Olsen on

This is intense. Ken Barnes, a sailor from Newport Beach, CA, left California on October 28 to sail around the world. But this was not just any RTW trip. Barnes was seeking to become the first American to circumnavigate the world in a solo, non-stop voyage from the West Coast. He laid excellent plans…and alas how the best plans of mice and men…etc.

Yes, it turns out that Barnes boat got dashed apart by a storm, and he floated at sea or two days before being rescued by a fishing trawler down in Chile. He was off the frigid waters of South America near Punta Arenas (where he was flown yesterday). But, with the exception of a gash in his leg, he seems OK and eve got to telephone the wife and kiddies to tell them he’ll be back…sans record, of course.

More coverage at Ken’s site.

Santiago Chile – in the LA Times

by Erik Olsen on

The Los Angeles Times runs a piece on one of my favorite cities in the world, Santiago, Chile. I lived in Santiago in the mid-90s and came to really appreciate it’s hidden charms. It’s not the most physically attractive city in the world, and when I was there it has a definite pollution problem when there was a low-pressure system holding in the smog against the Andes, but the lovely parks, the vibrant social scene there, and many other qualities make it an great place to visit in South America.

The LA Times piece here also discusses how much things have changed since I was there. The music scene, led somewhat by the band Los Tres, who were HUGE when I lived there (I still listen to their TV Unplugged album), is taking on a life of its own ad really spreading beyond Chile’s borders. The coffee houses and bars are also becoming increasingly cosmopolitan. The piece makes Santiago sound so appealing, in fact, that I have to say I’ ready to go back for a trip…which I’ve been wanting to do anyway.

Photo of the Day (12/6/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on


Where Rick McCharles and besthike.com has been hiding all this time, I am not sure, but it looks as though he has kindly placed tons of great trekking and camping shots from all over into the Gadling Flickr pool. This one was taken on the Paine Circuit trek in Patagonia, Chile – a place I haven’t given much thought on exploring, but I know Erik is a fan and after viewing these photos, I can imagine why. The cool crisp blue sky, white snow, and the vibrant magenta colored gear worn by the trekkers is what grabbed me to give this one POTD.

Want to see your photo on Gadling? Be sure to submit your favorite travel shots to our Gadling Flickr pool.

Rafting “the Fu” (in the Andes)

by Iva Skoch on

Apparently, if you’re a kayak-maniac (you know who you are), you’ve heard of “the Fu,” aka the Futaleufu River, spilling down out of the Andes from Patagonia, through Chile, into the Pacific.

Some of the river’s rapids are so technically demanding that they weren’t ridden until 1985 (by a U.S. Olympic kayaker, nonetheless). Well, now that he’s blazed the trail, he’s set up Expediciones Chile, an outfitter designed to help you accomplish the same feat.

An FT reporter did just that, with a little help, and lived to write about it. You can sample the 40+ miles of whitewater and breath-taking scenery that the river offers, including Class V’s spilling right down from the mountains. Tours start from $1,600 USD for an 8-day trip (travel there not included). He recommends using the service and the trip, but recommends leaving your ego behind.

Photo of the Day (11/19/2006)

by Erik Olsen on

I’ve raved here so many times about a place in Chile called Torres del Paine, that I’m just going to put a link here to some of my earlier posts. The Towers of Paine, located in the far south of Chile in the region known as Patagonia are part of a national park that ranks, IMHO, as one of the best in the world. And while I don’t understand the French that makes up the caption here, this photo, by Bajy, does a wonderful job conveying the majesty and scale of this excellent place.