Exploring Chile’s Southern Fjords: Jimmy Martinello’s Sub-Antarctic Adventure

Raw beauty is sometimes a hard thing to come by nowadays. Timelines with work, family and other obligations always make it a little more challenging to go further out, travel to those destinations far from home. 

From Canada, Southern Chile is one of those far-off destinations. Four flights and a 48-hour ferry ride later you reach the take-off point to jump on the sailboat and start the expedition.

This trip was going to be a very exciting one. I had always dreamed of going to Chile – and the most exciting part was an open plan of sailing, paddling and adventures into the unknown. Open to seeing what caught our eyes and going for it.

Our crew of six packed into the sailboat with paddle gear, climbing gear and even base-jumping rigs just in case conditions lined up and a jump presented itself. We set sail into fjords, captivated by mountain peaks rising to the sky, waterfalls cascading into the ocean and natural beauty surrounding us in all directions.

The next couple of weeks we sailed and paddled through icebergs, climbed to the top of many unnamed peaks, got humbled by crazy storms, wind, rain and snow. The weather changing every 15 minutes, you have to be prepared for it all. Such a raw and wild environment.

Our team worked well together, supporting one another. Eating well, having fresh cooked meals every day. Sharing loads, both on the boat and off. Keeping each other safe – and making for an incredible trip. 

I can’t forget to mention the gear and support, making it all possible to quest into the sub-Antarctic landscape whatever the weather may hold. Red’s Voyager expedition paddleboards handled perfectly every time. Such a collaboration for some amazing success and an all-out great adventure into the unknown. 

Chile, I look forward to one day returning both for the beauty, the rawness and also the warm culture that welcomed us all along the way. Thank you.