Suzi Travels

Pio Xi Glacier, also known as Bruggen Glacier, Chile

Brüggen Glacier, also known as Pío XI Glacier named by Spanish explorers after Pope Pius XI, is in southern Chile and is the largest western outflow from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Now about 41 miles in length, it is the longest glacier in the southern hemisphere outside Antarctica. Unlike most glaciers worldwide, it advanced significantly from 1945 to 1976, Brüggen surged 3.1 miles across the Eyre Fjord, reaching the western shore by 1962 and cutting off Lake Greve from the sea. The glacier continued advancing both northward and southward in the fjord to near its present position before stabilizing. The growth covers a distance of more than 6.2 miles north to south, adding nearly 23 sq miles of ice. The glacier is named after the German geologist Juan Bruggen Messtorff. Expedition cruise ships visit the Pio XI terminus by sailing up the fjord from the sea.

We were able to see all of it from the comfort of our room, with a pot of coffee. Can’t get any better than that. The bow was open for viewing, but still having a bit of a cold, our warm & dry room was a much better option. After an hour of viewing, our amazing Captain Kevin, sailed us through “the Abyss”. This route was added when he needed to cancel rounding the Horn. Turns out it definitely was to our benefit. It is the narrowest strip of water I’ve ever sailed in a large cruise ship.