Jeanine and I began our southern hemisphere adventure this afternoon. We flew to Miami, where we rendezvoused with Tom Metzold (my high school wrestling partner and friend) and his wife, Karen Manor, before boarding a flight to Santiago, Chile, where we will make a final connection to Punta Arenas.

Nico dropped us at the airport and took this photo. The yellow backpack on my chest is a new addition to my kit. It is totally waterproof and will protect my cameras from sea spray and rain, conditions we are likely to encounter frequently.