Mischief in Patagonia

This book is the first of Tilman's “Mischief” books, named for his boat. Built in 1906, originally a Bristol Channel pilot cutter, 45 ft in length. In 1927 she had ended her working life and was converted to a yacht. In 1954, some 9 owners later, Tilman had her refitted and set to head to South America.

Combining his loves of mountaineering and sailing, he set out to sail to cross the Patagonian ice cap from the Pacific to the Argentine lakes (and return). Various attempts on the ice cap had been made from 1914 to 1954 (these are briefly outlined in an appendix), but none reportedly completely successful, this was challenge enough for Tilman.

Selecting (or rather finding) a crew for a dual challenge such as this is not easy, and those who will participate in both tasks were few. There did need to be a crew remain with the boat while the ice cap was dealt with was necessary, so there did not need to be a full crossover.

Tilman's writing is good. He doesn't shy away from the technical terms and jargon in either his sailing or climbing. This doesn't bother me too much as I happily gloss over the specifics and take in the wider description of the event, task or problem.

He talks little of history or background, concentrating on the events as they happen. The interactions with the crew, people in port etc are well described, and scenery where is occurs in this story is also well painted. Strange for now, but not for the time, to read about their environmental impact - unwanted gear went straight over the side, including at one point a drum of petrol in a pristine bay!

In my edition photographs were not included, which seems a shame. The maps were not very good - one of the southern third of South America, the other of Peel Inlet and the Calvo Glacier were not much help - no route plotting, and ultimately too small.

I own a series of Tilman's climbing books, which are earlier than his sailing books, and will no doubt work my way through those.

This was enjoyable at 3.5 stars, rounded up.