Forming the western edge of Wickham Heights, Mt Usborne reaches 705m (2,312ft) - making it the highest mountain in the Falklands. Usborne has a distinctive hulking shape, and rises impressively from the grasslands at its feet. Just under the peak hangs Black Tarn, a small lake formed by erosive forces during the last Ice Age approximately 15,000 years ago - a fantastic location for camping enthusiasts.
At the base of Usborne is Ceritos Corral, a large and well-preserved stone corral built in 1871 by a team of several men for the princely sum of approximately £7. The structure is comprised of approximately 55 yards of stone work and is located next to a running stream. Ceritos is a well protected corral incorporating the nearby rocky hillside. It was used to sort the fattest and best cattle from the resident herd, these animals would then be sent to Stanley for consumption by townsfolk.
Allow a whole day for an expedition to Usborne. Visitors should wear walking boots, wind/waterproof clothing and headgear as the terrain is rough underfoot and the weather highly changeable. Water and snacks are essential. Maps and a GPS for route-finding are strongly recommended; mists can descend very quickly and finding the exact location of a vehicle can be challenging even in the best of weather.
Suggested route: Walk or drive to Ceritos corral. From here, walking is recommended, follow the fence line up the slope until you reach the Phantom crash site – a British fighter jet that came to grief on the slope during a routine flight in October 1983. Continue along the saddle past three rock tarns towards the summit cairn, enjoying the expansive views over Cape Dolphin and Berkeley Sound (the points of Point Stephens, North Arm and Port Howard Mountains are also visible on clear days). To see Black Tarn, head approximately 600 metres to the north of the summit cairn.
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