Young change-makers channel the spirit of polar exploration

A team of six young New Zealanders have completed a gruelling 50-kilometre journey on skis through the Harris Mountains between Treble Cone and Coronet Peak.

The latest Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ was led by Antarctic Heritage Trust Director, Nigel Watson, and took five days to complete.

“It was amazing to see our Inspiring Explorers step out of their comfort zones, overcome challenges and work as a team – all things the early Antarctic explorers had to do,” says Nigel Watson.

The alpine route boasted terrain with lots of vertical, that tested the Inspiring Explorers™.

“The group had resilience and grit, truly embodying the spirit of exploration,” says Nigel Watson.

“We’ve had to delay this traverse a few times due to snow conditions and the COVID-19 outbreak so the team have really been holding out to get their skis on the ground and make this happen. The anticipation was potent translating into utter excitement throughout the journey.”

The Trust’s Inspiring Explorers Expeditions™ create opportunities for young change-makers of tomorrow to connect with and be inspired by the qualities of Antarctic explorers such as Shackleton and Hillary.

The team was made up of young people aged 18-30 from across New Zealand, including two high school students from Wakatipu High School.

Year 13 student Zoe Crawford said, “The biggest challenge I faced was on the steeper terrain, where I wasn’t super comfortable, but I knew I was safe, we had good equipment, and experienced guides, and that really helped me through that. To push outside my comfort zone is definitely scary but I’m super proud of myself for overcoming any fears I had.”

For Emily Wilson, a seasoned explorer and diabetes awareness champion, exploration is important because it’s about facing the unknown. “It’s about building resilience and confidence in yourself to face things you might not expect. It helps us grow as people and be better versions of ourselves.”

“I love being an Antarctic Heritage Trust ambassador. I feel like you can inspire others through actions, it’s all about the small things and embodying the change you want to see. I feel excited about the future and being able to get out and inspire young people to explore more.”

Fellow Inspiring Explorer Isaac Giesen was the first Kiwi to row across the Atlantic Ocean solo, taking 70 days in total while raising funds for depression and mental health along the way. He was also the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to row across two oceans in one year.

“I’ve lost a number of friends to suicide, they didn’t want to live, so for me, exploration is just being a part of it and going out and living life,” says Isaac Giesen.

Travelling with the team was the brains behind the Mahu Whenua Traverse, Erik Bradshaw, Founder of the Mountain Turk Club.

The trek featured ‘Turk’ accommodation – 26,000-litre water tanks converted into huts created by Erik. Erik helped the Antarctic Heritage Trust pioneer Turk huts in Antarctica, at its field camp established to support the conservation of Borchgrevink’s huts at remote Cape Adare.

“The Mahu Whenua Traverse is a world-class alpine route through Coronet Peak Station and Public Conservation Land. It is serviced by five Turk huts which are all positioned on Coronet Peak Station, meaning adventurers are never too far from safe shelter should weather conditions deteriorate,” says Erik Bradshaw.

ENDS

For more information, interviews and media requests please contact:

Liv Kerr

liv@greatpr.co.nz

0278113940