Inspiring Explorers – Antarctic Peninsula & Mt Scott – 2017

William Pike

William Pike is a well-known Kiwi, sought-after speaker and a role model to youth nationally and internationally. He is the director of the popular nationwide youth development programme called the William Pike Challenge Award. William spent many years developing his passion for exploration and the outdoors. In 2007 he was on Mt Ruapehu during a volcanic eruption and he was injured, which resulted in him losing his right leg below the knee. William has gone on to inspire others through the formation of the William Pike Challenge Award, which runs in more than 50 schools nationwide. By participating in the programme youth become more resilient, confident and connected with their community (williampike.co.nz).

William is very experienced in the outdoors and adventure space. He is passionate about sharing his love of exploration and is keen to inspire the next generation of young New Zealanders to explore and look after their world. He regularly delivers presentations as a keynote speaker in a variety of industries and has published an autobiography called ‘Every Day’s a Good Day’. He was a semi-finalist in the 2015 Young New Zealander of the Year Awards and is a qualified primary school teacher. Visit William’s website and learn more here.

Isobel Ewing

Isobel Ewing is a journalist working in the press gallery at Parliament for Newshub in Wellington. She has a graduate diploma of Journalism from Massey University and an Arts degree (Classics and Spanish) from the University of Canterbury. Isobel has been a Sir Peter Blake ‘Dream Team’ Leader and sailed to the Auckland Islands in early 2016 as a mentor to the Young Blake Expedition members. She is an avid tramper and skier, enjoys scuba diving and holds an advanced open water dive certificate. She is passionate about telling stories, particularly around conservation and the environment.

Simon Lucas

Simon Lucas has a Science degree (Zoology) and a Post-graduate diploma in Wildlife Management from the University of Otago. He was part of a team that made a 1500km canoe trip through the Canadian and Alaskan wilderness, which resulted in an award-winning documentary ‘Paddle for the North’. This short film won five international awards and was a part of three international film tours. Simon has skills in shooting film, editing and promotion, especially in the digital space. He is experienced in the alpine environment with hunting and hiking and is a qualified dive master. Simon has travelled extensively through Europe, North America and South America and recently returned from a trip to the Zambesi River in Africa on which he is making a documentary about the threats it faces.

Sylvie Admore

Sylvie Admore is an officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. She is passionate about tramping, climbing and mountaineering and has led trips in the Olivine and Adams wilderness areas. Sylvie has a Law and Arts degree from the University of Auckland and spent time in Germany and New Caledonia on international language exchange programmes as part of her studies. Sylvie is continually working to upskill in the area of technical alpine climbing and has completed a number of related courses with the New Zealand Alpine Club; these include an ice and mixed climbing clinic at the Remarkables Climbing Festival and a high alpine skills course in Mt Cook National Park. Since 2014 she has taught alpine skills courses for the Auckland University Tramping and Rock and Alpine clubs. She loves that this work has enabled her to upskill and inspire the next generation of mountaineers. Read Sylvie’s blog here.