Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Ross Sea Antarctica

Expedition Updates

Ross Sea Region

22 January 2025

Reflecting on Shackleton’s legacy at Cape Royds.

Inspiring Explorer Calum Turner inside Shackleton’s ‘Nimrod’ hut at Cape Royds. © AHT/Anna Clare

Our Inspiring Explorers™ visited Shackleton’s ‘Nimrod’ hut at Cape Royds today, perched on the western shore of Ross Island with Mount Erebus looming above.

Built for Shackleton’s British Antarctic Expedition of 1907-1909, this was the base for remarkable achievements including the first ascent of Mount Erebus and reaching a point just 156km from the South Pole – the furthest south anyone had travelled at that time.

The Trust spent six years conserving more than 6,100 artefacts at this site. During this work, conservators made an extraordinary discovery in 2010 – five crates of whisky and brandy beneath the hut, untouched for over a century.

Visiting Shackleton’s ‘Nimrod’ hut has left a life-long impact on our Inspiring Explorers™ team.

“As I stepped through the door I got a nostalgic vibe, like they are still here, not visibly, but you can feel them.”

Kitiona ‘Billy’ Pelasio, aged 17.

“I felt a lot of wairua in Te Reo Māori, in English that is spirit. The spirit of the ancestors who came before us. Shackleton showed bravery to go on such a journey.”

Ngawai Clendon, aged 21.

“At Cape Adare I felt the isolation and vulnerability, at Cape Evans I felt the loss, and at Cape Royds I felt a real sense of comfort and comradery and happiness.”

Lucy Hayes-Stevenson, aged 33.

Inspiring Explorers™ team outside Shackleton’s ‘Nimrod’ hut at Cape Royds. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorers™ team at Cape Royds. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorers™ team visit Shackleton’s ‘Nimrod’ hut at Cape Royds. © AHT/Anna Clare

Al Fastier speaking to the team inside Shackleton’s ‘Nimrod’ hut at Cape Royds. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorer Maia Ingoe at Cape Royds. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorer Kitiona (Billy) Pelasio outside Shackleton’s ‘Nimrod’ hut at Cape Royds. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorers Jake Bailey, Ngawai Clendon, Louise Piggin and Daniel Bornstein. © AHT/Anna Clare

Thanks to our Inspiring Explorers™ Fund donors including Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Partner Heritage Expeditions, and supporter Cheshire Architects for making this journey possible.

Ross Sea Region

21 January 2025

Midnight visit to Scott’s Historic ‘Terra Nova’ Hut, Cape Evans.

Inspiring Explorers™ at Scott’s ‘Terra Nova’ hut, Cape Evans. © AHT/Anna Clare

Our Inspiring Explorers™ visited Cape Evans yesterday, with the team taking advantage of the midnight sun for an evening visit to Scott’s ‘Terra Nova’ hut– the largest historic structure in Antarctica’s Ross Sea region.

Stepping inside was an emotional experience as the team absorbed the significance of this site, began to understand what life would have been like for Antarctica’s early explorers, and, guided by Al Fastier, witnessed first-hand the Trust’s years of work to conserve and safeguard the hut for future generations. Returning to the ship at 11:30pm, the team were in equal parts excited and reflective after this incredible experience.

Built in 1911, this shelter became the heart of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s British Antarctic Expedition 1910–1913 and his second attempt to reach the South Pole.

The Trust’s conservation work here has been extraordinary in scale. Between 2007 and 2014, fifty-three specialists from twelve countries worked to preserve the hut and its collection of over 11,500 artefacts. Today, visitors can experience the hut exactly as it was left – a powerful time capsule of Antarctic exploration.

Kitiona (Billy) Pelasio at Windvane Hill, Cape Evans. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorers™ team at Windvane Hill, above Scott’s ‘Terra Nova’ hut, Cape Evans. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorers™ inside Scott’s ‘Terra Nova’ hut, Cape Evans. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inside Scott’s ‘Terra Nova’ hut, Cape Evans. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorer™ Kitiona (Billy) Pelasio in the cold porch at Scott’s ‘Terra Nova’ hut, Cape Evans. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorer™ Ngawai Clendon at Scott’s ‘Terra Nova’ hut, Cape Evans. © AHT/Anna Clare

Ross Sea Region

19 January 2025

Exploring Terra Nova Bay.

Our Inspiring Explorers™ team had an incredible day today in Terra Nova Bay, home to Italy’s Mario Zucchelli Station. This seasonal research station operates from mid-October to mid-March each year, providing crucial support for scientific research in Antarctica, including logistical support for remote field work and research activities in its laboratories. The bay also offers views of South Korea’s Jang Bogo Station, the occasionally used German base Gondwana Station, and China’s Qinling Station on Inexpressible Island.

In the morning, the team visited Gondwana Station, where they hiked up the hill behind the station for an incredible view across the bay and towards Jang Bogo Station. For team members Kitiona and Ngawai, walking on snow for the very first time was an exciting experience!

Back on the ship, the team saw Italy’s Mario Zucchelli Station on their way to Inexpressible Island. However, katabatic winds blowing 45 knots prevented them from going ashore. Instead, they continued south past China’s Qinling Station and the Nansen Ice Sheet to the Drygalski Ice Tongue, which they viewed up close from zodiacs.

The team at Gondwana Station, Terra Nova Bay. © AHT/Anna Clare

Iceberg. © AHT/Anna Clare

Iceberg. © AHT/Anna Clare

The team visits Gondwana Station, Terra Nova Bay. © AHT/Anna Clare

Ross Sea Region

17 January 2025

First Steps on the Antarctic Continent: Exploring the Ross Sea and Cape Adare.

Yesterday was a momentous day for our Inspiring Explorers™ as they entered the Ross Sea and had their first sighting of the Antarctic continent.

This vast body of water, one of Earth’s most pristine marine environments, is home to diverse wildlife including penguins, seals, whales, and various fish species. It is also Antarctica’s most historic region, where the expedition bases of legendary explorers still stand.

Late in the day, the team made their first landing at Cape Adare under dynamic conditions, surrounded by fast-moving sea ice and icebergs.

Cape Adare is home to Antarctica’s largest Adélie penguin rookery, where over a million penguins nest on the flat spit of land. Among this incredible wildlife spectacle stands Borchgrevink’s hut – the first building ever constructed in Antarctica. From here in 1899, 10 men proved humans could survive an Antarctic winter. The hut would later shelter Scott’s Northern Party during the ‘Terra Nova’ expedition of 1910-1913.

Led by Al Fastier, the Inspiring Explorers™ explored Borchgrevink’s hut and learned about its significance. Inside the hut, the team reflected on what it would have been like to endure winter in this small crowded space.

The Trust is working to conserve this historically significant site, which has endured over a century of the harshest conditions on Earth, including gale-force winds and extreme temperatures. Over the next eleven days, the team will continue their journey through the Ross Sea, with their route shaped by weather and ice conditions. With the expertise of Heritage Expeditions, they will take advantage of every opportunity to make landings or explore by Zodiac.

The Inspiring Explorers™ celebrate their arrival to Antarctica © AHT/Anna Clare

Louise and Lucy inside Borchgrevink's hut © AHT/Anna Clare

Louise and Lucy © AHT/Anna Clare

At Sea

16 January 2025

First iceberg, blue whales, and Cape Adare awaits.

First sighting of an iceberg. © AHT/Mike Barber

Last night the team saw their first iceberg and woke up today surrounded by ice 🧊

During the passage today the team couldn’t believe their eyes as blue whales surfaced on both sides of the ship. The first stop once the team reaches Antarctica will be Cape Adare, so tonight the team will be learning more about this historic site from Al Fastier.

Kitiona ‘Billy’ Pelasio. © AHT/Anna Clare

At Sea

15 January 2025

Crossing the Antarctic circle.

There have been lots of exciting moments for our team during our passage to Antarctica. So far we have seen bottle nose dolphins, long fin pilot whales, orca, and humpback whales, however, the highlight for today was crossing the Antarctic circle at latitude 66°30′ South. The team were given the ‘mark of the penguin’ 🐧 to recognise this milestone!

Inspiring Explorers Louise Piggin and Jake Bailey after receiving the 'mark of the penguin' for crossing the Antarctic circle. © AHT/Anna Clare

The Ross Sea Expedition team and Trust staff celebrating crossing the Antarctic circle. © AHT/Anna Clare

At Sea

14 January 2025

En route to the Ross Sea.

On the second day of our passage to Antarctica the team were excited to be issued with their Antarctic jackets, ready for exploring Antarctica. We are hoping to spot our first iceberg tomorrow!

The Ross Sea expedition team trying on their Antarctic jackets aboard 'Heritage Adventurer'. From left: Inspiring Explorers Daniel Bornstein, Lucy Hayes-Stevenson, Maia Ingoe, Calum Turner, Jake Bailey, Louise Piggin, Ngawai Clendon, (in front) Kitiona “Billy” Pelasio. © AHT/Anna Clare

Macquarie Island,
Subantarctic Island

12 January 2025

Penguin colonies and subantarctic weather.

L-R Inspiring Explorers Daniel Bornstein, Jake Bailey, Ngawai Clendon (in front), Louise Piggin, Calum Turner, Kitiona “Billy” Pelasio and Maia Ingoe on Macquarie Island. © AHT/Anna Clare

Today our Inspiring Explorers™ landed twice on Macquarie Island, visiting the Isthmus in the morning and Sandy Bay in the afternoon.

The team were blown away by their visit both literally and figuratively as they went ashore in zodiacs with 30knots of wind blowing, getting a true taste of subantarctic weather. Ashore they saw a vast Royal penguin colony, beaches lined with Elephant Seals and a noisy King Penguin colony. Maia and Calum also recorded content for the team’s podcast project.

Tomorrow they continue their journey towards Antarctica.

Inspiring Explorer Ngawai Clendon in front of seals on Macquarie Island. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorers™ Programme Manager Mike Barber and Inspiring Explorer Lucy Hayes-Stevenson on Macquarie Island. © AHT/Anna Clare

Royal penguin colony on Macquarie Island. © AHT/Anna Clare

Inspiring Explorers Maia Ingoe and Calum Turner recording audio for their podcast outreach project on Macquarie Island. © AHT/Anna Clare

At Sea

11 January 2025

The journey south continues.

Inspiring Explorer Lucy Hayes-Stevenson on the 'Heritage Adventurer' with calm seas ahead. © AHT/Anna Clare

The Inspiring Explorers™ were fortunate to have calm seas for their journey today. The team had a briefing on bio security requirements and spent time cleaning all their gear and having it inspected in preparation for landing at Macquarie Island tomorrow.

The Snares,
New Zealand subantarctic islands

10 January 2025

Cruising the coastline.

Inspiring Explorers and Trust staff aboard a zodiac. © AHT/Anna Clare

Our Inspiring Explorers™ reached The Snares today – the closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand – taking advantage of calm seas to explore the coastline in Zodiacs.

The team encountered an abundance of fur seals and Snares Crested Penguins while cruising along the sheltered eastern side of the main island. Landings aren’t permitted on these pristine Nature Reserves, which are claimed to be home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles combined.

Next stop: Macquarie Island!

Inspiring Explorers Louise Piggin and Ngawai Clendon spotting wildlife from a zodiac. © AHT/Anna Clare

Ulva Island &
Stewart Island,
New Zealand

9 January 2025

First stop on the journey south.

Expedition team members on Ulva Island, from left: Inspiring Explorer Jake Bailey, Trust Communications and Engagement Manager Anna Clare, Inspiring Explorers Lucy Hayes-Stevenson, Maia Ingoe, Calum Turner, Louise Piggin, Daniel Bornstein. © AHT

Our Inspiring Explorers™ began their journey south with a visit to Te Wharawhara Ulva Island – one of New Zealand’s few pest-free open sanctuaries. The team explored the island’s tracks, immersing themselves in its unspoiled rainforest while experiencing the vibrant sounds of native birds.

They had the unique opportunity to meet a predator detection team and learn about their vital work keeping the island predator-free, which has allowed threatened native species to flourish here since 1997. The afternoon saw them walking from Kaipipi to Oban on Rakiura Stewart Island.

Next stop: The Subantarctic Islands!

Bluff,
New Zealand

8 January 2025

Boarding Heritage Adventurer.

Inspiring Explorers aboard the 'Heritage Adventurer'

From left: (back) Inspiring Explorers Ngawai Clendon, Maia Ingoe, Lucy Hayes-Stevenson, Calum Turner, Louise Piggin, Jake Bailey, (front) Kitiona (Billy) Pelasio, Daniel Bornstein. © AHT/Anna Clare

Today our Inspiring Explorers™ boarded the Heritage Adventurer at the Port of Bluff, marking the beginning of their journey to Antarctica’s Ross Sea region!

The ‘Grande Dame of Expedition Cruising’ as she’s known, Heritage Adventurer was purpose-built for polar exploration. With the highest passenger ship ice-class rating (1A Super), she has an impressive history of polar navigation including traversing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages.

Our team’s first stop will be Stewart Island/Rakiura, New Zealand’s third largest island, and Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara – one of the few pest-free open sanctuaries in New Zealand. Never milled and pest-free since 1997, Ulva Island’s unspoiled rainforest provides a safe haven for threatened native species including kiwi, saddleback and yellowhead. During this time, the team will also participate in briefings and presentations from Heritage Expeditions staff to prepare them for the incredible experiences that lie ahead.

Queenstown,
New Zealand

7 January 2025

Inspiring Explorers™ assemble.

Inspiring Explorers gather in Queenstown

From left: (back) Inspiring Explorers Kitiona (Billy) Pelasio, Calum Turner, Jake Bailey, Louise Piggin, Lucy Hayes-Stevenson, Daniel Borstein, (front) Ngawai Clendon, Maia Ingoe. © AHT/Anna Clare

“A time-warp without parallel. You walk into Scott’s hut and you are transported to the year 1912 in a way that is quite impossible anywhere else in the world.” – Sir David Attenborough

Our Inspiring Explorers™ have gathered in New Zealand’s world-famous alpine resort town of Queenstown! Tonight they’ll meet their fellow passengers and some of the Heritage Expeditions team.

Tomorrow marks the start of their voyage through the Subantarctic Islands to Antarctica’s Ross Sea region and some of the most historically significant sites linked to the legacy of Antarctic exploration.

From the first buildings ever constructed in Antarctica to the birthplace of New Zealand’s Antarctic programme, the historic expedition bases of legendary explorers Scott, Shackleton, Borchgrevink, and Hillary represent humanity’s endeavor to understand Earth’s most challenging environment.

For over 20 years, the Trust has been conserving these sites through the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project – the largest cold-climate heritage conservation project ever undertaken. Our Inspiring Explorers™ will learn about this world-leading conservation initiative directly from Al Fastier, our former Programme Manager who spent 18 years leading these efforts.

The team will depart Queenstown for the Port of Bluff to embark the ‘Heritage Adventurer’, where they’ll familiarise themselves with the ship and take part in important safety briefings.

For many of our young explorers, this will be their first time experiencing the Southern Ocean and visiting Antarctica. The mix of excitement and nerves is palpable as they prepare to follow in the footsteps of legendary Antarctic explorers!

The Antarctic Heritage Trust Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ team who will be heading to Antarctica. L-R: Jake Bailey, Calum Turner, Lucy Hayes-Stevenson, Louise Piggin, Kitiona (Billy) Pelasio, Daniel Borstein, Maia Ingoe, Ngawai Clendon.

Expedition Dates

7 January – 4 February 2025

The Trust is excited to announce the eight young explorers who will walk in the footsteps of Scott and Shackleton and experience the Antarctic landscapes that challenged and inspired them.

The group, aged 16-35 from New Zealand and Australia, will join the tenth Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ which will travel to the Ross Sea region with Expedition Partner Heritage Expeditions, into the beating heart of Antarctic exploration and the focus of the Trust’s conservation efforts.

Read the team bios read the full announcement

Starting the great south journey, Shackleton, Scott and Wilson, 2 November 1902. R W Skelton photograph. © Canterbury Museum

Thanks to our donors we taking a team of Inspiring Explorers™ aged 16-35 on Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Ross Sea Antarctica, tracing the paths of legendary Antarctic explorers to mark the tenth anniversary of the Inspiring Explorers™ programme.

This exciting journey with Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Partner Heritage Expeditions will immerse our Inspiring Explorers™ in the history of legendary Antarctic explorers like Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Carsten Borchgrevink, and Sir Edmund Hillary. As guardians of their iconic expedition bases, the Trust is thrilled to bring Inspiring Explorers™ to the historic huts for the first time, bridging past and present, while passing along our expert knowledge of conserving Antarctica’s rich cultural heritage to the next generation.