Interview with Simon Lucas

The whole trip we were buzzing about how incredible it was to be outside, away from modern day life, with no cell phone, reception or internet. We were completely focussed on what we were doing.

Simon Lucas
Zoologist and Filmmaker

Highlights
Reaching the summit of Mt Scott was definitely the highlight. It was pretty much a full white out when we started so we didn’t know if we would see the mountain or even get a viewpoint. It was an incredible feeling and huge relief when the clouds peeled back to reveal a perfectly blue sky with the sun shining on the mountains. I’ve spent the last three years showcasing my adventures and trying to get others excited about exploring the wilderness. This expedition has cemented the value of doing that.

One of the challenges I faced was…
Capturing the whole experience as the sole videographer was challenging, especially in an area that was heavily crevassed and required a lot of attention to tread safely. My feet found several crevasses, which brought home the reality of how quickly things can go wrong. Our guides were fantastic and steered us through these high consequences areas.

Advice I would give about exploring is…
Get outside! People don’t have to go to Antarctica to have an adventure. The whole trip we were buzzing about how incredible it was to be outside, away from modern day life, with no cell phone reception or internet. We were completely focused on what we were doing.

I admire the early polar explorers because…
When we went to Whalers Bay, we got to see all the old structures and get a glimpse of what it was like back in the day. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for the early polar explorers to navigate the constantly moving icebergs in their wooden boats. To traverse the terrain with no maps or any way of knowing what lay ahead must have been incredibly daunting. It was definitely humbling for me.

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