Seeking young Kiwi explorers to board the voyage of a lifetime
Antarctic Heritage Trust is searching for twenty-two young New Zealanders (18-30) who are keen to develop their explorer mindset to join the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to South Georgia Island.
Located in the remote South Atlantic Ocean, the island’s scenery and isolation are unrivalled with a reputation for the greatest density of wildlife on earth.
Featuring rugged mountainous terrain, glistening glaciers, and fjords, South Georgia Island is home to king penguins, fur seals, and 50 percent of the world’s southern elephant seals.
Antarctic Heritage Trust Acting Executive Director, Francesca Eathorne says this is a once-in-a-lifetime expedition.
“We’re looking for a diverse group of young people who are curious about the world and are keen to connect with the spirit of exploration. This is an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and explore an incredibly unique place in the world’s polar regions.
“It’s our ninth Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ and our largest expedition yet. This will be a life-changing experience for these young people as they develop their confidence and ability to step confidently into this changing world.”
The expedition is in honour of the centenary year of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s final expedition, The Quest, which journeyed to South Georgia and marked the end of the heroic era of Antarctic exploration. Shackleton died on The Quest expedition and was buried on South Georgia Island. The Trust cares for Shackleton’s only Antarctic expedition base.
The Inspiring Explorers team will sail to South Georgia Island on Antarctica21’s ship, the Magellan Explorer between 30 September – 14 October.
Special guests onboard include James Blake, accomplished explorer, photographer and the son of the late great New Zealand adventurer Sir Peter Blake.
James was part of the team who recently rediscovered Endurance – Shackleton’s ship which sunk in the Weddell Sea in Antarctica in 1915; and it was his images of the ship that circulated in the international media.
This will be James’ second visit to South Georgia Island, an experience he says is like no other.
James says, “I’m excited to be returning to South Georgia Island eight years on from when I joined the Trust’s first Inspiring Explorers Expedition™, which was retracing Shackleton’s footsteps a hundred years after he and his men first crossed the island.
“I can’t wait to share this special place and the incredible stories of polar exploration connected with South Georgia with our young Kiwi explorers.”
The expedition will feature a flexible 15-day itinerary that includes cruising in the inflatable Zodiac boats, visiting vast king penguin rookeries, seal-covered beaches, and the many important historic sites, such as where Shackleton was laid to rest.
As part of the expedition three young explorers will attempt to climb Mount Worsley during the expedition, a peak named for Shackleton’s captain and New Zealander Frank Worsley.
Programme partners include MetService and Royal Society Te Apārangi. Both organisations will provide help with science and research during the expedition as the team of explorers complete a number of outreach projects connecting with themes such as climate change, science, polar history and education. When they return home the Inspiring Explorers will share their stories within their communities.
Stephen Hunt, Chief Executive MetService says, “Antarctic Heritage Trust cares for the early polar explorer expedition bases in Antarctica, which include the first meteorological stations. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Trust on this expedition to inspire young people with their science-based outreach as they have the opportunity to explore this wild environment.
Applications open on 15 February and can be made via www.inspiringexplorers.co.nz. Applicants should be in good health with a reasonable standard of fitness.
Applications close on 19 March 2023.
ENDS
For more information contact
Clare Cummings
clare@greatpr.co.nz
+64 27 246 8544
