Wanted: Young Explorers to Join Antarctic Expedition
Young Kiwi and Australian explorers are being invited to take part in an expedition to one of the most remote places on Earth.
The Antarctic Heritage Trust, in partnership with Heritage Expeditions, is launching its tenth Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ with an open invitation to 18–35-year-olds with a desire to step outside of their comfort zone and an interest in Antarctic history to join a voyage destined for Antarctica’s Ross Sea Region.
The area is home to iconic expedition bases of legendary Antarctic explorers like Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Carsten Borchgrevink, and Sir Edmund Hillary.
Antarctic Heritage Trust launched the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project in 2002 – it is the world’s largest cold-climate heritage conservation project. The Trust conserves these significant heritage sites on behalf of the world.
“This is the first time we’ve taken a group of young explorers to visit the historic huts, and it’s a great way to celebrate ten years of our Inspiring Explorers™ programme,” says Antarctic Heritage Trust Executive Director Francesca Eathorne.
Stepping inside the huts, the Inspiring Explorers will connect intimately with the legacy of Antarctica’s early explorers, not just through stories, but by experiencing the very landscapes that challenged and inspired them, says Eathorne. They will also learn what it takes to conserve Antarctica’s cultural heritage directly from both the Trust’s and Heritage Expeditions’ expert teams.
Joining the expedition is Al Fastier, Heritage Expeditions Guide and former Project Manager of the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project.
“Al has 18 years of experience in extreme conservation leading our project and has spent over 2000 days in Antarctica. He’s an expert when it comes to conserving Antarctica’s rich cultural heritage and has so much knowledge to share with the next generation,” says Eathorne.
As part of their outreach projects the group will create a podcast series about the expedition and the Trust’s work to safeguard Antarctica’s important cultural heritage.
Applicants can apply for roles to support a podcast and heritage conservation outreach that is planned as well as general positions.
“We’re looking for applicants with a range of skills and expertise, including interviewing, presenting, audio recording, and knowledge of heritage conservation. But really, what matters the most is you have a desire to step outside your comfort zone and develop an explorer mindset as you join an incredible team of people on this expedition,” says Eathorne.
The ship-based expedition will take place over four weeks, with the explorers departing New Zealand on January 7th, 2025, thanks to Heritage Expeditions.
“Heritage Expeditions is proud to extend our support to our friends at Antarctic Heritage Trust as their new Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Partner. As New Zealand’s only family-owned and operated pioneering expedition cruise company, and the most experienced Ross Sea and Subantarctic operator, we are looking forward to sharing this incredibly special, remote part of the world with the lucky young Inspiring Explorers™.
“We can’t wait to welcome the Ross Sea’s next generation of custodians and ambassadors on board for an unforgettable voyage of a lifetime into the ‘heart of Antarctica’,” says Aaron Russ, Commercial Director and Expedition Leader.
Applicants are encouraged to apply online at inspiringexplorers.co.nz.
Applications close on 7 October 2024.
L-R: Inspiring Explorers Jaylee Savage, A’aifou Potemani, and Sadra Sultani visit Antarctica with Antarctic Heritage Trust in 2020.
© AHT/Marcus Waters. © AHT/Mike Dawson. © AHT/Marcus Waters.
