Welcome on board Antarctic Heritage Trust Inspiring Explorers™
Joining us on this Antarctic Expedition, is a remarkable group whose mission is deeply connected to Antarctica itself. We’re honoured to welcome the Antarctic Heritage Trust and their Inspiring Explorers team on board!
The Antarctic Heritage Trust care for the historic huts and polar legacies from the historic age of exploration in Antarctica. As part of their conservation efforts, they care for the explorer bases in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. To create ambassadors for the icy continent and history the Trust cares for the Inspiring Explorers™ Programme was founded.
The programme is designed to connect youth with the physical world and the spirit of exploration to educate, inspire and improve their lives. Once a year the programme take a team of young people selected from public applications on a polar based expedition. These have varied from skiing to the South Pole to returning a historic artefact to the huts we care for.
Our 11th expedition is in partnership with the Bark Europa, bringing a team of young people from 18 to 30 years old on board along with Trust staff and special guest, world record holding Australian yachtswoman Lisa Blair. The 11 person team will sail alongside other guests and learn all about tall ship life and hopefully give everyone else on board an insight into eh work that the Antarctic Heritage Trust do, and share some of our Kiwi and Pasifika culture with everyone else on board. Everyone is excited about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and making the most of the amazing opportunity that comes with sailing to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Our Inspiring Explorers™ have officially stepped aboard the 'Bark EUROPA', a historic three masted Dutch tall ship built in 1911, and the ship they will spend the next few weeks on!
After a final day exploring Ushuaia in Argentina, and picking up a few last pieces of equipment, including the essentials for time at sea, the team were welcomed on board. Their first night was spent settling into their bunks, unpacking, and taking part in initial safety briefing. Inspiring Explorer Libby, put her hand forward to demonstrate some of the safety gear.
The team depart the following morning, sailing through the Beagle Channel before continuing toward the Drake Passage. Conditions are looking lively, and the team are excited to experience what sailing in this part of the world is truly like as they learn from Bark EUROPA’s experienced crew and reflect on the legacy of the early explorers who travelled to Antarctica aboard tall ship's.
Thank you to our generous Inspiring Explorers™ Fund donors, expedition partner Spirit of Adventure Trust, sponsor Burnsco, and supporter Bark EUROPA.
