The Explorer April 2025

This edition of The Explorer celebrates a landmark moment in the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s journey – 10 years of the Inspiring Explorers™ programme – reflecting on the latest expedition to the Ross Sea. Eight Inspiring Explorers™ visited all four heroic era huts under the Trust’s care, guided by conservation expert, Al Fastier, whose 18 years of leadership were recently honoured with the New Zealand Antarctic Medal.

The expedition included the return of a historic, soot-stained copy of “The Count of Monte-Cristo” to Scott’s Discovery Hut. This mission underscored the Trust’s ongoing commitment to preserving Antarctica’s tangible links to its early explorers.

Our 2024-25 summer conservation season saw teams working in three areas of Antarctica: Cape Adare, the site of Borchgrevink’s 1899 expedition base and Scott’s Northern Party hut; Ross Island, at the explorer bases of Scott, Shackleton and Hillary; and the Antarctic Peninsula with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust.

Innovation continues with a joint NZ–UK virtual reality tour, giving UK audiences immersive access to Scott’s Discovery Hut and UKAHT’s Stonington Island base, blending heritage with cutting-edge tech to inspire future generations.

This edition also highlights the short film Across the Atlantic, documenting the Trust’s South Georgia Expedition, and introduces new team members and alumni achievements. From hut conservation to global engagement, the Trust remains a steward of Antarctic legacy and inspiration.