The purpose of this page is to explore some of the great achievements of some of the notable explorers both contemporary and historical. Unfortunately we have not been able to compile everyone whom is deserving of mention, it is at least a starting point for further research.
THE EXPLORERS INTRODUCTION
Motives
It would be easy to sit back and think that there is nothing left that is worthwhile to do, the world has been completely mapped and explored and why not just move forward in a different direction?After all the great iconic geographical locations have been brought down to mere tourist attractions, Everest is a garbage strewn, littered congested and perhaps disrespected place these days, The Oceans are crossed and recrossed by all types of personal craft, from sailing boats, to rowing boats, powerboats and anything that can be made to float.
The poles are regularly assaulted by group expeditions and even courageous solo efforts, all the worlds major rock climbs and ice routes are done and re done.
Where is the inspiration? Or so it would seem.
There is no doubt that being the first person or a group to conjure up the idea and then be part of the expedition that carries out the actual Voyage or journey, is perhaps one of the greatest undertakings that we can conceive of.
It would be a good idea though to reflect on the actual motives for leaving the comfort of our homes for the risks, discomfort and rigours of exploration
The late Bill Tillman would say that the only thing required for an adventure was ¨to put on a pair of good boots and walk out the door, how very true.
Perhaps for this reason it is my opinion that exploration is nothing more complicated than a small child out walking in the woods behind his home, or wading through the local creek looking for the next pool, the motivation is the same.
We can sit today in front of a computer and explore using google earth, maps and social media sites, we can watch reality shows all day long, but we should realise that this is living life secondhand.
We have five or more senses, I remember well the first time approaching Cotopaxi in Ecuador, marching up the dusty track at night, walking in to acclimatise and just to save money. The night was clear and the sky was brilliant with stars, the sound of the wind through the pines, The cold of the night, the crisp outline of the conic glacier capped mountain ahead of us. White mixed with blacks and greys, shining in the clear cold of five thousand and more meters. The scene seemed gigantic in real life, nothing like the photos of the mountain I had seen which seemed inadequate in their depiction, everything was so luminous and crystal and it seemed of another world, my senses were saturated, at the same time it was all so simple, I have rarely been so happy.
The worlds maps are full of blank spaces – even to this day, the Eastern Andes for example have in many places no topographical mapping, the worlds oceans are still an unknown beneath the surface, many canyons are still awaiting their first full descents.
Assembled in this section are some of the accomplished explorers whom realised these simple facts and just strapped on good boots and walked out the door.
