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Robert Swan

@robertcswan

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🎿 1st Person to Ski to North & South Poles
On a lifelong mission to protect the Antarctic. 🇦🇶
Join me in Antarctica. 2026
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It is hard to believe. But on this day 40 years ago Roger Mear, Gareth Wood and I reached the South Pole on foot after crossing 900 miles of ice over 70 days. It took years to fundraise the money for the ship, base and supplies for at least 3 years in the Antarctic, Roger pioneered methods and designs still used in polar travel today. Gareth’s precision allowed us to overwinter successfully and an entire crew on Southern Quest lived aboard her for years facilitating the expedition. On a walk meticulously planned by Roger Mear we were the most remote people in planet earth. With no radios or communications, there was no way for anyone to know where we were, and no way for us to call for help. The directive was clear. Make it to the pole or no one will ever see us again.

I recently found out from David Iggulden, the First Mate, that the ship was actually still afloat when we reached the South Pole, but by the time we’d taken off our gear and said Hello, we were told the news she had been lost.

Every crew member was safe and acted with the utmost focus and diligence to survive a shocking end to our expedition. The ship sinking put is into a world of messy politics and we renamed our beautiful Southern Quest to “Sunken Pest”. Somewhere on the sea floor still lie our passports. £10,000 cash, an heirloom typewriter and Sarah and Andrew’s new wedding rings.

Just like Scott’s fateful journey to the South Pole in 1911. We were hit with a particularly bad weather year. It was a record breaker for sea-ice and even the USA’s icebreakers were stuck.

I hope to reunite with more of the team and crew soon as we celebrate an incredible adventure and the bravery and resourcefulness of everyone that got us to Antarctic, to the pole and safely home again. Not forgetting Gareth’s heroic sacrifice to spend another year in the Antarctic, in order to preserve our base and supplies over another brutal winter as we no longer had a ship to decamp into.
#polarhistory #antarctica #southpole #exploration taken in South Pole, Antarctica by @robertcswan

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600 miles from the South Geographic Pole, we set up our icestation tent, powered by solar, connected to Starlink, for the first time ever we were able to broadcast to schools, businesses and communities around the world, LIVE from Antarctica. I was joined by amazing people from all walks of life with their own passions and ambitions, all united by a care for preserving Antarctica and our planet. The mission continues, but it is moments like this that inspire me and bring me hope, our future is in good hands if people like this are able to rise up and inspire others. This is just the beginning. #antarctica #team #inspire taken in Antarctica by @robertcswan

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10 months ago

Happy Antarctica Day. I’m here to remind you of this incredible place and make sure that we continue to preserve it and leave one place alone on Earth forever. I think that is a good idea. I hope you do too. #antarctica #antarcticaday #wilderness taken in Antarctica by @robertcswan

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a year ago

Well here we are back in the Antarctic. Preparing for ICESTATION 2025. In which we’ll be live broadcasting our message on protecting Antarctica to over 500,000 children. I am always fortunate to visit this amazing place and continue to strive for a future in which we ensure it remains the last great wilderness left on earth. A continent preserved for science and peace. Join the call with @2041schools and @picturenewsprimary
#antarctica #conservation #climate
Photo by @oliwheeldon by @robertcswan

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There are limited spaces remaining for our once-in-a-lifetime live broadcast to schools from Antarctica! ❄️

👉 Comment COLD to get the link to secure your free place.

Make sure your school is part of this historic event!

@oddizzi_geography @2041schools @robertcswan ❄️ by @robertcswan

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❄️ Protecting the World’s Last Great Wilderness — The Ice Station Expedition 🏔️

A journey deep into the heart of Antarctica — the last great wilderness on Earth.

This December, Mercuria joins fellow sponsors Silvania and The Villars Institute in supporting legendary polar explorer Robert Swan and his 2041 Foundation on the Ice Station Expedition, where he will be accompanied by Villars Fellows and a teacher from the Villars Learning Partners network.

In 2041, the treaty that has safeguarded Antarctica for over sixty years will be up for review. The choices made will determine whether it remains untouched — a land for science and peace — or is opened to exploitation.

From an ice station 600 nautical miles from the South Pole, young leaders, engineers, and scientists will:
⚡ Demonstrate that exploration and research in Antarctica can be powered in ways that avoid exploitation — protecting this last great wilderness for future generations.
🔬 Contribute to scientific research that deepens our understanding of Earth’s climate systems.
🌎 Connect live to schools and universities worldwide, inspiring the next generation.

They will also be showcasing transformative companies and innovations that could make possible a better future — the solutions are here, the potential is real, and now it’s time to act.

This mission is about collaboration, innovation, and inspiring action to protect Antarctica beyond 2041.

#LastGreatWilderness #IceStationExpedition #Antarctica #2041Beyond #EnergyTransition #Innovation #ExplorationWithPurpose by @robertcswan

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40 years ago we departed for the South Pole, attempting what would be the longest unassisted march in human history. That meant no food drops along the way, no gps, satellite phones or even radios. We would be the most remote people on the planet. With no way to call for help.

70 days later we’d arrive at the pole, a singular point on an ice sheet bigger than the US. In a land where compasses don’t work. Roger and Gareth mastered navigating our course using the sun and a watch plotting our route on an empty chart like sailors in an open ocean.

We made it because of the 100s of people and years of preparation and fundraising. We survived impossible odds because we simply had to. Which echoes how I feel about our world today.

Since then, I have dedicated my life to the preservation of Antarctica as a keystone of our climate. It has been a long mission and there is still a long way to go. I believe the next great exploration to happen on Earth is figuring out how we survive on this changing planet.
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#antarctica #southpole #expedition

Photos by Roger Mear and Gareth Wood by @robertcswan

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a year ago

I am honoured to have taken thousands of wildly different people to Antarctica, to unite over the same singular thought: Our home needs protecting.

Antarctica belongs to all of us. It stands as a symbol of international cooperation and peace, the one place we have left alone.

Over the past 34 years, I have taken students, teachers, community and business leaders to Antarctica; some representing their nation for the first time, to fall in love with it. To connect with it, and keep it in their minds and future decisions when they return. To enact measurable impactful change. To protect the last great wilderness on Earth.

With globally renowned speakers and industry leaders on board, our journey south is a field course in change making. Learn from policy-makers, climate change advisors and leadership mentors. Meet with other incredible people from across the globe, participate in think-tank conversations, experience Antarctica first-hand. Return as an ambassador for the Antarctic.

We travel as consciously as possible, using the latest ships with quieter hybrid engines, reducing waste and working with climateforce.360 to be carbon positive at the end of our expedition.

Follow the link in my bio to learn more and APPLY.

#antarctica #travel #adventure #onceinalifetime by @robertcswan

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Applications are now open. In 2026 I will be bringing a new contingent to Antarctica to experience the majesty and scale of the last great wilderness on Earth. A place I have dedicate my life to protecting. Our 2022 expedition created a new wave of ambassadors for this special place and it’s time for the next expedition. I am looking for people who want to make change, people who take initiative and take action to create real solutions to the problems of today.
I will NOT be replying to DMs or comments on how to apply. You can find more information on my website - link in bio.
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#antarctica #travel #adventure #wilderness #sustainability taken in Antarctica by @robertcswan

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a year ago

Antarctica. The last great wilderness on earth. We must protect it. #2041 #antarctica taken in Antarctica by @robertcswan

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We’ve added 50 more tickets for Shackleton Live with @robertcswan.

Polar legend, Rob is the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles and is the founder of the @2041Foundation. Here he will talk about about his mission to educate people all over the world on the vital role that Antarctica plays in our planet’s climate and ecosystems.

As an Ernest Shackleton devotee, Rob will explain how leadership lessons from the Boss have helped him build the stamina and determination to continue his lifelong mission. He will be joined by @jenny.cooke, previous nominee for the Shackleton Medal who will introduce the work of the @2041schools.

📅 17th October, 2024
⏰ 7:00pm
📍 Shackleton 214 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7BX

Tickets at the link in the @shackletonofficial bio.

#Shackleton #LiveCourageously Robert Swan, polar legend looking into the camera whilst in Antarctica wearing a warm hat and goggles. taken in Antarctica, Antarctic Circle by @robertcswan

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