Meet the explorer

11 Mar 2016

From being one of the first Australians to reach Mount Everest to spending three months in remote Russia, explorer and mountaineer Howard Whelan has led a fascinating career.

As a kid, Howard Whelan spent his childhood in the Rocky Mountains, discovering the beauty of the outdoors and when he was 19 years old, he and his mates embarked upon a 4000-kilometre walk from Canada to Mexico (which is now known as the Pacific Crest Trail). It took them five months to complete.

Fast forward to 1984 and he was one of the first Aussies to reach Mt Everest.

“I’ve always had that love of adventure and a great curiosity to see what’s around the corner,” says Howard, who now leads tour groups across the Antarctic coastline and the sub-Antarctic islands. In fact, Howard has just clocked his 60th expedition he’s led in the region.

“It’s probably the most powerful place that I’ve visited. Aside from the spectacular scenery, what makes it unique is the wildlife isn’t afraid of humans. It’s like you’re going into another world,” he says.

“If you sit quietly, you could have penguins walk over the top of you. When we’re in the Zodiac, we’ve had leopard seals and whales around us in the water. You have this great sense of animals and humans all being on the same page. It’s really lovely.”

Over the past couple of decades, Howard has observed how Antarctica has changed and the environmental impact that global warming has had on the region. These include the disappearance of ice shelves and recession of glaciers, as well as the changing climate. Explorers are now much more aware of bio-security too, in an effort to protect the environment.

If you’re thinking of going to Antarctica, Howard suggests taking the time to prepare beforehand. While you don’t have to be as fit as an athlete, it helps to do lots of walks leading up to the trip. While there are options for those who are less physically mobile, the fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have, explains Howard.

One of the highlights of Howard’s time in Antarctica was watching a romantic interlude between leopard seals in the water.

“We saw leopard seals slide over the edge of an iceberg into a big pool of water and do a courtship display,” he fondly recalls.

“They were swimming over and under each other while they were singing. We were just mesmerised. It was one of the most romantic and beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”

For more information on the expeditions to Antarctica that Howard leads, visit: auroraexpeditions.com.au