The future of exploration

How is exploration evolving? Why does it matter today?

In a rapidly changing world, the need for on-the-ground geographical data collection to inform smart decision making is more necessary than ever. From gathering climate data in the Polar regions to working with local communities on environmental challenges, understanding geography helps us see the world differently and gives us the power to change it.

That's why the Society’s mission is more relevant than ever, and why it continues to fund expeditions and support innovative field research and purposeful journeys that expand our knowledge of people, places, environments alongside the global systems that shape them.

Join us for a special RGS Future of Exploration event at Kendal Mountain Festival to hear stories from the field and insights brought to life with leading explorers, who'll unpack what it means to explore today and leave you feeling inspired about the world we live in.

About the speakers

Our presenter will be Matt Pycroft, well known to the Kendal audience as founder of adventure filmmakers Coldhouse and a man who's been behind the lens in some very challenging locations. More than that, Matt hosts The Adventure Podcast, is Vice President: Membership of the RGS, and also hosts the RGS podcast The Future of Exploration which asks leading experts what it means to explore in a rapidly changing world.

Waldo Etherington is the man to go to if you want to access inaccessible places. A specialist in height safety with ropes, Waldo has always been inspired by the environment; his great uncle was a glaciologist, measuring glaciers and taking ice cores in the 1950s and one of the first scientists to discover the greenhouse effect

“My imagination was fired by stories of him surviving remote and inhospitable places, carrying out scientific research,” he says.

Always drawn to trees and forests, Waldo first managed to get on a project assisting research scientists on a conservation trip to Honduras, meeting tree climbers from Canopy Access Ltd, the world’s leading provider of tree canopy access for film companies and realised that this was what he wanted to do. The rest, as they say, is history and led to Waldo setting up his own company – and then meeting Leo Houlding, but that’s another story…

Lucy Shepherd is at the forefront of modern exploration, with expeditions spanning tropical rainforests, remote mountain ranges and polar environments. Her belief is simple: adventure is a mindset, not a moment. She gained international recognition with Channel 4’s Secret Amazon: Into the Wild and her new series Secret Africa: Into the Wild, out this year which documents epic journeys alongside indigenous teams.

Intimate, immersive and deeply human, Lucy’s stories explore resilience, friendship and the idea that life is to be lived - whilst highlighting why the protection of our planet’s wild places matters now more than ever. She hopes to inspire more curiosity and courage in all of us.

Niall McCann is (according to his Instagram profile) an 'Explorer, biologist, broadcaster, Mountain Rescuer and CEO”. Which is quite a CV. He’s an award-winning wildlife TV presenter who has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, skied across Greenland, cycled over the Himalayas, and been on multiple climbing and mountaineering trips around the world.

He is a Fellow and former Trustee of the Royal Geographical Society, an ambassador and trustee to many further organisations, is involved in direct-action conservation protecting some of the most threatened national parks in Africa, and an active member of the Brecon Mountain Rescue team.

Overarching this, Niall says, “I have a particular interest in humankind’s relationship with nature”.

Booking information

• Advance booking for this event is required.
• Tickets for this event can be purchased as part of Kendal Mountain Festival tickets.
• For further information about tickets for this event please visit Kendal Mountain Festival's website. 

Accessibility at our events

We want everyone to feel welcome at our events. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, feel free to get in touch with us on access@rgs.org