4 Aug 2023

Young New Zealanders off to the South Atlantic

From Afternoons, 1:15 pm on 4 August 2023

The countdown is on for a group of young Kiwis selected to explore one of the most remote islands in the world.

At the end of September the team of 22 will fly from Patagonia to the Falkland Islands before setting sail on the high seas  ...three days later they'll make land on South Georgia, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean with a reputation for the greatest density of wildlife on earth.

While a half dozen crew make the first Kiwi summit attempt on Mt Worsley, others will be whipping out the binoculars for a spot of twitching (bird watching for the uninitiated).

Charlie Thomas, a 21-year-old who has already spent a fair amount of time on remote islands can hardly wait. He speaks to Jesse.

Charlie Thomas, 21, is part of a group of young Kiwis bound for South Georgia.

Charlie Thomas, 21, is part of a group of young Kiwis bound for South Georgia. Photo: Antarctic Heritage Trust