Welcome to the Explorers Club

I’m not a joiner. In fact, clubs have never been my thing, (which may explain why golf has never appealed to me – even the equipment used is a ‘club’.) That being said, there are two clubs that come to mind that spark my imagination – one that I learned about years ago while reading about the race to be the first explorer to reach the South Pole, and one that I only recently heard about via a fellow travel writer.

First, let’s start with the historic international organization, The Explorers Club. (no doubt inspiration for the movie Up! and Ellie’s fascination with becoming an explorer – one of my absolute favourite movies, by the way!)

Nevermind the Canada Goose badge, this one really goes places.

The Explorers Club was formed in 1904, a time that many would consider the golden age of exploring, when intrepid souls raced to conquer the planet, setting foot for the first time on remote ice-covered poles or virgin mountain peaks.

Some of the most fa

mous names in the world fill the membership roster, from Roald Amundsen who planted his flag at the South Pole in 1911, to Neil Armstrong who planted his on the moon in 1969. Scientifically-focused on information and the quest to obtain it, this core principle has been at the heart of the Club since its inception.

Roald Amundsen plants the flag at the South Pole in 1911.

Neil Armstrong plants his flag on the surface of the moon.

More than 100 years later, with satellites mapping the globe one detailed orbit at a time, and GPS tracking built right into our own cell phones, it’s easy to believe that there are no remaining places to discover on Earth. But you would be wrong. This year, a recent discovery by Adam Shoalts of 7 waterfalls on a remote river right here in Canada proves that there are still places on this planet where no man has set foot before. It also proves that the spirit of the Explorers Club is alive and well.

Then there is the Travelers’ Century Club. Formed in 1954, this club consists of individuals who explore in a different way, each having visited 100 or more of the world’s countries and territories. Yet even with 100 countries under their belts, the length of the list ensures there is still plenty of the world out there left to explore. And while the tangible benefits of membership in the club are few, the social connection with other passionate well-travelled people is a huge plus, as are the not insignificant bragging rights.

(I’m nowhere close to 100 stamps, but this is my favourite from Machu Picchu)

Whether you are a ‘collector’ of passport stamps, or an earnest knowledge-seeker, travel is and has always been about seeing something new, or different, and bringing back an unforgettable experience to share with others. It’s why we take photos, it’s why we write about our travels, and it’s what makes all of us part of the same club, official or otherwise.

And unlike Groucho Marx’ famous quote “I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept people like me as a member”, I am happy and proud to be part of this one.