The photo and sound exhibition by Alexander Hillary and Marco de Kretser is now open at Christchurch Airport, as part of an Antarctic Heritage Trust initiative.
De Kretser, 19, and Hillary, 23, were selected to travel to Antarctica earlier this year, as part of the trust’s Inspiring Explorers’ Expedition.
The pair were part of a small team, which explored the Antarctic Peninsula by kayak with Olympian Mike Dawson.
Like his grandfather, Hillary has the spirit of exploration in his blood.
“I was lucky enough to have a good understanding of Antarctica and Antarctic exploration before I went on the trip," he said.
"It was a real joy to be able to share with the rest of the team something that has been a passion my entire life.
"It’s cool to see an iceberg the size of a small city sail past you in the Gerlache Strait, but when you find out it’s 60,000 years old or more, the amazing becomes mind-blowing,” said Hillary.
His images, including photos of sperm whales and immense landscapes, will remain on display at Christchurch Airport until March.
Hillary reckons Sir Ed would be pretty proud of what he and the team achieved on the ice.
“He loved the idea of young people getting out and exploring. He was always encouraging that spirit of adventure in us, even on a small scale like climbing trees at the beach house, or around the garden. He would have been thrilled to see this awesome team of young Kiwis camping out in this incredible landscape.”
The exhibition can also be viewed online and the full soundscape downloaded at nzaht.org.
