The Transglobe Expedition (1979-1982) stands as one of the most ambitious and challenging feats of exploration in human history. Today, the Transglobe Expedition Trust continues to support humanitarian, scientific, and educational endeavours
Conceived in the mid-1970s, the Transglobe Expedition sought to be the first to circumnavigate the Earth from pole to pole, a route that would traverse some of the most inhospitable environments on Earth.
At the heart of the expedition – which was described as ‘mad but marvellous’ by the then Prince Charles – were British explorers Ginny Fiennes, who had first dreamt of the idea, and her husband Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Their plan, which took seven years of careful consideration, was to begin in London, travel south to Antarctica, cross the continent on foot, sail across the Southern Ocean, and then journey across the Arctic to return to Europe. The team would face diverse and challenging landscapes on their 100,000-mile journey, from the Sahara Desert to the jungles of West Africa to the treacherous North West Passage.
A Historic Achievement
The Transglobe Expedition was a groundbreaking achievement, one that established a number of firsts (including the fastest team to cross Antarctica and the first woman to receive the Polar Medal) and solidified Ranulph Fiennes’ reputation as one of the world’s greatest explorers. The expedition also highlighted the importance of scientific research in polar regions, with the team’s observations providing valuable insights into the Antarctic and Arctic environments, and contributing to our understanding of climate change and its impacts.
The legacy of the Transglobe Expedition
In 1993, the Transglobe Expedition Trust was founded to honour the Transglobe Expedition’s legacy by supporting humanitarian, scientific, and educational projects that embody its spirit of adventure and perseverance.
This October, to celebrate a new partnership with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and the launch of the Ran and Ginny Fiennes grant, join the expedition team members for a commemorative evening. This event will highlight the Transglobe Expedition’s enduring impact and raise funds to support future explorers in making a lasting difference.
Events: 23 October
Ran’s Globe: a tribute to the Transglobe Expedition
A day of special events, including the official launch of the Ran and Ginny Fiennes grant. These events will honour the extraordinary achievements of the Transglobe Expedition and help raise funds to ensure that future explorers can continue to make a meaningful impact through their work.
The science of the transglobe expedition
Learn more of the scientific outputs from the first expedition to make a longitudinal circumnavigation of the Earth using only surface transport.
To the Ends of the Earth
A screening of the classic 1983 documentary sharing the incredible story of the 1979-1982 Transglobe Expedition, an unprecedented human endeavour: the first north-south circumnavigation of the Earth without leaving its surface, narrated by Richard Burton.
Transglobe expedition gala
Enjoy a gala dinner and help raise funds to continue the Transglobe Expedition Trust’s legacy by ensuring that future awards which support travel with purpose will be presented in the name of Ran and Ginny Fiennes long into the future.
