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It was founded in 1905, and its members have a number of illustrious firsts in exploration. Robert Peary was a member when he was first to the North Pole in 1909. Roald Amundsen, was a member when he was first to the South Pole in 1911. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, first to the moon in 1969. Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tensing Norgay, first to the summit of Everest were members, Thor Heyerdahl in Kontiki – the list of firsts for members goes on and on.

At The Explorers Club HQ in New York, there is a humble granite plaque which reads:

WORLD CENTER FOR EXPLORATION

First to the North Pole1909First to the South Pole1911First to the summit of Mt Everest1953First to the deepest point in the ocean1960First to the surface of the Moon1969

Underneath the last entry there is a space – waiting for the first manned Mars landing.

Since 1918, whenever the Explorers Club believes that an expedition is going to be of scientific or special merit it awards an Explorers Club flag, which is then carried on the expedition. There are some 220 flags in total, and the flags are reused on successive expeditions in the field. Explorers Club flags have been carried to all the earth’s continents, as well as to the deepest parts of the sea and the highest places on the land – and to the moon.