Across the Antarctic with Ben Saunders

We’re hugely proud to be working with Ben Saunders, one of Britain’s greatest explorers. Ben is setting out to complete the first solo, unassisted crossing of Antarctica.

The expedition comprises a west-to-east traverse from Berkner Island to the Ross Ice Shelf via the South Pole and the Shackleton Glacier. It was first planned and attempted by Ben’s close friend Lt Col Henry Worsley; he almost completed the journey before falling ill and passing away in a Chilean hospital in 2016. Earlier this week, Ben flew out to Antarctica for the first stage of the journey, beginning the mission to finish what his friend started.

Having set the record for the longest ever polar journey on foot during his 108-day Scott Expedition in 2013, Ben is well qualified for the task at hand. In embarking on the crossing, he is also raising funds for Henry Worsley’s chosen cause, the Endeavour Fund. This Royal Foundation charity was established to assist injured servicemen and servicewomen.

We designed the badge for the Scott Expedition in 2013. So we were especially honoured to be invited to create the expedition badge for Ben’s Antarctic crossing. In designing the badge, Steve found inspiration in his boyhood collection of scout badges. From his tea-making badge to his shelter-building badge, Steve loved the simplicity of the graphics; he especially relished the way in which a single icon could communicate so much. The badge we’ve designed for Ben follows in this tradition, using simple graphic elements to capture the scale and scope of the expedition.

Here’s to Ben Saunders, Henry Worsley, and a successful journey across the Antarctic.