2012 North Face Adventure Grant Winner
The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative, and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment, and footwear, today announced the winner of The North Face/Australian Geographic Adventure Adventure – Mark Sedon from Wanaka, New Zealand.
Mark’s winning application will see him climbing and skiing 18 2500m plus peaks in the Southern Lakes District of New Zealand’s south island during winter 2012.
“I was looking for an adventure close to home in Central Otago; southern New Zealand. So I scanned the local topographical maps looking for something original. I found 18 peaks over 2500m in the Southern Lakes District, all skiable!” describes Mark about how he originally discovered his idea.
Mark will approach the expedition in two phases; the first in July, and the second in September/October. He will use various means of transport (including foot, canoe, paraglide and where necessary helicopter) to reach the snowlines of each peak before beginning each ascent. Mark will be accompanied by various partners throughout the peak bagging mission, but his most regular companions will be his mate Kane Henderson.
“The aim of the adventure is to have a good old Kiwi adventure, to do something which has never been done before”. Mark hopes that his adventure “will inspire young kiwis to get off the couch and explore the fantastic country we live in”.
The 18 peaks on Mark’s list:
| Mt Head 2585m – Forbes Mountains |
Popes Nose 2700m – Aspiring |
|
Sir William Peak 2610m – Forbes Mountains |
Mt Avalanche 2606m – Aspiring |
|
O’Leary Peak 2570m – Forbes Mountains |
Mt Rob Roy Peak 2644m – Aspiring |
|
Mt Earnslaw 2830m – Earnslaw Range |
Mt Huxley 2505m – Huxley Range |
|
Centaur Peaks 2525m – Richardson Mountains |
Mt Maori 2535m – Snowdrift Range |
|
Mt Brewster 2516m – Southern Alps |
Mt Maoriri 2595m – Snowdrift Range |
|
Mt Castor 2518m – Wilkin River |
Mt Edward 2620m – Snowdrift Range |
|
Mt Pollux 2536m – Wilkin River |
Mt Lydia 2517m – Snowdrift Range |
|
Headlong Peak 2510m – North Harris |
Mt Ian 2502m – Snowdrift Range |
For more information and to follow news of Mark’s adventure as it unfolds keep an eye out on the Australian Geographic Adventure website and Facebook Page. Mark’s adventure will be featured in a future issue of Australian Geographic Adventure, keep an eye out for that.
The North Face, Australian Geographic Adventure and the Australian Geographic Society would like to congratulate Mark on winning the 2012 grant and thank all the other adventurers for submitting their applications. There was an amazing array of applications submitted this year from a broad range of people with diverse interests.
About The North Face/Australian Geographic Adventure Adventure Grant: The North Face/Australian Geographic Adventure Adventure Grant is a grant designed for adventurers, explorers and outdoors-people to fulfill their adventure dreams. Its aim is to maintain the spirit of exploration and encourage outdoor participation. Grant winners receive a $5000 grant from The North Face, along with $2000 worth of The North Face gear, plus a $3000 Australian Geographic Society Grant and an exclusive story on their trip in Australian Geographic Adventure. The grant is an annual program and any resident of Australia or NZ is eligible to apply. For more information visit the North Face Adventure Grant.
