The Explorers Club: an Honor to Become a Member

Explorers ClubI am honored to now be a member of the historic Explorers Club.

Founded in New York City in 1904, some of their legendary members include Sir Edmund Hillary, hospital  Roald Amundsen and John Glenn.  To join the club, you have to be nominated by two current members and accepted by the membership committee. The Club has about 3,000 members and 30 chapters in the U.S and around the world.

It is humbling to be part of this environment but I am reminded of that famous Groucho Ma quote about clubs 🙂

My hope is that by joining The Club, I can share my journey of mountaineering and most importantly, my mission to end the world of Alzheimer’s.

The purpose of the Club, according to their charter, is to:

promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. The Club’s members have been responsible for an illustrious series of famous firsts: First to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, first to the surface of the moon—all accomplished by our members.

The Club provides expedition resources including funding, online information, and member-to-member consultation. Their famed annual dinners honor accomplishments in exploration. At the New York headquarters, they maintain the Research Collections that includes a library and map room. This is to preserve the history of the Club and to assist those interested and engaged in exploration and scientific research.

One historic aspect of The Club is their flag. Expeditions that further the cause of exploration and field science carry (and return) The Explorers Club flag on the journey. It has been carried on hundreds of expeditions by Club members since 1918 and has flown at both poles, from the highest peaks of the greatest mountain ranges, traveled to the depths of the ocean, to the lunar surface, and outer space. Today there are 202 numbered flags, each with its own history, displayed at the headquarters

At the 2013 annual dinner, several medals will be awarded including one to Chhiring Dorje Sherpa who was instrumental in saving lives on the 2008 disaster on k2.

You can read more about the Explorers Club at their site.

Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything

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15 thoughts on “The Explorers Club: an Honor to Become a Member

  1. ALAN!!!! I am so proud of you! Not only are you among the ranks of people like Sir Edmund Hillary, but one of my favorite explorers, Thor Heyerdahl, is a member as well. Congratulations on this well-deserved distinction.

    Kat

  2. Congratulations! And thanks for your work on the website, I look forward to another exciting season of climbing with your coverage!

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