A group of young explorers set out for Antarctica carrying a fragile piece of history, but reaching its final destination would be anything but certain.
77 Degrees South is a six-part podcast series from Antarctic Heritage Trust following eight rangatahi (young people) on the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Travelling aboard Heritage Expeditions’ 'Heritage Adventurer', the team embarks on a remarkable journey to some of Antarctica’s most significant historic sites, while attempting to return a carefully restored copy of The Count of Monte-Cristo to its original home inside Scott’s Discovery hut. Along the way, listeners are taken inside the huts of Scott and Shackleton, where everyday objects remain almost exactly as they were left more than a century ago. Through these extraordinary places, the team discovers the human stories of Antarctic exploration, develops a deeper connection to the continent's heritage, and reflects on their own role in protecting its future. The series also offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s world-leading conservation work, protecting these fragile sites in one of the harshest environments on Earth.