The Explorers Club: Inside the world’s most elite group of adventurers

By Kate Springer, CNN
7 minute read
Updated 8:59 PM EDT, Tue April 9, 2019
<strong>The Explorers Club: </strong>Established in 1904, the New York-based Explorers Club is an elite group of explorers and scientists that's been involved in many of the world's most prestigious discoveries.
The Explorers Club: Established in 1904, the New York-based Explorers Club is an elite group of explorers and scientists that's been involved in many of the world's most prestigious discoveries.
Mike Sakas
<strong>Not a travel club: </strong>"It's not some sort of holiday service or travel club, which some people seem to think. It's very much about being a self-starter and gathering the right people and resources together [for extensive, scientific-driven expeditions] to turn your ideas into reality," says Matt Prior, director of the Hong Kong chapter of the Explorers Club.
Not a travel club: "It's not some sort of holiday service or travel club, which some people seem to think. It's very much about being a self-starter and gathering the right people and resources together [for extensive, scientific-driven expeditions] to turn your ideas into reality," says Matt Prior, director of the Hong Kong chapter of the Explorers Club.
Mike Sakas
<strong>Important discoveries: </strong>Counting just over 3,500 members worldwide, the Explorer's Club is involved in the realms of astronomy, archeology, physics, ethnology, paleontology, zoology, geography and much more.
Important discoveries: Counting just over 3,500 members worldwide, the Explorer's Club is involved in the realms of astronomy, archeology, physics, ethnology, paleontology, zoology, geography and much more.
Fisher Creative
<strong>An impressive crowd: </strong>Those who pass the vetting process will be surrounded by an impressive crowd. Members have been among the first to reach the North Pole, summit Mount Everest and walk on the moon.
An impressive crowd: Those who pass the vetting process will be surrounded by an impressive crowd. Members have been among the first to reach the North Pole, summit Mount Everest and walk on the moon.
Matt Prior
<strong>Hong Kong Chapter:</strong> In 2018, the Explorers Club Hong Kong Chapter, together with the Mongolian Institute of Paleontology and Geology, went on a fossil excavation expedition to the Gobi Desert.
Hong Kong Chapter: In 2018, the Explorers Club Hong Kong Chapter, together with the Mongolian Institute of Paleontology and Geology, went on a fossil excavation expedition to the Gobi Desert.
Mike Sakas
<strong>Gobi Desert: The </strong>Gobi Desert is the largest desert in Asia, accounting for roughly 30% of Mongolia as well as a good portion of northern China.
Gobi Desert: The Gobi Desert is the largest desert in Asia, accounting for roughly 30% of Mongolia as well as a good portion of northern China.
Mike Sakas
<strong>High-tech expedition: </strong>The teams used NASA technologies, such as drone-mapping, multispectral and thermal imaging -- the same technology used to explore Mars -- to collect data and help identity fossil sites.
High-tech expedition: The teams used NASA technologies, such as drone-mapping, multispectral and thermal imaging -- the same technology used to explore Mars -- to collect data and help identity fossil sites.
Mike Sakas
<strong>Roy Chapman Andrews Centennial Expedition: </strong>The expedition was named after American naturalist Roy Chapman Andrews, who came across a nest of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert over a century ago.
Roy Chapman Andrews Centennial Expedition: The expedition was named after American naturalist Roy Chapman Andrews, who came across a nest of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert over a century ago.
Ben Draper
<strong>A great success: </strong>On the 20-day Roy Chapman Andrews Centennial Expedition, the 35-person team found potential evidence of at least three previously unknown dinosaur species and excavated 250 new dinosaur fossil sites.
A great success: On the 20-day Roy Chapman Andrews Centennial Expedition, the 35-person team found potential evidence of at least three previously unknown dinosaur species and excavated 250 new dinosaur fossil sites.
Mike Sakas
<strong>First in the world: </strong>Thanks to the successful discoveries, the Explorers Club's Hong Kong chapter -- established in 2016 -- was awarded the prestigious Citation of Merit at the Explorers Club annual dinner. It's the first of the 32 chapters around the world to achieve this merit.
First in the world: Thanks to the successful discoveries, the Explorers Club's Hong Kong chapter -- established in 2016 -- was awarded the prestigious Citation of Merit at the Explorers Club annual dinner. It's the first of the 32 chapters around the world to achieve this merit.
Mike Sakas
<strong>Many adventures: </strong>This is just one of the club's many adventures. Together, they've hiked through the snowy mountains of Kazakhstan, skied the remote mountains of Kashmir and, later this year, will embark on a new mission to uncover underwater civilizations in Indonesia.
Many adventures: This is just one of the club's many adventures. Together, they've hiked through the snowy mountains of Kazakhstan, skied the remote mountains of Kashmir and, later this year, will embark on a new mission to uncover underwater civilizations in Indonesia.
Matt Prior
<strong>Membership criteria: </strong>Getting into the highly exclusive club requires extensive experience, including participation in "one or more documented scientific expeditions."
Membership criteria: Getting into the highly exclusive club requires extensive experience, including participation in "one or more documented scientific expeditions."
Matt Prior
<strong>Lifelong adventurer: </strong>A former Royal Air Force pilot, in 2006 Matt Prior drove a US$200 Suzuki car from London to Mongolia -- an adventure that set him on the path he's on today.
Lifelong adventurer: A former Royal Air Force pilot, in 2006 Matt Prior drove a US$200 Suzuki car from London to Mongolia -- an adventure that set him on the path he's on today.
Matt Prior