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Ian

Growing up in Scotland as a keen hiker, Ian has always loved rugged landscapes. Travel became a passion early in his life, and after visiting everywhere from Africa to the Southern Hemisphere, he reached his seventh continent when he crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time.

My Polar Highlights Photos More About Me

My Antarctic stats

Number of polar expeditions: 2 (and counting)
Favourite trip taken: Antarctic Basecamp Adventure
Ships travelled on: Hondius and Sylvia Earle
Antarctic activities tested: Mountaineering, camping, kayaking and snowshoeing
Polar plunges braved: 2
Began working in travel: 2012

My top tips for travelling to Antarctica? Bring a proper camera! It doesn’t have to cost the world – it just needs to be able to take a decent zoom shot. And rest when you can, so you have enough energy for all the activities.

My top 5 Antarctic experiences

Being one of the privileged few people to explore south of the Antarctic Circle
Witnessing orcas hunting humpback whales and watching a leopard seal circle my zodiac
Diving into the White Continent’s freezing waters during not one but two polar plunges
Camping at Paradise Harbour surrounded by glaciers and brash ice, with the thundering sounds of distant avalanches interspersed with absolute silence
Braving the Drake Passage in an atmospheric storm – Antarctica never fails to present yet another experience that will leave you reeling

Mountaineering in Antarctica – I was in my element

My photos of Antarctica

Amazing iceberg and reflection taken by Ian on recce

The almost-impossible blue hues of Antarctica

A man and woman show off their snowshoes amid a snowy Antarctic backdrop

Showing off my snowshoes on Cuverville Island

Antarctic scenery and the bow of a ship, taken by Ian Young on recce

The bow of my ship on an Antarctic recce

A gentoo penguin dives into the water at Paradise Harbour, Antarctica

A photo I took of a gentoo penguin as it dove into the water

Camping in Antarctica was such a cool experience

Ian runs out of the sea after doing the polar plunge

Running out of the sea after my polar plunge

I had so many incredible encounters with Antarctic animals

More about me

In my spare time, I volunteer for my local Mountain Rescue team in northern England
Mountains run in my blood – I’ve spent a lifetime climbing as many peaks as I can at home and abroad
I put my outdoor skills to good use by mountaineering, camping, kayaking and snowshoeing in Antarctica
Before joining Swoop, I spent nearly five years living in the Southern Alps of New Zealand

Zodiac cruising at Borgen Bay in Antarctica

Ian says

Antarctica is one of a kind. Nowhere else does the landscape echo in silence so much and nowhere else can glaciers be seen in every direction you look. It's a wonderful place teeming with wildlife and fascinating history.

Ian Young Antarctic Sales Manager