The Explorers Podcast

In part 1 of our series on Prince Henry, we look at his early life, including his victory at Ceuta, and the discoveries of the Madeira Islands and the Azores - as well as his support for exploration in Africa and the Atlantic. Website: https://explorerspodcast.com/henry-the-navigator/ Iberian Kingdoms map: https://explorerspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2021/03/iberian_kingdoms_in_1400.png Atlantic/A...

Explorer and priest Andrés de Urdaneta would discover the route from the Far East to the Americas - opening up the lucrative galleon trade route between Manila and Acapulco. https://explorerspodcast.com/urdaneta/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final part of our series, we take a look at the aftermath of the expedition, plus examine the lives of Hillary and Tenzing following their historic climb of Everest in 1953. https://explorerspodcast.com/edmund-hillary-tenzing-norgay/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part 4 of the series, Tenzing and Hillary are paired up - and take a crack at reaching the highest spot in the world - the top of Mount Everest. For notes, resources and maps, go to: https://explorerspodcast.com/edmund-hillary-tenzing-norgay/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part 3 of our series, the 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition is organized under the guidance of Colonel John Hunt. We get the expedition to Nepal and Everest, and have them push through the dangerous Khumbu Icefall. https://explorerspodcast.com/edmund-hillary-tenzing-norgay/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of our series, we focus on the life of Tenzing Norgay, who was born and grew up in the shadow of Mount Everest. In addition to looking at Tenzing's life, we'll also talk about the world of the mountain people - in particular the Sherpas - who populate these early decades of Himalayan expeditions. https://explorerspodcast.com/edmund-hillary-tenzing-norgay/ Learn more about your ad choic...

In part one of our series, we focus on the attempts to climb Everest in the 1930s, plus the life of New Zealander Edmund Hillary. For images, maps, links and resources go to: https://explorerspodcast.com/edmund-hillary-tenzing-norgay/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In June of 1924, George Mallory and Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine make a final attempt on Everest using oxygen. Website, maps, links: https://explorerspodcast.com/george-mallory/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Mallory returns to Everest with the 1924 British Mount Everest Expedition. Website (maps, links, resources): https://explorerspodcast.com/george-mallory/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode covers the 1922 British Mount Everest Expedition, in which three attempts will be made on the summit of the mountain. While the expedition claimed the title for the highest climb in the world at the time, it would end in disaster. Maps, resources and links: https://explorerspodcast.com/george-mallory/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1921, the British Mount Everest reconnaissance expedition would travel to Asia in an attempt to scout out a route to Mount Everest - and a way to its summit. The expedition's star climber was George Mallory - who will be part of three attempts on the highest mountain in the world. Website (maps, links, resources, photos): https://explorerspodcast.com/george-mallory/ Learn more about your ad cho...

In our final episode on explorer Marco Polo, we take the Venetian merchant on one last mission for Kublai Khan. Marco - along with his father and uncle - were tasked with escorting a princess to Persia. The resulting mission will take the Polos - by ship - to Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and - finally - home. It will complete an epic 24 year, 15,000+ mile journey.  Map: https://explorerspo...

In part 4 of our series on Marco Polo, we take the Venetian explorer along the eastern coast of China, following the extraordinary Grand Canal. For this journey, Marco will visit some of the most wondrous - and populace - cities in the world, including Hangzhou - the City of Heaven. Website and resources: https://explorerspodcast.com/marco-polo/ Map: 10 American Presidents Podcast: http://www.10us...

In part 3 of our series on Marco Polo, we do a dive into the Mongol World, including a look at the Kublai Khan. We then take Marco on his a trek to the most remote corners of China.  History Hack Interview: https://historyhack.podbean.com/e/231-history-hack-historys-greatest-explorers/ https://explorerspodcast.com/marco-polo/ Map: https://explorerspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/map4.png Learn...

Marco Polo and his family travel the Silk Road to reach the court of the legendary Kublai Khan. Website: https://explorerspodcast.com/marco-polo/ Map: https://explorerspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/map3.png People and Places Marco Polo – Venetian merchant and explorer Niccolò Polo – Father of Marco Polo Maffeo Polo – Brother of Niccolò, uncle of Marco Kublai Khan – Emperor of the Mongol Empi...

In part 1 of our series, we first take a look at the journey of Marco's father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo Polo, who traveled to China and met the great Kublai Khan. We then follow the Polo family as they prepare for a return mission into the heart of the Mongol Empire. Website: https://explorerspodcast.com/marco-polo/ Map: https://explorerspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/polo-map1a.png Peop...

In the conclusion of our series, Brazza spends more than a decade as an administrator in Africa. He will then return to the Congo one final time, in 1905, to investigate the accusations of abuses against the native peoples. Website: https://explorerspodcast.com/brazza/ Map: https://explorerspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/ogowe5.png People and Places Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza - Born in Italy,...

In part 3 of our series, Brazza returns to Africa, where he will establish two outposts, including one on the Congo River. In the process, he will thwart many of the plans of King Leopold II of Belgium, who wants to make the entire Congo basin his own personal colony. Website: https://explorerspodcast.com/brazza/ Map: https://explorerspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/ogowe5.png People and Place...

In part 2 of our series, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza conducts his first African expedition up the Ogowe River. Website: https://explorerspodcast.com/brazza/ Map: https://explorerspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/ogowe3.png People and Places Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza - Born in Italy, but educated in France. Would join the French navy, and become interested in exploring Africa. Ogowe River (often...

In the first part of our series on Italian-born Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, we take a look at the world of Central Africa circa 1875, including the institution of slavery, and scramble by European powers to explore - and claim the continent. Brazza goes from the son of an Italian noble family, to being an officer in the French navy. He will then prepare to lead an expedition into the African inter...

In 219 BCE, Xu Fu, a Chinese explorer and alchemist, would set out in search of the elixir of life for Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Instead, legend says he discovered Japan - and maybe even became the island's first emperor. Website: https://explorerspodcast.com/xu-fu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/explorerspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/explorerspod/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

In the final super-sized episode (part 8) of the Burke and Wills Expedition, we take a look at the fate of John King – the last unaccounted for member of the VEE. We then cover the aftermath of the expedition, and look at the legacy of Burke and Wills and Victorian Exploring Expedition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 7 of our series, Burke, Wills and King make a desperate stab at making for Mount Hopeless. While much closer than Menindee, the three men do not know the way or have accurate directions. Meanwhile, Wright and Brahe meet up, and make for the depot at Cooper's Creek. In Melbourne, the calls for a search party grown louder and louder with each passing week. People and Places Robert O’Hara Bur...

In part 6 of our series, Robert Burke and his comrades begin their journey from the northern coast of Australia to the depot at Cooper's Creek. They are low on supplies and their health is waning. Meanwhile, William Wright struggles to get the needed supplies to depot, where the health of William Brahe and his men is deteriorating. People and Places Robert O’Hara Burke – Leader of the Victorian Ex...

In part 5 of our series Robert Burke and William Wills lead a small contingent of men into the outback of Australia in an attempt to reach reach the north coast - and in the process become the first men to cross the continent. People and Places Robert O’Hara Burke – Leader of the Victorian Exploring Expedition (VEE) William Wills – British surveyor and astronomer. 2nd-in-command of the expedition....