Hillary Expedition

New Zealand has always been seen as a nation of great adventurers and achievers.

This courageous spirit is epitomised by the feats of one of our most respected Kiwis, Sir Edmund Hillary.

Hillary Expedition updates

• Big Wall Expedition update: Objective achieved! (17 September 2009)
• New Zealander makes first ascent (3 July 2009)
• Big Wall Expedition sets off in two weeks (2 July 2009)
• New Zealand Himalayan Big Wall Expedition (29 June 2009)
• Hillary Expedition team on its way (9 June 2009)
• Climbers report on the latter stages of their Hillary Expedition trip (4 June 2009)
• Hillary Expedition update (6 May 2009)
• First expedition on its way (20 April 2009)
• Hillary Expedition Grants Announced (6 March 2009)

Hillary Expedition 2008/09

SPARC has awarded grants to seven teams of inspiring adventurers for the SPARC Hillary Expedition 2008/2009.

Member of the Hillary Expedition '04 on a mountain top

Previous Hillary Expeditions

The inaugural SPARC Hillary Expedition took place in 2004. A group of five adventurers completed the world's first full traverse of South-East Asia's mighty Mekong River - known by locals as 'Nine Dragons'. They covered more than 3,000 kilometres by trekking, mountain biking and rafting. The group travelled from the high snows of Tibet, all the way to the seas of Vietnam.

In 2006, five groups of inspirational adventurers were granted funding through the Hillary Expedition initiative.

Find out more about the 2006/07 Hillary Expeditions.

The Hillary Expedition vision

The SPARC Hillary Expedition initiative aims to inspire and encourage New Zealanders to take on exciting, world-class physical challenges in the great outdoors.

SPARC envisages that Hillary Expedition adventurers will be role models, encouraging Kiwis to set their sights high, dream 'big dreams' and embark on a lifetime of physical activity.

Updated | 21 Sep 2009.

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