To Canada As 'National Geographic' Reporters

The former Mohn Media trainee Anne Poggenpohl tried, but 17 year-old Ricarda Schenker and 18 year-old Ansgar Fellendorf succeeded: the young woman from Stuttgart and the young man from Graz were able pass the test in the preselection camp of "National Geographic" and the subsequent "Selection Camp" and were chosen as "young explorers" who will accompany South African adventurer and environmental activist Mike Horn on one stage of his unique "Pangaea" expedition.

They and eight other young explorers from around the world met in Ottawa last weekend, climbed aboard the "Pangaea," and set out on a journey into the pristine wilderness of northern Canada. Together with South African adventurer Mike Horn the young explorers will research the unique flora and fauna of the Nunavut territory for three weeks. The teenagers had to pack water resistant clothes for a two-day canoe trip on the Clyde River and climbing gear for crossing glaciers and fjords. Weather resistant equipment is absolutely necessary considering temperatures that hover around freezing point even in August.

Following the Pangaea motto, "explore – learn – act," various measurements of the permafrost and CO2 values are on the agenda. With them the young explorers aim to demonstrate how human activities affect conditions in sparsely populated locations such as the Nunavut territory that at first glance seem pristine. Ansgar says about elements of the program: "I am very excited and think that we will learn a lot. We will be measuring the changes in the permafrost and water due to man’s impact on the eco-system with various analyses. In addition, we will learn about the lifestyle of the Inuit."

As "National Geographic" reporters Ricarda and Ansgar will regularly report about their adventures in an online diary on the German website of the magazine (www.nationalgeographic.de/pangaea). Erwin Brunner, Editor-in-Chief of "National Geographic Deutschland," said: "Due to our core subject, we naturally feel very connected to the 'Pangaea' expedition and its mission. Bringing the beauty of our planet closer to our readers is one goal that we have in common with Mike Horn." 

The path towards becoming "National Geographic" reporters led Ricarda and Ansgar from the "National Geographic" preselection camp in the north of the Black Forest to the "Selection Camp" in Châteaux-d'Oex." Ricarda said, "The selection process was very difficult, but we learned a lot. We are therefore well prepared for the role as 'National Geographic' reporters and the expedition's physical strains."

Adventurer and visionary Mike Horn and his crew have been sailing around the world under the flag of conservation since October 2008 on the "Pangaea." The basic idea of the four year-long expedition is to spread awareness of the need to protect the planet as a home for all people. In twelve different regions around the globe, Mike Horn and a group of 15 to 20 year-old "young explorers" have realized ecological and social projects at sea and on land. They are accompanied by researchers, doctors, university professors, and environmental experts.

More information about the "Pangaea" expedition is available online at www.mikehorn.com and www.nationalgeographic.de/pangaea.