Mission Spiritus – Patagonia: Expedition Preparation
Last week our Operations Director (Billy Perham) travelled to Argentina to support preparations for the next Mission Spiritus expedition. Hosted by the outstanding Walk Patagonia team and their highly experienced guides, the visit provided a critical opportunity to understand the operating environment for when the team returns later this year.
Patagonia is not a place that tolerates complacency. The terrain is unforgiving, the weather changes rapidly and the glaciers demand constant respect. Success in this region relies on detailed planning, sound judgement and local knowledge. The insight shared by the Walk Patagonia team has already proven invaluable in shaping how we approach the expedition.
In September 2026, our team, led by Alan Chambers MBE, will deploy to El Chaltén in Los Glaciares National Park. From there, we will move across challenging mountain terrain towards the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field, with the intention of completing a full crossing.
This is not simply an endurance challenge. Along the route, we will collect water, sediment and snow samples to support ongoing scientific research at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. The work of Dr Maureen Raymo, Dr Beizhan Yan and Dr Cuizhu Chloe Ma is at the forefront of understanding how micro and nano plastics are reaching even the most remote environments on Earth.
The significance of this research cannot be overstated. These particles are now being detected in places once considered pristine. By gathering samples from remote and extreme locations, expeditions like this help scientists build a clearer, evidence-based picture of how widespread the issue has become.
Mission Spiritus – Patagonia forms part of a wider programme of seven expeditions, each focused on remote regions across the globe. Together, they are designed to combine exploration with meaningful scientific contribution. The aim is simple, to generate data that matters, while demonstrating what can be achieved through disciplined teamwork and a shared sense of purpose.
Preparation is everything. The visit to Patagonia reinforced the scale of the challenge ahead, but also the strength of the partnerships we are building. Operating in such an environment requires humility, adaptability and absolute trust in the team around you.
At its core, Mission Spiritus is about more than the expedition itself. It is about adventure with intent. It is about pushing boundaries while contributing to something larger than the individual. And it is about inspiring others to look beyond the horizon and consider what might be possible.
As we continue to refine plans for September 2026, the foundations are now firmly in place. The environment has been assessed, key relationships strengthened and the mission sharpened.
If you would like to learn more about Mission Spiritus, or explore ways to support the journey ahead, please get in touch at: info@missionspiritus.com
