Rosie Stancer
Founder and Leader of The Desert Trilogy
Rosie is the visionary behind The Desert Trilogy, a series of expeditions designed to explore and document the impacts of climate change on various environments and communities. With over 20 years of experience in extreme expeditions, Rosie has traversed some of the world's most challenging terrains, including solo to the North and South Poles, crossing the length and the breadth of Siberia’s frozen Lake Baikal, hauling a cart over the dried-up toxic seabed of the Aral Kum, and travelling the length of the Sinai Peninsula with Bedouin.
Expedition Philosophy
Rosie adheres to her principle that expeditions of merit warrant a worthy legacy – one of discovery, learning and sharing as widely as possible through media, press, interviews and public-speaking. An irrepressible optimist, Rosie forever seeks to find a positive, but honest and non-judgemental message, by way of identifying and encouraging feasible, constructive solutions.
Notable Achievements
- North Pole Relay (1997) Part of the first all-women team to reach the North Pole. A World 1st
- South Pole Expedition (2000) Member of the first all-women team to manhaul to the South Pole. A World 1st
- Solo South Pole (2003) Completed a record-breaking solo expedition to the South Pole, setting speed records. Record-breaking
- Solo North Pole (2007) Achieved the furthest solo expedition to the North Pole by any woman. An unbroken World Record
- Lake Baikal (2019) Completed a solo, unsupported crossing of the world's largest, deepest, and oldest freshwater lake in the depths of the Siberian winter. A World 1st
The Desert Trilogy Expeditions
- Aral Kum (2021) The first full crossing by foot of one of the world's youngest deserts, highlighting the environmental disaster of water drainage. A world 1st
- Sinai Peninsula (2023) Focused on the impact of climate change on the Bedouin communities and their way of life.
- The Incense Route – a 2000 km journey retracing the ancient incense route through the length of Saudi Arabia and learning how the kingdom is building a sustainable future on it’s cultural heritage and the evolving role of Saudi women.
Awards and Recognition
- Honorary Doctorate from Essex University
- Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Scientific Exploration Society
- Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society
- Recipient of the Explorers Club Medal for Courage
- Recipient of the Hotung Medal for Women of Courage
- Ambassador for the Government’s GREAT Campaign
Charitable Causes
- Special Olympics
- GB Veterans Aid
- Goldsters – online platform for healthy ageing
- The Scientific Exploration Society
- The Turquoise Mountain Project
Personal Attributes
Rosie is often attributed with the nickname "Tinkerbell and the Terminator," reflecting her petite stature and immense inner strength. Her achievements are a testament to her skill, determination, and courage, proving that dreams can be realised regardless of physical limitations.
Current and Future Projects
Rosie recently completed the third and continuing part of The Desert Trilogy, retracing the ancient Incense Route through Saudi Arabia. This expedition aims to further explore the impacts of climate change, how local communities are adapting to these changes, the evolving role of Saudi women, and to get a first-hand glimpse of the Kingdom's vision of a sustainable future being built on the foundations of their magnificent cultural heritage, Vision 2030
Rosie continues to inspire through her expeditions and the publicity they draw, motivational speaking, interviews, and mentoring.
Rosie Stancer's life and work exemplify and demonstrate the value of the spirit of exploration, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world as an individual.