Laurie Dexter
Laurie grew up in Scotland but since 1970 has made his home in the Canadian north. He lived on Baffin Island for 13 years where he learned the survival skills of the Inuit (Eskimos) and speaks their language and continues to live in the Northwest Territories. Since 1993 he has made over 100 ship based trips to Antarctica and about the same in the Arctic as an expedition leader and lecturer.
Laurie has taken part in many outdoor adventures including skiing for 91 days from Russia to Canada through the Geographic North Pole, skiing and sled hauling to the South Pole, traversing the ice caps of Greenland, Baffin Island, and King George Island in Antarctica, and numerous other polar region expeditions. As a runner he also goes to extremes, including having run 100 km in 8 hours, over 200 km in 24 hours, 600 km in 6 days, and 10 marathons in 10 days. He is also a mountaineer and has made a number of first ascents in the Arctic and more recently has climbed the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc in the Alps.
Laurie has degrees in physical education, theology and anthropology, and an honorary Doctor of Laws. He is a Fellow of the Explorers Club, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the Arctic Club, and in recognition of his international contribution the Canadian Government has honored Laurie with the Order of Canada.
Laurie will lead these expeditions:
Skills Laurie brings to the job
"Primarily people related skills. I have extensive public speaking experience. My practical skills include Zodiac driving and navigation. I understand the weather and can lecture on a variety of disciplines."
If you could time travel, which historic expedition would you join, and why?
"None. Most of them were extremely uncomfortable, badly provisioned, and either ended in disaster or involved sickness and death due to bad organization. And for the most part the leadership was unsound. Two exceptions to this were Bruce and Charcot."
Laurie's advice to Polar Travelers
"Try to come without too many preconceptions."
Passenger Feedback
Karen from Pennsylvania sailed with Laurie in Antarctica, she wrote this about him, "How can one not be thrilled by the voice of Laurie Dexter each morning at 7 a.m. announcing the weather and greeting us with his Thought for the Day? Perfect! Laurie is the most impressive trip leader that I have ever known. I don't think there is anyone better, anywhere! His calm demeanor, exceptional organizational skills, quiet intellect, caring manner, and superb experience and accomplishments are unequalled. His character is flawless. He's the best!"
