Tarka L’Herpiniere

Tarka L’Herpiniere

• The first person to complete the longest polar expedition in history.
• A career adventurist who began by summiting Mount Blanc aged just 15.
• Tarka inspires audiences to break free from any self-imposed limitations and achieve their goals.

Tarka L’Herpiniere is an explorer, ultra-endurance athlete, adventure filmmaker and inspirational motivational speaker with a stunning visual presentation.

In 2014 Tarka finally achieved what the ill-fated Captain Scott and all others since have failed to do by completing the longest polar expedition in history –  The on foot 1,795 mile trek to the South Pole and back.

As a speaker Tarka’s story brings alive what it is like to pull sleds of almost 200kg in the Antarctic, to walk an average of 17 miles daily in extreme cold and on limited rations for 105 days during the Scott Expedition with fellow British polar explorer Ben Saunders. Tarka speaks with passion about taking opportunities, facing difficult challenges and staying focused in tough times. He knows what it is to face disappointment and hardship and how vital it is to stay motivated no matter how difficult the task and harsh the conditions.

Audiences appreciate that Tarka’s unique story delivers a powerful message that you can achieve ambitious goals and do so much more than you think you can – no matter what your background.

A Career In Adventure

• 1995 Summits Mt. Blanc aged 15
• 1997 Aged 16, cycled 1000 miles from Cheltenham (England) to Nice (France)
• 1999 Ran 8 marathons in 8 consecutive days carrying all equipment
• 2001 35 day expedition to the North / East coast of Svalbard
• Winter mountaineering expedition to the Andes
• 2002 Expedition Leader of a 23 day expedition to Cornwallis Island
• 2003 Solo expedition to Devon Island.
• Solo Svalbard expedition
• 2004 Solo 27 day expedition to Russia
• 2005 Unsuccessful Bi-Polar expedition
• Unsupported crossing of the Alps from France to Switzerland
• Climbing expedition up Mt. Blanc in training for Mt. Everest
• 2006 Climbing member of EverestMax; To the summit of Mt. Everest without oxygen
• 2007 4500 km to walk the entire length of the Great Wall of China.
• 2008 2 man expedition off the North East coast of Spitsbergen
• 8000 km cycle expedition from Djibouti to South Africa
• 2009 Polar research and support station as part of the Catlin Arctic Survey
• Completed longest British crossing of the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap
• 2014 Completed the longest polar expedition in history to the South Pole and back

Tarka is passionate about encouraging others to achieve their potential and this comes across clearly in every keynote talk, after dinner or conference speech. Tarka L’Herpiniere’s story demonstrates what can be achieved with vision, leadership, teamwork, self-belief, resilience and motivation.

Keynote Speeches 

Resilience in tough times | Courage in the face of adversity | Conquer the fear of failure

Achieve your ambitious goals – achieve your potential | Teamwork | Co-operation in adversity