Expedition Team
A diverse team of experts accompanies this expedition — seasoned naturalists, undersea specialists, and researchers — who will share their knowledge and insights with you and bring each destination to life. Listed below are some of the experts and the departure date(s) they will be joining.
Rich Reid
Award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and instructor Rich Reid has specialized in environmental and adventure photography for more than two decades. He explored Alaska's Inside Passage by bike and ferry for National Geographic Adventure magazine and is represented by National Geographic Stock. Rich is familiar with the midnight sun from his years of leading guests on a variety of tours in the far north, photographing wildlife and landscapes from the temperate rainforest to the arctic tundra. When not onboard with National Geographic Expeditions, Rich works with non-profit organizations preserving lands and cultural sites with multimedia projects and pursues his passion for time-lapse photography. He is based in Ojai, California.
Boyd Matson
As longtime host of the Emmy award-winning National Geographic Explorer TV series and of National Geographic's Wild Chronicles on PBS, Boyd Matson had the envious job of traveling to exotic locations and joining thrilling expeditions. Matson has rappelled into sinkholes, climbed mountains, and been bitten by more snakes than he cares to count. In doing so, he helped us feel what it was like to be there, a tradition he continues as host of the National Geographic Weekend radio show.
Kevin Schafer
National Geographic photographer Kevin Schafer is a founding Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Kevin was named the 2007 Outstanding Nature Photographer of the Year by the North American Nature Photographers Association. His work has appeared in National Geographic, Smithsonian, and Audubon; and his books include Penguin Planet and Living Light.
Alfred McLaren
Captain Alfred McLaren, a retired Navy submariner, has explored beneath the Arctic ice on numerous expeditions, the last as commander of his own sub. After retiring from the Navy in 1981, he earned a Ph.D. in polar studies and focused his research on the Arctic's role in climate change. Captain McLaren is President of the American Polar Society and Honorary Director and President Emeritus of the Explorers Club. In 2000, he received the Explorers Club's Lowell Thomas Award for Ocean Exploration.
Kim Heacox
Award-winning writer, photographer, and conservationist Kim Heacox has lived in Alaska for 25 years. He has written four books for National Geographic. Kim's photography has appeared in National Geographic magazine. He spends much of his time writing about and photographing Alaska and life in Earth's polar regions.
Birgit Buhleier
Filmmaker, producer, and scientist Birgit Buhleier played an integral role in the evolution of National Geographic’s Crittercam, a video camera system that has provided fascinating insights into the daily lives of hundreds of species. Through her work with Crittercam, she has sidled up to seals, sea lions and whales; studied the secret lives of great white and tiger sharks; and dived with hawksbill sea turtles. She has personally deployed more than 100 Crittercams on a broad range of animals, including many that are native to the Arctic. Birgit has lived and worked in some of the world’s most remote places—from islands in the Pacific to polar camps. She brings a unique perspective on the walruses, seals, and bears we spot on this journey.
Michael Melford
National Geographic photographer Michael Melford has produced more than a dozen feature stories for National Geographic magazine and more than 30 for National Geographic Traveler, including eight covers. On assignment for National Geographic for the past ten years, Michael has often used photography to bring attention to the planet's wonders and the need to preserve them. He shot the cover story, "Places We Must Save," for the October 2006 issue of National Geographic Traveler, as well as a cover story on threats to America's national parks for National Geographic magazine. Michael enjoys giving seminars and workshops on photography and sharing his love of nature and his extensive knowledge of the digital medium.
