AN INTREPID local explorer has returned to Devon after spending more than four months in the wilds of South America.
Tom Murray is one of only 21 students across the UK who were selected for the British School?s Exploring Society expedition to the remotest areas of Patagonia and the Falkland Islands.
The aim of the explorers was to carry out valuable environmental fieldwork for organisations such as the Falklands Conservation Group and to undertake cartographical recording of the largely unexplored region.
The group had an experienced team of leaders drawn from education, industry, medicine and the armed services.
The expedition set off for South America at the end of September and Tom spent the first six weeks camped at a Chilean marine barracks, exploring the local area.
This included Skyring Water ? made famous during the expeditions of Captain Cook ? and Cado Froward which is the southernmost point of South America.
The Dousland based 18-year old then took in the Falkland Islands before undergoing an arduous four-day sea crossing to the island of South Georgia, the site of Ernest Shackleton?s rescue.
The expedition spent 30 days on the island, a time which Tom describes as: ?magical, absolutely amazing, I?d recommend anybody to go if they ever got the chance.?
The island is so little explored ? there are only two permanent residents ? that there is no map of the region and the group managed to climb three previously unscaled mountain peaks during their time there.
Tom participated in a range of adventurous activities, including ice climbing, survival training, mountaineering, trekking and cross-country skiing.
He said: ?We certainly had our fitness, enthusiasm and resourcefulness tested to the limit.
?We braved crevasse-ridden glaciers, vicious fur seals and armed services ration packs!
?Don?t let anyone tell you seals are cute ? when they?re out in force they?re scary!?
Despite his run-in with the seals Tom returned safely having had a fantastic trip.
He said: ?It was the best thing I?ve ever done ? I went expecting it to be brilliant and it surpassed all my expectations.
?Everything about the expedition was great and I?ve made some very good friends.?
So much so that Tom is already planning his next adventure with them ? a trip to India in 2005.