We are a team of friends who have adventured and explored together for the past 20 years. We share a philosophy of small self-contained teams embarking on adventures which leave no trace of their passing. Adventure Philosophy aspires to set a valuable precedent to the increasing numbers of people visiting our valuable remote wilderness area.
Adventure Philosophy believes in an Adventurous Spirit - the determination to pursue a dream or vision. The tenacity to overcome barriers, a willingness to take calculated risks, and a respect and affinity for the earth. Adventure Philosophy believes an adventurous spirit lies on the heart of people that make up a healthy civilisation.
GRAHAM CHARLES / One of NZ's most versatile and well known outdoor professionals. Graham has been teaching, managing and playing in the outdoors for over twenty five years. Graham’s vision and passion for sharing the values of an active lifestyle and outdoor experiences lead to the formation of Adventure Philosophy and the successful world first expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula, Darwin Cordillera and Sth Georgia. Now established as one of the country's leading outdoor photographer / writers he is the author of NZ's "bible" of whitewater destinations, and was the principle photographer of The Frozen Coast and The Unclaimed Coast chronicling the teams journeys in Antarctica and Sth Georgia. His work has also been published widely in NZ, USA, UK and Europe. Graham delivers inspirational lectures and presentations for the internationally recognised Celebrity Speakers. A former national representative in whitewater slalom racing he has climbed, paddled and adventured in over a dozen countries and pioneered new rock routes, new ascents in the mountains and rivers of NZ.
MARCUS WATERS / Marcus comes from a family of adventurers: his father was a former deputy director at New Zealand´s Outward Bound school and his brother Sean named NZ 2006 'Mountaineer of the Year'. Whilst Marcus has climbed, paddled and skied all over the world it is as much the emotional draw of wild places that leads him to adventure as the physical pursuit. As a founding member of the Adventure Philosophy team he has shaped the team´s philosophy and values enabling their successful 'world first' adventures beyond their initial 2001 kayak traverse of the Antarctic Peninsula. His leadership, strategic view and planning ability ensure Adventure Philosophy expeditions turn up to the right starting line with the right kit. He spent many years management consulting and now works as a Human Resource Manager with the Christchurch City Council. He has a special talent for turning lessons learnt in the wild into life changing presentations and principles for individuals and motivational practices for businesses. His charitable work includes the Adventure Philosophy Gore-tex Good for Life youth scholarship and is Chairman of the Canterbury, Westland Te Araroa Trust (establishing a walking trail the lenght of NZ). He balances the carbon footprint he creates through his adventures with the thousands of trees he and his partner and two children have planted on their bit of land outside Christchurch
MARK JONES / Mark Jones is a highly qualified and experienced outdoor educator. He has spent his life adventuring and working with people in the outdoors, notably at Tihoi Adventure School, The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre or most recently lecturing in Auckland's University of Technology. Jonesy has mastered the technical skills to operate at a high level in a wide variety of terrain, Big walls in North America, NZ's deepest caves to her highest mountains, polar sea kayaking, and steep whitewater. His passion for adventure and expertise with a camera make him an outdoor journalist of increasing regard authoring numerous articles.
GRAHAM CHARLES / One of NZ's most versatile and well known outdoor professionals. Graham has been teaching, managing and playing in the outdoors for over twenty five years. Graham’s vision and passion for sharing the values of an active lifestyle and outdoor experiences lead to the formation of Adventure Philosophy and the successful world first expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula, Darwin Cordillera and Sth Georgia. Now established as one of the country's leading outdoor photographer / writers he is the author of NZ's "bible" of whitewater destinations, and was the principle photographer of The Frozen Coast and The Unclaimed Coast chronicling the teams journeys in Antarctica and Sth Georgia. His work has also been published widely in NZ, USA, UK and Europe. Graham delivers inspirational lectures and presentations for the internationally recognised Celebrity Speakers. A former national representative in whitewater slalom racing he has climbed, paddled and adventured in over a dozen countries and pioneered new rock routes, new ascents in the mountains and rivers of NZ.
MARCUS WATERS / Marcus comes from a family of adventurers: his father was a former deputy director at New Zealand´s Outward Bound school and his brother Sean named NZ 2006 'Mountaineer of the Year'. Whilst Marcus has climbed, paddled and skied all over the world it is as much the emotional draw of wild places that leads him to adventure as the physical pursuit. As a founding member of the Adventure Philosophy team he has shaped the team´s philosophy and values enabling their successful 'world first' adventures beyond their initial 2001 kayak traverse of the Antarctic Peninsula. His leadership, strategic view and planning ability ensure Adventure Philosophy expeditions turn up to the right starting line with the right kit. He spent many years management consulting and now works as a Human Resource Manager with the Christchurch City Council. He has a special talent for turning lessons learnt in the wild into life changing presentations and principles for individuals and motivational practices for businesses. His charitable work includes the Adventure Philosophy Gore-tex Good for Life youth scholarship and is Chairman of the Canterbury, Westland Te Araroa Trust (establishing a walking trail the lenght of NZ). He balances the carbon footprint he creates through his adventures with the thousands of trees he and his partner and two children have planted on their bit of land outside Christchurch
MARK JONES / Mark Jones is a highly qualified and experienced outdoor educator. He has spent his life adventuring and working with people in the outdoors, notably at Tihoi Adventure School, The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre or most recently lecturing in Auckland's University of Technology. Jonesy has mastered the technical skills to operate at a high level in a wide variety of terrain, Big walls in North America, NZ's deepest caves to her highest mountains, polar sea kayaking, and steep whitewater. His passion for adventure and expertise with a camera make him an outdoor journalist of increasing regard authoring numerous articles.
