History Hit’s Dan Snow, polar explorer Preet Chandi and Endurance expedition leader John Shears to follow in Shackleton, Worsley and Crean’s footsteps crossing South Georgia
The South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) has announced it is partnering with History Hit on a major new documentary, recreating one of the most famous journeys in the history of polar exploration.
In November 2026, the History Hit team will film History Hit presenter and historian Dan Snow, polar explorer Preet Chandi MBE and John Shears, who led the 2022 expedition that discovered the wreck of Shackleton’s Endurance, attempting to cross the remote and mountainous island of South Georgia.
The journey follows the route taken by Sir Ernest Shackleton, Frank Worsley and Tom Crean in May 1916. The three men undertook this extraordinary crossing after the loss of Endurance left their expedition stranded in the Antarctic. Reaching help on South Georgia was their only chance and the whaling station at Stromness was critical – enabling Shackleton to raise the alarm and begin the rescue operation that ultimately brought all the men they left behind on Elephant Island home safely.
The History Hit team will join the explorers as they retrace this historic journey, providing a modern perspective on the physical and psychological demands faced by Shackleton, Worsley and Crean more than a hundred years ago. While the team will have access to modern equipment, clothing, communications and navigational technology, they will still face the formidable terrain, weather and remoteness of the island of South Georgia. The film will also capture the leadership, resilience, teamwork and determination that defined Shackleton’s expedition, while showcasing the extraordinary landscape and wildlife of South Georgia.
The journey comes at a significant moment for South Georgia’s heritage. SGHT and the Friends of South Georgia Island (FOSGI), with the approval of the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), have been undertaking work to stabilise and conserve the historic Manager’s Villa at the former Stromness Whaling Station where Shackleton’s crew finally reached help.
A specialist team was commissioned to stabilise and conserve the original Villa, helping to safeguard this irreplaceable part of South Georgia’s heritage for future generations. Although the villa itself remains in a prohibited area and is not accessible to visitors, digital specialists have also been creating a high-resolution 3D model of the building, allowing people around the world to explore the Villa virtually and experience this pivotal location in the story of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.
Dan Snow, History Hit Founder and Presenter said: 'I have been fascinated by the Shackleton story since I was first told about it as a child. Being part of the Endurance expedition led by John Shears was a dream come true. It only heightened my amazement that Shackleton was able to survive that ordeal. It also fired my ambition to follow the rest of his epic journey. Now, it’s a privilege to continue that exploration in South Georgia, along with John and Preet Chandi, and to capture the infamous traverse on camera with the History Hit team. Nothing beats going to the places where history has been made. By undertaking this journey, literally in Shackleton’s footsteps, we will be able to share that story with audiences across the world, while also physically experiencing the landscape and challenges ourselves.'
Alison Neil, Chief Executive of the South Georgia Heritage Trust, said: ‘We are thrilled to be partnering with History Hit on this extraordinary project and to have such an exciting team undertaking the crossing. The timing is particularly significant for SGHT. Prior to this expedition, with the permission of GSGSSI we have been working with FOSGI to stabilise and conserve the iconic Villa at the former Stromness Whaling Station.
‘Having helped safeguard this irreplaceable piece of polar heritage for future generations, we want this documentary to bring the story to a much wider audience. It will showcase not only the grit, determination and leadership of Shackleton and his companions, but also the extraordinary landscape and wildlife of South Georgia and the importance of preserving its heritage. We are hugely grateful to John Shears for agreeing to lead this expedition and we cannot wait to see the documentary History Hit creates from this epic journey.’
South Georgia is part of a British Overseas Territory and is administered by the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI).
Colin Martin-Reynolds CMG, His Majesty’s Commissioner for South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, said: ‘As Sir Ernest Shackleton’s final resting place, South Georgia is an integral part of the Shackleton story. We look forward to this documentary which will tell that powerful story through the lens of modern-day explorers, while showcasing the incredible beauty and wildlife of this unique ecosystem in recovery to audiences around the world.’
The digital recreation of the Villa will be unveiled at the culmination of the traverse attempt in November 2026. The History Hit documentary is expected to air in spring 2027.
Live highlights from the journey will be shared on Dan Snow’s social media channels in November here.