When astronaut Scott Parazynski stands atop Mt. Everest in a few days, he will be making note of a number of non-profit and educational organizations – among them the Explorers Club. With him will be Explorers Club flag #114. Scott carried this flag last year. However, he had to turn back due to a back injury. Scott’s climbing partner, Adam Janikowski carried it on to the summit. Flag #114 was returned to the Explorers Club last year at the annual Lowell Thomas Awards Dinner.

According to the Explorers Club website: “Every year Explorers Club members launch new research expeditions around the world, thus continuing the early goals laid down by the Club’s founders in 1904. The Explorers Club flag represents a history of courage and accomplishment and has been carried on hundreds of expeditions since 1918. Flag expeditions fulfill a fundamental part of the Club’s mission: To engage in scientific exploration and share the results.

Carrying the flag is a great honor and privilege that is shared with many famous members. A numbered Club Flag may be awarded on loan to an individual member who is taking an active part in a non-commercial field research expedition.”

History of Explorers Club flag #114

• 1944: Otto W. Geist – Alaskan Coastline Expedition
• 1988: Tom Hayllar, Ven McNamara – Cairns to Derby Walk
• 1988: Ruth Petzold – Monterey Canyon Expedition
• 1990: John Fine – Corsica Expedition
• 1991: Joseph Romig, Ph.D. – Noon Darkness Expedition
• 1993: James H. Smith, Jr. – 1993 Cerro Rabon Expedition
• 1994: Kenneth R. Wright – Machu Picchu Hydrological Survey Expedition
• 2002: Kenneth R. Wright – Prehistoric D018 Reservoir
• 2006: Scott W. Hamilton – Texarkana Ivory Bill Research Project
• 2007: Scott W. Hamilton – Ivory Bill Research Project 2007
• 2007: Graham Charles – Ice and Ocean – Greenland 2007
• 2008: Keith L. Cowing & Scott Parazynski – Everest on Orbit
• 2009: Keith L. Cowing & Scott Parazynski – Everest on Orbit: Return to Everest

Explorers Club flags have been to the moon, aboard the space shuttle and International Space Station. Another flag was carried aloft by commercial space traveller and Explorers Club Fellow Richard Garriott (FN’98) in October 2008.