In brief
Helen Schreider, known for her adventurous spirit and explorations across continents, has died at 98, marking the end of an era for pioneering female adventurers.
Helen Schreider, who embarked on extraordinary adventures alongside her husband Frank, has passed away at the age of 98 in Santa Rosa, California. Together, they became the first couple to travel from the Arctic Circle to the southernmost tip of South America in an amphibious vehicle, an impressive feat that showcased their dedication to exploration. Frank Schreider was inducted into the prestigious Explorers Club in 1956, but it wasn’t until 2015, after the club allowed women to join, that Helen received the same honor.The couple shared a passion for documenting their journeys for National Geographic over multiple decades, during which they captured stunning visuals and narratives from places as diverse as Africa, India, and the Amazon Basin. “You went exploring knowing there was no accolade for women. It was just the pure passion and the pure curiosity,” Faanya Rose, the club’s first female president, remarked upon Helen's induction.Though Helen was initially overshadowed by her husband’s recognition, her contributions as a photographer and documentarian were immense. She always carried a sketchpad to capture the essence of her travels, a testament to her artistic spirit. She is survived by a niece, Camille Armstrong, who shared that the cause of death was a stroke. Helen's legacy as a fearless traveler and pioneer will continue to inspire future generations of explorers.
