Herdy’s Antarctic Adventure – University of Cumbria reaches the end of the Earth

As a reminder of being part of the University of Cumbria community, everyone graduating at Carlisle Cathedral receives their very own Herdy to take on their next big adventure - with 1,500 given out alone over the last three days at the summer 2025 graduation ceremonies. 

One particular fluffy flock star has taken this to the extreme – travelling more than 14,000 miles (22,600 kilometres) all the way to the Antarctica for an incredible expedition led by Bin Sun. 

For Bin Sun graduated in 2024 from the University of Cumbria’s MA Outdoor and Experiential Learning programme, after studying at the Ambleside campus in the heart of England’s Lake District. 

Bin, 47, from Beijing, is one of China’s leading explorers and high-altitude mountain guides, with over 27 years of experience of mountaineering. He has led expeditions across the Himalayas, Antarctica, the Arctic, and has summited the highest peaks on all seven continents multiple times. 

He was the project manager who organised the torch relay on Mount Everest during the Beijing 2008 Olympics and has featured in several outdoor documentaries, including those aired on China’s national broadcaster. Bin is also currently supported by The North Face. 

In December 2024, Bin led a small international team to Antarctica which summited Mount Vinson - the continent’s highest peak - and then skied 114km to the South Pole.  

Bin said: “It was a physically demanding and emotionally profound journey through extreme cold, solitude, and breathtaking landscapes. Every gram matters in Antarctica and we had tight limits on weight and what could be taken. With extreme temperatures too, we had to carefully choose what came with us but for me it had to be Little Herdy.  

“Little Herdy represents more than a mascot - it symbolised my time at Ambleside, the values of community, curiosity, and connection to nature. Taking Herdy with me was my personal way of bringing the University of Cumbria spirit to the ends of the Earth. And what better way to celebrate my graduation than to carry my university to the top of Antarctica and the geographic South Pole?” 

About his University of Cumbria Master’s programme, Bin said: “After decades in the field, I wanted to reflect more deeply on the ‘why’ behind outdoor experiences - not just the summits - but how we learn, grow, and transform through nature. University of Cumbria’s MA Outdoor and Experiential Learning programme was the perfect fit. It helped me bridge my field experience with academic reflection, pedagogy, and a global perspective. Ambleside felt like home from the very beginning. 

 “This programme has given me the language and framework to better design learning experiences in the outdoors. It has elevated my work from guiding to facilitating personal growth and environmental awareness. I now train aspiring guides and design international outdoor learning programmes that blend Chinese and Western approaches. My studies gave me both renewed purpose and professional depth.” 

Bin is now making his mission to make the outdoors more accessible and meaningful, especially for young people. He hopes to continue to bridge education, adventure and culture through expeditions, media, and teaching.  

He added: “A future dream is to build a global outdoor learning institute rooted in both academic and experiential wisdom.” 

Therefore, no matter where the journey leads, Herdy is a reminder to every University of Cumbria graduate that they will always be part of its very special Alumni Association community. 

Find out more about University of Cumbria at https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/international-students/ or via the new University of Cumbria International College, which launches this September - https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/international-students/international-college/ 

Students join the University of Cumbria Alumni Association upon graduation and can sign up to the Cumbria Network, the contactable community of graduates from all its courses, campuses and legacy institutions.

The Cumbria Network is a safe space and platform that helps boost professional networks, allows alumni to view latest jobs and opportunities, and search a directory of alumni-owned businesses. It also provide mentorships to aid career development along with offering graduates a chance to give back by sharing their talents, skills and experience to help raise the aspirations of current students. 

Full details of Cumbria Network can be found at https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/alumni/ 

WATCH: Little Herdy's Antarctic Adventure, filmed by University of Cumbria 2024 graduate Bin Sun

ENDS