Boyd Matson knows the world. Previously the longtime host of National Geographic Explorer, he’s traveled to exotic locations, joined thrilling expeditions, participated in high-adrenaline adventures, and witnessed amazing natural history and anthropology events. Of course, work is not always a picnic. “There’s nothing glamorous or fun about the hypothermia, altitude sickness, broken bones and animal bites that can happen in the field,” notes Matson. “But I love this job.”

In addition to his work on Wild Chronicles, Matson also hosts the radio program “National Geographic Weekend,” writes a monthly travel column for National Geographic Traveler magazine and serves as a spokesperson for the National Geographic Society.

On the road with Boyd

Survival Series: Learn critical wilderness survival skills, from building fire and shelter to using a climber’s portable-ledge, in this on-going Wild Chronicles segment.

Necedah, Wisconsin: the first journalist to take to the skies with endangered, captive bred whooping crane chicks, helping Operation Migration teach the birds a migration route.

Africa: reporting on the great wildebeest migration, endangered gorillas, lions and hyenas on the hunt, and life in the African savannah.

Antarctica: dove into the continent’s frigid waters and recorded rare footage of orcas teaching their young to hunt.

Wakulla Springs, Florida: learned underwater cave diving to explore a dangerous labyrinth of submerged caverns.

Base Camp on Mount Everest: climbed through the treacherous Khumbu Icefall and did the last known interview with Babu Chiri Sherpa, the record-breaking veteran mountaineer, hours before his untimely death.

Pilbara region of Western Australia: completed “The Walk,” an intense survival course consisting of a 10-day, more than 100-mile walk in the desert.

Off the coast of Washington: piloted the Sustainable Seas Expeditions’ experimental untethered one-person sub.

New Zealand: participated in the grueling Southern Traverse endurance race.