FIELD PROGRAMME

On arrival at Scott Base we were asked to combine our programme with that proposed by the University of Waikato, so the itinerary for two members was changed slightly to include Cape Bird before Cape Crozier. Neall and Kyle travelled up to Cape Barne with the four members of the Waikato Expedition in a Nodwell, driven by Rae Tatham, Deputy Leader at Scott Base. This means of transport enabled Kyle on the journey to collect rock samples for geochemical analysis from the Cape Evans area. After a week at Cape Barne, during which time Neall and Kyle travelled as far north as Cape Royds, they were transported by Navy helicopter to Cape Bird. Two members of the Waikato team, Wilson and Hendy, were also taken there by helicopter. The party was only delayed one day at Cape Bird and then was transported back to McMurdo and on to Cape Crozier, where an extensive mapping programme along the coast enabled the geologists to complete a geological map of the area. The survey extends from the Discovery II Pole (which is of historical significance, for it was here that a message was left on the 'Discovery' Expedition in 1901-03 for the relief ship 'Morning') southwards for six miles to Igloo Spur. Here Wilson, Bowers and Cherry-Garrard built a stone igloo during the winter night of 1912 in attempting to obtain the famous Emperor Penguin eggs. The 1969-70 parties were a few days' late leaving Cape Crozier and arrived back at Scott Base by helicopter on December 8th.

Meanwhile Vucetich and Topping departed from Scott Base on 17th November for a camp site 1 km east of the large loop moraine in the Lower Wright Valley. On the 18th November whilst they were away working, a helicopter crashed in the hills nearby and caught fire, regrettably with the loss of two lives. Their camp was used in the emergency (whilst they were away) and the surviving co-pilot took one of their down jackets (later returned) and headed for the Miserve Glacier camp to give the "Mayday" call. The survivors who wore wind-proof clothing were only burnt on their hands and faces, the clothing page 6 apparently being non-inflammable. We do suggest, therefore, that for any future air travel in Antarctica, windproof clothing and gloves be worn.

On 26th November, a helicopter carried Vucetich's and Topping's gear to Lake Vanda whilst they walked the 15 kms distance. Due to unfavourable weather and problems in helicopter transport, the programme was then modified and their Labyrinth visit was reduced from a proposed 8 days to one day. The decision to operate from a main camp near Vanda Station proved wise because of the very tangible support from the Vanda Leader and his staff in untangling some complicated logistics whilst camped at Vanda and later in the Lower Taylor Valley.

After replenishing supplies at Scott Base, Neall and Kyle set out by helicopter on 11th December for the Labyrinth, intending to meet Vucetich and Topping there. Due to an unfortunate series of circumstances, the helicopter failed to bring the latter party to the Labyrinth and Neall and Kyle spent six days there without a radio or first aid kit, awaiting their comrades to arrive. Apparently the helicopters were grounded over this period and eventually Vucetich and Topping walked to the Labyrinth. The following day a helicopter arrived to take our party of four to the Lower Taylor Valley, but because it was already carrying a number of passengers, the pilot found he was unable to take our load (which under normal circumstances would have constituted an easy weight to transport). After instructing us to dump kerosene and food, the pilot was still unable to take the load, so a hasty decision was made to leave Kyle and Topping with a tent and food (but little kerosene). This enabled Neall and Vucetich to carry on with work in the Lower Taylor Valley if the other members of the party were delayed. On travelling around to the Lower Taylor Valley, the helicopter landed at Lake Vanda to pick up Vucetich's radio and scientific equipment required over the next few days. Meanwhile another helicopter in the region which was diverted to the Labyrinth to pick up Kyle and Topping, developed engine trouble and crash landed in the Labyrinth. On arrival of Neall and Vucetich at the Lower Taylor Valley, we witnessed a Hercules flying over that area and heard Topping relaying the position of the grounded helicopter, by University Commanda radio, to Lake Vanda who passed the message to Scott Base and thence to McMurdo. In turn all the crew were rescued uninjured, and a day later Kyle and Topping walked to Lake Vanda. Their actions during this time are worthy of commendation.

Helicopter support was again not forthcoming and Kyle and Topping page 7 waited for a week at Vanda before eventually meeting up on 27th December with Neall and Vucetich in the Lower Taylor Valley. Meanwhile Neall and Vucetich achieved the scientific work which they had scheduled and at 3.30 p.m. on New Year's Eve the party was airlifted back to Scott Base by three helicopters (one Navy and two Coastguard). All three had been relaying stores to Vanda, thus collecting us on their way home.

It was not possible for the expedition to take a wannagan to White Island, so we were given use of one of the Scott Base snow-tracs. Topping remained at base to accompany us to White Island when Vucetich returned to New Zealand on 2nd January, 1970. This constituted a safer (3-man) party to travel across the shelf ice. We headed for the centre of the island so as to avoid the large crevasses at the northernmost point, and then travelled along the coastline to the rock outcrops we wished to visit. We returned to Scott Base on 9th January, 1970, and during the remaining five days at Scott Base collected rock samples along Hut Point Peninsula, and packed our crates of equipment for return to New Zealand.

Medically, the party was very fit and although one member suffered from dehydration on one occasion whilst another tipped some boiling water on his foot, no serious accidents were sustained.