(b) Sledges

The two events required the use of three sledges each. Due to some minor accidents in the spring, dog sledges were at a premium early in the season. However with the assistance of various people, the sledges were prepared. Foot brakes were made, some tufnol replaced and some lashings repaired.

Event 12/12A used one dog sledge with keels, one combination sledge with keels and brakes and one manhauler with neither keels nor brake. The bare ice was too hard early in the season for the keels and they were seldom used at all on the glacier, even on the descents. However the descents off Mts. Morning and Discovery would have been extremely difficult without them. Foot brakes are a very useful addition. The sledges handled the hard ice conditions admirably, and little damage occurred. For details of these see Loss and Damage to Field Equipment, FIELD NOTES, Section E. The orange whistles used were excellent for sledge to toboggan communications.

(c) As in recent seasons air transport in the field was provided by the US Navy using twin turbine UHI-N helicopters. No problems were experienced. The windscreens on the snowtric toboggans had to be removed prior to loading and the removal of skis gave more room inside the cabin. Care must be taken when loading sledges on to the helo skids. They must be lashed so that when the aircraft lands and the skids flex, projections on the body of the helo do not push down on to the wedged sledge. Firm but not over-tight lashings will allow some movement of the sledge. On at least three occasions the Americans made unexpected and much appreciated mail deliveries. For details of helo use see Appendix 1.