(a) Event 12

Event 12 spent all of the 12 weeks field work on or close to the Taylor Glacier. Travel was mainly by motor toboggan and supplemented by helicopter and foot. Because of previous experience in this area no major movement problems were encountered. Two areas of heavy crevassing (near Finger Mt. and Depot Nunatak) were negotiated on several occasions but obvious routes were found.

On three occasions access off the glacier required fixed ropes (Beacon Valley, Pearse Valley and around the snout). Abseiling and jumaring were the techniques used. In this aspect, as well as general glacier travel, experienced field personnel (Walter Fowlie, Colin Monteath and Jos Lang) proved invaluable.

(b) Event 13

The coastal route to Cape Royds is well known, we generally experienced good travelling conditions although some sastrugi were encountered between Cape Evans and Royds. Generally well compacted snow covered the sea-ice for much of the journey. Travel on the Taylor Glacier was much more varied and demanding. We were put down at Depot Nunatak - meeting briefly with Event 12. Circumnavigation of Depot Nunatak revealed a heavily crevassed region to the North making toboggan page 15 travel somewhat hazardous and requiring much caution. Crevasses however, were clearly visible in the blue glacier ice. From Depot Nunatak down glacier to the Kennar Valley further heavily crevassed areas were encountered and travel was slow, again requiring extreme care. Below the Kennar Valley no problems of this type were encountered and between the Kennar Valley and the Beacon Valley the glacier was covered with compacted snow. Aerial photos from Event 12 and local knowledge were very useful in route finding.

The glacier margins were steep at the Beacon and Pearse making the use of ropes and prussics essential for access to the valleys, no problems were encountered getting on and off at the snout.

In the Wright Valley we were landed in Tyrol Valley between Mts Baldr and Thor and journeyed by foot down through the Labyrinth into the South Fork and eventually to Vanda. The terrain was easy and access to areas of interest particularly around the Upper Labyrinth was no problem. The next base was established on the Olympus Range beneath Mt Dido. A single Meade tent was found sufficient for the conditions encountered.

After working from this camp for several days we returned to Vanda via the North Fork of the Wright Valley. Access to the North Fork is not difficult below Mt Dido.

After Christmas we travelled via Bull Pass to a previously established camp at Lake Vida. From this camp at the west end of the lake we made several trips of several days duration, to the lower Olympus Range (Mt Cerberus) and to the Upper Victoria Glacier. Access onto the glacier was via a frozen waterfall on the south-west side of the glacier. This was the only viable access-point we found on the lower reaches of the glacier.

(c) Event 25

Field work was restricted to areas within the Quartermain Mountains. The initial field work within Kennar Valley was carried out on outcrop within walking distance of the main camp.

Finger Mountain camp was on the saddle directly below and to the southeast of Finger Mt summit. On the initial helicopter flight in, a food dump was laid on the saddle. Camp was established on foot from Kennar Valley and on completion a return to the main Kennar Camp was also made on foot.

Work in the cirque valleys between Kennar Valley and Tabular Mountain was done on foot.

Two further areas (Mt Feather and Upper Beacon Valley) worked, were visited by helicopter.