A. TRANSPORT

On Taylor Glacier 180 km of travel was completed with Snowtric toboggan 016 in the region between Finger Mountain and the vicinity of Lake Joyce. Generally travel was with a very lightly laden sledge except for the move from Camp I to Camp II where a 250 kg load was hauled.

The Briggs and Stratton motor started and ran well until a bearing in the centrifugal clutch seized near the end of projected glacier travel. A small disc to prevent direct air entry to the carburettor was lost and had to be replaced after the second day.

The tobaggan being designed to run on snow did not travel particularly well over the rough scalloped ice on the lower Taylor Glacier. On two occasions bolts were sheared in the front suspension and once the right rear axle came loose and was dragged by the track to jam against the front axle.

B. MAIN AREAS COVERED

A gravity survey was completed from the head of the Taylor Glacier near Northwest Mountain to the sea. Travel on the glacier was by tobaggan. Walking traverses were made down the Pearse Valley and in that part of the Taylor Valley below the glacier. Camps were made on the Taylor Glacier at the head of the Pearse Valley and near Lake Joyce. From Lake Joyce the party was moved to a camp at the snout of the Howard Glacier. The party was put in on 8.12.73 and taken out on 24.12.79.

C. WEATHER

Systematic weather observations were not made. No severe storms were experienced but about three of the seventeen days in the field were spent confined to the tent due to winds exceeding an estimated 30 knots.

D. COMMUNICATIONS

Morning and evening scheds were maintained with Scott Base except occasionally when the party was away from camp making surveys at the time of the 1830 sched. Communication from Scott Base was almost invariably excellent but on one occasion transmissions to Scott Base had to be relayed via Vanda.

E. LOSS/DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT

The radio aerial was broken near one end due to it becoming embedded in glacier ice but all was recovered, temporarily repaired and returned to the Post Office.

As mentioned above various mishaps befell the toboggan.

F. RECOMMENDATIONS

(i) A better selection of spare parts should be provided for the toboggans. A supply of nuts, bolts and locking washers is essential.

(ii) It appears that the roller bearing in the clutch should be lubricated occasionally. This was unknown to us and should be made known to future tobogganers.