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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1981-82: VUWAE 26

Beacon Studies in the Quartermain Range (K5)

page 25

Beacon Studies in the Quartermain Range (K5).

NARRATIVE:

The main objective of this trip was to study exposures of the Weller Coal Measure (Permian) and Feather Conglomerate (Permian-Triassic) at Mt. Feather (77°58S, 160°1830"E) and Tabular Mt. (77°5126"S, 160°7E). At Mt. Feather camp was set up in a sheltered basin at 2200m, approximately 6km NE of the summit, but immediately after we arrived heavy snow set in, confining us to tents for 2 days. The third day was spent working upsection on the Feather Conglomerate, some 3 hours away but this was hampered by deep snow and high winds.

We moved to Tabular Mt. (lying some 12 1/2 kilometres to the NNW of Mt. Feather) on 19 December and set up camp at 2400m, on the ridge directly north of the summit. This provided access to limited sections of both the Weller Coal Measures and the Feather Conglomerate.

TRANSPORT:

All transport was by helicopter, with all moves in the field being on schedule. The move from Tabular Mt. to Vanda was successful despite high winds and deteriorating weather conditions. Aerial reconnaissance was helpful at each location for an overall view of the geology.

WEATHER:

Soon after our arrival at Mt. Feather we were greeted by heavy snow and poor visibility. This cleared up enough to enable us to move to Tabular Mt., where we were met with heavy snow and poor visibility once again. Weather cleared after a few days here but was closing in again just prior to departure.

COMMUNICATIONS:

A DSIR Compak SSB radio was used. This proved satisfactory except that most transmissions to Scott Base had to be relayed via Vanda.

FIELD EQUIPMENT:

All equipment performed well and new VUWAE clothing this year was appreciated, especially at high altitude where in the past this has been an inconvenience.

The only loss of equipment was the leaving behind of the toilet at Mt. Feather due to a hurried departure.

page 26
Beacon Studies at Mt. Bastion (K7A).

Three weeks were spent working in detail on the very well-exposed Triassic strata at Mount Bastion. Apart from two snow falls which covered the outcrops and required up to three days to abate the weather was good and the lack of strong winds made working in temperatures lower than −20°C bearable. It is recommended that work at Mount Bastion is carried out before mid-November to avoid heavy snowfalls that accompany warmer temperatures.

Work was carried out between 0300 hours and 1500 hours so as to catch the sun on the outcrops and to avoid the low thick cloud that invariably rolled in from the south at around 1200 hours. It is advised that Helo movements to and from Mount Bastion be performed as early as possible in the morning so as to avoid this problem.

Communications with Scott Base were good and only on a few occasions was it necessary to relay through Vanda.

Fission-Track dating (K7B).

NARRATIVE/AREA COVERED/WEATHER:

Dr. Gleadow and Paul Fitzgerald were put in by helicopter at the eastern end of Lake Brownsworth in lower Wrights Valley, where they spent two days carrying out the bedrock sampling programme and sketching the local geology. On the return flight to Scott Base rock samples were collected from several points on the coast between Gneiss Point and Spike Cape.

The weather was fine throughout the field period.

TRANSPORT:

Helicopter transport was used to put the field party in to the camp site in Wright valley and to carry out an aerial reconnaissance of the sampling area. This proved to be extremely valuable in selecting the best outcrop areas for the sampling traverses and in locating the survey benchmark where camp was set up. The three sampling traverses up the sides of the lower Wright Valley were then completed in two days on foot.

Return to Scott Base was delayed by several days and close support work to collect samples along the coast had to be curtailed because of the helicopter problems which developed at the beginning of December. However, this did not seriously restrict the geological sampling programme and all major objectives were achieved.

EQUIPMENT and COMMUNICATIONS:

Several days were spent at Scott Base preparing equipment - no difficulties were encountered and the equipment performed well under field conditions. Communications were quite satisfactory although a fault developed in the radio which necessitated switching the set off and on again between transmitting and receiving.