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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1984-85: VUWAE 29

BEDROCK STUDIES (K043B)

page 56

BEDROCK STUDIES (K043B)

Narratives:

Fitzgerald and Patterson arrived at Scott Base on December 3. During the next two days Fitzgerald prepared field gear, whilst Patterson attended to the survival course. Due to poor visibility and blowing snow we did not leave Scott Base in Snotrac 35 until 1200 on December 6, arriving at Butter Point at 1750, breaking one bogie en route. The road to Butter Point at this time was in good condition although there was almost no snow left on it and there were a few slushy patches. Camp was established in the mess hut of the CIROS camp.

Weather over the next two days was abnormally warm and still. He worked on the east end of the Kukri Hills on December 7 and the south side of New Harbour on the 8th. A knocking noise in the engine prompted us to abandon our planned trip to Mt Coleman and Hjorth Hill on the north side of New Harbour on the 9th. This, plus the uncertain state of the road due to the high temperatures, prompted us to return to Scott Base that night, leaving Butter Point at 2100 and arriving at Scott Base at 0300. The condition of the sea-ice road was less than ideal; however, it was not possible to leave the road to look for better conditions because in a lot of places between Butter Point and the "dirty ice", previous travel had compacted the ice leaving "causeways" across large, almost continuous meltpools. Where the "causeway" had broken down it was necessary to drive through these meltpools which in some cases were 2-3 feet deep. Just off the "dirty ice" we were forced to leave the road and pick a route further to the north. Once past here conditions improved dramatically. The snotrac crankshaft was later found to have elongated holes where it fits onto the crankcase, hence causing the knocking.

December 10 and 11 at Scott Base were spent preparing more field gear. Helicopter delay on the 13th, but on December 14 we flew into the Miers valley with a precautionary putdown on the sea-ice en route due to the windscreen above the pilot's head coming loose. This was repaired with some of our fibreglass tape, but despite this we were charged 1.5 hours. From December 14-17 we worked in and around the Miers Valley, and along the ridge between it and the Marshall Valley from the coast to almost as far west as spot height 1430.

On December 18 the helicopter arrived at 1430 to move us to Robertson Ridge to join Korsch and George (K043A). Aerial photography of the east side of the Kukri Hills and samples from Hjorth Hill, Mt Coleman, Mt Falconer and Mt McLennan was completed en route, arriving at 1730. We had requested a morning helicopter flight to get good ground perspective with the sun to the east. Unfortunately, an afternoon flight meant we were shooting directly into the sun. From December 19-21 we worked in the lower victoria Valley, along Robertson Ridge and in the Olympus Range. Bad weather on December 22 and a Sunday on the 23rd delayed our move to the Blue Glacier until December 24. Vincent (ex. K042) and Hall (K071) plus one sledge and underslung Grizzley were flown in to the upper Blue Glacier. The helicopter then picked up Fitzgerald and Patterson from Robertson Ridge and moved them to the upper Blue, returning to Scott Base with rocks and retro before returning with the second sledge and Grizzley. A brief but severe storm blew up that evening from the south.

December 25 was spent sorting gear, putting sledges back together, organising crevasse rescue kits for both vehicles and sledges, as well as instigating maintenance schedules for the Grizzlys (SM053 and 054). That afternoon we travelled to spot height 1430 where we took a 30 kg sample of granodiorite for Korsch and another smaller one off the summit. A vertical sampling profile was done on spot height 1890 on December 26. Due to the extra weight of the Grizzlys (740 lb) compared to the older Snotrics (450 lb) which had been in our original planning, we had been unable to bring in as much page 57 as we wanted in the original put-in. Therefore, a resupply of mainly fuel was deemed necessary. Planned at short notice for December 28 we found out on the morning of the 27th that it was coming on that day in conjunction with K054A's move to the Garwood Valley. Bad communications and an inability to raise Scott Base the previous morning had led to our resupply requirements not being passed in full until that morning, too late to be processed for that day. While we waited for the resupply that never came we practised methods of travel on crevassed country and crevasse extraction of a Grizzley. It was our intention on the 28th to work on the ridge north of the Salient Glacier but bad weather forced us back to camp. On December 29 we made our way up the true left of the Salient Glacier before crossing over and travelling up the true right as far as the 1600 m contour. From here we were able to work on the upper reaches of the ridge to the south of the Salient Glacier. The next day we worked on the lower reaches of the ridges, to the south and north of the Salient Glacier. The weather was bad on the 31st but cleared enough on January 1 to enable us to sample several small peaks across the south end of the Blue Glacier.

We moved camp down-glacier to Granite Knolls on January 2, travelling in deep snow for most of the way. Weather on the next two days was low overcast and occasional snow storms, reducing visibility but with very flat light conditions, making safe travel tricky and slow. We sampled spot height 1243 on January 3 and on January 4 whilst Hall and Patterson waited in case the resupply came, Fitzgerald and Vincent sampled across the tops of Briggs Hills. On the morning of January 5 we packed rocks and did an extensive overhaul of the Grizzly s and then while Hall waited for the resupply (which arrived at 1500 with 20 gallons 2-stroke plus a small amount of food), Fitzgerald, Vincent and Patterson worked on the foothills of the Royal Society Range beneath Chaplins Tableland, returning at 2200. On January 5 we attempted to cross Blue Glacier a few kilometres to the east of Granite Knolls but were turned back by a river running down the centre of the glacier. Unfortunately, the lead toboggan and sledge got stuck in the slush on the edge of this river resulting in a few hours delay and wet feet for some. A 4:1 Z-pulley system using the second toboggan was used to pull the lead toboggan out. From here the river cut in close to the north side of the lower Blue Glacier under a set of ice-cliffs, barring any travel further down the Blue Glacier. Bad weather on January 7 cleared up sufficiently at 1400 to enable us to travel across to start work on the ridge north of Lister Glacier but closed in again soon after. January 8 we moved back up the glacier intending to camp as far up the Hooker Glacier as possible, but snow and poor visibility caused us to camp fairly low down. Work on the ridge north of Lister Glacier was finished en route. January 9 it snowed heavily all day. In misty weather conditions we moved camp back to Granite Knolls on January 10 working en route on the ridge between Hooker and Salient Glaciers and taking a sample off the small peak on the east side of the Blue directly opposite Williams Peak. In more bad weather on January 11 we packed rocks and prepared sledges for return to Scott Base. January 12 the helicopter arrived at 1415 for one hour's close support: sampling Mt Barnes, Mt Herb, spot height 1204 and then the small peak southwest of Williams Peak. We returned to Granite Knolls and did two shuttles to Scott Base taking a sledge and underslung Grizzley each time, finishing at 1615. Gear was cleaned and returned, rocks sorted and the cargon packed on January 13 and 14. On January 15, Vincent and Fitzgerald flew to Granite Harbour with Belgrave (K091 - surveyor) to assist in the surveying of the Mackay Glacier tongue for Macpherson (K042). Fitzgerald, Vincent and Patterson flew out to New Zealand on the evening of the 16th, arriving at Christchurch on the morning of January 17. They were then debriefed at Antarctic Division.

The season was a successful one with all major objectives being achieved. The lack of mechanical problems in the field certainly contributed to this, but it could not have been done without the support we received from the staff of Scott Base.

page 58

Helicopter Movements:

19 hours in total were allocated to K043 this season, 13 of those to K043B. We were charged 1.5 hours for our put-in to the Miers Valley, but after this, hours charged were difficult to gauge as they were grouped in with K043A. Approximately 4 hours were charged for our move from Miers Valley to Robertson Ridge: this included aerial photography and close support in New Harbour. Our put-in to the upper Blue Glacier cost us approximately 5 hours and our eventual return to Scott Base another 4.5 including one hour's close support. Our total for the season would not have exceeded 14 hours.

Weather:

The 1984/85 season appeared to be one of unsettled weather patterns. Whilst at New Harbour from December 6-9 the weather was abnormally warm, resulting in accelerated deterioration of the sea-ice. However, in the Miers Valley it was always overcast with a prevailing easterly of 10-15 knots. At Robertson Ridge it was often fine but windy, only one day being bad enough to halt a planned helicopter move. Weather in the Blue Glacier was one of contrasts; beautiful sunny days early in our stay with wind, snow and whiteouts dominant towards the end. In all, four days of helicopter delays were experienced because of weather, and four working days lost in the field, not to mention those marginal days when some work was done.

Communications:

We were supplied with a Compak radio, spare battery and solar panels. The radio performed satisfactorily in New Harbour, Miers Valley and Robertson Ridge. However, within a few days of arriving in the Blue Glacier, high power ceased to function. This made communication with Scott Base almost impossible at times, necessitating relays through Vanda and K078 at Cape Hallett. This was replaced by another Compak on January 5.

We appreciated the efficient, professional manner in which radio schedules were conducted this season.

Recommendations:

Due to the often bad atmospheric conditions, communications this season were not the best. This was not improved by the problems a lot of field parties experienced with their HF radios. The issue of VHF radios to field parties operating in the Dry Valley area in line of sight with either the Crater Hill or Mt Newall repeaters would go a long way towards improving communications. As an added safety factor, their small size means that they can be carried in the field on a day-to-day basis as well as allowing within-party communication should the party split up. An adaptor enabling recharging from the solar panel would be essential for any event spending some time in the field.

Itinerary:

December 3 Fitzgerald, Patterson arrive Scott Base.
December 4-5 Fitzgerald prepares field gear. Patterson survival course.
December 6 Travel Scott Base to Butter Point using Snotrac 35.
December 7-8 Work around New Harbour, east end of Kukri Hills.
December 9 Return to Scott Base.
December 10-11 Continued preparation of field gear.
December 12 Helicopter delay.
December 13 Fitzgerald, Patterson helicopter to Miers Valley. page 59 December 14-17 Work in Miers Valley area.
December 18 Helicopter move to Robertson Ridge - close support on Hjorth Hill, Mt Coleman, Mt Falconer and Mt McLennan en route. Join K043A (Korsch and George).
December 19-21 Work in the lower Victoria Valley, Robertson Ridge and Olympus Range.
December 22-23 Helicopter delay.
December 15-23 Vincent at Scott Base. Checking vehicles and field preparation for Blue Glacier.
December 24 Vincent and Hall helicopter into upper Blue Glacier from Scott Base. Fitzgerald and Patterson join them from Robertson Ridge.
December 25 Reassemble sledges, prepare crevasse rescue kits. Instigate vehicle maintenance schedule. Work on .1430 and take 30 kg rock sample for Korsch.
December 26 Work on .1890.
December 27 Wait for resupply. Practise crevasse extraction of Grizzleys and methods of travel on crevassed country.
December 28 Bad weather.
December 29 Travelled up true left of Salient Glacier. Worked on Frio Peak and ridge along south side of Salient Glacier.
December 30 Worked and sampled ends of ridges on both north and south side of Salient Glacier.
December 31 Bad weather.
January 1 Worked south end of Blue Glacier.
January 2 Move camp to Granite Knolls.
January 3 Set camp altitude from Granite Knolls trig. Sample .1243.
January 4 Fitzgerald and Vincent work Briggs Hills. Hall and Patterson wait for resupply.
January 5 Toboggan overhaul and rock packing in morning. Fitzgerald, Vincent and Patterson work on ridge beneath Chaplins Tableland. Resupply arrives 1500.
January 6 Attempt to cross Blue Glacier in order to work on Mt Kowalczyk and Williams Peak. Turned back by river running down middle of glacier.
January 7 Bad weather. Cleared up sufficiently at 1400 to work on ridge north of Lister Glacier.
January 8 Move camp to Lower Hooker Glacier in deteriorating weather.
January 9 Bad weather.
January 10 Move camp back to Granite Knolls. Work on ridge between Hooker and Salient Glaciers. Sample peak on east side of Blue. Glacier opposite Williams Peak.
January 11 Bad weather. Prepare Grizzlys, sledges and rock samples for tranport back to Scott Base.
January 12 Helicopter arrives 1415. Close support, then 2 shuttles to return to Scott Base.
January 13-14 Return field gear. Packing cargon.
January 15 Fitzgerald, Vincent assist in surveying of Mackay Glacier tongue for K042.
January 16 Fitzgerald, Vincent, Patterson return Christchurch.
Days in field - work 19
travel 9
bad weather 4
helicoter delay 4
36
Days at Scott Base 9
TOTAL 45