During 1984/85 season while working with K042 and K043 distances travelled included 1700 km on the sea ice and 300 km on the Blue Glacier. In each of these trips 2 toboggans and sledges were used. From this hopefully something was learnt and the following notes may be of use:

Sea Ice

As the Snotrics are being replaced discussions concerning their problems are of little use. Suffice to say much time was lost attempting to keep them alive through the 3355 km.

Notes

This should be in the form of a more thorough briefing of survival training personnel and a simple publication on travelling in Antarctica. The latter would result in lessons learnt in the past being available to new staff, function as a focus for safe and practical practices and be revised every 3-5 years as plant is replaced and new methods of travel prove successful. The information could include travelling on sea ice and crevassed areas, methods of applying rope brakes and repairing lashings on sledges, etc.

Blue Glacier

The two Grizzly toboggans (No. 53 and 54) performed exceptionally well. Each vehicle travelled 300 km, averaging 12 km/gallon fuel consumption. The only part replaced was the variator belt of machine No. 54 - this was partially worn from use prior to this event. Both machines always started on the electric Start, very little appeared to vibrate loose and track tension required little adjustment.

Notes

1.	The rear of the machine was lifted onto a box each morning so that the tracks could be run unloaded and cleared of ice. It proved very worthwhile to do that at night also as the snow was uncompacted at that time. As the Grizzlies weigh 740 lbs (much heavier than the Snotrics) it is suggested that a simple lever jack and 2 props are provided with each machine making it realistic for a field party to service the vehicle in this manner. It would also greatly assist when checking track tension and running gear. The writer would be quite happy to provide sketches of what is required.page 61
2.	A number of exercises was done with respect to linking the vehicles together for safe travelling in crevassed areas. When travelling daily to work site from camp we generally used toboggan linked to tamworth sledge (with breakman) linked to the second toboggan. This provided excellent protection travelling uphill but we found that the second toboggan could provide only negligible reverse load when travelling downhill. Hence, when travelling downhill in suspect areas the sledge had up to four rope brakes fitted and keels lowered so that it required a strong positive pull of the lead toboggan to move it. This also left the tamworth brake as additional stopping power if the front toboggan fell through a bridge rather than using it to control the speed of the sledge travelling down the hill.
3.	The only spare variator belts available to be taken into the field were Bombadier models acquired from McMurdo.
4.	A two-stroke fuel mix of 30:1 was used. This proved adequate except when travelling roped together; the second toboggan (not loaded) would begin to oil the plugs after a while, this was generally alleviated by swapping the vehicles. Apparently, the manufacturer recommended 50:1 and possibly this is too lean. A 30:1 mix certainly ensured there were no overheating problems but perhaps 35:1 mix would alleviate these problems. The lack of a service manual made tuning and general maintenance more difficult in the field.
5.	The quality of new sledge runners and bridges leave much to be desired. Many show signs of delamination and cracking prior to being taken off the shelf. Perhaps also the means by which keels are fitted needs some revision as the two old runners that were replaced both failed in this area.

Suggestions

These points could be discussed with the manufacturer.

Summary

This report is offered in a positive manner and the writer would be keen to provide any further information or assistance.

Notes on travelling in the Blue Glacier area

The main body of the Blue provided excellent travel conditions with very few obvious crevasses. Good snow cover was encountered right down to below Granite Knolls.

In the upper area good access to near 1430±, north ridge of 1890±, and other outlying peaks. Reasonable access was gained up the true left of the Salient Glacier to a height of 1800 m.

Around Granite Knolls area excellent access to top of Descent Bass, near Bettle Peak and across to east ridge of the Pimple. Early in the season, reasonable vehicle access is also likely to Goat Mountain area. However, by January a river up to 20 m wide and 300 mm to 500 mm deep flows down the middle of the glacier below Granite Knolls and then heads left as it approaches Bowers Piedmont.

Notes on Field Equipment

The 3-man North Face Dome tent (larger than the New Horizon) proved excellent as a cook-house and 'day hut' for the 4-man party. Generally, field equipment was good. Nylon windproofs are very useful and less bulky than NZARP anoraks to wear.

Vehicle Itinerary - Grizzly toboggans SM053, SM054

Date	Location	Distance travelled	Fuel added	Comments
25 Dec.	From camp in Upper Blue to Saddle south of 1430±	9 km	−	Pulling 450 lbs. All running gear checked in evening on 053.
26 Dec.	From Camp to below 1890±	9	2 galls	Pulling 450 lbs. Adjusted choke on 053 in evening. Was running too rich. All running gear checked 054.
27 Dec.	Around Camp.	2	−	Crevasse rescue practice.
28 Dec.	From Camp down glacier	6	−	Travelled 3km before weather closed in.
29 Dec.	From Camp up true left of Salient Glacier	20	2 galls	053 running better. New variator belt in 054.
30 Dec.	Lower ridges each side of Salient Glacier	20	1 1/3 galls	Both running well.
31 Dec.	NO TRAVEL
1 Jan.	To top of Blue Glacier from Camp	10	1 gall	− Travelling on good snow. Running gear checked in evening.
2 Jan.	Moved Camp from top of Blue to Granite Knoll	26	2 galls	− Towing 1100 lbs. Breaking through snow to 250 mm. Hard work but they travelled well. Snotric wouldn't have made it.
3 Jan.	From Granite Knoll to Descent Pass	21	1 1/3 galls	− Both running well.
4 Jan.	From G.K. to Briggs Hills	30	2 galls	− Towing 950 lbs. General good snow conditions and few crevasses.
5 Jan.	From G.K. to east ridge of the Pimple	20	1 1/2 galls	− Got toboggans up to first saddle in ridge.page 63
6 Jan.	Tried to get from G.K. to Mt. Goat	20	2 galls	− Tried to cross 'Blue River' - got stuck - set up 4 to 1 to pull toboggan out.
7 Jan.	To ridge south of Lister Glacier	19	1 1/2 galls	− Towed 900 lbs - running gear checked in evening.
8 Jan.	To above and then to bottom of Hooker Glacier	25	2 galls	− Towed 600 lbs - both running well.
	Diary ends.