Preparations for the field

The K-048 party assembled in Christchurch on Sunday 8th November 1992 and kitted out at NZAP headquarters in preparation for a flight south on Monday 9th November. This flight was subsequently delayed by 1 day owing to bad weather in McMurdo Sound. We flew south on Tuesday 10th November and began preparations of our field gear that evening. On 11th - 12th November, Wysoczanski and Brooker attended field training. Gamble participated in the rope work, crevasse extraction and shelter building exercises but otherwise continued with field gear preparations. During field training all tents were pitched and stoves and radios (both HF and VHF) tested. This course was extremely well presented by knowledgeable, patient and enthusiastic instructors.For field programmes it is an important reminder of the ever present hazards on the ice.

We had excellent and valued support from the Scott Base field store throughout our preparations.