2. Planning

We experienced some form of communication break-down upon arriving in Antarctica. We found at our event briefing at Scott Base that we were working off an Equipment Allocation form dated just prior to Tekapo, whereas NZAP staff were referring to one dated September 19th, 1994, a form which we never received. It appeared also that the September 19th form had not been updated with respect to some equipment and time in the field as agreed at Tekapo. With this in mind, it is likely beneficial for field parties to check with NZAP that both sides have compatible allocation forms.

All requested information (maps, previous reports etc.) were provided quickly by the NZAP library. We obtained previous reports on the 1990/91 Seris Expedition to the same area, and Bill Atkinson obtained an older map of the Ross Ice Shelf that included some geophysical data, a map which we found quite useful.

The Tekapo training course was a very useful precursor to the real thing in that it served to familiarise personal with the program and also the people that would provide support at Scott Base.

As well as learning a great deal, we all thoroughly enjoyed the week. Bill Atkinson did not attend the Tekapo course but we do not believe that this disadvantaged the event in any way.