Antarctica and Tractors

[wrinklearthur]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1423.jpg

Sir Edmund Hillary, right, and Jim Bates, both of New Zealand, stand before their tractors on Jan. 4, 1958, after arrival at the American Scientific Station at the South Pole. The party of five travelled 1,200 miles with this equipment over polar snow and ice. The square box at right was Hillary's quarters and housed the expedition's radio equipment. - See more at: http://www.myfarmlife.com/first-gear/massey-to-the-south-pole/#sthash.51kbugOv.dpuf

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1424.jpg

I have just read that the exhibit in Christchurch is a replica based on photo's ???

Where are the originals tractor now ?
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[Dougal]

One of the original tractors was in the Christchurch Museum, I don't know how it fared in the quakes. I think Ferguson may have one.

[wrinklearthur]

Manon Ossevoort and her quest to travel to the South Pole, 2014.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1422.jpg

Manon Ossevoort - Op de tractor naar de Zuidpool en terug? (http://www.tractortractor.org/english/)


Ref; https://www.facebook.com/TheTractorGirl'ref=hl%20and%20Twitter:%20https://twitter.com/tractortractor

" Wow, saw 'my' South Pole tractor for the first time!!
And found out the serial number ends with 007!
So, will I be shaken not stirred? "
.

[wrinklearthur]

Massey Ferguson Heritage - 50s 3 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Wc3rt2LpWO0)

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[wrinklearthur]

South Pole Traverse - YouTube

[Windaroo]

There is a Display at MOTAT (http://www.motat.org.nz/) in Auckland that features the tractors.

Don't miss the Aviation and Rail and other displays down the road that you can catch an ex Melbourne tram to take you to it. Included in entrance cost... Good displays

[disco2hse]

It should not be missed that the only thing between the driver and the Antarctica elements was a sheet of canvas. Compared with the air conditioned luxury of successive attempts.

Remember Hillary saying they weren't supposed to go to the pole, but they thought they'd just keep driving. Typical.

Go past MOTAT nearly every day, to work.

[S3ute]

I have just read that the exhibit in Christchurch is a replica based on photo's ???

Where are the originals tractor now ?
.

Arthur,

Hello from Brisbane.

I had seen one of the tractors in the museum in Christchurch on a couple of occasions between 1977 and 2008, but had not been aware of it being anything other than one of the originals.

Trust the Kiwis to put a con job.

Next thing you know it'll be the origin of something simple like pavlovas..................

Cheers,

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Russian South Pole Traverse (http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/igy1/dralkin1.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1409.jpg
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[gromit]

Friends of Ferguson Heritage- The Worst Journey in the World (http://www.fofh.co.uk/articles/pole.htm)



Colin

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Byrd-Pole Traverse 1960-61 (http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/igy1/havola.html)

This is how 2 orange D-8's made it to Pole (one was destroyed in the October 1964 fire and replaced with the black one). This traverse consisted of two D-8's with sleds, 1 weasel,and a total of 11 men including leader Army Major Antero Havola. The tank on the front of this D-8 is a snow melter, hence this was known as a "bow tanker." Since it didn't have a lot of usefulness without a blade, one was ordered, and eventually this machine was parked next to the garage. In 1963-64 the folks wondered why they received a D-8 blade in the resupply since their only D-8 already had a blade. Then the mechanic noticed that he'd been tripping over something next to the garage, it was the top of this beast. Blade was installed. :o

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1408.jpg

[wrinklearthur]

Ref;South Pole Timeline-1955-1964 (http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/igy1/igy1.html)

Summer 1957-58

Opening flight (10/28).
At a temperature of -60°F/-51°C, the P2V-7 pilot turns his engines off; result: multiple oil leaks, a cracked cylinder and an engine change at Pole. Reporters on the turnaround flight end up staying more than 2 weeks

Second D-2 airdropped (11/10), streams in (parachutes didn't work) and buries itself 45+ feet deep; still today a target visible on LC-130 radar

Seismologist Father Linehan determines from seismic sounding (made at the bottom of the 45-foot-deep D-2 crater) that the station is 8,397 feet above bedrock which is 903 feet above sea level
Station team learns that Pole would continue to be occupied after IGY (12/5);

[Dougal]

And here is what the Americans tried and failed with:

Antarctic Snow Cruiser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

More info in these links.
snowcruiser (http://www.thule.org/snowcruiser.html)
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/tierra_hueca/esp_tierra_hueca_18.htm

Geared too high, no grip from the balloon tyres etc. It features in a Clive Cussler novel too.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1407.jpg

[wrinklearthur]

Arthur,

Hello from Brisbane.

I had seen one of the tractors in the museum in Christchurch on a couple of occasions between 1977 and 2008, but had not been aware of it being anything other than one of the originals.

Trust the Kiwis to put a con job.

Next thing you know it'll be the origin of something simple like pavlovas..................

Cheers,

There is a copy besides the three originals.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1406.jpg

New addition to Sir Edmund Hillary collection at Mount Cook museum (http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/hillarytractor.html)
.

[wrinklearthur]

http://www.antarctican.org/antarctican_society/PDF%20Files/pack_ice/Ferguson%20Articles/ISSUE56.pdf

http://www.antarctican.org/antarctican_society/PDF%20Files/pack_ice/Ferguson%20Articles/ISSUE57.pdf

http://www.antarctican.org/antarctican_society/PDF%20Files/pack_ice/Ferguson%20Articles/ISSUE58.pdf

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1399.jpg

[stallie]

The modern version. What the French use for their traverse from Dumont d'Urville (on the coast, roughly due south of Hobart) to Dome C - a bit over 1000kms inland. Pic taken at Cap Prud'homme - the traverse head on the mainland at Dumont. One of the windiest places on the planet (as you can see from the windsock) and where film March of the Penguins was filmed.

The sled containers take fuel in for the Dome C station - which is an incredible place in itself. Max temp around -20°C in the summer, 10600 foot altitude. And bloody good food :p.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1366.jpg

[disco2hse]

Pretty rude comment really.

So, what Arthur is pointing out is that there is no con. That it is a well publicised act of generosity from a member of the public.




...Trust the Kiwis to put a con job...

There is a copy besides the three originals.

...
New addition to Sir Edmund Hillary collection at Mount Cook museum (http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/hillarytractor.html)
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; File:Map of the McMurdo-South Pole highway.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_the_McMurdo-South_Pole_highway.jpg)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1599.jpg

Ref; Antarctic Traverse (http://www.gdargaud.net/Antarctica/Traverse.html)bb

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1274.jpg

Ref; Traverse Across Antarctica To The South Pole May Employ Robotic Tractors in the Future - SpaceRef (http://spaceref.com/onorbit/traverse-across-antarctica-to-the-south-pole-may-employ-robotic-tractors-in-the-future.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1275.jpg

[stallie]

The huge spotlights aren't used for night driving.... they are used in whiteout conditions to give ground contrast to the snow and create shadows on the ground. Whiteout is a bizarre phenomenon. You can walk along and walk into a mound of snow five feet high you can't see, yet you can see mountains in the far distance.

[Dougal]

Whiteout is a bizarre phenomenon. You can walk along and walk into a mound of snow five feet high you can't see, yet you can see mountains in the far distance.

It's a challenge to ski through too. Finding lumps and holes at 30-60km/h is far more entertaining than at walking speed.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Photograph - Massey Ferguson, Loading Tractor onto a Ship, Melbourne, Victoria, 1960s - Museum Victoria (http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/1595078/photograph-massey-ferguson-loading-tractor-onto-a-ship-melbourne-victoria-1960s)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1260.jpg

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[Dougal]

Early Massey Ferguson 135 bent axle, no power steering. We have one here, just without the tracks.

[wrinklearthur]

Early Massey Ferguson 135 bent axle, no power steering. We have one here, just without the tracks.

Hi Dougal

One of the two Massey Ferguson's I personally own, is a yellow painted MF 203 industrial tractor fitted with the MF loader and backhoe.
It has the AD3.152 Perkins engine with six speed gearbox, single stage clutch and has the planetary reductions at the end of the axles.

The badge on the side of the loader arms shows it was originally supplied by the Queens Bridge Motors branch in North Hobart, I am reasonably certain that it would have been used in Southern Tasmania all of its working life.

That tractor shown in the photo I think from looking at the sticker along the bonnet, would be a MF 40 and would be yellow in colour, the truck seen there is a Dodge with sign writing showing Queens Bridge Motors and their location as Port Melbourne.

When I was working on the family dairy farm, I put up thousands of hours on our Fergies. TEF20, FE35, MF135, MF178, MF194-4. My brother still has the TEF20 and the MF135 both running and in working condition.
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[Dougal]

Hi Dougal

One of the two Massey Ferguson's I personally own, is a yellow painted MF 203 industrial tractor fitted with the MF loader and backhoe.
It has the AD3.152 Perkins engine with six speed gearbox, single stage clutch and has the planetary reductions at the end of the axles.

The badge on the side of the loader arms shows it was originally supplied by the Queens Bridge Motors branch in North Hobart, I am reasonably certain that it would have been used in Southern Tasmania all of its working life.

That tractor shown in the photo I think from looking at the sticker along the bonnet, would be a MF 40 and would be yellow in colour, the truck seen there is a Dodge with sign writing showing Queens Bridge Motors and their location as Port Melbourne.

When I was working on the family dairy farm, I put up thousands of hours on our Fergies. TEF20, FE35, MF135, MF178, MF194-4. My brother still has the TEF20 and the MF135 both running and in working condition.
.

We've got that sickness here too.
3x TEA Fergusons (one purchased new by my grandfather).
1x 35 diesel (4 cyl), 6sp.
1x 35X diesel (was A3.152, now AD3.152) with multipower
1x 135 bent axle, it's mechanically the same as the 35X with multipower.
2x 135 straight axle multipower.
1x 148 straight axle multipower.
And a few of other brands.

The photo definitely shows an Ag tractor of the 100 series with the early bent axle.

The MF40 is an industrial tractor, they have a stronger front axle and wheels that are very different in appearance. Not to mention the bonnet and lights.
Massey Ferguson MF40 - YouTube

[Naviguesser]

That tractor shown in the photo I think from looking at the sticker along the bonnet, would be a MF 40 and would be yellow in colour, the truck seen there is a Dodge with sign writing showing Queens Bridge Motors and their location as Port Melbourne.

QBM still had that truck when I did my apprenticeship with them in the mid 70's :)

359 Plummer St Port Melbourne

[wrinklearthur]

We've got that sickness here too. --------
The photo definitely shows an Ag tractor of the 100 series with the early bent axle.

Try this one, 2135

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1154.jpg


The MF40 is an industrial tractor, they have a stronger front axle and wheels that are very different in appearance. Not to mention the bonnet and lights.

Your quite correct with that, I checked my spare parts manuals and only the Yankee built MF203 tractor had a bonnet like the TO35, then only for a short while.

Fifty lashes at the mast for me. :oops2:

The main difference between the agricultural model MF135 and the Industrial MF 203 / MF40 is that the back end is same as the larger models with the planetary reductions at the ends of the axle, the brakes are disc and inboard.
The heavier Industrial models could also be ordered with a shuttle torque converter transmission.

The dry disc brakes were woeful when dust found it's way in and polished the surfaces. The later wet disc brakes gave very little trouble.
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[wrinklearthur]

QBM still had that truck when I did my apprenticeship with them in the mid 70's :)

359 Plummer St Port Melbourne

A good mate of mine David Tilyard, also worked for QBM, Hobart while he did his apprenticeship, he then moved to William Adams and after that went working for himself servicing Caterpillar equipment.
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[wrinklearthur]

Crossing Antarctica in the middle of winter???

Ref; BBC News - Ice Team to continue without Fiennes (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21844634)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1168.jpg

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[Dougal]

Try this one, 2135

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1154.jpg

Bingo.

I didn't know about this industrial 135 model, the one I've seen before was in a yellow fleet (ministry of works) and I just assumed they were ag 135's painted yellow.
I've used a (I think) MF50 industrial hydrostatic before. Trac-grip loader and backhoe fitted. Hydrostatic pedals on the right, brakes on the left and no hydraulic lift arms or place to put them.

Todays random fact. In the US they sold orchard versions of the 135 with the inboard disc brakes to allow fitment of smaller back rims and lower, fatter tyres.

[Don 130]

Dougal, In younger days I worked with both narrow 135's (3cyl) and 130's (4cyl) in NZ. They were all made in France and were vinyard tractors. Can't comment on braking arrangements other than that they stopped.
Don.

[Dougal]

Dougal, In younger days I worked with both narrow 135's (3cyl) and 130's (4cyl) in NZ. They were all made in France and were vinyard tractors. Can't comment on braking arrangements other than that they stopped.
Don.

The 135 should have been UK built. The 130 is one I've never laid eyes on. Big drums on the back of the 35/135's and 148 here. They do stop but are a royal PITA to keep in adjustment.
Never, ever lock the brake pedals together, because both sides never pull up evenly.:angel:

[wrinklearthur]

The 135 should have been UK built. The 130 is one I've never laid eyes on.

Ref; MF100_1100 (http://jarlef.no/Massey_Ferguson/Tractors/100_100big/mf100_1100.htm)

Orchard model
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1021.jpg

Vineyard model
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

The French built 135's were not thought much of here in Southern Tasmania, they had a lot of quality issues compared to the UK built one's.
I have never seen any USA built models here, so can't comment about those.

When rebuilding of the diesel engine MF 30's and 130's they ended up being a disaster, with constant engine trouble occurring, poor starting and burning oil excessively.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1020.jpg


Big drums on the back of the 35/135's and 148 here. They do stop but are a royal PITA to keep in adjustment.
Never, ever lock the brake pedals together, because both sides never pull up evenly.

Don't lock together but using a heel toe maneuver pressing the two pedals down together did work ok.
.

[Dougal]

Ref; MF100_1100 (http://jarlef.no/Massey_Ferguson/Tractors/100_100big/mf100_1100.htm)

Orchard model

That's the US model orchard version I spoke of earlier, it has inboard discs to let them fit smaller rims and bigger rubber. I don't know where they were built.

The UK built versions have the 135 badge on the front edge of the bonnet.
Here is a UK bent axle version, similar vintage to the 2135 industrial we were discussing earlier.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1018.jpg

Here is a later straight-axle type.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1019.jpg


Vineyard model
http://www.fergusonclub.com/gallery/Album/Coldridge%20Collection/slides/MF135%20Vineyard%20Restored.JPG

The French built 135's were not thought much of here in Southern Tasmania, they had a lot of quality issues compared to the UK built one's.
I have never seen any USA built models here, so can't comment about those.

When rebuilding of the diesel engine MF 30's and 130's they ended up being a disaster, with constant engine trouble occurring, poor starting and burning oil excessively.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1020.jpg

Don't lock together but using a heel toe maneuver pressing the two pedals down together did work ok.
.

The Vinyard and 130 versions I've not driven. What was the engine that was so troublesome? The AD3.152 in the 135's are damn near bulletproof and so cheap and easy to rebuild. We've even got two here with turbochargers added. Not for the power increase, but it makes them burn clean and stay cool.

[wrinklearthur]

http://digitalnature.com.au/images/journalimages/large/DeceptionBay_BuriedTractor-85158.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1012.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

130 versions I've not driven. What was the engine that was so troublesome?

Ref; TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 130 tractor engine information (http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/7/4/742-massey-ferguson-130-engine.html#)

I haven't found out, but a retired MF mechanic told me the engine never settle down until a long while after a full rebuild.

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[33chinacars]

We had an MF30. Built in France. Wasn't a bad tractor as long as it wasn't over worked. 4 cylinder diesel with 4 speed gearbox with high & low.
Most people over worked the MF35's & its variations. Believing it could do more than it was built for. Most of the time it stood up to this abuse. Where as the MF30's couldn't.
The MF30 were a stop gap measure before the MF35's were readily available.

[Davo]

I had a TEA20 in Canada. I mostly used it for plowing snow on our driveway, and I only had it because we couldn't afford anything better. I used to plug in the radiator hose heater in the mornings so that the engine was warm enough to start in the afternoons. It only had a blade on the back, so I had to plow in reverse, but that worked pretty well. The ancient tyres were filled with that water-and-calcium mixture they use over there, but really I needed some chains as well. On the other hand, it was great fun to speed down a slippery driveway and then hit one brake and spin the steering wheel and do a 180. I really wanted to build tracks for it, but couldn't work out how, and it's probably for the best that I never saw pictures like these!

Dear oh dear, the hours I spent on that thing, out in the open, at -10c or whatever and with a high windchill factor. But despite the way I barely maintained it, it always ran very well and never actually broke down. I sold it for a fair amount before coming back here, too. I'm busting to get another tractor - but maybe not quite so vintage!

[wrinklearthur]

------ I'm busting to get another tractor - but maybe not quite so vintage!

There should be few up at Kununurra.

Like this one perhaps.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1006.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
click on above tab for link to Wattleup


That one would be a handy size for landscaping, using with a front end loader and a slasher ( Do you call Slasher's, Bush hogs? ) .

Should be light enough to tow behind a Defender.
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref;Parts - Wattleup Tractors (http://www.wattleup.com/parts/default.aspx)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/1005.jpg

[Davo]

There should be few up at Kununurra.

Like this one perhaps.
http://www.wattleup.com/productlisting/new-equipment/used-equipment/tractors/tractor-massey-ferguson-gc2400.aspx

That one would be a handy size for landscaping, using with a front end loader and a slasher ( Do you call Slasher's, Bush hogs? ) .

Should be light enough to tow behind a Defender.
.

Actually, now that I think of it, I heard of an old one in a shed way out bush somewhere around here . . . but my delicate sense of marital self-preservation has stopped me from looking into it.

Arthur, can you fix your photo in your reply? It didn't show up for me.

[33chinacars]

Should have added that our MF30 caught fire one night & burnt to the ground. Luckily it wasn't in the shed as usual. Sad end to a good tractor.
Also have a grey Fergy that gets used regularly. Petrol model.

[Davo]

Arthur, you do realise you've started a tractor porn thread, don't you? Give us more!!! :D

[wrinklearthur]

I like this, looks a natty machine.

Ref; My Antarctic Adventure (http://craighayhow.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=15)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/691.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

Hagglund.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/693.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; My Antarctic Adventure: Tuesday 29th January 2013 (http://craighayhow.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/tuesday-28th-january-2013.html)

Unloading the 30 tonne excavator at Davis station,

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/692.jpg

[klonk]

I did my time on MF tractors. One call out was to a little grey fergie, stuck with out drive in the middle of a green grassy paddock with nothing attached to the tractor, It just stopped! I was told by the farmer. The engine ran fine but had no drive, clutch and g/box were good,found that it had shorn off the crownwheel rivets. Never seen that before! It was then I noticed two bare patches of earth a few meters behind the tractor the same width as the rear tyres. What happened here? I asked the farmer, Well he said I was trying to pull that tree down over there. (it was a big dead bluegum) using a rope (nowhere to be seen)and I took a run up and the backwheels came off the ground when it came to the end of the rope :eek:. Wish I'd seen that! he did clear the bonnet and the exhaust was still standing. I'll never forget that one.

Cheers Steve

[33chinacars]

I like this, looks a natty machine.

Ref; My Antarctic Adventure (http://craighayhow.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=15)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/691.jpg
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Can-am with tracks . Can I have one haha. Very nice

[wrinklearthur]

I have been working my way through Craig Hayhow's blog, who is wintering over at Mawson.

Ref; My Antarctic Adventure: Friday 16th August 2013 (http://craighayhow.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/friday-16th-august-2013.html'showComment=1376863115109#c3145440448855 041997)


I left him a poem after reading his last blog posting.


Friday 16th August 2013
Today was a bit of a tough one after last night's lengthy movie debrief session. I think the low polar latitudes and the lower spin rate of the Earth leaves more beer bubbles inside your head in the morning exasperating what would normally be a mild if not nonexistent hangover the next day. Anyway, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Work wise there is not a lot to report. After ARPANSA I started the commissioning testing of the radio console system to make sure it's all tickety boo for V1 aircraft landing here in November. I also ripped a heap of ******************************** from out newly rebuilt entertainment server.

I really wanted to have a spa but when I got there the cover was missing and the power had been turned off and the water was a chilly ten degrees. The cover had been taken away for repair and the spa turned off. What a bummer, so I turned it back on so I could at least have a spa tomorrow.

Luc our weather observer predicted our first one hundred knot blizzard this weekend so no one will be going out into the field this weekend. After dinner I watched a couple of music videos including Kings of Leon and the rolling stones.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
from Macbeth

A dark Cave. In the middle, a Caldron boiling. Thunder.

Enter the three Witches.

1 WITCH. Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd.
2 WITCH. Thrice and once, the hedge-pig whin'd.
3 WITCH. Harpier cries:—'tis time! 'tis time!
1 WITCH. Round about the caldron go;
In the poison'd entrails throw.—
Toad, that under cold stone,
Days and nights has thirty-one;
Swelter'd venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
2 WITCH. Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
3 WITCH. Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;
Witches' mummy; maw and gulf
Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark;
Root of hemlock digg'd i the dark;
Liver of blaspheming Jew;
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse;
Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips;
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,—
Make the gruel thick and slab:
Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,
For the ingrediants of our caldron.
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
2 WITCH. Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.



brinded - having obscure dark streaks or flecks on gray
gulf - the throat
drab - prost***
chaudron - entrails
The above appears at the beginning of Act IV, Scene 1 as found in:

Ref; Shakespeare, William. The Globe Illustrated Shakespeare: The Complete Works Annotated. Howard Staunton ed. New York: Gramercy Books, 1993.


After ARPANSA I started the commissioning testing of the radio console system to make sure it's all tickety boo for V1 aircraft landing here in November. Stallie ?????
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Aerodrome Plant/Grader Operator — Australian Antarctic Division (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/working/aerodrome-plant-operations)

Grooming the skiway (Photo: Jeremy Smith)

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0020/107606/varieties/popup.jpeg

Schmidt snow blower clearing runway

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/107598/varieties/popup.jpg

Snow groomer preparing the runway (Photo: Greg)

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0020/107624/varieties/popup.jpg

Grooming the skiway at Casey (Photo: T. Taylor)

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/107627/varieties/popup.jpg

Caterpillar Challenger 65B and driver, 2008 (Photo: Todor Iolovski)

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/108315/varieties/popup.jpg
.

[1950landy]

In 1934 Andre' Citroe'n supplied three Citroe'n Ke'gresse Half-tracked Automobiles to Americas Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd for an expidition to the South Pole. Vehicles had been used before with out success, in 1929 a Ford Snow mobile was used by Shackleton & Scott , it only lasted 75miles. The Citroe'ns were shiped to the Admiral's base at Little America on the Ross Ice Shelf then driven 275 miles inland to were Byrd in temperatures ranging between 20 to 70 deg C below Zero. Here he set up a supply base . He now decided to abandon going to the South Pole & sent a party to set up a weather station well below the 80th parallel 123miles south east of Little America ,here he proposed to become the 1st manto endurea winter in the Polar interior ( 5 months solitary stay) The Citroe'ns were used to set up a chain of supply dumps en route to another base at the foot of Mt McKinley 230 miles east of Little America. During his lonely Winter stay Byrd became sick from Carbon-Monoxide poisioning caused by a leakinfg flue on an oil burner stove & exhaust fumes from a petrol generator. A rescue party set our in a Citroe'n traveling an average speed of 2MPH non stop for a week with temperature in the minus 71deg to reach him. As the weather was so bad they had to wait another 2months before byrd was well enough to be evacuated by Air. Andre' Citroe'n received a telegram acknoledgement stating the vehicles had performed well & helped them over come aome difficult obstacles.

[1950landy]

In 1924 /25 the Citroe'n Ke'gresse Half - tracks were the 1st vehicles to cross the Sahara from Alger in the North to Tombouctou in the south. then continued on south through the central jungle to Le Cap at the bottom of Africa. They were then shiped to Southern Madagascar & driven north . Back on a ship to the main land to explore other parts of Africa
In 1931/ 32 3 more half - tracks set off from Beyrouth on the Mediterranne traveling east through syrie ,Irak Perse , Afghanistan through the Himalayas to Mongolie to Pekin . The 1st vehicles to Asia from west to east.
Again in 1934 in Canada more half-tracksdeparted Edmonton in the east to Citroe'n Peak then back via a different route .
All these expoditions were carried out with very little mechanical falure . that all changed when Michelin took over the company, they are now known for what there name means Lemon.
Another bit of triver , the double Chevron comes from the helical gears which Citroe'n bought the patent & set about finding a way to machine the gears.

[wrinklearthur]

The story of the Snow Cruiser

The snowless journey of the Snow Cruiser (http://www.joeld.net/snowcruiser/940127ocw.html)


Mysterious Snow Cruisers - 1 of 2 - YouTube
.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Are you sure those Citroens werent there to help Byrd find the hidden Nazi UFO's??
:angel::whistling:

[wrinklearthur]

Are you sure those Citroens werent there to help Byrd find the hidden Nazi UFO's??
:angel::whistling:

The cloud above the portal was obscuring the ice doors. :(

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The interwebthingy is great for these things--:D
The Nazis, Admiral Byrd and The Secret Land, page 1 (http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread454213/pg1)

[1950landy]

Are you sure those Citroens werent there to help Byrd find the hidden Nazi UFO's??
:angel::whistling:
My infomation came from Engineer, explorer, Entrepreneur . Andre' Citroe'n By John Reynolds. An excelent book & Citroe'n was a man of vision but life was always a gamble. He was the first manufacture to advertise , to set up dealerships & service . In those days when you bought a motor vehicle you ordered it from the factory & the vehicle went back to the factory for rebuilds. When he was a boy he watched the Eiffel Tower being built from his bedroom window & visioned seeing his name in lihgts on the tower & between 1925 & 1934 the tower was illuminated with the word Citroenon all 4 sides & could be seen for 60 miles. The sign & the expeditions were all part of advertising.

[wrinklearthur]

Oh Pedro! Have you been reading too many Mandrake comics again?
. ------

Hmm! There used to be Mandrake strips in the Womens Weekly, about the time a open copy would cover the whole of the table top.
Being a younger member of a well off farming family at that time, My Granny had a subscription to the magazine, back then I think it would still have been a weekly rag, so I would always keep up with the latest episodes of Mandrake the Magician with his lady friend Narda.

Ref; Comics Down Under: Mandrake Casts His Spell (http://comicsdownunder.blogspot.com.au/2006/10/mandrake-casts-his-spell.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/600.jpg


Yes, there was once a story along the lines of a super race living in a special place within the polar wastes and they used to have flying saucers as their mode of transport.

[stallie]

The driver was fine. Not a true crevasse, but a meltwater channel under the ice.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Priscilla and a Hag - en route from Wilkins runway to Casey station. A lot less fun to ride in than they look.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Friday Drinks in the workshop. Who needs an esky?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Hag enroute to Wilkins. The drums are every 5kms as pre GPS they used weather radar to find the way. Sign courtesy of Salamanca Markets with a lot of reinforcing. Last I heard it was still there, credit to the craftsmen that put it there. :p
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[stallie]

Russian Buran. Untouched for over 20 years. As was their lunch in the hut. Bread and meat left in situ. A very very odd feeling - far better summed up by the eloquent journo we took there. The past is frozen in time in the land of ice and snow (http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-past-is-frozen-in-time-in-the-land-of-ice-and-snow-20100105-lsd8.html)

http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-nBjx4zV/0/L/i-nBjx4zV-L.jpg

And the relics
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

And a thousand mile west - out the back of Mawson, near Rumdoodle. Yes it's as slippery as it looks. And you can pirouette quite gracefully. Apparently.
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-cBtC5gC/0/L/i-cBtC5gC-L.jpg

[wrinklearthur]

Ref;The past is frozen in time in the land of ice and snow (http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-past-is-frozen-in-time-in-the-land-of-ice-and-snow-20100105-lsd8.html)


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/590.jpg
And the relics
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

About the same age, I can only guess that the lack of paint is due to a sand blasting effect.

Now, where were the cows hidden?
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; dozer at the pegasus runway | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandwichgirl/363035045/in/set-72157594489312873/lightbox/)

Dozer at the pegasus runway, By sandwichgirl

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/570.jpg

The Pegasus

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/571.jpg

Anyone familiar with air operations at McMurdo knows of Pegasus as the downed plane that gave its name to the blue ice runway near Ross Island.
The plane is still there and it's had a lot of visitors since it crashed almost
30 years ago.

Ref; http://www.vaq34.com/vxe6/crash1961bruce_raymond.jpg

The crashed remains of 'Pegasus'

Ref; http://www.vaq34.com/vxe6/decomconnie7.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/572.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/573.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; http://en.es-static.us/upl/2013/05/blood-falls-taylor-glacier-antarctica.jpg
By Deborah Byrd in BLOGS | EARTH on May 19, 2013

Blood Falls, five stories high, seeps from an Antarctic glacier

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/568.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/CapeRoyds.jpg/300px-CapeRoyds.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/567.jpg
.

[stallie]

The Pegasus wreck is still visible near the Pegasus Compressed Snow Runway. It's on Google Earth, to the (true) west of the runway, about half way down and about a half runway length to the west. 77° 57.993'S 166° 25.687'E

Now Antarctic Aviation.. there's a subject that will keep me going and bore you for hours. A long and very interesting history, of bravery, tragedy, frustration and politics. It all began properly (not counting Mawson's Vickers aircraft that was wingless before it left Oz) with our very own Sir Hubert Wilkins. An man with an incredible history of adventure who should be considered one of Australia's greatest heroes but has been largely shunned. Two voluminous biographies of him in the last few years were published, but sadly he still remains largely unknown.

As I hold his adventurous spirit in such high regard, it was a fantastic thrill for me to unearth the very flag and proclamation that he hid under a rock in 1939 on the Antarctic coastline just west of Davis - proclaiming it for King and country. And that proclamation in itself is a story of cunning...

But back to the pictures - here's what I believe to be the only known photo of the Antanov 2 resting under the water in Bunger Hills as alluded to in the Age article above. Very few people have seen it as it's only visible in late in the summer when the ice recedes (which is visible on the edge of shot) and you have to fly a certain way at a certain time of day to get the picture.... :angel:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/539.jpg (http://s663.photobucket.com/user/stallie001/media/Picture1.png.html)

I'll call it quits on this thread and chip in on an Antarctic Aviation thread if there's interest.

[wrinklearthur]

The Pegasus wreck is still visible near the Pegasus Compressed Snow Runway. It's on Google Earth, to the (true) west of the runway, about half way down and about a half runway length to the west. 77° 57.993'S 166° 25.687'E
I'll have a look at this. :thumbsup:


Now Antarctic Aviation.. there's a subject that will keep me going and bore you for hours. A long and very interesting history, of bravery, tragedy, frustration and politics. It all began properly (not counting Mawson's Vickers aircraft that was wingless before it left Oz) with our very own Sir Hubert Wilkins. An man with an incredible history of adventure who should be considered one of Australia's greatest heroes but has been largely shunned. Two voluminous biographies of him in the last few years were published, but sadly he still remains largely unknown.

As I hold his adventurous spirit in such high regard, it was a fantastic thrill for me to unearth the very flag and proclamation that he hid under a rock in 1939 on the Antarctic coastline just west of Davis - proclaiming it for King and country. And that proclamation in itself is a story of cunning...
I must have a read about him also.


But back to the pictures - here's what I believe to be the only known photo of the Antanov 2 resting under the water in Bunger Hills as alluded to in the Age article above. Very few people have seen it as it's only visible in late in the summer when the ice recedes (which is visible on the edge of shot) and you have to fly a certain way at a certain time of day to get the picture.... Snappy shot. ;)



I'll call it quits on this thread and chip in on an Antarctic Aviation thread if there's interest.

I think there is plenty of scope for a broad ranging list of topics under that title, If it makes it easier I could get a Mod to change the thread title to just 'Antarctica'.

I'm happy to use this thread for anything to do with Antarctica, what do the other say?
.

[juddy]

The driver was fine. Not a true crevasse, but a meltwater channel under the ice.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Priscilla and a Hag - en route from Wilkins runway to Casey station. A lot less fun to ride in than they look.
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-bCzRZZQ/0/L/i-bCzRZZQ-L.jpg

Friday Drinks in the workshop. Who needs an esky?
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-hvNQ877/0/L/i-hvNQ877-L.jpg

Hag enroute to Wilkins. The drums are every 5kms as pre GPS they used weather radar to find the way. Sign courtesy of Salamanca Markets with a lot of reinforcing. Last I heard it was still there, credit to the craftsmen that put it there. :p
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-nQ6654k/0/L/i-nQ6654k-L.jpg

Did they get the Cat out?

[wrinklearthur]

Did they get the Cat out?

Cat got the (ice)cream

http://www.mostphotos.com/preview/1974217/cat-eating-rainbow-ice-cream.jpg

trapped cat.

http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-rxfkZzb/0/L/i-rxfkZzb-L.jpg

A cream churn, = iced cream?

http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-ZFwGd3V/0/L/i-ZFwGd3V-L.jpg

A reason to keep cats at home.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/497.jpg

[wrinklearthur]

Hubert Wilkins

Ref; Hubert Wilkins - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/494.jpg

Ref; Sir Hubert Wilkins - Ohio State University Libraries (http://library.osu.edu/projects/echoes-in-the-ice/wilkins/wilkins.php)

http://library.osu.edu/projects/echoes-in-the-ice/wilkins/wilkin10.jpg

Ref; SIR HUBERT WILKINS Kt (http://upperiscope.com.au/bios_and_images/sir_hubert_wilkins_kt.htm)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/495.jpg

Ref; http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/aircraft/Lockheed-Vega/IMAGES/Sir-Hubert-Wilkins-Vega.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/496.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Antarctic Aviation
Quote "I'll call it quits on this thread and chip in on an Antarctic Aviation thread if there's interest. " - Stallie

OK bloke you're on, I for one am interested.

Regards,

Tote
__________________

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Antarctic Explorers: Lincoln Ellsworth (http://www.south-pole.com/p0000110.htm)
Ellsworth's Introduction to Polar Exploration

N24 / 88°N A disastrous start at the Northern polar regions

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/480.jpg

A Crippled POLAR STAR at Ross Sea, Antarctica

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/481.jpg
.

[stallie]

Dropped some of the guys running the South Pole traverse at McMurdo today. Two traverses, leaving the end of October a week apart. One has 9 vehicles, one 10.


PS Judd - yes they did...

Pics from today. Minus -32°C - a stunning day on the ice.

Airport vehicles
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-2KVFv77/0/M/i-2KVFv77-M.jpg

And unloading....
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-txzpnwp/0/M/i-txzpnwp-M.jpg

[wrinklearthur]

Dropped some of the guys running the South Pole traverse at McMurdo today. Two traverses, leaving the end of October a week apart. One has 9 vehicles, one 10.


The route is known as 'The South Pole Traverse', also called the McMurdo – South Pole Highway which is 1,600 km long, built from compacted snow the road links the coastal, United States' McMurdo Station, to the Amundsen–Scott Station at the South Pole.

Ref; File:Map of the McMurdo-South Pole highway.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_the_McMurdo-South_Pole_highway.jpg)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1599.jpg
.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Ok,, I'll ask-

Why the two trips?

I think the answer to that will answer why 19 vehicles :angel::D

[stallie]

I'll ask the rest of the guys tomorrow (if the weather clears) how much the traverse is towing.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; AntarcticArctic | words from the ends of the earth | Page 3 (http://antarcticarctic.wordpress.com/page/3/)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1605.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; AntarcticArctic | words from the ends of the earth | Page 3 (http://antarcticarctic.wordpress.com/page/3/)

I wonder what the story is behind this picy?

Drag Queen ready to return to McMurdo

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1601.jpg
.

[juddy]

The route is known as 'The South Pole Traverse', also called the McMurdo – South Pole Highway which is 1,600 km long, built from compacted snow the road links the coastal, United States' McMurdo Station, to the Amundsen–Scott Station at the South Pole.

Ref; File:Map of the McMurdo-South Pole highway.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_the_McMurdo-South_Pole_highway.jpg)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1599.jpg
.

Halley station seems a bit on its own.

[juddy]

And what's on signy?

[wrinklearthur]

Ok,, I'll ask- Why the two trips?
I think the answer to that will answer why 19 vehicles

A reason !

Ref; The South Pole’s Fuel Supply | Jeffrey Donenfeld (http://jeffreydonenfeld.com/blog/2012/12/the-south-poles-fuel-supply/)
The South Pole Traverse Arrives | Jeffrey Donenfeld (http://jeffreydonenfeld.com/blog/2013/01/the-south-pole-traverse-arrives/)

http://jeffreydonenfeld.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/oembed-image-cache/1024x682x0715ade122cd868d6551d86372674ceb.jpg.page speed.ic.rf4dxOmnq8.jpg

http://jeffreydonenfeld.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/oembed-image-cache/1024x682xef7897b6526ccc33a9e25741cd4fbe52.jpg.page speed.ic.qloN0ccxh5.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

And what's on signy?


Ref; Signy Research Station - British Antarctic Survey (http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/signy/)

Signy Research Station https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1597.jpg

Position: Latitude 60°43' S, Longitude 45°36' W, Factory Cove, Borge Bay.

Purpose: Penguin, seabird & seal biology, limnology and terrestrial biology related to the southern ocean ecosystems and climate change, long-term monitoring in particular for the Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

Occupied: 18 March 1947 to present. From 1996 as a summer only station.
.

[wrinklearthur]

Halley station seems a bit on its own.

Ref; Halley Research Station - British Antarctic Survey (http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/halley/)

" Halley VI Research Station is the first fully re-locatable research station in the world. It was commissioned in 2006 and its unique and innovative structure was the result of an international design competition in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The state-of-the-art research facility is segmented into eight modules, each sitting atop ski-fitted, hydraulic legs. These can be individually raised to overcome snow accumulation and each module towed independently to a new location. "

" There have been six Halley bases built so far. The first four were all buried by snow accumulation and crushed until they were uninhabitable. Various construction methods were tried, from unprotected wooden huts to steel tunnels. Halley V had the main buildings built on steel platforms that were raised annually to keep them above the snow surface. However, as the station’s legs were fixed in the ice it could not be moved and its occupation became precarious, having flowed too far from the mainland to a position at risk of calving as in iceberg. "

Halley VI Research Station
http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/images/none/halleyvi_06_sam_burrell.jpg/halleyvi_14.jpg
.

[stallie]

The leg "walking" works well. Dome C (or Concordia) at 10600 feet up on the plateau uses the same principle. Each season as the accumulation rises, a leg is lifted new boards put underneath and put down again.

Otherwise it ends up like Vostok Station, a now subterranean warren. Hard men those Ruskies.

Concordia from the Air
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-DmftSFt/0/L/i-DmftSFt-L.jpg

Legs
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-qFGpxBT/0/L/i-qFGpxBT-L.jpg

Legs from the inside (sorry a bit blurred, we were in a rush)
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-JZzJ2x8/0/L/i-JZzJ2x8-L.jpg

Water treatment / recycling plant. It's the European Space Agency testbed for water treatment for manned long duration spaceflight. The end product tasted just fine.
http://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-5FnFxQp/0/L/i-5FnFxQp-L.jpghttp://dancolborne.smugmug.com/photos/i-wb32kjF/0/L/i-wb32kjF-L.jpg

More info here. http://www.esa.int/esapub/br/br217/br217.pdf (http://blogs.esa.int/concordia/2013/03/15/recycling-water-in-concordia/)

[wrinklearthur]

I wonder what weight of CO2 humans exhale in a day?

Ref; Recycling water in Concordia | Chronicles from Concordia (http://blogs.esa.int/concordia/2013/03/15/recycling-water-in-concordia/)


In an average day a human being or astronaut will, metabolically, consume about 1 kg of oxygen, 1 kg of food and 3 kg of water, so water recycling is an important aspect for planning long-term expeditions. The more we recycle, less consumables are need to be transported on a mission, be it to the International Space Station or Concordia, cutting costs and freeing transport for scientific experiments and equipment.
.

[wrinklearthur]

This piece of documentary footage captured by Frank Hurley between 1911 and 1913 during Mawson’s Antarctic expedition, shows Lieutenant Belgrave Ninnis and Dr Xavier Mertz setting up their tent. Another shot shows them lying in their reindeer sleeping bags for warmth.

Click on this link.
Home of the Blizzard (1913) clip 3 on ASO - Australia's audio and visual heritage online (http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/home-blizzard/clip3)
.

[wrinklearthur]

I intend to show as a theme the shelters, tents and buildings leading up to today's highly developed buildings.

Ref; http://9bytz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Robert-Falcon-Scott-South-Pole-Expedition-4.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1394.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula - Moglander's Travels (http://moglander.com/falkland-islands-south-georgia-antarctic-peninsula/)

Land Rovers on the beach in the Falkland islands.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1389.jpg

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; My Antarctic Adventure: September 2013 (http://craighayhow.blogspot.com.au/2013_09_01_archive.html) By Craig Hayhow


After brunch, I packed the orange Hag with a jiffy drill and all my fishing gear and headed out onto the sea ice. This time I chose a spot over near west arm close to the rocks which I hoped to be about fifteen meters deep. I drilled two holes and lowered my camera down one and started fishing in the other.

It was bitterly cold at minus twenty six but the sun was warm on my frozen face. I got lots of nibbles from tiny fish but no decent bites and I realised I was fishing on the edge of a steep cliff face which dropped down to about ninety meters so I decided to move to the shallow channel between east arm and Hump Island.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1342.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; My Antarctic Adventure: Thursday 29th August 2013 (http://craighayhow.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/thursday-29th-august-2013.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1249.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; This week at the station — Australian Antarctic Division (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/mawson/this-week-at-mawson/page?id=116890&st=116890&dt=MjAxMy0wOS0wNg==) Bechervaise Island huts (Photo: Darron Lehmann)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1248.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Heritage — Heard Island (http://www.heardisland.aq/gallery/heritage)

http://images.aad.gov.au/img.py/143.jpg?width=640&height=426

http://images.aad.gov.au/img.py/9a.jpg?width=640&height=426

A bit of a Furphy

http://images.aad.gov.au/img.py/142.jpg?width=640&height=426
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Panoramio - Photo of Russian Aircraft, Lisunov Li-2T, Crashed on takeoff on 23rd December 1968 (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/18554267)


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1113.jpg

[wrinklearthur]

But the Volkswagen was not the first car in Antarctica!
This car was brought with Shackleton.

Ref; Nimrod Expedition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The British Antarctic Expedition 1907–09, otherwise known as the Nimrod Expedition, was the first of three expeditions to the Antarctic led by Ernest Shackleton.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1064.jpg

For use with the Nimrod 1907 -09 Expedition in King George V land for a try at travelling to the pole and was instead tried at their landing site at Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica, where the expedition built their hut and spent the 1908 winter.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1065.jpg

Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica, showing the stables and garage, photographed 1907-1909 by an unknown photographer. The expedition's Arroll-Johnston motor car may be seen inside the garage. © Alexander Turnbull Library

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1066.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1067.jpg



Ref; Antarctica 1 Volkswagen Gallery (http://jalopnik.com/5868243/antarctica-1-volkswagen-gallery/)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1068.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1069.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1070.jpg
.

[Davo]

Typical! Aussies get to Antarctica and build a bungalow with attached garage. Did they call it "Emoh Ruo" and have a statue with an Aboriginal out the front as well? :p

I think that's a Hills Hoist out the back, but the photo is a bit blurry.

[stallie]

Ah, the old VW. Was somewhat of a success as it was not water cooled! It was used around Mawson station. There is a brief history Volkswagon - ANARE CLUB NSW (http://anarensw.weebly.com/volkswagon.html)

That wreck is above Mawson station. You see it in the crevasse field on base the the Rumdoodle landing site in the hills above Mawson. There's quite a story attached to its crash and subsequent destruction.

And the Walrus flying boat in the top pic at Heard Island - that's now in the Point Cook museum.

Wrinklearuthur - I'm glad that you are finding Antarctica fascinating. As a kid, I was always interested in the place and wanted to go adventuring there. In fact I was reserve to go on a ski expedition to the Pole about 15 years ago, but my services weren't required. I was then given (or put myself in a position to capitalise upon) an opportunity to fly in Antarctica for a living. There is such a fantastic history to the place that I find very rewarding and there are many incredible stories still to be told from that heroic age and shortly after.

A common saying there is that the first time you go south is for the Adventure. The second time is for the people you meet. And the third time is because you can't function anywhere else...!

But to put it more succinctly, a quote I read the other day:

"Antarctica will pierce you in the heart, and even if you don't come back, you will think about it off and on, probably for the rest of your life."

[tact]

... I was then given (or put myself in a position to capitalise upon) an opportunity to fly in Antarctica for a living.


Were you flying in Antarctica around Casey in 1998? Loved the jollies in the squirrels and the S76. I wintered 1998 at Casey.


"Antarctica will pierce you in the heart, and even if you don't come back, you will think about it off and on, probably for the rest of your life."


I certainly do...

[wrinklearthur]

Ah, the old VW. Was somewhat of a success as it was not water cooled! It was used around Mawson station. There is a brief history Volkswagon - ANARE CLUB NSW (http://anarensw.weebly.com/volkswagon.html)

Number three in 1971?

http://www.suburbia.com.au/~anarensw/special/vw/vwfeb71a2.jpg


That wreck is above Mawson station. You see it in the crevasse field on base the the Rumdoodle landing site in the hills above Mawson. There's quite a story attached to its crash and subsequent destruction.

Maybe needed this sign to show the way home?

http://images.aad.gov.au/img.py/4ae6.jpg?width=640&height=480


And the Walrus flying boat in the top pic at Heard Island - that's now in the Point Cook museum.
Ref; RAAF Museum: Tech Hangar: Supermarine Walrus (http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/exhibitions/tech_hang/walrus.htm)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1033.jpg

"RAAF Museum is the official museum of the Royal Australian Air Force, the second oldest air force in the world, located at RAAF Williams Point Cook, Victoria, Australia"


As a kid, I was always interested in the place and wanted to go adventuring there. ----- There is such a fantastic history to the place that I find very rewarding and there are many incredible stories still to be told from that heroic age and shortly after.
Likewise as a kid in the mid 1960's, I would spend hours in the high school library reading books, journals and magazines, about Antarctica and the latest exploits of the explorers of the day.
I cried when I read about Mrs Chippy, the cat who accompanied the carpenter Harry "Chippy" McNeish, when it became obvious the Endurance was doomed.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1034.jpg

Ref; Purr-n-Fur UK | Mrs Chippy, of Shackleton's Endurance (http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/famous/chippy.html)

"Towards the end the crew had to camp out on the ice in tents, while Shackleton planned what to do for the best. He eventually decided they would have to head for the nearest land, nearly 350 miles away. In order to have any chance of success, he told the men they would have to be quite ruthless in taking with them only what was absolutely essential — which would mean there would be no place for Mrs Chippy. His crew were entirely loyal to Shackleton and respected his judgement, and so the decision had to be made.

When the time came the biologist, Robert Clark, picked up Mrs Chippy and gave him an affectionate hug and stroke. One by one the crew members came to pay their respects with a caress, a stroke or a tickle under the chin; the cat had been their companion throughout all their adversity and a great source of comfort in their numerous hardships. Mrs Chippy, of course, loved all the attention and treated it as his due.

Mrs Chippy's demise

The final playing out of the sad tale is unclear, as authors tended not to dwell upon it. It seems that after the crew had paid their respects McNeish probably took the cat into his tent to say his goodbyes, when the steward Blackborow somehow rustled up a bowl of sardines — Mrs Chippy's favourite and a real treat. He ate them with obvious pleasure, then washed and stretched out for a good sleep, little knowing it was to be a never-ending one. It is possible that the sardines were laced with a sleep-inducing drug. Blackborow returned once to embrace the cat tightly, telling him how glad he was that they had been shipmates, and then left, moist-eyed."


But to put it more succinctly, a quote I read the other day:
"Antarctica will pierce you in the heart, and even if you don't come back, you will think about it off and on, probably for the rest of your life."
:thumbsup:

[tact]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1031.jpg
When I wintered over at Casey in 1998 we had a couple of 4x4 on base. All hiluxes. The common wisdom held that the 4x4's had to be parked up during the winter. Basically meaning to drop coolant and oils and leave it parked - no use in winter. Only tracked vehicles etc for winter.

I used this ute a lot in the summer months and come time to park it up I didnt want to. Took responsibility. Was told I am a fool, damage comes out of my pocket, and the first good bliz will see the engine bay turn into a solid block of ice.

Well they were partially right. The first bliz did fill the entire engine bay with hard packed snow that froze solid.

It took all day and some of the night with an industrial diesel fuelled heater to melt the ice out of the engine bay and get it to start again. Only the starter relay failed.

What intrigued me when I first opened the bonnet after the bliz was the perfect impression of the underside of the bonnet on the top of the ice in the engine bay. Seems the snow blew in as fine dust through the radiator, and up from below and started to collect when it hit the underside of the bonnet, building up from the top down....

...so what would happen if there were no bonnet? Took it off. After the next bliz, days of high winds and driven snow - I went out to inspect and there was just a fine dusting of powder snow on the fanbelt and fan. Took just moments with a gloved hand to brush clear... and the ute started. We used that ute right through winter. The hard winter frozen snow/ice were perfect to drive on with a 4x4.

Eventually the head "dieso" (mechanic) decided to dig out another ute and take off the bonnet... very useful vehicles even in mid winter.

All the tracked vehicles will rupture your kidneys if you try go fast over rough stuff. The 4x4s took it much more comfortably.

[tact]

In the previous post I mentioned bliz getting into an engine bay and the neat impression of the underside of the bonnet that presented when I opened it.

Something similar here. We normally park vehicles facing east at Casey, as 99% of all bliz winds blow from the east. When a vehicle is head to the wind less bliz manages to get inside vehicles.

We had an odd bliz that didnt blow from the east and you can see how the bliz got in via any crevice it could find... You can see clearly the way it packed up against the door in this shot - a nice clear moulding of the inside of the door seen in the snow.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1030.jpg

[tact]

I had my 39th birthday the year I wintered at Casey. As a birthday treat the gang organised a "berg cruise". As the sea was frozen we did the berg cruise on quads and skidoos, not in boats.

We spotted a cavern in the side of this huge berg.... the series of shots below tell the story... I went inside... it was amazing.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1026.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1027.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1028.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1029.jpg

[stallie]

G'day Tact,

I was still at high school in 88.... And fly fixed wing, although am tempted by the 'dark side'! What were you doing there?

Were you there when Giles and Dick turned up in the Twotter? They paved the way (bureaucratically) for our operation some 15 years later.

I'm impressed by your bonnet off theory, I never saw it used in my time there so sadly it would seem that the knowledge has been lost. I do have some great pics of clogged engine bays in hiluxes too.

[tact]

G'day Tact,
Were you there when Giles and Dick turned up in the Twotter? They paved the way (bureaucratically) for our operation some 15 years later.


Yes, 1998 was the year the Aurora Australis (ice breaker that transported expeditioners in/out of the three bases before the flights started) had damaged its drive off Davis Base and needed a tow home.

Two options were proposed to get us outgoing Casey team out - wait til another ship could stop by, or take one of the limited seats in the "Twotter". (Our nickname for the "Twin Otter" aircraft on offer)

Strangely the twotter option wasn't over subscribed. Many preferred the less risky wait for a ship. Didn't understand that. My hand went up like a shot for a place on the twotter. What an adventure that was!

[stallie]

Ah...1998. I misread your earlier post, was thinking 10 years earlier!

I had a mate on that voyage. Report here for those nautical ones amongst us. http://ncsp.tamu.edu/reports/ATSB/rpt135.pdf

Where did you fly out to?

[tact]

I actually sailed aboard the Aurora Australis in November 1997, saw Christmas and new year in aboard the vessel, enroute to Casey.

After we (the 1998 crews for Casey, Mawson and Davis bases) were all dropped off, and the 1997 crews extracted, and the resupply operations completed... the Aurora departed back to Oz before the winter freeze.

That fire that happened on the voyage your mate was on, the link you provided, happened while I was already down south. There were assurances from ANTDIV that it would be fixed in time - before the voyages to come extract us near the end of 1998.

Sure enough the repairs and sea trials all competed and the Aurora sailed south with the 3 new crews (for 1999 year) aboard.

They stopped by Casey first, dropped off the incoming crew, we did resupply operations (something like 900,000 litres of diesel fuel transferred to our fuel tank farm, along with tons and tons of equipment, supplies, food etc).

Then the Aurora departed to Mawson and Davis to drop off new crews there and do resupply ops.

After visiting all three bases, inserting the incoming crews, the plan was to return to each base and extract the outgoing crews. The overlap giving good time for handover.

Unfortunately (this the voyage accident I refer to) somewhere off the coast of Davis Base the Aurora damaged its propulsion system and needed a tow home.

Davis and Mawson bases are close enough to do long range helo flights and get Mawson teams to the ship. But Casey is too far away from Davis base for that with long range helos.

The "Twotter" was with a Canadian company doing aerial radar imaging of what is under the ice. They were around Davis at the time. They offered to fly to Casey and bring back a dozen or so of the outgoing casey crew.

To get the range needed to do this trip they had to turn the twotter almost into a flying fuel tank. They flew from Davis a number of times to establish 44 gallon drum refuelling caches along the way.

One of the refuel caches was at a Russian base between Davis and Casey.

They eventually made it to Casey. Refuelled turned around and started back.

As I understand it some flight rules were broken. Normally it i required that aircraft have fuel enough aboard to go back to where they started even if almost reaching destination. This is because blizzards give little warning. It is entirely possible to almost reach destination and not be able to land, turn back.

As we approached the russian base they radioed to say bliz was already picking up. We didnt have enough fuel to return to Casey. So pressed on.

We were briefed before landing - all hands needed to crank hand pumps and drain 44 gall drums into the aircraft's fuel tanks. We will be lucky to land, refuel, and get back in the air before the bliz sets in.

The pilot, in an amazing show of skill, flying low, in low viz, with bliz already a metre or so above the ice, found the smooth landing area (for ski's of course) between the sastrugi and then and dumped the twotter onto the ice.

We turned around the refuelling fast. The Russians were good hosts sharing their dry bread and vodka with us as we worked. (It was about all they had left before their resupply came).

We got back into the air and made it back to Davis, then to the Aurora.

A Japanese icebreaker was contracted to tow the Aurora out of the ice. Then a South African ocean going salvage tug (The "John Ross") was to tow her back across the wildest southern ocean to either SA or OZ.

The Aurora engineers managed to get the propulsion system working before the John Ross picked up the tow. They just escorted the Aurora Australis back to Fremantle, sailing under her own power.

So what an exciting year it was:
- Aurora Australis catches fire, doubts we can be extracted after our year+ on ice
- 14 months of adventure on the Antarctic continent
- Aurora Australis makes it south but breaks down in pack ice. Again not sure of extraction
- The twotter flight itself! excitement plus. Not to mention drinking real russian vodka with real russians on a russian base.
- the tow out of the ice pack
- the crossing of the southern ocean with dodgy "duct tape and fencing wire" propulsion system fixes

Some pics of the Aurora tow and return to OZ
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1011.jpg
The Aurora Australis in foreground. The Japanese "Shirase" contracted to do the tow out of the ice

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1012.jpg
Taking up the tow

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1013.jpg
The ocean going salvage tug, "John Ross", escorting the Aurora Australis back to Freo after temp propulsion system repairs were in place.

[wrinklearthur]

Ah...1998. I misread your earlier post, was thinking 10 years earlier!

I had a mate on that voyage. Report here for those nautical ones amongst us. http://ncsp.tamu.edu/reports/ATSB/rpt135.pdf

Where did you fly out to?

I've been reading that fascinating report, better leave it half way and get back to the lawn mowing for now. :eek:
.

[tact]

G'day Tact,

I was still at high school in 88.... And fly fixed wing, although am tempted by the 'dark side'! What were you doing there?

I have always been fascinated with helos since a small kid. My dad once took me to Amberley air base when he was doing some work there. Some engineers were getting ready to test fly an old helo they were working on.

I must have been only 5 or 6yo. They asked me if I'd like a ride. They sat me in the aircraft, legs dangling out the side door. They only took it up a metre or two and hovered in a square for testing. But I was hooked then.

Never made moves to make helos part of my life or career. Other priorities took all my resources. But loved the helo jollies down south. Got stories to tell but better not publish here or people may be in strife. ;)

What did I do? Well all winterers have a "day job" and its a paid govt job. My role was SEFM (electrician) with skills around power generation, HV distribution , HV protection systems and building management software systems.

All wintering expeditioners also wear several other hats as we provide all services to visiting scientists.

I took on roles like: Fire team, search & rescue (first responder), vehicles operator, and got a Coxswain's ticket to skipper our boats for summer marine science

My favourite volunteer role was "Route Master". I took responsibility to travel every route to all outlying huts and sites to check for safe travel and relocate markers or routes where needed (eg if new crevasses made an established route unsafe) then map it all, create data bases of GPS waypoints, and keep it all up to date.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1008.jpg
Doing "Route Master" type work...
Empty 44 gallon drums on poles were used wherever there was change in direction on a route. They were used because in whiteout or bliz conditions a vehicle with radar could see them on screen and traverse a route essentially "blind". (Note the radar on the top of the front of the Hagglunds. We used to practice driving blind by blacking out all the windows and using radar/GPS only)

Often GPS alone, with the intentional positional errors present in that system at the time, was not accurate enough to safely traverse some routes if "blind".

[wrinklearthur]

Have a stroll around inside Scott's Hut.

Scott's Hut and the Explorers' Heritage of Antarctica, Google World Wonders Project (http://www.google.com/intl/en/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/scotts-hut/)



Ref; PHOTOS: Antarctic "Time Capsule" Hut Revealed (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/photogalleries/100111-100-year-antarctic-hut-scott-pictures/)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/821.jpg


Ref; Scott’s Discovery Hut | southpoledoc (http://southpoledoc.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/scotts-discovery-hut/)


I suspect most are familiar with the story of Royal Navy Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his ill fated South Pole attempt in 1911 – 1912, of which I will have more in a later blog. But you may not know “Commander” Scott also led a British Antarctic Expedition in 1902. He erected a wooden hut in February 1902 at Hut Point on Ross Island by McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. The hut was prefabricated by James Moore of Sydney, Australia and brought south aboard Discovery, Scott’s ship.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/822.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Scott's Hut's.

Ref; Discovery Hut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Discovery Hut was erected in 1902 by Robert Falcon Scott's 1903-1907 Discovery expedition.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/747.jpg

Ref; Scott's Hut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Some confusion arises because Discovery Hut can technically be referred to as 'Scott's' Hut, in that his expedition built it, and it was his base ashore during the 1901–1904 expedition, but the title 'Scott's Hut' popularly belongs to the building erected in 1911 at Cape Evans.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/748.jpg

[wrinklearthur]

Click on link and take a stroll around inside Scott's Hut.

Scott's Hut and the Explorers' Heritage of Antarctica, Google World Wonders Project (http://www.google.com/intl/en/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/scotts-hut/)
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; My Antarctic Adventure: Saturday 21st September 2013 (http://craighayhow.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/saturday-22nd-september-2013.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/410.jpg


Saturday 21st September 2013
----- Keldyn had his first day practising to drive the loader today moving snow and ice about as he will need to be proficient by the time of resupply. Listening to the radio he couldn't open the door to get out, and Geoff said just open the bloody door but little did they know the warmer weather we have been experiencing had melted all the snow inside the door and turned to ice in the door lock mechanism. After an hour or so, Geoff managed to get him back out using a crow bar.

Next time, I will be putting up some stuff about Douglas Mawson.
.

[wrinklearthur]

Click on link and take a stroll around inside Scott's Hut.

Scott's Hut and the Explorers' Heritage of Antarctica, Google World Wonders Project (http://www.google.com/intl/en/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/scotts-hut/)
.

Ref; Robert Falcon Scott: rare pictures from his South Pole race - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/antarctica/robert-falcon-scott/8589146/Robert-Falcon-Scott-rare-pictures-from-his-South-Pole-race.html?image=11)

Scott's two remaining motor sleds failed 1-11-1911 and was most likely the engine oil congealing due to the intense cold . The other third sled had previously broken through the sea ice while unloading the 'Terra Nova' and "now rests 60 fathoms down on the ocean floor".

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/10/1083.jpg

.

[wrinklearthur]

The Edwardian Larder - YouTube

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Prince Harry Heading To Antarctica In Charity Trek For Wounded Servicemen (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/14/prince-harry-antarctica_n_4275318.html)

" LONDON (AP) — Britain's Prince Harry has praised the courage of wounded servicemen and women who are gearing up for a race across Antarctica to the South Pole.

Harry will join a team of four injured British soldiers in the 200-mile (320-kilometer) Walking With the Wounded charity trek.

Three days ahead of the team's departure from Britain, Harry appeared in London's Trafalgar Square on Thursday with members of the three teams — from Britain, the U.S. and the Commonwealth — and spoke of the courage on display going into the challenge.

He said the men and women alongside him "have achieved so much just to get here."

The 29-year-old prince said the trek will prove that even after suffering traumatic events like losing limbs, "you can achieve pretty much anything." "

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/11/709.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; ANTarctica: Fourmilab South Pole Expedition 2013 (http://www.fourmilab.ch/images/antarctica_2013/S014.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/11/694.jpg

Ref; http://www.fourmilab.ch/images/antarctica_2013/

“What'll we do for our fortieth wedding anniversary?”

“How about going South for the winter?”

“South?”

“Well, we've been to the North Pole, why not the South Pole?”

“The South Pole—really?”

“Why not? Then we'll be able to say we're officially bipolar!”

How innocently began the 2013 Fourmilab South Pole expedition, chronicled in this photo essay. The expedition is presented in chronological order, but you can explore as you wish from the following links. You can switch back and forth between small and large images by clicking any image in any page.


I best add that this couple isn't yours truly and his better half !!!! Not a bad idea for a Fortieth Anniversary though, we celebrate ours in two year time. 'Come Duck well will go for a trip to a South Seas Island.' I wonder if the surprise ?????
.

[bob10]

Well done , Arthur! god for you & SWMBO. There is another Australian team going head to head with the Brits. in ASHES year, Bob
racehttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/11/668.jpg (http://au.rd.yahoo.com/headlines/cobrand/SIG=111a6vs9n/**http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2F)
By Philip Willliams - November 15, 2013, 3:50 pm
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Wounded soldiers from Australia, Britain and the US, are set to race across the frozen Antarctic landscape with the prospect of a cuppa made by Prince Harry at the other end.
The pits soldiers from various Commonwealth countries and the United States who have suffered various war wounds against one another.
Prince Harry will head the British team, however the Australian team is determined their Commonwealth group will be the first to the South Pole, beating the Americans.


Among the teams farewelled in London's Trafalgar Square were Heath Jamieson and Seamus Donaghue, who suffered gunshot wounds in Afghanistan and are representing the Commonwealth team.
Mr Jamieson says dealing with the freezing conditions is his biggest obstacle.
"It's pretty cold down there," Mr Jamieson said.
"Just doing all the day-to-day things... it's a lot harder doing it in the cold - like going to the toilet, scratching yourself - doing anything like that.
The team did some training in Iceland earlier in the year to give them a chance to acclimatise.
"Everyone got a chance to work out how their injuries handled the cold and what precautions you need to take," he said.
'We will give it our best shot'
Mr Donaghue suffered a severe leg wound and has to take special precautions ahead of this challenge.
"I've got a bit of nerve palsy on the right side, so I can't actually feel from the knee on the outside of the leg all the way down to the foot," he said.
"So I've got to be careful of cold injury in that regard."
The teams have been given modified boots and skis designed for their specific needs.
"I've got a leg length discrepancy as well, so I'm about four centimetres shorter on the right side, which is handy for going to the right, but not so much handy for going straight," Mr Donaghue.
Mr Jamieson joked about the possibility of not making much progress at all.
"We've got to be careful when [Mr Donaghue] is leading it that we're not going around in circles," Mr Jamieson said.


The pride of Australia is on the line and the soldiers are ready to conquer.
"We'll give it our best shot to win," Mr Jamieson said.
"Hopefully we'll regain the Ashes in summer and when we come back we'll find out we've won a few Test matches and we'll also have got to the Pole first as well."
Prince Harry promises to make soldiers a cuppa
Prince Harry has promised the soldiers he'd make them cups of tea when they arrive at the South Pole.
"We will have it all boiling ready for him, he can just pour it for us when he gets there," Mr Jamieson said.


Prince Harry says the soldiers are all winners before taking a single step.
"[The soldier] are going to achieve something quite remarkable," he said.
"We will prove to everybody else that, even when you've lost a leg, lost an arm or whatever the illness may be, that you can achieve pretty much anything if you put your mind to it."
They're not entirely on their own because they will have expert guides, including Australian Eric Philips, who has visited the Antarctic and the Arctic several times.
"Flying in to an altitude of 3,000 metres and a temperature of 30 degrees below zero is hugely confronting," Mr Philips said.
"They're going to feel that cold slapping on their face; their going to feel a numbness in their fingers and in their toes pretty quickly.
"And then on top of that, a distance of 335 kilometres over the course of more than two weeks of travel. That's a pretty confronting prospect."

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; The Scott Expedition | To the South Pole and Back - Antarctica 2013/14 (http://scottexpedition.com/)

"British adventurers Ben Saunders and Tarka L’Herpiniere are setting out on an expedition to Antarctica to complete Scott’s 1,800-mile return journey to the South Pole on foot. Pushing the boundaries of human potential, the Scott Expedition will be the longest unsupported polar journey in history and the next chapter in one of the greatest stories of polar exploration ever told."

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575231_593033877413208_248057017_n.jpg

You can follow their progress on Facebook, they are currently ( 15th November 2013 ) on Day 22 of their trek.

https://www.facebook.com/TheScottExpedition?hc_location=stream

.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; https://www.facebook.com/TheScottExpedition

King George Island, Antarctica - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vywj_xfU8kk)


"Published on Nov 17, 2013
Hear from Ben Saunders - in Antarctica - as he made his way to the start of the Scott Expedition. Due to weather, the Scott Expedition Team touched down on King George Island on the very edge of the Antarctic Peninsula for the night before flying on to their next destination, Union Glacier. Footage includes a snapshot of King George Island and first site of penguins...

Right now, Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere are on arguably the most ambitious polar journey in history - an 1800 mile unsupported return journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back retracing Captain Scott's footsteps.

The Scott Expedition will be the longest unsupported polar journey in history and first completion of Captain Scott's ill-fated 1910-12 Terra Nova expedition.

Subscribe to the Scott Expedition channel or visit The Scott Expedition | To the South Pole and Back - Antarctica 2013/14 (http://www.scottexpedition.com) to follow Ben and Tarka's preparation and journey.

Tell us in the comments below if there is anything specific you would like to see and give Ben a shout of encouragement! "

.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Tracking | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/tracking)

Track Ben and Tarka’s journey as they retrace Scott’s original 1910–12 Terra Nova expedition. Starting at Scott’s Hut they will traverse the Ross Ice Shelf, climb nearly 8000ft on one of the world’s largest glaciers, the Beardmore Glacier, on to the Antarctic Plateau; and onwards to the South Pole. From the Pole it’s back the way they came.

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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Prince Harry Walking With The Wounded: South Pole trek suspended | Metro News (http://metro.co.uk/2013/12/07/prince-harry-walking-with-the-wounded-south-pole-trek-suspended-4222052/)


The race to the South Pole involving Prince Harry and his fellow Walking With The Wounded expedition competitors has been suspended for safety reasons.

Harry had started off on the gruelling charity trek with a team of injured British servicemen and women against groups from the US and the Commonwealth.

Ed Parker, the expedition director, has taken the decision to suspend the race to the pole, but is determined that all the members will make it to the South Pole as one group.

On the charity website, he said: ‘We have had a tricky couple of days. The weather remains good but the terrain is very difficult, far harder than we were anticipating and because of various factors, I have decided to suspend the race.

‘The reasons for this are entirely safety based. I am looking at the three teams. They are going really well but people are beginning to get very, very tired.

‘With our doctor here, who I am in constant contact with, we just feel we are beginning to push people a little too hard, so I have suspended the race.’

The charity’s website said this is ‘certainly not the end’ for the challenge, but added that steps have been put into place to ensure that all of those involved are kept safe.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/647.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Britons rescued after Antarctic helicopter crash | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-156876/Britons-rescued-Antarctic-helicopter-crash.html)


Two British men were rescued from the icy waters of the Antarctic after their helicopter ditched into the sea.
The Royal Navy said the Chilean authorities had organised the rescue of Steve Brooks, 42, and Quentin Smith, 40, both from London.
The rescue operation was launched after Mr Brooks rang his wife Jo from a satellite phone in the early hours of this morning to tell her they had been forced to launch an emergency dinghy into the sea.
He was one of two British explorers who last year laid claim to being the first to drive across the treacherous Bering Strait from the North American continent to Siberia.
This was despite being refused permission to enter Russian territory.
Mr Smith, a world champion freestyle helicopter pilot who has flown twice around the globe, provided helicopter support on the same expedition.
A spokeswoman for Mr Brooks said today that the men had been on their way from Chile to the Antarctica region when they were forced to ditch the helicopter into the sea.
She was unable to give any further information about their trip.
The Royal Navy survey vessel HMS Endurance - 180 miles from the men - had dispatched a Lynx helicopter in case it was needed for a rescue operation.
A spokesman said the helicopter was on its way back to HMS Endurance.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/645.jpg

Ref; Three hurt in Australian Antarctic Division helicopter emergency near Davis Station | The Mercury (http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/three-hurt-in-polar-chopper-crash-near-davis-station/story-fnj4f7k1-1226773309292)


THREE Australians injured in a helicopter crash in Antarctica are in stable conditions at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The pilot and two expeditioners arrived in Hobart at 6.45am yesterday aboard an Australian Antarctic Division Airbus A319. RHH doctors were also on the medical-evacuation flight.

A female scientist among those injured is now focused more on her science, studying penguins, than on her injuries.

Those involved in the rescue have called it a remarkable story of survival.

The chopper came down on Sunday in a heavily crevassed area near the Amery ice shelf, about 150 nautical miles from Davis Station, while the party was returning from a mission to survey a penguin colony.

The injured were cared for by a pilot and expedition members in a second helicopter, able to land near the crash site.

Transferred to Davis late on Monday, the injured trio had been waiting for the weather to clear to allow a medical evacuation to Hobart.

The woman walked from the plane yesterday with minor injuries, another onboard has significant chest injuries while another has suspected back injuries.

AAD director Tony Fleming said that because of the nature of the incident, the harsh environment in which it occurred and the limited medical care in Antarctica they treated the injuries as serious.

"They are stable and doing well considering the nature of the incident," he said.

"It is a great result after a very complex logistical operation involving many hours and numerous people in the planning and execution."

Chief Medical Officer Dr Jeff Ayton said the care the patients were provided with was exceptional.

"The first hour of any multi-trauma is critical," he said, "but in the first 20 hours we had a field training officer and the pilot extricate the patients from the wreckage and manage them in the harsh Antarctic environment -- the cold, the wind -- and it's remarkable what they've achieved in keeping them alive and safe and warm until we could get the doctor in."

Dr Fleming said at least 150 people were involved in caring for the injured and co-ordinating their rescue.

The Australian Transport Bureau is carrying out an investigation into the crash.

emma.hope@news.com.au

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/646.jpg

[stallie]

And there was a Korean chopper that crashed last week at Terra Nova Bay - not far from McMurdo. Three or four burnt and medivaced to CHCH. Three choppers in eight days. Not a good week on the ice

[Pedro_The_Swift]

"The rescue operation was launched after Mr Brooks rang his wife Jo from a satellite phone in the early hours of this morning to tell her they had been forced to launch an emergency dinghy into the sea."

Hello, Triple Zero, what is the nature of your emergency?


:Rolling::Rolling:

[stallie]

There's a traverse going on at the moment that left from the French base at Dumont d'Urville (almost due south of Tassie) up the plateau then westbound to a point around 550 kms inland from Casey.

They are after the million year old ice core. It's been identified as the place in Antarctica with the oldest ice (but not necessarily the deepest).

Have a read here of the blog of one of the scientists Tas's Aurora Basin North Ice Coring Blog (http://tasabn.blogspot.com.au)

I've flown over the area at low level looking for landing sites. It's pretty bleak and rough.

This project will get some coverage in Fairfax media over the next few weeks as this week a couple of journos arrived who are heading out to report on it. I was down at Casey this week and took a few more pics of tractors and other things for you Wrinklearthur. Give me a couple of days to get them online.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Walking With The Wounded – South Pole 2013 (http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/southpole2013/2013/12/13/south-pole-success/)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/494.jpg


After four weeks and 200km, the Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge teams arrived at the South Pole at 12:48pm GMT on Friday 13 December – a day considered unlucky for some, but a monumental day for all the team members involved.
“We’re here I am about 10 meters away from the Pole. Everyone is sort of scattered now, we’ve been here for about 20 minutes maybe half an hour. It’s an amazing feeling, it really is.
Every single one of these twelve deserves it. I mean they have dug out blind to get here, Duncan you know, it’s just remarkable the fact that someone with no legs has made it here, and to have done it in record breaking time, no doubt.
And Ivan as well, when I look across I see him being guided around you know, totally blind, from America, and absolutely hates the cold, and you know he’s not doing it for himself, he’s doing it for his buddies back home, and that goes for everybody, every single one here.
All 12 of them have different reasons for being here and I don’t think it’s necessarily something that for all of them that it will, either tonight or tomorrow or when they get back home, but what an amazing journey for every single one of them and this charity really does do amazing things. It’s not just for the small minority that are here but hopefully in time to come through the documentary, and all the stories back home. It will just prove to everybody that there’s so much that can be made possible when you think that nothing is left.
But I’m so proud, I’m so chuffed and I’m so privileged to be here with all these guys and girls, and well done to Ed and Dags and everyone who’s organised this, what an amazing accomplishment. I think we’ll be having a few whiskies tonight and then everyone’s looking forward to getting home.
Mission success.”
- Prince Harry, Expedition Patron

[wrinklearthur]

There's a traverse going on at the moment that left from the French base at Dumont d'Urville (almost due south of Tassie) up the plateau then westbound to a point around 550 kms inland from Casey.

Ref; Tas's Aurora Basin North Ice Coring Blog (http://tasabn.blogspot.com.au)


apart from a false start which bogged one tractor at the start of the day, and which was rectified pretty smartly with some rehitching and towing. It did underscore to me the skill involved in synchronised starts to get a couple of hundred tons sliding in unison. :o

Sun Dogs


This picture is a nice illustration of parhelia (sun dogs) around midnight during the traverse to ABN

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/492.jpg
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[Lionelgee]

[QUOTE=1950landy;1971330]In 1924 /25 the Citroe'n Ke'gresse Half - tracks were the 1st vehicles to cross the Sahara from Alger in the North to Tombouctou in the south. then continued on south through the central jungle to Le Cap at the bottom of Africa. They were then shiped to Southern Madagascar & driven north . Back on a ship to the main land to explore other parts of Africa

Hello 1950 Landy,

I was intrigued to find out what the Citroën Ke'gresse Half - tracks looked like so I did a bit of search on the internet and found what some photographs of what they say are 1930 models. One version must have been the "deluxe". Notice some things of interest in the background of the deluxe version.


Kind Regards
Lionel

[wrinklearthur]

And there was a Korean chopper that crashed last week at Terra Nova Bay - not far from McMurdo. Three or four burnt and medivaced to CHCH. Three choppers in eight days. Not a good week on the ice

Thanks Stallie for pointing this one out, I was looking for this news report but because it didn't involve people that speak 'American English' the media coverage here was very poor.

I had an inkling that something had happened but was thrown by a 2 year old report of a similar accident.

Ref; Antarctica chopper crash victims flown to NZ - One News | TVNZ (http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/antarctica-chopper-crash-victims-flown-nz-5761175)


Four people have been injured in a helicopter crash in Antarctica.
The cause of the South Korean chopper accident is not yet known.
The four South Koreans injured are reported to have burns and are being flown to Christchurch.

They are due to arrive in Christchurch at 5.40pm (NZT) and will be taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance.
No New Zealanders are reported to be involved in the crash.

Earlier Antarctica New Zealand confirmed the incident on the ice at Terra Nova Bay.
The Italian and United States Antarctic Programme assisted with evacuating the injured.
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[wrinklearthur]

Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year to Craig Hayhow and the rest of the mob at Mawson Station.

My Antarctic Adventure: About Mawson Station (http://craighayhow.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/about-mawson-station.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/313.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Expeditions 7 Completes Bid on South Pole - News - ExPo: Adventure and Overland Travel Enthusiasts (http://www.expeditionportal.com/news/2705-expeditions-7-completes-bid-on-south-pole.html)


The Expeditions 7 team, having already traversed five continents, just completed their most ambitious leg with a successful bid on the South Pole. Leaving from the Russian Novo Station, the team not only made it to the Pole in good time, they were able to push on to the far edge of the continent––and back again. Crossing Antarctica twice required 6,000 km of driving in what is undeniably, the most remote and inhospitable sector of the planet.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/christophe/e7pole/e7_lead.jpg

http://www.expeditionportal.com/christophe/e7pole/e7_pole.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

Click on this link and see how far it is for Ben and Tarka to get to the pole.
Tracking | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/tracking)
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; The Scott Expedition: spare a thought for these extreme adventurers - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/10536898/The-Scott-Expedition-spare-a-thought-for-these-extreme-adventurers.html)


As you polish off the mince pies, Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpenière are reaching the mid-point of their ultimate Antarctica journey

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/102.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; https://www.facebook.com/TheScottExpedition

I have posted in full, Ben and Tarka's blogs here for days 64 and 65, to give an insight into their thoughts as they reach the half way point of their trip.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1525407_613080265408569_1610039204_n.jpg


A Big Day Out (Day 64)

Apologies for the delayed update, but I suspect you already know that we swang round the South Pole yesterday (the day before yesterday by the time you read this) and are now on the homeward leg of our journey. Our plan was always to pitch the tent and leave our sleds about 10km from the Pole and then to leg it with not much more than a bit of food and drink, our satellite phone, our tracking beacon, a camera and a flag. The round trip turned out to be a bit of an epic by the time we'd followed the regulation route into the South Pole station itself, skirting the runway, and we clocked 56.7km (nearly 36 miles) in what turned out to be a eighteen-hour day.

In short, I'm afraid to say -though it's probably quite apt- that I concur with Captain Scott himself when he said of the South Pole "Great God this is an awful place". For him, of course, there was nothing there at all. A patch of snow at the heart of a barren, deeply inhospitable continent. For us, it felt like walking into a cross between an airport, a junkyard and a military base. Or perhaps a scene that was omitted from a Star Wars film: skiing along with sacks swinging from our backs, futuristic mirrored goggles and hoods framed by coyote fur, we looked like two bounty hunters approaching some sort of outpost on a frozen planet.

As we skied alongside the runway, two skidoos -presumably electric ones as they sounded like hairdryers- skimmed past us, and one visored pilot raised a mittened hand in a half-wave, half-salute. It all felt very strange. The next thing we spotted was several acres of oil drums, cargo containers, pallets and cardboard boxes, with giant tracked vehicles moving between them, belching smoke and reversing with beepers blaring. We skied past several vast sets of fuel bladders that had been towed to the Pole from McMurdo, leaving tracks thirty feet wide. The smell of aviation fuel hung in the air, and huge exhaust plumes rose from what I assume are generators near the main station buildings itself. Anyone who thinks the South Pole station is all about bearded scientists releasing weather balloons and peering into telescopes is sadly mistaken; the place is a giant logistics hub geared, it seems, mainly around the vast quantities of fuel needed to keep this outpost heated and powered all year round, and to quench the thirst of the Hercules aircraft we saw sat on the snow runway.

We raced to the Pole (there are two actually, a few metres apart, the ceremonial one with all the flags, and the actual Pole that they move around as the ice slowly edges towards the coast), and took a few photos, shot some film and made some calls, before racing away again as fast as we could. By the time we made it back to the tent it was nearly 1am and we still had snow to melt and dinner to eat before sleeping for all of two-and-a-half hours and skiing another 35km today.

I felt strangely devoid of emotion at the Pole, but now we're skiing back to the coast my excitement (and indeed apprehension about the colossal distance that still remains) is mounting. We're both, as you might imagine, pretty shattered, and were struggling deeply today after almost no rest. Sat on my sledge at some point this afternoon, struggling to keep my eyes open, I said to Tarka as we ate and drank, "This is a stupid way to make a living". "True," he replied, as he emptied a packet of cashew nuts into his mouth, "But it's not a bad way to make a life".


Day 65

Another day on the white treadmill, and not an awful lot to report, other than that the weather was good to us today, and we're both feeling extraordinarily tired, but still giving our all.

There's been a lot of fresh snow recently and the surface is proving our biggest headache at the moment; you can see the deep furrows we've ploughed up to this evening's camp site. When we take our skis off in the evening and walk around in the deep powder to pitch our tent, we've marvelled several times at how on earth Birdie Bowers -an apparently indefatigable member of Scott's team who abhorred skis and chose to walk instead- managed on this type of stuff.

Speaking of marvelling, now Tarka and I are both feeling as knackered as we've ever felt, we reckon we're finally getting some sort of glimpse of what day-to-day life out here must have been like for Scott's party (and indeed for Shackleton on his Nimrod expedition). It's still an awfully long way back to the coast, which was the only way home a century ago, and like them, we're now threading a path through our lifeline of tiny depots, dotted along nearly 900 miles of nothingness.

Apologies if my post about the Pole sounded a bit negative (particularly to the US National Science Foundation personnel who live and work there!) but it was a long, tough day and I think the tiredness and lack of calories had put me in a bit of a grump. The blue skies today have cheered me up immensely, and I wish I had the words to explain my excitement about now being on the journey back to Ross Island. I'm still pinching myself at times that we've come as far as we have. Thanks for following, and I hope my updates will be back to normal once I've caught up on a bit of sleep...

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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/icebound-ship-in-antarctica-edges-closer-to-rescue/2013/12/26/14696dd2-6eb2-11e3-a5d0-6f31cd74f760_story.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/media/ALeqM5j0byQG6KvWr4KvDtF7xMer872JjA'size=l

Rescue of icebound Antarctic ship faces setback

Some chatter here about the Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, the thread is more about the research done by the scientists on board so this isn't a double post.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/188334-russian-research-ship-stuck-ice-antarctica.html
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/Wires/Online/2013-12-27/AP/Images/Antarctica%20Icebound%20Ship.JPEG-0b155.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Help on the way for ship stranded off Antarctica (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/12/29/australia-rescue-ice-antarctica/4241581/)


The Australian icebreaker Aurora Austalis was making its way toward the MV Akademic Shokalskiy, a Russian ship with 74 people aboard. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which was heading up the rescue operation, said a Chinese ship tasked by the Royal Coast Guard Australia also remained in the vicinity to assist if needed. The Chinese ship was equipped with a helicopter in case the Aurora Australis was unable to reach the stranded ship.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/30.jpg
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[stallie]

the Royal Coast Guard Australia

que?

[wrinklearthur]

the Royal Coast Guard Australia

que?
??? :confused:

I think it's our journalist friends with their licence to print rubbish perhaps?

Heard tonight on the WIN news that Aurora Australis couldn't reach the MV Akademic Shokalskiy and turned back to clear water.
I will try and find a factual report about that news. :)
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Bad weather hampers Antarctic rescue bid for MV Akademik Shokalskiy

Rescue bid hampered. | The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/bad-weather-hampers-antarctic-rescue-bid-for-mv-akademik-shokalskiy/story-e6frg6nf-1226791826152)

I wonder how long the Aurora Australis can hang about with it's current fuel reserve's?
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[stallie]

The best source of news would be Fairfax. Two of their Journos flew down a couple of weeks ago. They are now on the Aurora, and they were quoting Muzza (the skipper) earlier today.




I wonder how long the Aurora Australis can hang about with it's current fuel reserve's?
.

Depends how much pushing it's doing. If it's just sitting there, probably months. It also left Casey halfway through their resupply, and had only put half of the 700 000 litres of fuel ashore for the winter. It needs to get back there, but I'm guessing now it will have to go back via Hobart.

Spare a thought for those people who went down for the summer to Casey, limited 55kgs of carry on stuff with them on the ship/plane (doesn't go far when you include all your Antarctic clothing) and put the rest as cargo on the AA. It's still in the hold - it hadn't got unloaded before it left. This gear will probably get to them when they are ready to leave after the summer.

Same goes for a hell of a lot of cancelled science programs out of this.

Personally, if I was on the Russian ship, I'd think I'd be happier staying on it rather than risking a flight on the Chinese Kamov. I've seen that thing first hand. It had bench seats in the back. Like wooden cafe table bench seats. :eek:

And I still have nightmares about another incident involving its predecessor the Dauphin. Closest I have ever seen someone coming to getting killed and emerging without a scratch.

[wrinklearthur]

The best source of news would be Fairfax. Two of their Journos flew down a couple of weeks ago. They are now on the Aurora, and they were quoting Muzza (the skipper) earlier today.
Thanks for that, I'll have a scratch about and see what comes up.


Spare a thought for those people who went down for the summer to Casey, limited 55kgs of carry on stuff with them on the ship/plane (doesn't go far when you include all your Antarctic clothing) and put the rest as cargo on the AA. It's still in the hold - it hadn't got unloaded before it left. This gear will probably get to them when they are ready to leave after the summer.

Same goes for a hell of a lot of cancelled science programs out of this.

Picture on the wall at the Hobart International Airport.
Is this aircraft one that you get to use?

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=70607&stc=1&d=1388405154

Had a friend come back from wintering over, about thirty years ago now, He told me about the "Antarctica Factor".

[stallie]

If you looked very closely at the original pic you can see my face in the cockpit, trying to position for the best angle for the shot. Was taken in about 2009, to the west of Casey, out the back of the sister aircraft during a documentary filming. Our engineer was sitting on the back ramp with the film crew and fired off a few shots. Came out pretty well. One of the few shots I have of me flying.

My current steed is somewhat larger and comfortable. But much less fun.

-----
And yes the A-factor....

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/trapped-aussies-celebrate-new-years-eve/story-fn3dxix6-1226792835051)


Overnight, those stranded posted videos of themselves celebrating New Year's Eve off Antarctica.

In one, they perform a song about their plight, while in a second they sing Auld Lang Syne as they stamp down the snow near the ship in preparation for the arrival of a rescue helicopter.

Expedition leader Professor Chris Turney on Wednesday tweeted that it was warm, wet and windy.

"Poor visibility. Unlikely we're flying this morning," he wrote.

New year on board the Akademik Shokalskiy - video | Science | theguardian.com (http://www.theguardian.com/science/antarctica-live/video/2013/dec/31/new-year-2014-board-akademik-shokalskiy-video)


Alok Jha and Laurence Topham are on the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, a research vessel stuck in ice off the Antarctic coast. This is what they have to do to get stories to you

How to file a story when you are trapped in Antarctic ice (http://www.theguardian.com/science/antarctica-live/video/2013/dec/26/antarctica-live-blizzard-video)
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Resupply | Blog | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/blog/resupply)

I read Ben and Tarka's blog, they were in trouble and I am so pleased that they taken this action to remain safe.


My idea was to call for a resupply. To have more food and fuel flown to our position so that we could rest and recover before finishing this journey. A decision that changes the status of this expedition from "unsupported" or "unassisted" or whatever semantics you wish to choose to the opposite. Part of me also feels it inevitable that we and this journey would face critics even if we'd done it in period clothing eating pemmican and pony meat. Yet in an instant I realised that my and Tarka's lives are not something I wanted to gamble with, and that we had given our all. We were lucky that neither of us had collapsed the day before, and I knew we couldn't possibly have hoped to recover on our meagre rations from the physical holes we'd dug ourselves into.

At the other end of the world, on the other end of a crackling and hissing satellite phone line, our expedition manager Andy Ward sprang into action, and things happened incredibly quickly, with a ski-plane carrying eight days' of rations landing twelve hours later

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/s403x403/1510561_615433261839936_42981419_n.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/passengers-relieved-after-antarctic-rescue/story-fn3dxiwe-1226794060911)


THE stranded passengers aboard a research ship stuck in sea ice in Antarctica are heading home, although it will be a few weeks before they dock in Hobart.

A total of 52 people were rescued in helicopter transfers to an Australian icebreaker on Thursday, with the operation taking four hours to complete.

Expedition leader Chris Turney said the scientists, tourists and journalists stuck on board the Akademik Shokalskiy since Christmas Eve had been airlifted to safety and had arrived at the rescue ship.

"We've made it to the Aurora australis safe & sound. A huge thanks to the Chinese & @AusAntarctic for all their hard work! #spiritofmawson."

Passengers, many of them Australians and New Zealanders, were picked up by a helicopter from the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long and transferred to the Australian Antarctic Division supply ship.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1523.jpg http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_large/hash/8d/5e/8d5e4efcb73f265cfb7abaceb4cc22c3.jpg?itok=SmpJLct8
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[wrinklearthur]

Ref; An article written by Nicky Phillips.
Nicky Phillips and Colin Cosier are travelling in Antarctica as part of the Australian Antarctic Division's media program.


The joint rescue effort was a credit to all involved.
Passengers from ship trapped in ice safe on Aurora Australis

Read more: Passengers from ship trapped in ice safe on Aurora Australis (http://www.smh.com.au/national/passengers-from-ship-trapped-in-ice-safe-on-aurora-australis-20140103-309k8.html#ixzz2pNWk8p20)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1489.jpg
What's going on here? An Adelie penguin (bottom of frame) is curious as the helicopter lands on a floe. Photo: Nicky Phillips

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[stallie]

The French traverse tractor.

Any guesses what the headlights are for in 24 hour daylight?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1407.jpg

[Blknight.aus]

for when they have 24 hour night? or when they operate in white out/cloud/fog.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

to melt the snow for a cuppa?:angel::wasntme:

[wrinklearthur]

The French traverse tractor.
Any guesses what the headlights are for in 24 hour daylight?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1407.jpg

I asked my Wife what she thought they used them for and she replied.

"To see with." :D
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[wrinklearthur]

[QUOTE=stallie;2058904]The French traverse tractor.
Any guesses what the headlights are for in 24 hour daylight?

My guess is seeing the depressions in the snow where the crevasses are snow bridged, during white out conditions???

But don't they use ground radar for that?
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[Hay Ewe]

the big head lights help with light from a different angle to spot crevase, different snow and stuff.
Suppose the different color / temperature of the light helps as well.

When it is all white ground, all white sky all white air there is not much to use to differentiate the contours of the ground

Hay Ewe

[wrinklearthur]

Ben and Tarka had a few words today, after Tarka in the first leg of the day stretched out a large lead, his thoughts were to get off the plateau as soon as possible and Ben is still having trouble keeping up the pace.

They are still on the Antarctic plateau, but with less then 700 Miles to go and the decent of Beardmore glacier in a few days time.

Ref; Lolloping (Day 75) | Blog | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/blog/lolloping)
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Antarctic weather change helps ice-stricken tourist ships break free (http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/antarctic-weather-change-helps-icestricken-tourist-ships-break-free-20140108-30g2a.html)


A shift in Antarctic weather around the polar ships Akademik Shokalskiy and Xue Long has let them break free of heavy ice that trapped them.

Read more: Antarctic weather change helps ice-stricken tourist ships break free (http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/antarctic-weather-change-helps-icestricken-tourist-ships-break-free-20140108-30g2a.html#ixzz2poMQeWG0)
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Australian Antarctic Division research behind schedule after Aurora Australis diverted to help ice-bound ship - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-07/antarctic-research-delayed-after-aurora-australis-diverted-to-h/5189466)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1222.jpg


The director of the Australian Antarctic Division, Tony Fleming, says the delay will affect research projects, other resupply missions and the budget.

Dr Fleming says the Aurora Australis will complete the resupply job at Casey Station before returning to Hobart.

"The incident has delayed our season so we need to do the resupply very quickly and get the vessel back to Hobart and turn around quite quickly to the next voyage," he said.

"I understand that the taxpayer shouldn't pay for this rescue mission so I'll do everything I can to recoup the costs."

The extra passengers will stay onboard during the resupply mission which is expected to take around five days.

Dr Fleming says while scientists are used to delays in Antarctica, there is a sense of frustration.

"The economic costs will be fuel and food and the charter costs and it's an ongoing operation," he said.

"So we don't know how long the operation will take but we'll calculate that when the ship gets back to Hobart."
.

[wrinklearthur]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1484174_10152098496528748_919726779_n.jpg

That's a photo from the 25th November 1956 of the Tucker Sno-cat 'Rock and Roll' and it's first collapsed crevasse snow bridge. "On the 25th we passed over the filled chasms safely enough, and after 14 miles thought that we were well on the way for a long run. Then, in a twinkling, a snow bridge fell away beneath 'Rock and Roll' leaving David Stratton and myself suspended in mid-air over an impressive chasm," The Crossing of Antarctica by Sir Vivian Fuchs and Sir Edmund Hillary.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Ref; https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/nolan-antarctica-t03558

Sir Sidney Nolan, Antarctica 1964.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/images/work/T/T03/T03558_10.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Mountains on the Horizon (Day 79) | Blog | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/blog/mountains-on-the-horizon)

Take a close look at the photo and you can see why Ben and Tarka were excited at the end of their day.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1536739_620310041352258_733054110_n.jpg

Distance to go: 610 Miles
.

[wrinklearthur]

Geoff Wilson a vet has arrived at the South Pole, in his quest to raise monies for The McGrath Foundation.
The McGrath Foundation was co-founded by Jane and Glenn McGrath and was inspired by Jane’s personal experience with breast cancer.

The McGrath Foundation aims to raise money to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia and to increase breast awareness in young women.
To find out more about how you can help make a difference, please visit McGrath Foundation - McGrath Foundation > Home (http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au)

Dr Geoff Wilson is pictured here with his Boobsled at the South Pole.
Geoff Wilson kited in on December 27th and will continue the crossing north to the coast.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1061.jpg

.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Polar News ExplorersWeb - South Pole arrivals and False Record Claims (http://www.explorersweb.com/polar/news.php?url=south-pole-update_1388156897)

A list of the hopefuls making it to the South Pole.

Make up your own mind.
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Antarctic Webcams — Australian Antarctic Division (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/webcams)


Krill cam (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/webcams/krill-cam)
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Downhill, a Dog-Leg and a Depot (Day 81) | Blog | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/blog/downhill-a-dog-leg-and-a-depot)

After trekking through a whiteout, via a GPS guided dogleg to miss the crevasses of the Shackleton Ice Falls, Ben and Tarka make it to their depot after spotting their marker, a spare ski sticking up with it's piece of material flapping in the wind.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/999622_621138831269379_1507087495_n.jpg


The cloud finally lifted at 7pm as we were approaching our depot, and the view was glorious. We spotted the spare ski we'd left as a marker, defiantly standing upright in the wind with its fabric streamer flapping madly. I saw it first, and my excitement reminded me of going to the coast at Lyme Regis or Weymouth with my brother as a child, wondering who would spot the sea first. I can't tell you what a joy it is having scenery again after so many days on the featureless plateau, and I thought the Dominion Range looked stunning this evening as the last of the cloud rolled off it.

Taking bearings on Mount Darwin and Buckley Island ----- was a very special feeling indeed, and I couldn't help reflecting that the only other teams to have skied towards these landmarks were led by Sir Ernest Shackleton and Captain Scott. Not for the first time I felt like a bit of an imposter as I led us towards the depot; little old me who learnt to read a compass as a Scout. It's a special feeling being here, and tomorrow the Beardmore awaits...

.

[wrinklearthur]

With so much going on with the Antarctic it's easy to miss a newsy blog, so better late than never.

Ref; Tas's Aurora Basin North Ice Coring Blog (http://tasabn.blogspot.com.au/)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/820.jpg
Towing a stuck tractor - view from the kassbohrer.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/821.jpg
First Basler flight, overflying the ABN skiway.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/822.jpg
Main drill tent.


One of the Hobart scientists, Andrew, has got a laser spectrometer up and running and is measuring our first ice samples (for those interested, this device measures isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in the water/ice, which can be interpreted as past temperatures). We are interested to see seasonal variations in the ice, especially in the shallow sections near the surface, as these will tell us more about the annual snowfall rate here.

The main core drilling continues, at 114 metres, and the team have been working hard to solve some technical problems with the drill. The firn air coring has now reached 102 metres and we are in the special zone called the ‘lock-in’ zone, where the ice is still porous enough to allow us to pump trapped air out, but the air itself is now isolated from the modern atmosphere. The point of this is that we can get very large samples of air that is decades old: much larger that can be obtained from bubbles in a relatively small ice core. Such large samples can be used to measure exotic gases like carbon-14 methane.
.

[wrinklearthur]

They are in Hobart.

Ref; Passengers rescued from Russian ship stuck in Antarctic ice arrive in Hobart on Aurora Australis - Yahoo!7 (http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/20929234/52-tourists-and-researchers-rescued-from-antarctic-ice-return-to-hobart-this-morning-on-the-aurora-australis/)


The Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis has arrived in Hobart with the passengers rescued from a Russian research shipearlier this month.
The Russian ship ( Akademik Shokalskiy ) became stuck in thick sea ice at Commonwealth Bay on Christmas Eve.

It was stuck for more than a week before conditions eased and 52 passengers were airlifted by helicopter to the Aurora Australis.
The icebreaker then dropped off supplies and personnel at Casey station, before starting the week-long voyage back to Hobart.
The passengers will spend the next few hours clearing quarantine. ( probably got ice in their pockets )


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/395.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Back on the Ross Ice Shelf & A Message from Prince Harry (Day 88) | Blog | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/blog/back-on-the-ross-ice-shelf)

A Message from His Royal Highness Prince Harry.

Prince Harry sent a message of congratulations to Ben and Tarka on the anniversary of Robert Falcon Scotts arrival at the South Pole 102 years ago!

We've recieved a message from His Royal Highness Prince Harry. It made our day here in Antarctica. I hope he won't mind me quoting it below and I'm deeply honoured that he's among the people following our journey ------- "One hundred and two years ago today Captain Scott reached the South Pole. As his expedition tragically demonstrated, such a trek sits at the very limit of human endeavour. You're well on your way to completing what Scott attempted; I wish you both the very best of luck for the rest of your journey. You guys will be an inspiration to the next generation as Scott has been to this."

Ben and Tarka are off the Beardmore Glacier


we found ourselves skiing through the most treacherous crevasse field of the entire glacier this morning, just a few kilometres from the foot of the Gateway. ----- We both went through several times, with Tarka getting the prize for most frightening fall, going in chest deep, skis and all, and getting wedged by his outstretched arms. As I turned to respond to his shouts, my own ski went through another hole and the snow opened up underneath me to reveal a crevasse a couple of stories deep. ------ we're now camped very safely indeed on the lovely flat, calm, 100% crevasse-free Ross Ice Shelf.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/394.jpg

http://library.thinkquest.org/3876/images/%20glacier.gif

Glaciers (http://www.rosssea.info/glaciers.html)

.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref;Glaciers (http://www.rosssea.info/glaciers.html)
Hercules Stuck in Crevasse (http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/90s/herkstuck.html)

It isn't only people and tractors that have trouble with crevasses.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/393.jpg

http://www.rosssea.info/pix/big/Herculese-crevasse-far.jpg

http://www.rosssea.info/pix/big/Herculese-crevasse-close.jpg


Above, a McMurdo common drive photo of the track of the unfortunate aircraft. This happened near Upstream D (81°S-140°W) on 16 November 1998. An account by Bruce Blackburn:
As the aircraft was taxiing after drifting the cargo the pilot was trying to find a better takeoff route. She felt the bump as she landed across the crevasse. the nose ski bumped and she hit full power on all engines. The right ski dropped in and #4 hit the snow. The ski jumped out but the left side was not so lucky. They had to replace three engines on site and all 4 props as a precaution. The crevasse was not uncovered as you see in the picture 'till the salvage crew got on scene. They filled the crevasse with snow and used a bullbag to get the ski out of the crack. Note; I had ridden this aircraft to and from Downstream Charlie two weeks before the incident.
.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Is that how high Icebreakers sit out of the water?
or is it just really empty:p

(they work by weight dont they?)

[wrinklearthur]

Is that how high Icebreakers sit out of the water?
or is it just really empty: (they work by weight dont they?)

The Aurora Australis has just emptied a massive amount of fuel to the Davis Station in Antarctica, I would have thought that it would use seawater as ballast and that would have been dumped well out at sea before getting near the Tasmanian coast.

I reckon that there would be a couple of reasons for that as the ship would be getting prepared to return a.s.a.p. back to Antarctica and the need to not have ballast water on board when entering port for quarantine reasons.

I rang the Australian Antarctic Division to find out about this but! They were all busy with the boat.


Aurora Australis
Photo: Hosung Chung http://images.aad.gov.au/img.py/6c95.jpg?width=160&height=120
Launched 18 September 1989.

Owner: P&O Maritime Services

Designer: Wartsila Marine Industries Inc.

Builder: Carrington Slipways Pty Ltd, Newcastle Australia.

Gross tonnage: 6574 t

Deadweight: 3893 t

Length: 94.91 m

Beam: 20.30 m

Draft (maximum): 7.9 m

Endurance: 90 days or 25 000 nautical miles

Maximum speed: 16 knots
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; A Milestone Day (Day 98) | Blog | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/blog/a-milestone-day)

Ben and Tarka have picked up their last Depot and are close to Scott's last Camp.
They are getting excited about how close they are to the finish, with people adding comments to their blog page joining in with excitement.


COMMENTS
# Heidi, January 31st 2014 Reply
Dear Ben and Tarka, this has been a good day: sunshine, depot, finding your previous tracks. We are so happy and thankful that things let up a bit. Nearly there, gentlemen. I will be holding my breath until you arrive at your destination. Many thanks to you both for your superhuman efforts to maintain contact with us. It is quite a privilege to hear from you. Warmest hugs.


COMMENTS
# Richard Pierce, January 31st 2014 Reply
At this moment, I believe Ben & Tarka are taking their steps into history, and passing the spot where Scott, Wilson and Bowers lay down for the last time.

I thought it appropriate to share this short film with historic images, and images I shot myself when I was out there in January 2008. And the music’s damn good, too. Maybe Andy should record it as an mp3 and send it to the boys.

Dead Men book trailer - YouTube (http://youtu.be/xnMJv1NQJ2w)

God Speed, B&T
R
Dead Men book trailer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnMJv1NQJ2w&feature=youtu.be)

Another youtube link with an excellent documentary.

Secrets of the Dead III (2002): 5. Tragedy at the Pole - YouTube
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; https://www.facebook.com/TheScottExpedition


Antarctica's throwing everything it's got at Ben and Tarka in their final few days but, as Tarka says: "Mate, we've gone a hundred and two rounds with Antarctica and we've won every one of them. Tomorrow we're going to win round one hundred and three."


Day 102 - Round One Hundred and Two (Day 102) | Blog | The Scott Expedition (http://scottexpedition.com/blog/round-one-hundred-and-two)
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ben and Tarka have only four hours of sking left to do, then they will be at the Ross Station.

You will have spent 106 days on the ice pulling a sledge each, which started with a load of 200 Kgs.

Well done fellows and build your depleted bodies back up carefully!
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; https://www.facebook.com/TheScottExpedition


https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1781900_10153811709405052_756998036_n.jpg


Olly Hicks
LONGEST POLAR JOURNEY ON FOOT IN HISTORY - COMPLETE!!!

Incredible - The Scott Expedition !! - Ben & Tarka have done it - after an unimaginably gruelling & monotonous 105 days on the Antarctic ice, dragging 200kg sledges for 1,795 miles to the South Pole and back - have completed Captain Scott's unfinished 1912 Terra Nova Expedition.

Fantastic work lads, delighted for the whole team, 10 years of perseverance!! Now enjoy the payback & the rest...!

The Scott Expedition
@polarben
@scottexpedition

Please like this / share this / tweet it and generally spread the good news so that the Expedition gets the coverage and recognition it deserves.... Surely the greatest polar expedition for decades.....ever!?
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Anniversary of Mawson's return from first Antarctic expedition - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-26/anniversary-of-mawsons-return-from-first-antarctic/5286140)


February 26, 2014 17:02:39. Today marks 100 years since Sir Douglas Mawson returned home from the first Australian expedition to Antarctica.



www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-26/mawsons-men-100th.../5285488‎
It has been 100 years since the return of Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic ... Sir Douglas led a group of men through Antarctica to extend the boundaries of human ... The World Today · Radio Australia News · NewsRadio ... Posted February 26, 2014 15:55:48 ... Topics: research, science, history, antarctica, australia ...


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/02/77.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref;Airbus A319 on ice in Antarctica - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-01-11/airbus-a319-on-ice-in-antarctica/1010138)


An Airbus A319 sits on the ice in Antarctica, after first passenger flight there on January 10/11, 2008.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/02/62.jpg

[350RRC]

[QUOTE=wrinklearthur;2096643]Ref;Airbus A319 on ice in Antarctica - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-01-11/airbus-a319-on-ice-in-antarctica/1010138)

Not the first passenger flight, Grasshopper. :) Actually happened in 1957.

Have you read Day's book? Twigged me to this, complete with Pan Am hosties on the ice apparently:

http://www.everythingpanam.com/images/1957%20Dec%20Antartic%20Charter%20Flight.jpg

cheers, DL

[Pedro_The_Swift]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/02/52.jpg

What do you reckon stallie?
Pan Am Hosties and all--

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; This week at Mawson: 21 February 2014 — Australian Antarctic Division (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/mawson/this-week-at-mawson/2014/21-february-2014)


The Pioneer, big brother to the iconic Noddy of Casey fame, roared into life. Years of constant battering by extreme weather have taken their toll, and most expeditioners refuse to go near it. The wise man of Mawson, the Grand Mechanical Guru himself imparted his wisdom. These sagacious words were expressed through a long grey beard, "You drive it, you fix it! That's all I'm telling you!"

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/768.jpgThe pride of the Mawson fleet (Photo: Jose Campos)

.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; BBC News - Antarctic: Where 'zombies' thrive and shipwrecks are preserved (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23682521)


Ernest Shackleton's famous ship, the Endurance, which he had to abandon in 1915 on his ill-fated Antarctic expedition, is probably still in very good condition on the ocean floor.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/780.jpg
.

[Hay Ewe]

Ref; This week at Mawson: 21 February 2014 — Australian Antarctic Division (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/mawson/this-week-at-mawson/2014/21-february-2014)



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/768.jpgThe pride of the Mawson fleet (Photo: Jose Campos)

.

that looks interesting, kinda like my current lego project
any more details or pictures availible?
thanks
Hay Ewe

[wrinklearthur]

that looks interesting, kinda like my current lego project
any more details or pictures availible?
thanks
Hay Ewe

Ref; Nodwell and Foremost Pioneer tracked vehicles — Australian Antarctic Division (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/travel-and-logistics/ground-transport/field-support-vehicles/nodwell-and-foremost-pioneer-tracked-vehicles)

Nodwell and Foremost Pioneer tracked vehicles

The Nodwell is Canadian in origin and is the largest of the rubber tracked vehicles in use at Casey. It can accommodate up to 6 people whilst the cargo tray can carry loads of up to 4 tonnes.
Towing capacity is limited because of its rubber tracks, but the Nodwell can haul loads of up to 3 tonnes on suitable sledges.

The Nodwell is powered by a Caterpillar 6 cylinder, turbo after-cooled diesel engine, and transmits power to the tracks through an Allison MT 654 transmission. It is of cab/tray configuration and is also fitted with a hydraulic telescoping cargo crane.


The Nodwell is used specifically to support scientific and other field programmes. It is not a general usage vehicle. Because of the complexity, a mechanic or suitably experienced operator must always accompany the vehicle on any journey.

A Foremost Pioneer, a similar tracked vehicle, is used at Mawson. However it has a smaller cab which can carry a maximum of three people. It is not used for any long distance field work, but primarily for cargo work in support of air operations.

Ref; This week at Mawson: 21 February 2014 — Australian Antarctic Division (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/mawson/this-week-at-mawson/2014/21-february-2014)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/761.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/762.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/763.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/764.jpg

http://www.safetyoneinc.com/specsheets/pdf/NOD_RN_1.PDF
.

[wrinklearthur]

Happy birthday to Captain Robert Falcon Scott who was born on this day (6 June) in 1868 - here he is skiing in October 1911. (Reference: P2005/5/563)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10425766_10203229764159148_858171957_n.jpg?oh=7973 028a36d29970f9ccd9b6b173b5ca&oe=53950FA0&__gda__=1402304148_6291bcb770a7d7899a251fc0103086b 6

Scott (at the head of the table) celebrates his 43rd birthday at camp on 6 June 1911.

http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/FA/8DC19644C66246155F4533FCDAB6D7.jpg
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Antarctica Station Housing 13 People Loses Power in Dead of Winter (http://mashable.com/2014/08/06/british-halley-station-antarctica-power/?utm_emailalert=daily)

Antarctica Station Housing 13 People Loses Power in Dead of Winter.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/1024.jpg

Antarctica is currently in the depth of its long winter season, with temperatures plunging to nearly minus-67 degrees Fahrenheit, hurricane-force winds and lack of sunlight. This is precisely the wrong time of year for an Antarctic outpost to lose electrical and heating power, but that worrisome scenario playing out at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Halley Station on the edge of the south Atlantic Ocean, where 13 people are currently stationed.

IMAGE: SAM BURRELL, BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY/ASSOCIATED PRESS

http://rack.1.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE0LzAyLzI3LzQxLzJfMjdfMTRfYW5kLjJmYjY5LmpwZw pwCXRodW1iCTkweDkwIwplCWpwZw/0ecb5bc7/403/2_27_14_andrewheadshot.jpg Written by Andrew Freedman.


BAS spokewoman Linda Capper told Mashable that all 13 station staff — including a chef, a doctor, mechanics, an electrician and several electronics engineers — are "safe and in good health." -------
"The power is up and the heating is back on, but it's not back to full capacity at the moment, so we've stopped all our science monitoring and data transfer apart from meteorological work to give us weather forecasts," Capper said. She described the lengthy power outage as a "very tense period for everyone."

“It’s looking good, but it’s still quite early days,” Capper said.

The outage started on July 30, when "a major technical issue resulted in the station losing its electrical and heating supply for 19 hours," according to a BAS statement.

Workers are preparing to move to other modules of the research station if the power goes out again, according to Twitter reports from those currently living at the station. "Contingency plans for alternative accommodation on site are in place and ancillary buildings are being made ready in case of a further power-down," said BAS officials in a statement.

The BAS waited seven days to make a press announcement about the mechanical problems because there was only one satellite phone available to talk to the crew, and it took time for staff to reach out to family members to let them know their relatives were OK, Capper said.
.

[juddy]

I was looking at some pictures of this station all the modules, wheres the garage?

[wrinklearthur]

Ref;Antarctica2 (http://int.masseyferguson.com/antarctica2-begins.aspx)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/616.jpg


This is the first chapter in an unfolding modern-day adventure story which will see the realisation of a dream for the lead driver, Manon Ossevoort, and an extreme test of endurance for the tractor and the entire crew. Depending on conditions, the expedition is scheduled to depart Novo Runway in the latter part of November and reach the Geographical South Pole sometime around mid-December.

In a 5000 km return journey across the unforgiving icescape, Antarctica2 follows the achievement of Sir Edmund Hillary, who drove a specially-adapted Ferguson TE20 tractor to the South Pole in 1958.

This second Antarctic tractor expedition is being organised to highlight the need for the provision of accessible technologies and innovative services to allow future farmers to meet the world's growing requirement for food.

[wrinklearthur]

Manon Ossevoort

Ref; http://blog.agcocorp.com/tag/manon-ossevoort/


The MF 5610, modified by the engineering team at AGCO’s Beauvais tractor plant, will be driven by Manon Ossevoort, better known as Tractor Girl, who has already driven a tractor from her childhood home in the Netherlands to South Africa.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10437401_710789459004119_6465933422517069153_n.jpg ?oh=2882248bd929c90f13ecd2b83e2a2db8&oe=54E58997&__gda__=1424120317_f12ecfe96780add2c36bbcade861ea3 5

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/486428_326306727452396_1486436205_n.jpg?oh=29dc3a1 3fcc7b417d51fe75f834b129b&oe=54ED6ABB
.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; http://www.tractortractor.org/en/

Meet The Antarctica2 Crew - Manon Ossevoort - YouTube

.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; https://www.youtube.com/embed/kUbrRSjIpVc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUbrRSjIpVc

.

[wrinklearthur]

Dutch actress and adventurer Manon "Tractor Girl" Ossevoort, arrived at the South Pole Tuesday, driving a Massey Ferguson across the frozen wastes of Antarctica.

Ref; Dutch adventurer reaches South Pole on tractor | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2866578/Dutch-adventurer-reaches-South-Pole-tractor.html)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10403062_737802006302864_4236994714700393298_n.jpg ?oh=67a74c118469db859966136cdcc3d1b7&oe=55104097&__gda__=1426214430_cc52ab82407ff56314f210710c2e7d8 5

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/640.jpg

Congratulations!

[wrinklearthur]

These old photo's keep coming along, another shot of the New Zealand Ross Sea Support team for the The 1955-58 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10848007_770859129653355_1941137827071757522_n.jpg ?oh=f9e421eee80b79ee1716b932f2cb7938&oe=550202B8

.

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Home for Christmas! Triumphant Return to Base Camp for Antarctica2 Tractor Expedition (http://int.masseyferguson.com/antarctica2-home-for-christmas.aspx)


Campbell Scott, Massey Ferguson Director Sales Engineering and Brand Development said: "We send our warmest congratulations to Manon Ossevoort and the Antarctica2 crew on their magnificent achievement. They have shown extraordinary teamwork and fortitude on this epic trip."

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/322.jpg
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[wrinklearthur]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ-HmwXBF84

[wrinklearthur]

https://livemorenow.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/new-zealand-dollar-nzd-5-bank-note-2003-issue-alan-bollard-signature-hillary-everest-massey-fergusson-tractor-front-kar.jpg
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[123rover50]

Bottom left. Dollars.
Ha Ha.
I havnt seen a Kiwi $5 for about 30 years and thats a new one.
Thanks Arthur.

[Dark61]

I'm not trying to start a thread of spotting things on bank notes, but when I used to visit our Swedish Office - this one always tickled me.
cheers,
D

[wrinklearthur]

Ref; Antarctic rescue part of pilot's job | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News (http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/347157/antarctic-rescue-part-pilots-job)

Last week, Central South Island Helicopters owner and pilot John Oakes was presented with a Royal Humane Society medal by the Governor-General, recognising his bravery in going to the aid of three people seriously injured in a crash in the Antarctic.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/608.jpg