Where and Why V.U.W.A.E. Went

This V.U.W.A.E. and others have been unusual expeditions to the Antarctic in that they have specialised in working in continuously exposed rock areas. Most Antarctic expeditions entail travelling great distances in snow vehicles or by dog sledges. Since distances in Antarctica are so vast and the going often so difficult such expeditions spend the greater part of their time in travel and comparatively little in the V.U.W.A.E. type of field work. V.U.W.A.E, having chosen bare rock areas, has been able each season to work continuously on their chosen territory. This was especially so in 1960-61 when the Antarctic continent generally experienced very poor weather conditions. One party of our acquaintance spent out of some 88 days in the field some 27 confined to tents. One United States university expedition was so unfortunate as to fail altogether to reach its proposed area. One party of V.U.W.A.E. on the other hand was snowed in for only two days. Another reason why these V.U.W.A.E. have chosen the ice-free areas of Wright Valley (1958-9), Victoria Valley (1959-60) and the Koettlitz (1960-61) is that no great degree of Antarctic training is needed - nor have we ever had time enough for it - and New Zealand tramping and mountaineering already experienced by members are ideal preparation. Furthermore, since these areas are amongst the largest exposures of geology in Antarctica it is felt that their exploitation is extremely profitable for expeditions of our type.

This year the area chosen was that just north of the Koettlitz Glacier, about 40 miles, at its nearer end, from Scott Base on Ross Island. The area was big - 50 miles by ten miles of ridge and valley topography roughly equivalent in size, to quote a New Zealand example, to the whole of the Wairarapa valley from Palliser Bay to beyond Masterton, and as wide, the whole being regularly crossed along its length by narrow ridges often as high as the Tararua Range - but the choice was determined by proximity to Scott Base and the fact that it had been observed but never studied as a complete unit.