Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1977-78: VUWAE 22

Event 13

Event 13

Nov 10	Logan, Metson, to Scott Base.
11-15	Preparation of field gear assisting Lang in the checking of the toboggans, one night spent out as field test.
14	Johnston to Scott Base.
15	Johnston, Logan, Metson, Lang, Harris^* toboggan to Cape Royds (^*to do penguin count).
17	Field work/sampling north of Cape Royds. Harris returns to Scott Base by helo.
18	Toboggan to Cape Barne, establish camp and study on cavernous weathering, lava fans.
19	Metson, Lang return to Scott Base, Johnston, Logan work around Cape Evans and Dellbridge Islands.
20	Johnston, Logan work on exposed lavas along coast and return to Scott Base. Metson, Lang prepare and load gear on helo for Depot Nunatak.
21	Johnston, Logan, Lang, Metson, to Depot Nunatak by helo link briefly with Event 12 and then investigate desert varnish on exposed dolerites.
22	Field work around Depot Nunatak.
23	Tent day, low temperatures, moderate wind, poor visibility.
24	Toboggan to Kennar Valley, work on ridge leading to Finger Mountain.page 23
25	Toboggan to Beacon Valley again link with Event 12.
26-27	Field work in Beacon Valley.
28	Toboggan to Pearce Valley.
29	Sampling work in the Pearce Valley.
30	Toboggan to Taylor Glacier snout and establish camp, observation of saline spring site.
Dec 1-3	Field work around cinder cones above Lake Bonney, 2nd was half tent day due to bad weather.
3	Flight to Marble Pt in late afternoon.
4-5	Blizzard at Marble Pt stranded with Gentle 15.
6	Late evening - in partial clearance return to Scott Base.
7	Recovery day, Scott Base.
8	Logan, Metson, Lang, Scott (from Vanda) to Tyrol Valley (Upper Wright). Johnston to N.Z.
9	Field work on ridges above Tyrol Valley, Mt Baldr.
10	Tyrol Valley down to Upper Labyrinth. Work around glacier margins.
11	Scott returns to Vanda by helo, Metson, Lang, Logan, shift camp to mid-Labyrinth.
12	Work on exposed outcrops of the lower Labyrinth.
13	Sampling work around upper Wright glacier.
14	Shift camp into South Fork half tent day due to high winds.
15	Field work on ridge leading to Dias and on dolerite cap on West end of Dias.
16	Travel to Vanda via South Fork and Don Juan pond.
17-18	Vanda flight delayed by unfavourable weather in McMurdo Sound.
19	Logan, Metson, Lang flight to Olympus Range dropping depot at Lake Vida on the way.
20-23	Worked from camp under Mt Dido mainly on ridge to the west and Mt Electra. 22nd was tent day due to high winds and low temperatures.
24	Examined ferrogeneous concretions west of Mt Circa, and returned with camp to Vanda via North Fork.
27	Up onto Asgard Range below Mt Odin and returned to Vanda.
28	Travel to Lake Vida via Bull Pass.
29	Tent day at Lake Vida, prepare gear for trip to Olympus Range.
30	Travel to valley beneath Mt Cerberus. Sampling work on iron stained granites on the north ridge of Mt Cerberus.
31	Further sampling work in this area. Half tent day and snowing with poor visibility.
Jan 1	Returned to Lake Vida camp.
2	Day trip to Lower Victoria Glacier snout sampling from north side of valley.
3	Tent day due to high winds.
4	Travel to Upper Victoria Glacier snout.
5-6	Work around glacier margins and up glacier to exposed central ridge.
7	Return to Lake Vida camp.
8	Tent day waiting for scheduled helo flight (delayed).
9	Half day wait for helo then some work sampling in 'elephants graveyard'.
10	Metson, Logan, Lang, return to Scott Base.
11	Rapidly packed two VUWAE cargons to go on the cargo ship for return to NZ.
12-13	Scott Base, repairing and returning gear and field equipment.
14	Logan, Metson, sampling trip along ridge from Crater Hill to Castle rock.page 24
18	Metson, Scott Base to Christchurch.
19	Logan to Christchurch.

Days in Antarctica	70	(Nov. 10 - Jan. 19)
Days in Scott Base	14
Days in Field	56
Travel	6
Tent	9	(includes 3 days stranded in blizzard at Marble Pt)
Vanda	3
Work	38