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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1979-80: VUWAE 24

Event 11b - Cenozoic Studies (Itinerary: includes area covered)

Event 11b - Cenozoic Studies (Itinerary: includes area covered)

Dec 5 Departed Scott Base 1640 hrs for Coombs Hills via Marble Point (refueling). Camp established at approximately 2000 m, 5 km northwest of Mt Brooke; overlooking the Odell Glacier. Before returning the helicopter briefly deposited the party (in perfect weather conditionw) on small terrace at western end of summit ridge of Mt Brooke. The helicopter altimeter suggests the peak to be well over 2800 m (cf. 1:250 000 Convoy Range map).
6 Traversed north and east from campsite and returned via Odell Glacier. Weather overcast.
7 Traversed west and south from campsite and then completed a circuit via the northern foot of Mt Brooke back to camp from the south southeast. Weather overcast.
8 Gale. Tent day.
9 Gale. Tent day.
10 Gale. Tent day.
11 Gale. Tent day.
12 Traversed eastern flank of Mt Brooke and 2 km along southern ridge. (The party was first lifted from campsite to the northeastern foot of Mt Brooke by helicopter returning to McMurdo Station from S.058 (Allen Hills)). Returning again along the eastern side of Mt Brooke the party then climbed the northern face up onto the terrace at the western end. Without the guiding of Woodford this climb would not have been completed. On the terrace Brady succeeded in excavating a fossil glacial striated pavement.
13 Rest day - a.m. Odell Glacier, north of camp - p.m.
14 Weather conditions marginal. Fine but with gale force winds exceeding 30 knots. Traversed west to the Plateau edge.
15 Moved by helicopter to new campsite on north side of Coombs Hills approximately 3.5 km west of Curreen Glacier. The campsite, on very rough moraine, was in a tributary cirque at the glacier edge (ca. 1600 m). Traversed (climbed) southeast through Coombs Hills and then turned northwest to ascend high country overlooking the Odell Glacier.
16 Gale. Tent day.
17 Stayed in vicinity of camp awaiting helicopter shift. Finally cancelled due to bad weather in McMurdo Sound region.
18 Weather fine but helicopter movements cancelled due to bad weather in McMurdo Sound region. Traversed along Odell Glacier side, around northeastern end of Coombs Hills onto the Curreen Glacier. Excellent exposure of pre-Pleistocene tills examined.page 50
19 Moved 1700 hrs to Bull Pass. Camp set up at twin tarns at 625 m. H. Brady returned to Scott Base.
20 Traversed southeastern ridge of Mt Jason (to approximately 1400 m) and then descended to floor of Wright Valley (to approximately 160 m) collecting specimens for fission track analysis. Returned to campsite.
21 Crossed via Bull Pass to southern shore of Lake Vida and then ascended northern face of Mt Cerberus to 1400 m collecting specimens for fission track analysis. Continued on through Olympus Range back to Bull Pass.
22 Returned by helicopter to Scott Base arriving approximately 1400 hrs.
Post MSSTS (After December 3)
Days at Scott Base appx.7
Days in the field 17
Travel 3
Tent days and helo waits 7
Work 7
Days in Antarctica (includes MSSTS project)
Brady 35
McKelvey 43