A. TRANSPORT - not applicable

B. MAIN AREAS COVERED

Event 11c camped at Sigrid Pond during the period December 4-13 and mapped on foot moraines in the upper and lower Pearse Valley.

C. WEATHER

Event 11c was not supplied with meteorological instruments although records of the weather conditions in Pearse were made visually and with the use of a soil thermometer. These observations were relayed to Scott Base on the morning and evening radio scheds. and are summarised in Appendix III.

Event 11c experienced excellent weather conditioning during their stay (Dec. 8 - 13) in Pearse Valley. The wind was never greater than 25 knots and temperatures were warm enough to melt surface ice of Sigrid Pond.

D. COMMUNICATIONS

A Labgear radio was used and generally gave no problems in communications with Scott Base. On two separate days relay via Vanda Station was necessary due to poor radio conditions at Scott Base.

Two batteries were picked up together with a radio from the Scott Base Post Office. In the field, one battery was found to be dead even though the Post Office had given the assurance that both were fully charged. Problems could have been experienced without a spare battery if the planned field duration had been longer.

E. LOSS/DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT - not applicable

F. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is necessary for pre-field checks to be carried out on both the radio transmitter and spare batteries.

The supply of tent pegs at Scott Base was nonexistent when 11c was preparing to leave for the field. Makeshift pegs were prepared at Scott Base for use at the Sigrid Pond campsite where suitable rocks were known not to be available. A greater number of tent pegs and ice screws (for ice camps) should be held at Scott Base for tent pitching purposes.