Field Transport

The put-in at Fang Glacier was by 3 helicopter loads, totalling 3000 lb, including the Grizzly which was underslung as the last load. We arrived at Fang a few hours after S-081. Transport up from Fang, and on the plateau was by Grizzly toboggan and one of the Yamahas garaged at the lower hut. S-081 lent us a Skiddoo, and carried skiddoo loads for us on several occasions. Our fuel requirements proved to be underestimated, but we could not have taken appreciably more on only 3 lifts. Our return to Scott Base was in one flight by Kiwi helo from the lower hut. The Grizzly, Fang camp, generator, cooking box, and some spare food were left for K 092 to use at their request. Three helicopter flights to repair BOMB seismic station were attempted. The first with K 092 was aborted when the Kiwi helo was found to have cracks in the tail (grateful thanks to the crew), and the second with K 092 took us twice around Erebus to reduce weight for the landing on the small cone at BOMB. Unfortunately low cloud encroached on McMurdo, and we had insufficient time on the ground to effect repairs. The third flight was with Dr. Ray Chuan of S-081, and our one hour on the ground was just sufficient. Ken Sims of S-081 made a further flight to remove batteries from the old TERROR site, and add recharged and tested batteries to BOMB. VXE-6 could not have been more helpful, and the flights were excellent.