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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 2004-05: VUWAE 49

FIELD EQUIPMENT

FIELD EQUIPMENT

Quality, suitability and performance of field clothing

Clothing

The new Canadian goose down blue/black jackets were used by K049 members. The jackets are warm but blowing snow is easily trapped in the zip and Velcro pockets and the artificial fur ruff causing parts of the jackets to freeze solid in the limited warm/drying conditions of the field camp. The outer jacket material is also rough and does not shed snow well. Natural fur would have been a better option for the hood and the pocket closures should be improved for future purchases.

We used both Carhart insulated jackets and bib overalls and the ECW salopetts. The Carhart bibs are significantly warmer than the ECW's but the zips and closures pack blown snow freezing the garmets and making them difficult to dry. A long leg zip option for the bibs was easier to get into with boots on but trapped more snow and was colder in strong winds. The Carhart cotton Duck and ECW outer materials do not shed snow well, get wet and are difficult to dry in the field. The Carhart and Canadian Goose Jackets come only in medium sizes and larger.

Fig. 10: Challenges on Antarctic field clothing

Fig. 10: Challenges on Antarctic field clothing

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Furthermore, there are no women Carhart bibs. It would good, if a few smaller sizes and possibly women Carharts could be purchased

Overall, the Carhart garmets and the ECW's are not very satisfactory active field clothing in locations subject to blowing snow, strong winds and cold conditions. Field camps have limited warm and drying conditions for clothing.

Recommendation:
  • Antarctica NZ should investigate active field clothing that is warmer than the standard ECW's, sheds snow and is semi waterproof for some filed parties working in cold glacial locations.

Boots

Muckluks were commonly used by K049 members often with "Sorel felt' liners. These were the warmest boots available but at times were cold and also froze with blowing snow and limited drying conditions. A "drillers boot" was also trailed with a protected toe and is bulky for the foot size. This boot was colder than the mukluks, regularly required toe warmers in temperatures above −20°C and became very stiff when cold and was difficult to put on even though the boot is a "large fit". This boot would be better in a larger field camp with better drying and warming conditions.

Performance and design of tents, technical climbing equipment, kitchen gear and sledges

The 12 ft by 8ft Polarhaven

framed tent was used at both the Evans Piedmont Glacier and the Mt Erebus Saddle sites (Fig.11). It was heated with a flued SIGMA stove burning kerosene (consumption approx.10 l/day) and was used for cooking, messing and operating and maintaining equipment including lap top computers. The tent is a very useful size for helicopter and small fixed wing aircraft (Twin Otter) transport and suitable for parties up to 6 personnel. The tent remained secure on Erebus saddle in winds estimated to be over 50 knots but is over 10 years old and should be replaced for remote location use. The insulation sandwiched between the walls has broken down in several places so that the heat cannot be retained in winds above 35 knots and the main door zips have become worn through normal use and have now failed in the cold with snow and ice build-up. The entrance door had to be sewed shut.

Recommendations:
  • This tent should be replaced for use at remote and robust sites and a cold porch entrance considered.
  • An exit for a flued heater like that on the existing tent is required.
  • An insulated floor that is aircraft friendly is required. This could be a soft folding pocketed floor that accepts high-density closed cell foam panels about 4′×3′ and 1″ thick.
Fig. 11: Polarhaven at Mt Erebus Saddle

Fig. 11: Polarhaven at Mt Erebus Saddle

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Since 2000 both K049 and K047 have had up to 5-7 personnel supported from aircraft portable field camps for drilling and other scientific activities. The small (12′×8′) Polarhaven has provided a major contribution to the success of the field support and was used as a kitchen/mess and laboratory. Some new equipment is suggested to improve the support of 5-7 person groups in this type of field camp.

  • Portable camp kitchen (box) for 7 people, including sink and bench surface.
  • Two burner LPG burner or preferably two burner/oven combination.
  • Kerosene heater (SIGMA). Previously supplied by VUW.

One Planet polar tent.

This tent was used on Erebus saddle (Fig.12) and performed well in high snowfall conditions and winds of at least 50 knots where it remained stable. We initially considered that the fixed tent floor could be dangerous and lock in the inmates if the tent blew away in extreme weather but this was less of a concern as we became more confident of the tent and the open vestibule floor reduces this risk. The tent was pitched with the vestibule down-wind so that the entrance was partially side to the wind where it remained relatively free of snow. The tent with the vestibule is more complicated to put up than the standard polar tent and is probably better suited for longer-term camps rather than overnight. In comparison to the standard tent the lighter nylon inner probably make the tent warmer in sunny conditions but it will also be more difficult to erect in windy conditions. We did not cook in this tent and the vestibule was used to store personnel kit, wet/frozen clothing and boots. We are undecided if cooking should be done in the main tent or in the vestibule which could be a less safe option as the primus would be in the way of the exit and the tent ceiling is lower.

Recommendations:
  • A separate cut floor is required for the vestibule.
  • An emergency knife should be part of the tent kit.
  • The tent bag should be made big enough to accommodate the inner wall in the attached position and the extra poles.
  • Bungee cord in the poles like the standard folding polar tents may be an advantage.
  • The door material is very stiff in temperatures below −10°C and the plastic extremely difficult to use. A more flexible door material, additional Velcro incorporated with the buckles and a Velcro closure like the standard tents should be considered.
Fig. 12: One Planet Polar Tent at Mt Erebus Saddle.

Fig. 12: One Planet Polar Tent at Mt Erebus Saddle.

Sleeping bags:

Then new single mummy style Polar sleeping bags with fleece inners were used by some members of K049. We found the bags were unsuitable in temperatures below –15°C when using the old mattresses that included the closed cell foam insert. On Mt Erebus the performance of the bags was satisfactory with the addition of a separate old style polar outer bag and a thin foil mattress on the standard mattress.

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Recommendations:
  • A warmer and larger bag than the new Polar bag is required for the early season, high altitude locations and larger people.
  • Many of the old mattresses should be replaced. A new mattress or combination should include an insulating/waterproof closed cell layer, a comfort layer 2" thick and a heat reflective layer.

20 person day ration box system

The new food boxes were well packed in terms of quantity and nutrition and were favourably received by all members. The addition of savoury snack food and new innovative extras, such as bagged tuna and couscous was very much appreciated. The provision of bulk food supply for medium sized field parties still has scope for improvement and development.