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

Avoided hazards:

Avoided hazards:

Snow stairs: In previous years we cut stairs into the snow without further fortification, which proofed a hazard when carrying heavy equipment, such as full ice core boxes. For this reason we experimented this year with aluminium angles (Fig.8). These are anchored by about 15-20cm and protect the edge of the step. They are relatively light weight and performed extremely well.

Fig. 8 Aluminium stairs in the drilling pit.

Fig. 8 Aluminium stairs in the drilling pit.

Drilling Tent: This year we used for the first time a new tent designed by Pyne (Fig.9) to protect not only the core processing pit, but also the drilling crew. This was essential for windy conditions as we expected and experienced especially at Mt Erebus Saddle. The tent performed extremely well, even in 50+knots of wind and blowing snow. The tent only stands 1.5m above the ground, with a 3-4m deep pit underneath. The tent rods are aluminium-titanium alloy. Snow walls were not sufficient to protect the page 13 tent from blowing snow at Mt Erebus Saddle, instead a 2m high × 10m long wall out of heavy cargo was established to reduce the amount of wind stress and snow accumulation.

Fig. 9 A) empty drilling tent, B) drilling tent from outside with drill mast, C) Drill platform (1.2m deep below surface), D) processing floor (2.2m below surface) and drill handling platform (3.5m below surface), E) core processing space, F) core processing and storage place

Fig. 9 A) empty drilling tent, B) drilling tent from outside with drill mast, C) Drill platform (1.2m deep below surface), D) processing floor (2.2m below surface) and drill handling platform (3.5m below surface), E) core processing space, F) core processing and storage place