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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 2007-08: VUWAE 52

LOGISTICS REPORT K049: NZ ITASE

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LOGISTICS REPORT

K049: NZ ITASE

Antarctica New Zealand 2007/08

page 1

*AIMS

The principal purpose of this year's field season was to conduct a site survey at Skinner Saddle and Gawn Ice Piedmont in the vicinity of Byrd Glacier for future ice core drilling. We accomplished a total of 185 km high resolution radar survey and identified excellent drilling locations at both sites.

The NZ ITASE programme has five objectives:
  1. ITASE-Objective

    The focus of the New Zealand ITASE group is to provide information from the climate sensitive, low altitude, coastal sites. This will capture the climate signature of the troposphere, which represents a regional account on the Ross Sea climate. The ice core data are expected to provide a record of air temperature, snow accumulation, precipitation source, atmospheric circulation strength, storm frequency, sea ice variation, ocean productivity, and anthropogenic influences. The results will help to decide whether the Ross Sea region is currently cooling or warming with a longer-term prospective, taking low frequency climate variability (100 to 1000 year cycles) into account. Furthermore, proposed tele-connections such as the Amundsen Low-ENSO correlation [Bertler et al. 2004; Meyerson et al. 2002] or the Southern Hemisphere Annual Mode [Thompson and Solomon 2002] can be further constrained.

  2. Latitudinal Gradient Project Objective

    The project is expected to contribute substantially to the Latitudinal Gradient Project, as it can provide a history of temperature, humidity, sea ice cover, precipitation source, atmospheric circulation, and ocean productivity along the Victoria Coast for the last 200 to 10,000 years. Furthermore, the timing and velocity of the Ross Ice Shelf retreat some 9 to 5ka years ago is still discussed controversially [Hall and Denton 2000; Steig et al. 1998; Steig et al. 2000].

  3. ANDRILL Objective

    The ice core locations 2 and 3 (Evans Piedmont Glacier and Mt. Erebus Saddle) are in the vicinity of planned ANDRILL coring locations (Granite Harbour and Windless Bight). The ice core records will provide a high resolution climate dataset, which serves as a reference for the younger part of marine record recovered through ANDRILL.

  4. Longer-Term Mass Balance Objective

    During the 1999/2000 season mass balance measurement devices (submergence velocity method [Hamilton and Whillans 2000; Hamilton et al. 1998]) have been deployed at Victoria Lower Glacier. The device has since been revisited. The measurements show that the glacier has a slightly negative mass balance, losing around 12-15cm thickness per year. A continuation of the measurements will allow monitoring changes in the ablation intensity of the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

  5. The Antarctic – New Zealand Connection Objective

    New Zealand's future economic and social development, environmental sustainability, and infrastructural planning critically relies upon the accurate assessment of the impact of "global warming" in our sector of the planet. Future climate change is a result of both natural variability and anthropogenic influence. A joint programme between Victoria University, GNS Science, University of Maine, is investigating ice core records from New Zealand (Tasman Glacier and Mt. Ruapehu ice field). The comparison between our NZ and Antarctic ice core records will provide much needed data for the development of realistic regional climate models to predict NZ climate in the 21th Century [Mullan et al. 2001].

page 2

*PERSONNEL

Name Role Organisation Departed Chch Returned Chch
Nancy Bertler PI Victoria University / GNS Science 23/10/2007 20/12/2007
Matt Watson Radar Expert ScanTec 23/10/2007 27/11/2007
Davie Robinson Field Safety Expert GNS Science 23/10/2007 26/11/2007
Rachael Rhodes Student Victoria University / GNS Science 23/10/2007 07/12/2007
Julia Bull Student Victoria University 26/11/2007 07/12/2007
Alex Pyne Drilling Expert Victoria University Transfer from K001 to K049 13/12/2007 20/12/2007

*PLANNING

  • Application process

    The application process was efficient and well documented

  • Communications with Antarctica New Zealand staff

    Communication with Antarctica New Zealand staff was professional, timely, and effective.

  • Preseason information

    The information received was timely and valuable

  • Medicals, documentation and flights to Antarctica

    The information received was timely and valuable. However, I would like to note that there is a loophole in the information flow for the medical assessment. I would like to suggest that the PI of any field group will be informed by the medical advisor of any condition of a team member relevant to the field deployment, such as allergies etc. Furthermore, I would like to suggest adding to the medical questionnaire the question on how long the examining doctor has known the patient. This would help the medical advisor to evaluate how comprehensive the medical assessment might be.

  • Environmental Advice

    The pre-season information received was timely and valuable

  • Other comments

    The multi-season experience of many Antarctica NZ staff makes the planning process field deployment a professional and efficient process. However, I would like to note that also new staff, in particular in the management team, contributed to have made this year's planning and implementation a very efficient and positive experience.

*PREPARATIONS FOR THE FIELD

  • Reception and planning for your event

    The reception was well organised, friendly and efficient. The main issues of the event were promptly discussed and organised.

  • Availability and condition of equipment received

    Upon our arrival Scott Base staff the field support team, J.Barton and D.Mahon had staged most of our field equipment in the HFC. The equipment was in good condition and suitable for our field deployment.

    page 3
  • Antarctic Field training and any specialist training

    All team members with the exception of Rhodes conducted a refresher training, which was efficient and useful. Rhodes participated the full Antarctic field training. In addition, we conducted an additional glacier travel training. The training, carried out by Davie Robinson, was excellent and catered for the specific needs of this group. Extensive crevasse extraction training, roped skidoo-travel, and management of extreme weather conditions were an important focus of the training. All members felt that the field training was very practical, helpful, and beneficial for the team. We are grateful to E. Barnes for the concept and excellent implementation of a modulised, tailored field training programme

  • Field party equipment 'shakedown' journey

    The equipment shakedown journey was particularly useful to identify and repair minor defects in the equipment, as well as to practise and revise traverse routines. When the team deployed to Skinner Saddle, all science and field equipment was thoroughly tested and checked.

  • Delays at Scott Base, whatever the cause

    We deployed in general on time to and between field sites, with only minor (1 day) weather delays at our move to Gawn Ice Piedmont and from Evans Piedmont Glacier. We purposely delayed our departure from Scott base to Skinner Saddle by one day as this provided the opportunity to use the DC-3 instead of Twin Otter aircrafts. However, due to delays in the DC-3 schedule we used the Twin Otter aircrafts.

  • Safety and Risk Management processes

    The risk management process was useful.

  • General comments about Scott Base

    The Hillary Field Centre is a well designed, practical, and much welcome improvement for field preparations. The cage system as well as the bench space along with the excellent organisation and coordination by J. Burton and D. XXX allowed a number of groups to concurrently prepare and test their science and field equipment indoors. In addition, this provided an atmosphere for scientific exchange between groups as well as exchange of practical experience between individuals. The doors to the cages are somewhat too narrow and don't allow equipment to be transferred by trolley. The new mess and lounge area is a well implemented improvement of the living quarters.

  • Other comments

    We would like to thank Scott Base staff for their very efficient, professional, and above and beyond support with our programme!

page 4

FIELD TRANSPORT

Vehicles

Skidoos and Nansen Sledge

We used two Bombardier skidoos (SWT 08 and 09) for traversing at Skinner Saddle and Gawn Ice Piedmont. These skidoos are easier to drive and to start than the older Alpine II models. Overall, the skidoos were reliable and performed well. The skidoos were well prepared and fitted with spare parts and we received professional and useful advice during field deployment via radio. A Nansen Sledge was used to carry the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) control units, high resolution GPS, a generator and solar panels. The sledge was in good condition and performed extremely well in both soft snow and rough terrain. Good weather conditions allowed us to conduct 150km of GPR survey lines at Skinner Saddle, while marginal weather conditions at Gawn Ice Piedmont limited our efforts to 35km. Fuel consumption of the traverse was on average 1.5L / km (or 0.66 km/L) for both skidoos together. The ratio between the front skidoo, pulling the Nansen sledge, and the trailing back skidoo was approximately 60/40%.

Aircraft Operations

Twin Otter

The field deployment by Twin Otter was again highly successful, efficient, and practical. In preparation for field deployment to a new site, we met with the pilots, discussed satellite images and digital elevation models of the site. The crew provided us with aircraft pallets which we prepacked and plastic wrapped. The landing at this both sites was smooth and unproblematic. Four flights accommodated the cargo input of our deployment. The loading and unloading of the aircraft was fast and relatively easy even for heavy equipment, such as skidoos or fuel drums. At Gawn Ice Piedmont, crevasse fields undetected in our satellite images required finding an alternative landing site. The pilots were very accommodating and also created a safe zone for us by taxing across our chosen camp site before unloading. We would like to thank the crew for their professional, practical, and friendly support.

HNO

page 5

Field deployment to Evans Piedmont and Victoria Lower Glacier was carried out with HNO. Both deployment and pickup of cargo and passengers was very professional, efficient, and safe. The extensive regional and local experience of R.McPhail is invaluable. We are grateful for the exceptional support by HNO.

Ship Operations

We are grateful for discussions with Captain O'Hanlon of the American Tern regarding the shipment of our ice core cargo.

*EVENT DIARY

Date Main Activities and Location Other Comments
23 Oct Tue Bertler, Watson, Robinson, Rhodes arrive at SB
24 Oct Wed Refresher AFT for Bertler, Watson, Robinson. Rhodes starts full AFT Starting to pull all equipment, fulfilling licence requirements
25 Oct Thu Test remainder of the field equipment, change set-up of polar pyramid tents, and discuss with SB Carpenter the construction of a Nansen sledge cockpit, test SB heater for polar tent
26 Oct Fri Testing generators and scientific equipment. However, not all radar equipment can be tested as some cargo still delayed due to delays in Kiwi-Hercules flights. We change deployment date into the field from 30 Oct to 29 Oct as the DC-3 might become available then instead of Twin Otter
27 Oct Sat Robinson, Bertler, Watson and Rhodes, crevasse training in HFC, team meeting on risk assessment
28 Oct Sun Overnight shake-down journey with linked skidoo travel and Nansen sledge set-up. Marginal weather with up to 50kts wind and temperature of around −28°C provide excellent training conditions. page 6
29 Oct Mon Ground penetrating radar equipment finally arrives at Scott Base and is tested in the vicinity of Scott Base. Final packing of equipment and personal items
30 Oct Tue Pack cargo on aircraft pallets for Twin Otter (operating on 1800 lb per flight basis), dissemble Nansen sledge as it will not fit through Twin Otter doors, Watson and Rhodes run ground penetrating radar survey towed by Huggland around SB ski field for AFT team
31 Oct Wed Bertler, Watson, Robinson, Rhodes from Scott Base to Skinner Saddle. Flight time 1:15 hr; three shuttles, from 8:45am to 6.15pm. Set-up camp, secure cargo.
01 Nov Thu Fourth Twin Otter load arrives at 9:45am, start set-up of automatic weather station, set-up of radar equipment. First measurement shows glacier thickness at camp-site >400m.
02 Nov Fri Complete set-up of automatic weather station, complete crevasse training, discussing different types of anchors in variable snow conditions. Set-up of GPS base station and completion of ground penetrating radar set-up
03 Nov Sat Set-up of linked skidoo traverse train, sampling of surface snow, skidoo traverse in the vicinity of the camp site to ensure crevasse-free
04 Nov Sun 1. traverse with 35MHz antennae pair produces excellent data with ice thickness exceeding 600m, good snow conditions, strong internal and bedrock reflectors, weather station is recording data. Use high resolution, kinematic GPS to map surface topography page 7
05 Nov Mon 2. traverse with 35MHz and 500MHz antennae pair. Higher than expected fuel consumption (0.66km / L fuel)
06 Nov Tue 3. traverse with 35MHz antennae pair but traverse is aborted due to deteriorating weather conditions. Visibility reduces to <10m, navigation back to camp on GPS. Sample falling snow
07 Nov Wed Weather further deteriorates. Blowing snow, high wind speeds, poor visibility, large snow drifts. Check cargo and field equipment. New heater chimney works well with reduced flaring during wind gusts
08 Nov Thu Weather improves, 4. traverse and 5. traverse with 35MHz and then 500MHz antennae. Set-up shallow drill and test drilling in the vicinity of the camp
09 Nov Fri Weather deteriorates with poor visibility and strong winds. Postpone traverse work and start drilling but conditions deteriorate further and drilling is aborted
10 Nov Sat Weather conditions improve and 6. and 7. traverse are completed with 35MHz and 500MHz antennae. From data excellent drill site is identified. A total of 150km of GPR lines is achieved
11 Nov Sun Start dismantling traverse train and science equipment. Check weather station and dissemble GPS base station. Complete drilling to 17m depth. Good snow and firn conditions with now sign of melt
12 Nov Mon Move to Gawn Ice Piedmont is delayed from Monday to Tuesday. We use the extra day to conduct a series of tests with new GPR equipment and for sensitivity measurements. Preparation of four Twin Otter loads.
13 Nov Tue Skinner Saddle to Gawn Ice Piedmont
Packing remaining tents and personal equipment. First Twin Otter arrives at 10am. A reconnaissance flight shows that planned camp site lies within crevasse field. We decide to land ~10km north of original site. Twin Otter pilots prepare safe-zone by taxing across the camp site before landing. Total of 4 shuttles, finished by 6pm. Help to refuel at Darwin cash before third shuttle. Set-up camp, secure cargo
page 8
14 Nov Wed Weather condition deteriorated over night. Start to set-up traverse train and finish camp set up, such as toilet tent. Mark runway before precipitating snow covers tracks. Weather deteriorates further. All movements are confined to camp area. Process GPS and GPR data obtained at Skinner Saddle, collect samples from falling snow in 2 hour intervals
15 Nov Complete traverse train set-up. However, falling snow, poor visibility prohibit traverse in this glaciological active region until late afternoon. 1. traverse with 500MHz antennae for crevasse safety. The scan shows 27 crevasses crossed during traverse. 2. traverse with 35MHz antennae shows ice thickness of 400-500m. Good snow and ice conditions with strong internal and bedrock reflectors. Weather deteriorates again. Continue collecting snow samples from falling and blowing snow
16 Nov Fri ~ 10cm snow precipitation over night. Poor visibility and strong winds exceeding 35kts prohibit traverse work. Set-up of drilling system. Start drilling to 7m but weather deteriorates further and we abort all outside work. Installation of small computer fan in the roof of polar heaven tent proves to be effective in thermal mixing of extreme temperature gradient in the tent (hot in the top, below freezing on the floor) with an overall more homogeneous heat distribution in the tent. Continue to collect snow samples from falling and now blowing snow
17 Nov Sat Weather conditions deteriorate again. Blowing and falling snow, strong winds exceeding 45kts, poor visibility confines us to another day in the tents. Continue to sample falling and blowing snow.
18 Nov Sun Weather conditions improve but still unsuitable for traversing due to poor visibility. We continue to drill but drill arrests at 13m depth. We are unsuccessful in retrieving it. Weather conditions deteriorate again with strong winds and blowing snow and we retrieve to tents. Request 5L of glycol and 20L of ethanol to be flown in on first Twin Otter flight to attempt freeing the drill.
19 Nov Mon Weather conditions are poor until late evening when wind drops and visibility improves. Set-off for 3. traverse and successfully identify and scan appropriate drill site. page 9
20 Nov Tue Marginal weather conditions, but 4. traverse allows high resolution grid around identified drill site. We achieved at total of 35km of high resolution radar survey lines. Then start dissembling traverse train and equipment, packing Twin Otter loads. Weather deteriorates again with blowing snow and strong winds.
21 Nov Wed Gawn Ice Piedmont to Scott Base
Two Twin Otter aircrafts arrive at 9.45 and 10:00 respectively. Three shuttles are necessary to return all equipment and people. First flight delivers requested glycol and ethanol. Despite significant efforts we only manage to loosen the drill but not to recover it from the borehole. We case the top of the drill hole and mark the site with a flag All back at Scott Base by 6:45pm. Put tents in drying room and stow all cargo in cage and cargo yard.
22 Nov Thu Scott Base
Drying of tents, sleeping bags. Cleaning of kitchen boxes, packing cargo, return survival bags, generators, fuel
23 Nov Fri Bull to come from Chch to SB but flight is cancelled. Empty drying room, start pulling equipment for Evans Piedmont Glacier deployment, continue to pack of cargo not needed for the deployment, repair Nansen sledge
24 Nov Sat Complete packing of cargo and continue field preparations for Evans Piedmont Glacier. Discuss with Kevin location of ice core reefer at Scott Base. Pyne designs melting tool for ice core drill. Discussion with Kevin on manufacturing the tool for drill recovery
25 Nov Sun Day off
26 Nov Mon Robinson Scott Base to Chch, Bull Chch to Scot Base. Complete field preparations for Evans Piedmont Glacier, prepare loads, Bull participates refresher AFT
27 Nov Tue Watson Scott Base to Chch Bertler, Rhodes, Bull Scott Base to Evans Piedmont Glacier Set-up camp, secure cargo. Film crew and accompanying AFT team arrives at site. Identify sampling site for ultra clean chemistry sampling. Excavate 4m snow pit. page 10
28 Nov Wed Start sampling 4m deep snow pit, down load weather station data, various interviews with Film Crew
29 Nov Thu Continue to sample snow pit, carry out small repairs and maintenance work on automatic weather station. Film Crew and AFT team scheduled to leave for Scott Base but unsuitable weather conditions delay departure
30 Nov Fri Film Crew and AFT team leave for Scott Base Continue to sample snow pit
01 Dec Sat Excavate second snow pit and start sampling for geochemistry. Start measuring density and temperature at first snow pit
02 Dec Sun Complete first and second snow pit including geochemistry, density and temperature. Prepare double snow pit to identify and characterise snow layers and properties
03 Dec Mon Scheduled to return to Scott Base via Victoria Lower Glacier, but unsuitable weather conditions prohibit move. Extra day is used to excavate third snow pit page 11
04 Dec Tue Evans Piedmont Glacier to Victoria Lower Glacier
Using differential GPS measuring long-term mass balance of Victoria Lower Glacier (Submergence velocity method, deployed in 1999). Dig snow pit to investigate change in snow properties due to large winter storm in previous winter. Find exceptionally large hoar crystals. Ground time 3 hours
Victoria Lower Glacier to Scott Base
Pitching tents in drying room, stow all cargo in cage and cargo yard.
05 Dec Wed Finish clean-up of tents, sleeping bags, kitchen and food boxes. Pack cargo.
06 Dec Thu Travel to Cape Evans to visit historic huts and to bring re-supplies to AHT team. Discuss with engineers manufacturing of ice core drill recovery tool.
07 Dec Fri Bull, Rhodes Scott Baes to Chch Scott Base engineer starts manufacturing recovery tool, pull equipment for travel to Gawn Ice Piedmont to recover ice core drill
08 Dec Sat Engineer completes recovery tool. Flight is scheduled for Thu 13 Dec
10 Dec Mon Test hotwater drill, modify to connect to recovery tool get generator, 40L glycol and 20L ethanol.
12 Dec Wed Flight has been delayed until PEE can be amended to allow usage of glycol and ethanol.
13 Dec Thu Pyne retrieves luggage from bagdrag. PEE has been amended and flight has been granted for 14 Dec
14 Dec Fri Successful recovery of ice core drill. We use 10L of glycol and 2L of ethanol in the process.
18 Dec Tue Bertler, Pyne scheduled to leave for Chch, but flight is cancelled
19 Dec Bertler, Pyne leave for Chch
page 12

EVENT MAP

*WEATHER

Weather conditions during our deployment were variable. Overall we experienced favourable weather conditions at Skinner Saddle, with only two no-work days. We experienced a strong temperature shift from initially temperatures well below −30°C to −18 °C within a week. A total of 15cm net snow accumulation occurred during the 9 days. At Gawn Ice Piedmont weather conditions were unfavourable with only 2.5 work days out of 7 on site. Low visibility, strong winds, blowing and falling snow made traversing in this glaciological active region difficult. A total of 45cm snow accumulation occurred during our stay. At Evans Piedmont and Victoria Lower Glaciers weather conditions were very good with only one day of weather-caused delays.

page 13

Automatic weather station data from Skinner Saddle from 02 to 11 November 2007.

*ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS OR HAZARDS

FIELD EQUIPMENT

Quality, suitability and performance of field clothing

page 14

ECW Jackets: The Tiger Angel ECW jackets performed extremely well. They are comfortable, warm, relatively light weight, and shed snow extremely well. The design and black colour was also well perceived. The two-layer system is very practical and allows the jacket to be used in cold and temperate conditions alike. The hood doesn't perform in high winds as it is not ridged enough. In addition the neck is cut too narrow and the sippers can't be closed over a neck gaiter. The sippers on arms and wrists are too narrow and don't allow for fleece or lather gloves to go underneath.

Overall, this is a very functional and the best performing ECW jacket our group has tested yet. The Canadian Goose jacket is similar in its feature. However, it doesn't shed the snow as well, and the artificial fur is trapping snow rather than shedding it. In addition, the inner jacket cannot be zipped out as in the case of the Tiger Angel jacket. In summary, we prefer and recommend the Tiger Angel jacket.

Windproof Trousers: The new Earth Sea and Sky windproof trousers are impractical. The cut is too high and too tight around the waist, limiting freedom of movement. However, the material shed the snow well. Overall, we preferred the Cactus windproof trousers, which we used last year and found to be practical, shed snow extremely well, provide good freedom of movement, and are very durable. All members of the group wore almost exclusively these trousers from October to January, regardless of weather conditions or work tasks. Despite the heavy use, they showed little or no sign of fatigue. Only during the coldest of days (~30°C) during skidoo traversing in high winds were the trousers somewhat too cold. The only complaints some group members have is, that the full length sippers catch in the material as the seam is not stiffened enough. D.Robinson had a more durable version of this trouser. However, the material was less efficient in shedding snow and hence got wet at times. For this reason, we would recommend the simpler version. Together with the Tiger Angel ECW jackets, this combination offers an excellent and weather proof outer shell.

Polarfleece Jackets: The new polarfleece Earth, Sea, and Sky fleece jackets are suitable for a narrow temperature range as they are not designed to be used in a layering system. The cut of waist and arms is too narrow to allow other layers, such as a fleece shirt to be worn underneath. In addition the neck is cut too narrow to allow for a neck-gaiter to fit inside. Furthermore, the jacket has not enough pockets to keep for example batteries warm in inside pockets. Moreover, the material did not appear as durable as previously issued fleece jackets.

Fleece Shirt: The new Earth, Sea, and Sky fleece shirt did not withstand the challenges of the field deployment. In the short time we wore the shirts, the material around shoulders thinned significantly. As with the fleece jackets, the cut is too narrow to allow a layering of clothing, such as ice breaker underwear below the fleece shirt.

page 15

Windproof Jacket: The new windproof jacket was much worn by all team members. The material is durable, comfortable, lightweight and provides good freedom of movement. However, the cut is too narrow to permit layering, eg. the fleece jacket would not fit underneath the windproof jacket. Furthermore, the jacket doesn't provide a hood, a crucial feature to keep warm in windy conditions.

Carhart Salopetts: We welcome the decision to allow Carhart trousers as ECW trousers. We feel Carharts are warmer than down-ECW trousers and remain dry longer in blowing snow conditions than their blue equivalents. While they are somewhat heavier, they are also more durable.

Performance and design of field equipment such as tents, technical climbing equipment, kitchen gear, stoves, sleep kits and sledges

Polar Heaven Tent: the new polar heaven greatly improved working and living conditions in the field through significantly higher insulation, stability, and functional doors. The new floor however, is extremely slippery with snow and poses a significant risk, in particular during set-up of the tent. We used old carpet from Scott Base which not only provided a safe surface, but also provided further insulation and improved ground stability over time. The new oven heaters for the polar heaven are a good addition, however they are too large and bulky to transport (240lb). Instead, we used the VUW heater, which is smaller and lighter (60lb). In addition, the VUW heater can be connected directly to a 60L fuel drum, while the SB heater requires an additional fuel container, which increases weight and bulk. The new H-shaped chimney improved the heater performance significantly during stormy conditions and/or heavy snow fall and we would like to suggest fitting SB heaters with the similar chimney top. After some very cold nights, water in the diesel fuel froze in the hose and stopped the fuel flow to the oven. Placing the hose frequently (every few days) in a hot water bath prevents the ice built-up and improves efficiency.

Sleeping bags: We used a combined system of a synthetic outer and a down inner. The combination provided excellent thermal conditions. However, the synthetic outer layer required frequent drying or else significant ice built-up occurred and subsequent melt.

20 person day ration box or bulk food system

The variety and quality of food in the new bags is good and sufficient. Freeze-dry food back up for 14day additional supply is a good alternative for taking full new bags. It saves room and weight. Maybe this could replace all freeze-dry in general food bags, since freeze-dry is expensive, not much liked, and causes digestive problems for some people. Some of the items in the food boxes had gone off. E.g. most of the milk-power and nuts were not useable.

Condition and performance of 'wannigans'

N.A.

page 16

Performance and use of generators, spill kits, alternative energy systems

We used a 1kV, 2kV, and a 4kV generator. All generators were well serviced and functioned without problems.

Specialised field equipment

We are grateful for the Nansen sledge cockpit built by the SB carpenters which provided wind protection for the ground penetrating radar operator and equipment and improved significantly work conditions and efficiency, in particular during marginal weather conditions.

We also would like to thank the SB engineer shop to built the glycol melt head designed by Alex Pyne which allowed to us to retrieve the arrested ice core drill from Gawn Ice Piedmont.

Other comments

Throughout the season, Scott Base staff was exceptionally supportive, helpful, and innovative in solving problems or accommodating special requirements of our programme.

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Suitability and effectiveness of the radio and/or Iridium equipment

The HF radio system was in poor condition, with loose wires, a broken antennae cable and an unsuitable battery charger. In discussion with the SB telecom, we rewired the radio, renewed the antennae cable and modified the charger. The batteries of the VHF and Iridium phones did not hold their charge in ambient temperature. In the field, the Iridium phone was reliably functional only when powered directly off the generator.

Reception/transmission conditions and suitability of radio schedule timing

HF reception and transmission was in general good but weather dependent. VHF radio and iridium phone reception was consistently good.

Scott Base's general efficiency during radio schedule

SB staff were friendly and helpful during radio communication. However, insufficient training might have been the cause for inefficiencies, miscommunication, and technical problems.

Other comments

The iridium phone is a valid and practical back-up to HF radio communication. We would like to suggest activating text messaging option it is less energy demanding and cheaper than phone conversations. We used for the second year a private iridium phone to receive weather updates via text messaging. This option could also be useful to receive updates of aircraft/helo flight schedules from SB and other short messages outside the normal sched times, since the phone does not have to be switched on to store incoming messages until the phone is switched on. This could make communication initiated from SB easier and less dependent on sched times.

page 17

SCOTT BASE AND ARRIVAL HEIGHTS FACILITIES

Facility Use
Hatherton Geoscience Laboratory
Q-Hut study carousels
Hillary Field Centre We are grateful for the space allocated in the Hillary Field Centre, which we used for testing our science and field equipment as well as preparing twin otter loads
Scott Base Wet Laboratory
Scott Base Summer Laboratory
Arrival Heights Laboratory
TAE Hut
Library
  • Additional equipment taken to Scott Base

  • US Science facilities used

  • Other comments

COMPUTER FACILITIES

  • Assistance the science technicians gave with computer / IT issues

  • Issues concerning public computer facilities in the Hatherton Laboratory

REFUGE AND RESEARCH HUTS

Refuge/research hut name
Overall condition
Scale and condition of provisions
Suitability of location
Unnecessary equipment or rubbish/debris in the area
  • Other comments

*ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

*Sites Visited (please fill in a box for each site visited)

Site name Skinner Saddle
Site coordinates 80°55′54.66″S, 159°30′11.56″E, 917.5m asl
Is this site in an ASMA or ASPA? If so, which one? No
Dates occupied (from – to) 31 Oct to 13 Nov
Total time (days/hours) at site 14 days
Maximum number of people at site (your event) 4page 18
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site 56
Main activity undertaken Site survey, ground penetrating radar, and shallow drilling, set-up of automatic weather station
Cumulative impacts observed Cumulative impacts were less than minor and transitory. Impacts include exhaust fumes from skidoos, generators and polar heaven heater.
Helo landing site coordinates if not established AND marked N.A.
Site name Gawn Ice Piedmont
Site coordinates 80°05′58.15″S, 159°16′37.60″E, 1221.0 m asl
Is this site in an ASMA or ASPA? If so, which one? No
Dates occupied (from - to) 13 Nov to 21 Nov, and 14 Dec
Total time (days/hours) at site 9 days and on separate visit 5 hours
Maximum number of people at site (your event) 4 and on separate visit 3
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site 36 person-days and on separate visit 15 person-hours
Main activity undertaken Site survey, ground penetrating radar, and shallow drilling
Cumulative impacts observed With the exception of usage of 15L of glycol and 25L of ethanol to free ice core drill, the cumulative impacts were less than minor and transitory. These additional impacts include exhaust fumes from skidoos, generators and polar heaven heater
Helo landing site coordinates if not established AND marked N.A.
Site name Evans Piedmont Glacier
Site coordinates 76°43′31.95″S, 162°35′18.17″E, 390.9 m asl
Is this site in an ASMA or ASPA? If so, which one? McMurdo Dry Valleys ASMA
Dates occupied (from - to) 27 Nov to 04 Dec
Total time (days/hours) at site 8 days
Maximum number of people at site (your event) 3
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site 24 person-days
Main activity undertaken High resolution snow pit sampling, automatic weather station maintenance, and mass balance measurements
Cumulative impacts observed Cumulative impacts were less than minor and transitory. No generator or fuel heater were used during the field deployment
Helo landing site coordinates if not established AND marked N.A.
Site name Victoria Lower Glacier
Site coordinates 77°19′48.31″S, 162°31′55.29″E, 626.2 m asl
Is this site in an ASMA or ASPA? If so, which one? McMurdo Dry Valleys ASMA
Dates occupied (from - to) 04 Dec
Total time (days/hours) at site 3 hours
Maximum number of people at site (your event) 3
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site 9 person-hours
Main activity undertaken Mass balance measurementspage 19
Cumulative impacts observed Cumulative impacts were less than minor and transitory. No generator or fuel heater were used during the field deployment
Helo landing site coordinates if not established AND marked N.A.

Chemical

Chemical name Site of use Quantity used Quantity of unused/waste chemicals returned to NZ Purpose of chemical
Ethanol Gawn Ice Piedmont 25 L N.A. Retrieval of ice core drill
Glycol Gawn Ice Piedmont 15 L N.A. Retrieval of ice core drill
Details of chemicals left at Scott Base (justification as to why they were left, quantity and storage location):
Ethanol and glycol were provided by SB and unused quantities were returned to the engineers workshop

Geological Material

Location Specimen type Quantity (kg)
Site name Coordinates
Skinner Saddle 80°55′54.66″S, 159°30′11.56″E 17m of firn core and 20 snow samples 90 kg
Gawn Ice Piedmont 80°05′58.15″S, 159°16′37.60″E 14m of firn core and 50 snow samples 70 kg
Evans Piedmont Glacier 76°43′31.95″S, 162°35′18.17″E 600 snow samples 50 kg

Equipment installed/left in field

Type of equipment/marker installed Location (name and coordinates) Number of items left in field (Dimension in metres: H, W, L) Estimated retrieval date
Automatic weather station 80°55′54.66″S, 159°30′11.56″E 1 3m, 4m, 4m After intermediate depth ice core retrieval
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If equipment has been left in the field please provide a justification: The meteorological data will be used to establish transfer functions between ice core proxies and atmospheric parameters. The AWS records temperature, wind direction and speed, humidity, snow accumulation, snow temperature and solar radiation. We will remove the AWS during the drilling season.

Please insert or append a photograph of the installation(s) (AWS, marker, stake etc) in this report.

Waste management

Location Approximate quantity Disposal methods i.e. tidecracked, returned to SB etc
Site name Coordinates
Skinner Saddle 80°55′54.66″S, 159°30′11.56″E Urine and filtered grey-water disposed at site, all remaining waste returned to SB
Gawn Ice Piedmont 80°05′58.15″S, 159°16′37.60″E Urine and filtered grey-water disposed at site, all remaining waste returned to SB
Evans Piedmont Glacier 76°43′31.95″S, 162°35′18.17″E All waste returned to SB

*Differences from original Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE)

Our original PEE did not considered the use of ethanol and glycol to retrieve an arrested ice core drilling system. An application to amend our PEE permit to allow the use of ethanol and glycol was kindly granted by MFAT.

ANTARCTIC SPECIALLY PROTECTED AND MANAGED AREAS

Note that all event leaders who hold permits for entry to an ASPA need to complete a Visit Report for each ASPA entered. Please download this form from our 'Returning to New Zealand' web page or contact Miranda Huston, the Environmental Advisor.

  • New ASPA or ASMA designation to be considered:
  • New Special Features within the McMurdo Dry Valleys ASMA to be considered:
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HISTORIC SITES

Historic site name
General observations on site condition
  • Other comments

ANTARCTIC GEOGRAPHIC PLACE NAMES

Location of Feature
Type of Feature
Proposed Name

DESCRIPTION OF REMOTE, RARELY USED FIELD SITES

  • Weather
  • Campsite suitability
  • Helicopter and/or fixed wing landing site suitability
  • Travel (e.g. crevasse problems, ruggedness of terrain, used/potential routes)
  • Sea ice activity and suitability for travel
  • Overall description of the area
  • Availability of freshwater
  • Suggestions for any of the above for future use of the site/area
  • Any other comments you wish to provide.