A. TRANSPORT

Major movements were by helicopter and the service was completely satisfactory. The necessity to use "opportunity basis" helo movements at times caused only minimal delays due to the competent scheduling of the Scott Base Deputy Leader (Ted Robinson). Work from base camps was done on foot and a small camp back-packed to Horseshoe Mt.

B. MAIN AREAS COVERED

Event 11a camped at Mt. Fleming from December 4 to January 2 on the same site that was occupied the previous season. Horseshoe Mountain was visited by climbing from the camp up the back of the Mt. Fleming cirque to Plateau level then walking southwestwards on blue plateau ice and moraine to Horseshoe Mt, where the three party members spent a total of four cosy nights in a two man tent. The party moved to Vanda station (by helo) for the festive season after returning to Mt. Fleming camp from Horseshoe Mt., and returned again to Mt. Fleming in late December. Early in January Event 11a moved to Shapeless Mt. camping in the large north facing cirque for five days.

C. WEATHER

The weather pattern at Mt. Fleming was similar to that experienced previously in the 1978–79 season. Katabatic winds from the polar plateau and low temperatures (averaging about −14°C (@ camp level) restricted the duration of a field day to a few hours especially when working on the exposed ridges.

Winds less than 20 knots (@ camp level) were experienced for only 1/3 of the period December 4 to 22.

Weather observations were made approximately twice daily at Mt. Fleming and Shapeless Mt. These records are summarised in Appendix III.

D. COMMUNICATIONS

In general no problems were experienced using a DSIR Compak SSB radio to communicate with Scott Base. Most communication problems we had appeared to originate from the Scott Base transceiver. A lithium cell was used with the Compak set at Horseshoe Mt., giving excellent service. Blowing snow at this camp caused a static electricity charge on the dipole aerial. This was sufficient to give a significant shock or a violent spark of 2-3 mm when earthed to the tent pole. Under these conditions even communication with Vanda Station was nearly impossible, and the radio was used for a minimum period of time. The aerial was disconnected to prevent damage to the radio when not in use in this situation.

E. LOSS/DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT

The only damage, apart from breakages of scientific equipment, was the bending of one section of the aluminium ridge pole in an Italian Tent.