A. TRANSPORT

Our event was very dependent on Helo support. We had 7 moves and especially during the latter part of our field time some set backs were caused to our programme through delays in scheduled helicopter movements.

Our first put-in, to Portal Mt. was close to maximum helicopter range with a full pay load. Nevertheless it was accomplished with little difficulty apart from a slight navigation problem due to our being off the helicopter grid maps. Although no subsequent difficulty with navigation was encountered, we prepared maps with the entire route on one sheet, which we could hand to the helicopter pilot. Our two moves at long range were carried out with two helicopters; Portal Mt. - Alligator peak and Alligator peak - Mt. Kempe. We had suspected they might do this and had budgeted Helo hours accordingly.

From Table Mountain onwards, (5th December onward) weather had deteriorated, so that we had cloudier conditions. A fairly stable pattern did develop, so that it was generally clear in the morning, clouding over about midday. Accordingly, we requested our helo moves for the early morning, but Helo Ops did not appear to take these factors into account since all our moves and attempts at moves were made either in the evening shift or late in the day. Both Hugh Webb (DOIC) and Roger Clark (OIC) were aware of this situation and we are grateful for their efforts on our behalf. This is particularly the case for two incidents - The first was on our move Knobhead - Mt. Crean, when we were picked up together with K32 at 1900 on 15th December, but could not proceed beyond Depot Nunatak because of low cloud over Skelton Nevee. They really tried, but had to abandon the attempt and deposit us at L. Fryxell. A lift was arranged for us early the next morning so that we were at Mt. Crean in the morning and that day had completed over 1/3 of our sampling. This was fortunate as next day the weather deteriorated and we were only just able to get all samples before a blizzard confined us to tents for four days.

Our final move from Mt. Crean - Scott Base also showed some misunderstanding. The intention was to fly us out with one helo making a shuttle flight. It was almost midday when the first flight arrived. It had four crewmen and 7 seats, so under the rules operating could only lift out three passengers, leaving 5 for the following flight. In addition, the weather was rapidly deteriorating, with a cloud bank hovering 1km away on the plateau. Mainly by strenuous intercessions on our behalf by the OIC and DOIC, the helo was persuaded to drop us and a crewman Marble Pt., reorganise its seating and return immediately to collect the remainder of the party. The plan was successful and we all returned to Scott Base by about 1800.