Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1981-82: VUWAE 26
FIELD EQUIPMENT:
FIELD EQUIPMENT:
All equipment performed well and new VUWAE clothing this year was appreciated, especially at high altitude where in the past this has been an inconvenience.
The only loss of equipment was the leaving behind of the toilet at Mt. Feather due to a hurried departure.
Beacon Studies at Mt. Bastion (K7A).
Three weeks were spent working in detail on the very well-exposed Triassic strata at Mount Bastion. Apart from two snow falls which covered the outcrops and required up to three days to abate the weather was good and the lack of strong winds made working in temperatures lower than −20°C bearable. It is recommended that work at Mount Bastion is carried out before mid-November to avoid heavy snowfalls that accompany warmer temperatures.
Work was carried out between 0300 hours and 1500 hours so as to catch the sun on the outcrops and to avoid the low thick cloud that invariably rolled in from the south at around 1200 hours. It is advised that Helo movements to and from Mount Bastion be performed as early as possible in the morning so as to avoid this problem.
Communications with Scott Base were good and only on a few occasions was it necessary to relay through Vanda.