Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1993-94: VUWAE 38
Preparations for the Field
Preparations for the Field
- Scott Base management and personnel were helpful and receptive to the special event needs. This year as in past years the event has had a base plant operator and mechanic as part of the field team. It is sometimes difficult for these people to assist with both the field preparation (cargo train) and their usual or unusual base tasks. Perhaps the timing when these people become temporary event personnel should be formalised to prevent any later misunderstandings.page break
- The general field equipment we received this season was in excellent condition and the allocation quick and efficient. A special effort had be made to refit NZ1 and repair its Cantago sledge. Some modifications however are still required to NZ1 -see later field equipment section. The OSKAM-1 sledge was adapted to take our deployment frame and winch as planned earlier in the year with the NZAP Facilities Services Officer.
- The Antarctic Field Training is a good introduction to the Antarctic environment for personnel new to Antarctica. However extra flexibility for special event needs could still be increased. For this event which is traversing the sea ice up to 150 km from Scott Base for example new personnel could do the local sea ice course primarily as an introduction to sea ice and specifically navigation and the local geography. The second part of the course could be the ice fall work and familiarisation with climbing equipment and general technique. I don't believe that the snow shelter building is relevant to either sea ice or Dry Valley event and could be omitted.
- Several delays contributed to this event leaving Scott Base 4.5 days later than planned. Two full days were lost due to aircraft delays on the flight to scott base. Approximately half a day was lost due to late season snow clearing at Scott Base when the K042 plant operator and loader were unavailable for cargo train preparation. The last two days delay were caused by assembly of science equipment taking a day longer than expected and the immersion testing of the vibracorer at Scott Base. Cool windy conditions and in excess of 1 m of snow cover on the sea ice at the testing site meant that the tests took a day longer than planned. In retrospect the test at Scott Base in unsuitable conditions was probably not a good practice.