*AIMS

Seven key locations were identified for the NZ ITASE (International Transantarctic Scientific Expedition) programme. The analyses on the ice core from the first site, Victoria Lower Glacier in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, have almost been completed. For the 2003/04 field season we proposed to carry out a detailed reconnaissance and to recover intermediate length cores from sites 2 and 3: Evans Piedmont Glacier and Mt Erebus Saddle. Due to logistical constraints of Antarctica New Zealand the drilling was deferred to the 2004/05 season, but the reconnaissance was conducted.

*PERSONNEL

*PLANNING

• Application process
  The application process was organised in professional and efficient manner. However, it would be of advantage if the NZ review of a science proposal was transferred to an overseas reviewer if there is no NZ expert can be found. The assessment of the value of the proposed science from a non-expert is likely to be misleading.
• Communications with Antarctica New Zealand staff
  Antarctica New Zealand staff appears very competent and helpful. The planning for this event required significant time and resources and logistic re-evaluation, especially when Antarctica New Zealand logistic constraints limited this seasons programme to site survey only. It was an understanding that Antarctica New Zealand agreed that the drilling component would be supported the following season.
• Provision of maps and aerial photographs
  N.A.
• Pre-season information
  The information received was timely and valuable
• Medicals, documentation and flights to Antarctica
  The information received was timely and valuable

*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 organisedpage 3
• Availability and condition of equipment received
  The equipment requested from Scott Base was supplied in time and in good condition. This included two skidoos, one nansen sledge, two generator and field equipment including a polar haven tent.
• Field training
  The field training was helpful and appropriate for the new members of our team. The full AFT training for Pyne and Bertler was unhelpful and a waste of resources and time. The additional crevasse rescue training was appreciated and very efficient. The frequency of full AFT requirements for experienced people should be reviewed to take account of personal experience and regular Antarctic activity that includes fieldwork. The "current" 3 year frequency is too short.
• Field party equipment 'shakedown' journey
  N.A.
• Delays at Scott Base, whatever the cause
  All staff at Scott Base were very helpful and supportive, allowing a smooth operation of our project. The only reason for prolonged delay at Scott Base was bad weather conditions postponing helicopter moves.
• Safety and Risk Management processes
  The safety and risk management appears sound and efficient
• General comments about Scott Base
  The staff at Scott Base create a very friendly, supportive environment. We are grateful for the helpful and professional support we received from Scott Base staff.

FIELD TRANSPORT

Fig.3: GPR/GPS set-up. A 400MHz antenna travels in front of the first skidoo. A second skidoo tails the set-up for crevasse safety.

• Vehicles
  The two allocated skidoos (Alpine II) were in good condition and performed well. However, our GPR traverses on the Evans Piedmont Glacier were reduced due to rough surface conditions, which proved too demanding on the skidoos and the technical equipment mounted on the Nansen sledge. The skidoos and Nansen were used primarily for GPR survey in a crevasse travel configuration. This is a relatively light weight operation and could be improved with lighter vehicles and sledge, especially when vehicles are flown to site. The GPR setup on the sledge could also be improved if a suitable sledge was pre-dedicated.page 4
• Aircraft Operations
• All our helicopter moves were done by HNO. We enjoyed the professionalism, friendliness and efficiency of the HNO staff, Rob McPhail and Richard Desborough. Difficult cargo such as skidoos, nansen sledge and fuel barrels was handled in a very professional and safe manner. None of our loads got damaged or lost although the underslung Nansen sledge was a slow load to fly.

*EVENT DIARY

Date	Main Activities and Location	Other Comments
07 Nov	Arrival at Scott Base
08 Nov	AFT training for all K049 members
09 Nov	AFT training for all K049 members
10 Nov	Equipment shake-down and field preparation
11 Nov	First attempt to put-in to first site, Victoria Lower Glacier. Lack of surface definition prohibited landing and Bertler, Christie, and Wood are dropped at Marble Point. Pyne was moved to Cape Roberts for work on the tide gauge (K042)
12 Nov	Put-in to Victoria Lower Glacier, camp set-up, deployment of base station at 3km distant Staeffler Ridge, commencement of first mass balance measurement
13 Nov	Continuation of mass balance survey at 4km distant Victoria Lower Glacier II site
14 Nov	Bertler, Pyne, Christie, and Wood move camp to Evans Piedmont Glacier after site reconnaissance. Camp set-up, deployment of GPS base station
15 Nov	Watson and Paterson arrive at Evans Piedmont. Set-up of traverse equipment (ground penetrating radar and GPS) on Nansen sledge. Set-up of traverse line (skidoo-sledge-skidoo). Preparation for snow pit work.
16 Nov	Excavation of 4m deep snow pit. Assemblage of GPR and GPS equipment .
17 Nov	Bertler, Watson, Paterson, Wood start GPR traverse; page 5 Pyne and Christie commence snow density and temperature measurement in the snow pit.
18 Nov	Bertler, Watson, Paterson, Wood continue GPR traverse; Pyne and Christie continue snow density and temperature measurement in the snow pit.
19 Nov	Pyne, Watson, Paterson, Christie continue GPR traverse; Wood continue snow density and temperature measurement in the snow pit, Bertler commences snow sampling in the snow pit.	Due to bad weather conditions all activities were aborted at lunch time.
20 Nov	Confined to tents, hourly sampling of snow precipitation	Due to bad weather conditions all activities were aborted
21 Nov	Pyne and Wood move to Cape Roberts (K042). Bertler, Watson, Paterson, and Christie continue GPR traverse. Bertler and Christie continue snow pit work	Visit by NZ Herold and Lou Sanson
22 Nov	Bertler, Watson, Paterson, and Christie continue GPR traverse. Bertler and Christie continue snow pit work	Radio interview with NZ Harold, Simon Collins
23 Nov	Bertler, Watson, Paterson, and Christie continue GPR traverse. Bertler and Christie continue snow pit work
24 Nov	Bertler, Watson, Paterson, and Christie continue GPR traverse. Bertler and Christie continue snow pit work
25 Nov	Bertler, Watson, Paterson, and Christie move to Scott Base.
26 Nov to 3 Dec	Scheduled reconnaissance for Mt Erebus Saddle is deferred due to bad weather. GPR, GPS, and density data processing at Scott Base.
4 Dec	Bertler, Pyne, Watson, and Paterson conduct 5 hour reconnaissance at Mt Erebus Col and Mt Terra Nova
6 Dec	Pyne, Watson, Wood, and Christie return to NZ
8 Dec	Bertler returns to NZ

EVENT MAP

*WEATHER

In total we lost 12 days of fieldwork due to bad weather conditions, which amounts to 43% of our time in Antarctica. However, due to the commitment of each member of K049 and the exceptional support by Scott Base and HNO staff we were able to conduct most of what was proposed nonetheless. We encountered two snow storms while based at Evans Piedmont Glacier, which provided us with the possibility to hourly snow sampling for airmass trajectory reconstruction. The longest delay due to weather conditions for us occurred when we tried to put in to Mt Erebus Saddle for 8 days, which caused the early termination of our season this year. However, a 5hour weather clearance allowed us a reconnaissance in which we gathered the necessary information to conduct the drilling at this site during 2004/05.

*ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS OR HAZARDS

None of the above occurred or were observed

FIELD EQUIPMENT

• Quality, suitability and performance of field clothing
  The issued field clothing was appropriate and functional.
• Performance and design of tents, technical climbing equipment, kitchen gear and sledges
  The supplied field equipment was in good condition and very reliable. We are especially grateful for the allocation of the polar haven tent, as it allowed us to maintain and repair our electronic and computer equipment. The polar haven tent was set up with a VUW sigma heater and a LPG gas cooker. The crevasse safety and rescue equipment was in good condition and efficient.
• 20 person day ration box system
  The food boxes were well packed in terms of quantity and nutrition. The provision of bulk food supply for medium sized field parties still has scope for improvement and development.

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

• Suitability and effectiveness of the radio equipment
  The radio equipment was in excellent condition and we appreciated the professional advice by Keith Roberts
• Reception/transmission conditions and suitability of radio schedule timing
  Reception and transmission were generally good and the timing of the radio schedule convenient
• Scott Base's general efficiency during radio schedule
  Radio communication was mainly very efficient, professional and appreciated

COMPUTER FACILITIES

• Suitability and effectiveness of computer network
  The computer network met our needs satisfactorily. A possibility to connect laptops to the Scott Base external net connection would be highly appreciated, especially during prolonged delays at Scott Base.
• Quality, suitability and performance of public computers
  The quality and suitability of public computers was sufficient and appreciated, albeit somewhat busy.

*ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

*Differences from original Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE)

None

Fig.2 Mass balance measurement device at Victoria Lower Glacier

page 8

*Sites Visited

Site name	Evans Piedmont Glacier
Site location (coordinates/description)	77°43.7S, 162°33.7E, glacier surface
Dates occupied	14 Nov 2003 to 25 Nov 2003
Total days (or hours) at site	12 days
Maximum number of people at site	6
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site	60
Main activity undertaken	Ground penetrating radar survey and snow properties analysis