New Macpac Dome Tents

The new macpac tents represent a good, light-weight alternative to polar tents in warm, calm conditions for short field deployments. The tent is easy and fast to pitch and is spacious for two people. However, the tent is like the Olympus model very temperature sensitive. As seen in Fig.2 during our field deployment, the temperature in the Olympus tent changed by as much as 12°C within a couple of hours, while air temperature only showed moderate changes and remained below 0°C. These fluctuations, caused by solar heating or cooling during cloudy periods impact on the sleep quality as a sleeping person will be either too cold or too warm over the course of the night. Moreover, the outer cover of the tent is of light quality and only suitable for calm conditions to moderate winds (<30knots). In addition, the lack of snow flaps prevented secure pitching.

Skis, Skins and Pulk

We used skis and a manhaul pulk to move equipment (~100lb) between sites at both Evans and Victoria Lower Glacier. As in previous years, the pulk performed very well and can be used on snowy and icy surfaces alike (Fig.3). The Mukluk-Skis showed signs of fatigue, especially the bindings, which broke or fell apart. Furthermore, there was a lack of skins. The use of cord tight around the skis is less efficient and makes pulling a heavy sledge uphill very difficult. We recommend that Antarctica New Zealand invests in new skies and skins to be pre-allocated to field parties undertaking glaciological traverses.

Fig. 2: a) Temperature inside the olympus tent as measured during field deployment, b) new macpac dome tent on Victoria Lower Glacier

Fig. 3: Manhauling equipment between sites at Victoria Lower Glacier

• 20 person day ration box system

  The new food boxes (or bags) were well packed in terms of quantity and nutrition and were favourably received by all members. The addition of savoury snack food and new innovative extras, such as bagged tuna and couscous was very much appreciated.