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Archive for category: Conserve

Ross Sea Party Photos

January 15, 2016 - Famous Discoveries, Scott's Hut, Cape Evans

Our conservation specialists, working in expedition photographer Herbert Ponting’s darkroom at Scott’s Cape Evans base, discovered a small box of cellulose nitrate negatives clumped together.

The photographs are from Ernest Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party (1914-1917), which spent time living in Scott’s hut after being stranded on Ross Island when their ship blew out to sea. Their role was to lay vital depots for Shackleton’s expedition.

The negatives were removed from Antarctica to undergo detailed conservation treatment back in New Zealand, where the negatives were painstakingly separated to reveal 22 never-before-seen Antarctic images.Antarctic Heritage Trust

The negatives were removed from Antarctica to undergo detailed conservation treatment back in New Zealand, where the negatives were painstakingly separated to reveal 22 never-before-seen Antarctic images.

Iceberg and land, Ross Island. Antarctic Heritage Trust

Iceberg and land, Ross Island.

Although many of the images were damaged, our conservators were able to recognise landmarks around McMurdo Sound. While the identity of the photographer remains unknown, it is thought to be expedition photographer, the Reverend Arnold Spencer-Smith.

Alexander Stevens, chief scientist and geologist on-board the Aurora.Antarctic Heritage Trust

Alexander Stevens, chief scientist and geologist on-board the Aurora.

Looking south along Hut Point Peninsula to Ross Island.Antarctic Heritage Trust

Looking south along Hut Point Peninsula to Ross Island.

 

Ross Island, Antarctica. Alexander Stevens, chief scientist and geologist looks south. Hut Point Peninsula in the backgroundAntarctic Heritage Trust

Ross Island, Antarctica. Alexander Stevens, chief scientist and geologist looks south. Hut Point Peninsula in the background

Tent Island, McMurdo Sound.Antarctic Heritage Trust

Tent Island, McMurdo Sound.

Big Razorback Island, McMurdo Sound.Antarctic Heritage Trust

Big Razorback Island, McMurdo Sound.

Mount Erebus, Ross Island, from the west.Mount Erebus, Ross Island, from the west.

Mount Erebus, Ross Island, from the west.

 

Sea ice afloat, McMurdo Sound.Antarctic Heritage Trust

Sea ice afloat, McMurdo Sound.

https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ross-sea-party-exami569ec437cde598.99236413-1500x.jpg 1125 1500 Comms https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/logo-dark.png Comms2016-01-15 22:05:352019-06-11 23:37:58Ross Sea Party Photos

Prime Minister Launches Conservation Plan

March 17, 2015 - Hillary's Hut, Media Releases

Today, New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key has launched the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Conservation Plan for Hillary’s Hut, in front of more than 125 Antarcticansat Parliament.

Hillary’s Hut, ‘Hut A’, forms part of New Zealand’s first scientific facility at Scott Base. It is the original remaining building established with the support of the New Zealand Government for the country’s involvement in the Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955-58 and International Geophysical Year 1957-58. It is designated as a Historic Monument under the Antarctic Treaty in recognition of its importance in the history of exploration and science in Antarctica.

NZ flagAntarctic Heritage Trust

NZ flag

The event was hosted by Hon Maggie Barry, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage and included surviving members of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955-58 and International Geophysical Year 1957-58and members of Sir Edmund Hillary’s family.

This conservation work is of great significance to New Zealand’s history. “Sir Ed was the patron of the Antarctic Heritage Trust up until his passing. We are honoured to have the opportunity,in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand, to conserve the origins of Scott Base once we secure the necessary funding,” says Nigel Watson, Executive Director, Antarctic Heritage Trust.

The Conservation Plan was written by a team of authors under the leadership of Conservation Architect Chris Cochran, and peer reviewed by international experts.

In 2012 the Trust signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Antarctica New Zealand to manage this conservation work, including all fundraising for the site. Work will commence in the Antarctic summer of 2016-17 subject to the Trust securing funds.

https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/flying-the-nz-flag56a012b0734862.43454517-600x600.jpg 600 600 Comms https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/logo-dark.png Comms2015-03-17 23:29:392019-04-30 11:35:52Prime Minister Launches Conservation Plan

Hillary Tractor Secured in Public Private Partnership

March 13, 2015 - Hillary's Hut, Media Releases

A Ferguson tractor, used by Sir Edmund Hillary’s party at the newly-constructed Scott Base during the British Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955 –58,has been secured for public ownership through a public private partnership between Canterbury Museum, the Antarctic Heritage Trust and the Commodore Hotel Christchurch.

Museum Director Anthony Wright says the tractor, part of a private collection auctioned in Christchurch this morning, is one of the most significant items from this era to have come on the market in the last 20 years. Canterbury Museum already holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of items from the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and discovery and many items from the Trans-Antarctic Expedition including a Tucker Sno-cat and one of the tractors used by Hillary’s polar party which was the first motorised vehicle to reach the South Pole overland.

Hillary tractorAntarctic Heritage Trust

Hillary tractor

The tractor will be put on display at the Commodore Hotel as an attraction for hotel guests, many of whom are en route to Antarctica, until the Museum has space to show it in an expanded Antarctic exhibition. The tractor will also be made available to the Museum’s long-term partner, the Antarctic Heritage Trust,to support their marketing and fundraising activities including their project to conserve Hillary’s hut in Antarctica.

“It’s fantastic that the Museum has been able to secure this outstanding item of national importance for permanent public ownership with the help of private partners,” says Mr Wright. “The Museum will benefit in the short-term by having the tractor cared for and displayed at the Commodore until we have sufficient space to exhibit it in the Museum.”

The Museum used funding from the M. C. Richards Bequest,left to the Museum specifically to acquire Antarctic objects, to purchase the tractor. The Commodore Hotel has contributed to the acquisition cost as a gift to the people of Canterbury through the Museum. The commercial terms of the agreement between the Museum, the Antarctic Heritage Trust and the Commodore Hotel are confidential.

https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/tractor56c1279a90ff86.43909092-600x600.jpg 600 600 Comms https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/logo-dark.png Comms2015-03-13 23:33:172019-04-30 11:38:31Hillary Tractor Secured in Public Private Partnership

Levick’s Notebook

October 23, 2014 - Famous Discoveries, Scott's Hut, Cape Evans

Our conservators discovered a photographer’s notebook left behind a century ago at Captain Scott’s last expedition base, Cape Evans.

Read more
https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/levick-notebook-spla569ee6bb31e8d4.69894033-1500x.jpg 997 1500 Comms https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/logo-dark.png Comms2014-10-23 21:43:422019-06-20 10:47:35Levick’s Notebook

Shackleton’s 111-year-old Beer Barrel

January 11, 2019 - Famous Discoveries, Media Releases, News Story, Shackleton's Hut

Antarctic Heritage Trust has returned a carefully reconstructed beer barrel to the Antarctic hut that was home to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s historic ‘Nimrod’ expedition in 1908.

Shackleton’s hut at Cape Royds is also where the Trust found three crates of Mackinlay’s whisky encased in ice; a discovery that attracted global attention.

Credit: Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936. Photographs relating to Antarctica and mountaineering. Ref: PA1-o-464-17. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.

Shackleton’s hut at Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica 1907-1909

The barrel of beer was originally donated to Shackleton by New Zealand brewer Speight’s in 1907.  Its iron hoops and staves were pulled out of Pony Lake, alongside the Cape Royds hut, by caretakers in the 1970s.

Credit: Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, with permission

A sledge party from the Nimrod Expeditition team unload beer from the ship to the hut

The Trust’s Programme Manager-Artefacts Lizzie Meek says the barrel pieces were left near the hut and remained there, embedded in ice, for decades.When the Trust started major conservation work at the site in 2005, the staves and hoops were leaned up against an area adjacent to the latrine and the pony stables.“The Trust spent four years conserving the hut, finishing in 2008. During that project, we saw some of the staves half buried in the ice and put a plan in place to excavate and conserve them.

Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica.Antarctic Heritage Trust

Shackleton’s hut at Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica.

“It took some time but we managed to get them back to New Zealand in 2016. One of the staves has a bunghole and is engraved with the words ‘Speight’s’ and ‘Dunedin’ so we knew it was a beer barrel from the brewery.”

The barrel bunghole on one of the recovered staves is engraved with the words ‘Speight’s’ and ‘Dunedin’.Antarctic Heritage Trust

The barrel bunghole on one of the recovered staves is engraved with the words ‘Speight’s’ and ‘Dunedin’.

Once in New Zealand, the barrel underwent a detailed examination by the Trust’s conservators in a laboratory at Canterbury Museum. “The iron hoops were too badly corroded to be used to reconstruct the barrel but many of the staves were in suitable condition,” says Lizzie Meek. AHT then connected with one of New Zealand’s only practising coopers, Jurgen Voigtlander, and worked with him to re-build the Speight’s barrel. The Trust was grateful to Speight’s Dunedin for supplying some staves for the reconstruction of the barrel.

Great Scott PR

One of New Zealand’s only practising coopers, Jurgen Voigtlander, re-built the Speight’s barrel

“Jurgen established a repair strategy after a lot of research and trial assembly. It wasn’t an easy job given that, over the years, the original staves had lost some of their curvature and were heavily eroded. But Jurgen painstakingly rebuilt the barrel, using traditional techniques, the original staves, new iron and some new wooden elements. We were delighted with the result.”AHT paid for the conservation of the barrel and it was taken back to site with logistics support from Antarctica New Zealand.

The Speight's barrel was carefully positioned outside Shackleton's hut by the Trust's conservation team.Antarctic Heritage Trust

The Speight’s barrel was carefully positioned outside Shackleton’s hut by the Trust’s conservation team.

The Cape Royds hut sits in an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) which means permits are required to remove anything from the area and anything temporarily removed has to be returned.

Returning the barrel to Antarctica

Transporting the barrel back to its home at Cape Royds held a few challenges. Logistics between Christchurch and Antarctica are operated by the United States and New Zealand Antarctic Programmes. The first stage of the journey was packing it for transit from Christchurch to Phoenix runway in McMurdo Sound on board an American C-17. A large Antarctic storm cycle caused a 2-week delay to the start of the summer on-ice season, preventing aircraft from landing and causing the Trust some anxiety, as staff and cargo were waiting in Christchurch. However, the system caught up and both barrel and staff arrived in Antarctica in time for the next stage of the journey. Once at Scott Base, the barrel was gradually exposed to lower temperatures, eventually being stored (wrapped) outside at ambient temperatures of around -15 degrees C. The distance between Scott Base and Cape Royds is a little under 40km, and the terrain is a mix of the lower slopes of the active volcano Mt Erebus, and frozen sea ice. The barrel was transported to a ridgeline near Shackleton’s historic hut using a container slung underneath a Southern Lakes helicopter. From the top of the ridge, the AHT team transferred the barrel to a polypropylene sled and towed it down the hill to its final resting place outside Shackleton’s Nimrod hut.

Mike Gillies

Shackleton’s Nimrod Hut, Cape Royds

This area and adjacent areas were used by Shackleton’s expedition to stage/store all sorts of equipment, food cases and barrels. There was a constant ebb and flow of different items. The barrel is too large to fit comfortably inside the hut, and like the stores boxes also found outside the hut, forms part of the story of the enormous quantity of supplies needed for an over-wintering party of 15 men, as well as dogs, ponies and a motor car.

The Speight's barrel is now in position outside Shackleton's Hut.Antarctic Heritage Trust

The Speight’s barrel is now in position outside Shackleton’s Hut.

Trust Executive Director Nigel Watson says it was a poignant moment to see the barrel be returned there.“Just as when we returned Shackleton’s whisky to the ice, there was some celebration at the barrel’s return. Conserving Antarctic artefacts is an incredibly meticulous process so it’s always satisfying to see them put back with a new lease on life that will see them survive for generations to come,” concludes Nigel.

What happened to the beer?

Beer will freeze if left outside on all but the warmest of Antarctic summer days, and in fact the beer may even have been consumed during a special occasion on the ship (SS Nimrod) and the barrel re-purposed for another use. We have not yet found a record that detailed, but some records indicate that the tragic accident where Captain Aeneas Mackintosh lost an eye, was caused when a hook carrying up a barrel of beer from the Nimrod’s hold, sprang loose and hit him in the head.

Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica.Antarctic Heritage Trust

Shackleton’s hut at Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica.

The barrel location provides shelter from the two prevailing winds at the site (north and south winds), which lowers the damage caused by wind and ice erosion, and protects the barrel from being moved by the stronger gusts during storms.Part of the work the Trust carries out on an annual basis is snow removal, monitoring and maintenance of all aspects of the building and artefact collection. Over the next few years we will be checking the barrel on each visit, and will keep an eye on its condition.

The interior of Shackleton's Hut.Antarctic Heritage Trust

The interior of Shackleton’s Hut.

https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shackletons-hut-at-c5c366cb31a61e4.69025838-600x600.jpg 600 600 Comms https://nzaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/logo-dark.png Comms2019-01-11 00:08:092020-04-06 22:18:27Shackleton’s 111-year-old Beer Barrel
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Latest Inspiring Explorers Updates

  • Young New Zealand and Norwegian explorers complete epic journey to the South PoleJanuary 7, 2023 - 6:19 am
  • South Pole ReachedMay 1, 2023 - 8:00 am
  • Young Kiwi explorers announced for largest ever Inspiring Explorers Expedition™June 18, 2023 - 4:06 pm
  • Applications Launched for Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ South GeorgiaMay 1, 2023 - 8:00 am
  • Inspiring Explorers™ Programme Manager on BoardMay 1, 2023 - 8:00 am

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antarcticheritage

Experience history like never before with the Hill Experience history like never before with the Hillary's Antarctic Hut Virtual Reality Experience - coming to Gisborne! 🙌

Join the Antarctic Heritage Trust on an immersive virtual reality experience. Explore the five rooms of Hillary's expedition base and interact with the building and its objects to trigger key stories connected to exploration, scientific discovery, and the daily life of Hillary and his team on the Ice.

The VR experience is available:
10am to 4pm
Tuesday 26 - Friday 29 September
HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright Street, Gisborne

Suitable for ages 9 and up, this is a free event with no bookings required. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity! ❄️🏠🌍

📸Students experience VR © AHT

#hillaryshutvr #virtualreality #hillary #vr #heritage #conserve #inspire #explore #Antarctica #discover

@duluxnz @staples_vr @autuni @htcvive @antarctica.nz
Our Inspiring Explorers are getting ready for our Our Inspiring Explorers are getting ready for our upcoming Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ – South Georgia: one of the most difficult-to-reach locations on earth, with unmatched levels of biodiversity, incredible geography, and a pivotal setting for the legendary exploits (and final resting place) of Sir Ernest Shackleton. The Trust cares for Shackleton’s only Antarctic expedition base.

We are thrilled to share this expedition with you, as our team of 22 young New Zealanders honour the centenary year of Shackleton’s final expedition (the ‘Quest’) which journeyed to South Georgia and marked the end of the heroic-era of Antarctic exploration.

We’ll be sharing the inspiring stories of Shackleton and his expeditions, as well as providing daily updates on our modern-day Inspiring Explorers as they journey to and explore South Georgia first-hand. They depart New Zealand on Thursday 28 September – keep an eye out for more updates coming soon!

Learn what to expect from our upcoming incredible Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to South Georgia on our website (link in bio) and across our social channels.

📸 Two crew members from the Endurance at the top of Mount Duse, South Georgia, looking down to the Grytviken whaling station. Endurance can be seen anchored in King Edward Cove. ©Frank Hurley

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #SouthGeorgia #inspiringexplorers #polar #adventure #Shackleton #thenandnow
Exciting news! 🎉 Antarctic Heritage Trust's Hi Exciting news! 🎉

Antarctic Heritage Trust's Hillary's Antarctic Hut Virtual Reality Experience is coming to Gisborne's HB Memorial Library these school holidays!

Explore Sir Edmund Hillary's Antarctic hut through this groundbreaking VR experience and celebrate New Zealand's first presence in Antarctica. Don't miss out!

FREE for all aged nine and over, no bookings required. Please allow 15 minutes for each VR session. See you there! 🌍🏔️❄️

10am to 4pm
�Tuesday 26 - Friday 29 September
HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright Street, Gisborne�

📸Student experiences VR © AHT

#hillaryshutvr #virtualreality #hillary #vr #heritage #conserve #inspire #explore #Antarctica #discover
@duluxnz @staples_vr @autuni @htcvive @antarctica.nz
#OnThisDay in 1921, Shackleton's final expedition #OnThisDay in 1921, Shackleton's final expedition to Antarctica, the Shackleton-Rowett 'Quest' Expedition 1921-22, set sail for Antarctica from St Katherine Docs in London.

Shackleton initially planned to lead an expedition to the Arctic, however, delays and lack of financial support led to the expedition being changed to an ambitious two-year Antarctic programme funded by British businessman John Q. Rowett. Unfortunately, from the very beginning Shackleton's fourth Antarctic expedition did not go to plan.

Largely as a result of engine difficulties the crew spent a month in Rio de Janeiro causing plans to cross to Antarctica via South Africa to be abandoned. Instead, Shackleton decided to set sail for South Georgia and its nearby regions. It quickly became apparent the constant difficulties appeared to take a toll on Shackleton's physical and mental health, so much so, that members of the crew noted concerns in their diaries.

On 4 January 1922, 'Quest' arrived at Grytviken whaling station, South Georgia, abruptly followed by the death of Shackleton on the following day. Under the leadership of Frank Wild, the expedition continued for a further three-months but fell well short of its goal of circumnavigating Antarctica.

📸 Scouts James Marr and Norman Mooney raising the Union Flag on board the 'Quest' before departure on 17th September 1921. John Quiller Rowett on right. Copyright unknown.

#OTD #inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica #shackleton #wild #questexpedition
#OnThisDay in 1922 the late Sir Ernest Shackleton' #OnThisDay in 1922 the late Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition ship 'Quest' arrived back at Plymouth harbour, England one year after departing St Katherine Docs on the Shackleton - Rowett Expedition 1921-22. The death of Shackleton, and the completion of the 'Quest' voyage, marked the end of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. The expeditions to Antarctica from this point, were of a different nature than their predecessors, and became known as the 'mechanical age'.

Commander Frank Wild, who led the expedition following Shackleton's death, said the expedition had been disappointing owing to the weather and a bad ice season. However, they achieved great scientific results and retrieved a large number of deep sea and biological samples along the journey, inaccessible islands were geologically and ethnologically examined and South Georgia was geologically surveyed.

Later this month our ninth Inspiring Explorer Expedition™ will depart New Zealand for South Georgia Island giving 22 young people the opportunity to connect with the legacy that the Trust cares for and embrace their spirit of exploration. The expedition will honour Sir Ernest Shackleton's final 'Quest' expedition and will include a visit to the final resting place of 'The Boss' himself at the small cemetery in Grytviken.

📸 Waikato Times newspaper excerpt after the return of 'Quest' © Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Waikato Times.

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica
🏔️ Our Inspiring Explorers™ are preparing f 🏔️ Our Inspiring Explorers™ are preparing for the first Kiwi attempt of Mount Worsley on South Georgia Island! 🏔️

Over the weekend our climbing team of Millie Mannering, Lily Green, Sasha Cheng, Sam West, and Trust Emeritus Executive Director Nigel Watson, embarked on a pivotal training shakedown at Aoraki/Mount Cook, run by our expert guides for the climb, Lydia Bradey and Dean Staples. @lydiabradey @deanostaples

This weekend was all about meticulous preparation:

🏕️ Before setting off our guides checked and tested every item of clothing and equipment the team will be using for their climb of Mount Worsley and took the team through a full health and safety briefing.

🚁 Next, the team flew into Plateau Hut in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Over the next two days they refreshed their climbing, rope work, glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills and honed their cold-weather camping skills, testing their tents and cooking setups.

🙌 This weekend allowed the team to grow even closer, fostering the camaraderie necessary for the challenges ahead and strengthening the bonds within this remarkable team.

Our thanks go out to guides Lydia and Dean for their expert guidance during this journey. 🙏

Excitement is building as the team’s departure for South Georgia nears! We're eager to share this incredible journey with you all! Follow our Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ – South Georgia on our website (link in bio) and across our social channels 🌏🏔️

��📸 Sasha Cheng ©AHT�/Lily Green, The climbing team prior to departure for Plateau Hut (L-R) Millie Mannering, Lily Green, Lydia Bradey, Sam West, Nigel Watson, Shak, Sasha Cheng, Dean Staples ©AHT, (L-R) Sam West and Sasha Cheng during cold-weather camping practice ©AHT, Millie Mannering ©AHT�/Lily Green, The climbing team practicing teamwork and climbing skills ©AHT/Sam West, Dean Staples pointing the way to pitching practice location on Glacier Dome ©AHT

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #SouthGeorgia #inspiringexplorers #polar #adventure #Shackleton #MountWorsleyClimb 
@metservicenz @royalsocietynz
@lilantares @milliemannering @swest67 @madicaladventures
#OnThisDay in 1874, Carpenter, Shipwright and Anta #OnThisDay in 1874, Carpenter, Shipwright and Antarctic Explorer Henry (Harry) McNish was born in Port Glasgow, Scotland, the third of eleven children.

McNish was part of Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic 'Endurance' Expedition (1914-17) where he served as the ship's carpenter, earning himself the name "Chippy". He is also often referred to as McNeish and is even named as such on his gravestone. Famously, McNish had the only ship's pet, a cat named Mrs Chippy who was greatly loved by McNish and the crew that named him.

McNish was highly respected as a carpenter and worked tirelessly to aid the expedition in a way that only he was able to do, building and repairing various items. He spent hours standing up to his waist in the freezing water to build a cofferdam to prevent the 'Endurance' from flooding and taking her down sooner and was experienced enough to know the point at which the ship couldn't be saved from the pressure of the ice crushing her. After 'Endurance' sank, McNish worked on the lifeboats to ready them for their journeys to Elephant Island, raising the gunwales (boat sides) and fitting small decks on the 'James Caird' for the epic journey to South Georgia. McNish was also one of the men, led by Shackleton, that completed this incredible journey aboard the 'James Caird'.

After the expedition McNish returned to the Merchant Navy and eventually secured a job with the New Zealand Shiping company, moving there in 1925 and working on the Wellington waterfront until an injury ended his career. His health continued to deteriorate and he sadly died destitute in 1930. McNish is buried in the Karori Cemetery in Wellington and a life size bronze sculpture of Mrs Chippy was placed on the grave by the New Zealand Antarctic Society.

📸 Henry (Harry) McNish. Public Domain.

#OTD #inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica
#OnThisDay in 1904 Scott's expedition ship 'Discov #OnThisDay in 1904 Scott's expedition ship 'Discovery' arrived in Portsmouth, England after returning from the Antarctic.

The British National Antarctic 'Discovery' Expedition 1901-1904 furthered geographical exploration and discoveries of major scientific importance. Some of these achievements included the discovery of King Edward VII Land and the Polar Plateau. There were also discoveries of major scientific importance. These included the Dry Valleys in the western mountains, the Emperor penguin colony at Cape Crozier and Ferrar's leaf fossil, which helped to establish Antarctica's relation to the Gondwana super-continent. Finally, thousands of geological and biological specimens were collected throughout the expedition.

The 'Discovery' expedition's extensive programme operated out of 'Discovery' hut, the first established base on Ross Island located at Hut point. The Trust is proud to care for this legacy on behalf of the international community.

📸 Discovery Hut with expedition ship 'Discovery' in the background. Canterbury Museum

#OTD #inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica
#OnThisDay in 1910, Amundsen revealed to the crew #OnThisDay in 1910, Amundsen revealed to the crew of the expedition ship 'Fram' his intention to sail southwards, contrary to where they thought they were sailing!

"It is my intention to sail southwards, land a party on the southern continent, and try to reach the South Pole!"

Following his success in the Northwest Passage, Amundsen was set to borrow the expedition ship 'Fram' off fellow Norwegian explorer Fritjof Nansen and lead an expedition to the North Pole. However, in 1909, Amundsen missed his opportunity of being the first to attain the North Pole after Americans Frederick Cook and Robert Peary made two separate claims, one on 21 April 1908 and the other on 6 April 1909, respectively. So he decided to reroute to Antarctica and become the first to attain the South Pole instead!

📸 Roald Amundsen, Public Domain

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica #OTD #Amundsen #Fram
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    Antarctic Heritage Trust

    Antarctic Heritage Trust
    Administration Building, International Antarctic Centre
    38 Orchard Road, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand

    Antarctic Heritage Trust

    Antarctic Heritage Trust
    Administration Building, International Antarctic Centre
    38 Orchard Road, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand

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    © Copyright 2023, Antarctic Heritage Trust
    Registered Charity: CC24071
    Terms and Conditions – Privacy Policy

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    NZAHT ExteriorSledging team outside Terra Nova hut, Herbert Ponting
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    NZAHT ExteriorAlasdair Turner