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Archive for category: Antarctic Blog

Working in the Field

February 17, 2020 - Antarctic Blog, Share, UKAHT

Working for hours at a time in sub-zero temperatures when you are cataloguing means you move very little.

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Tutti Frutti

February 12, 2020 - Antarctic Blog, Share, UKAHT

My experience of the Antarctic Expedition ships we travelled on, is that they go to great lengths to keep their guests happy and healthy. The hospitality on board from the crew is often exceptional, and I was struck by the enjoyment and creativity they brought to their work.

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Logistics and Delays

February 6, 2020 - Antarctic Blog, Share, UKAHT

Sometimes getting to Antarctica is as simple as getting on a plane in New Zealand and stepping off 5 hours later into sub zero temperatures. This year’s work expedition to Port Lockroy, (the British base on the Antarctic Peninsula managed by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust) was a whole other story.

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Antarctic Conservation Season Update June 2022

June 7, 2022 - Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project News, Antarctic Blog, Conserve, News Story, Uncategorized

The 2021-22 summer Antarctic season saw a seven-person conservation team spend nearly two months working on an extended monitoring and maintenance programme at the Ross Island explorer bases of Robert Falcon Scott at Cape Evans and Hut Point, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s base at Cape Royds, and Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut at Pram Point.

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Like Travelling to Another Planet

November 5, 2018 - Antarctic Blog
 
 

 

For me the whole experience of travelling to Antarctica felt more like travelling to another planet. Luckily I had Lizzie, Nicola and Martin – the seasoned and awesome AHT conservation crew I’ll be working with over the next six weeks – to shepherd me through this foreign process.

We began at the United States Antarctica Programme (USAP) departure lounge, a whole separate terminal at Christchurch International Airport, where our bags were weighed and checked, followed by a quick video from the head of the USAP. We then hopped on a very old American school bus. We were shuttled across the road, and directed to board the US Airforce’s C-17; this in itself was an amazing experience.

Mike Gillies

Mike Gillies on arrival at Scott Base

Mike Gillies

It was totally different to boarding a regular international commercial flight. Think very loud, lunch in paper bags, basic, and military green. The flight took about five hours. When we were approaching McMurdo there was a muffled announcement over the planes intercom, and then a mad flurry of passenger activity. All of the passengers were throwing on their ECW (extreme cold weather) gear. Me as a newbie followed suit, sitting in the C-17 sweating, but prepared and ready to face whatever Antarctica had to throw at me when the plane landed.

Mike Gillies

Mike Gillies is a long way from home at Scott Base

Mike Gillies

Maybe I was ready for the weather, but what I wasn’t prepared for was the Antarctic’s onslaught on my senses. Upon landing I walked down the gangway, and then – smack! I was instantly overwhelmed… that first breath of Antarctic air is unlike anything imaginable… extremely cold and dry, but the most pure air ever. Then the overwhelming visuals… vast ice fields as far as the eye can see; mountains which seem so close you could touch them but are miles away; Mt Erebus puffing away in the background; and the whole time these behemoth red American dinosaurs (think ski field shuttles on steroids) are carting people and gear around, to and from the airfield to McMurdo. Where on earth am I…?

Written by Conservation Ambassador Mike Gillies

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Meet Mike Gillies – 2018 Conservation Ambassador

October 26, 2018 - Antarctic Blog

Congratulations to Mike Gillies, who has been selected as the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s 2018/2019 season Conservation Ambassador.

A keen heritage carpentry hobbyist, Mike is a Recreation/Historic Ranger for the Department of Conservation (DOC) and resides in Murchison, where he regularly works in remote locations in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

Antarctic heritage Trust - Mike GilliesMike Gillies

Mike Gillies

The Conservation Ambassador initiative offers conservators or other heritage experts in the early stages of their career the opportunity to work on the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project in Antarctica, the world’s largest cold-climate heritage conservation project. This year AHT partnered with DOC to find a Conservation Ambassador to work alongside our experts, and develop their skills in a unique and challenging environment.

With a Bachelor of Recreation Management (Parks) from Lincoln University and nine years working as a Ranger for DOC, heritage conservation is both a profession and passion for Mike, who has a fascination for traditional building techniques, particularly historic hut building in New Zealand.

As Conservation Ambassador, Mike will support AHT to implement the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of Hillary’s, Shackleton’s and Scott’s Huts on Ross Island.

Along with his backcountry skills, Mike’s expertise includes hewing and dressing timber using axe and adze, making wooden roofing shingles, and traditional timber joinery. He is an avid collector of historic wood working hand tools, as well as traditional carpentry and woodworking publications.

Mike says he couldn’t believe his luck when the Conservation Ambassador role came up, as although he’d long been captivated by stories and images of Antarctica, he’d never foreseen an opportunity to actually get there.

“I am incredibly keen to participate in this programme and view heritage conservation in the toughest climate in the world.”

Welcome to the team Mike!

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1000 Days on Ice

November 15, 2018 - Antarctic Blog

There’s an Antarctic specific occasion which only a few folks ever get to celebrate, and this week AHT’s programme manager Lizzie was one of them – 1000 days on ice!

Over the last ten years with the Trust, Lizzie has spent a winter at New Zealand’s Scott Base, and many summers working at the historic expedition bases of Scott, Shackleton, Borchgrevink and Hillary, as well as work on the Antarctic Peninsula. So that’s 142 weeks, 33 months, 2.7 years, five expedition bases, over 20,000 artefacts, and one magnificent cake made by the fantastic Scott Base chefs.

Lizzie says, “Cheers to the AHT and Scott Base teams over the years – Antarctica is a beautiful and challenging place to work, but the best thing about it is the pride and passion folks here bring to the job.”

Antarctic Heritage Trust

Conservation team members Martin Wenzel, Lizzie Meek, Nicola Dunn and Mike Gillies celebrate Lizzie’s 1000 days on the Ice

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Raising the Roof

March 27, 2018 - Antarctic Blog, Hillary's Hut, News Story

Antarctic Heritage Trust has finished the last major job of saving Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut at Scott Base – installing a new roof.

The Trust raised nearly a million dollars to save the hut, also known as the TAE/IGY Hut, which was built by a team under Sir Ed’s leadership in 1957 just before his famous dash to the South Pole.

While working to conserve Hillary’s (TAE) Hut in 2016, the need for a weather-tight long-term roofing solution was identified.

Programme Manager Al Fastier says the Trust wanted the roofing solution to last a minimum of 35 years but more likely 50 to 100 years. A plan was then developed to overclad the historic roof, meaning the original roof remained intact.

A key feature of the newly restored hut is the painted aluminium roof, complete with new battens painted in the original bright orange.

“It gives it a real point of difference,” says Fastier, a long time visitor to the ice.

Assembling the battens for the roofAntarctic Heritage Trust

Assembling the battens for the roof

For specialist Standing Seam roofer, Mike Burgess, the conditions provided a job unlike anything he had ever tackled.

“I’ve never been that cold,” says Burgess, who had to race indoors on the odd occasion to regain feeling in his hands.

The project manager for Architectural Metalformers is used to working through complicated roofing projects in rural, commercial and urban environments – less so in the world’s harshest environment.

“The opportunity to waterproof such an important New Zealand building with our product, while endeavouring to make it visually similar to the original aesthetic could not be passed up, regardless of the weather complexities,” Burgess says.

Not one to opt out of a challenge, Burgess combined his more than 20 years in the business, with further research, to come up with the robust long term waterproof roofing solution.

The Trust acknowledges, Architectural Metalformers, Pacific Coilcoaters, Sika NZ, Nexus Foams and Dulux New Zealand for their donated products and technical assistance.

Chris Ansin, Al Fastier and Geoff Cooper taking a break on the roof of the hut.Antarctic Heritage Trust

Chris Ansin, Al Fastier and Geoff Cooper taking a break on the roof of the hut.

Antarctic Programme Manager Al Fastier working on the roofAntarctic Heritage Trust

Antarctic Programme Manager Al Fastier working on the roof

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Reflections from Antarctic Ambassador Chris Ansin

March 19, 2018 - Antarctic Blog

When I talk to people about what it is like to visit and live in Antarctica, everyone’s imagination is that Antarctica is an incredibly remote, beautiful and stunning environment.

Sir Ed's hut

Antarctic Youth Ambassador Chris Ansin working on the hut roof

While no truer words have been spoken, Antarctica has left a very different, and for me, even more special impression. It was the environment that the people created, one of collaboration, hard work, friendship and happiness. Nowhere else have I ever experienced something more powerful than being surrounded by people where everyone was living the life that made them happy.

I feel humbled to have worked alongside some of the most incredible people I have ever met. Al, Lizzie, Geoff and Diana were such an amazing team to work with. It was hard not to feel inspired just working and spending time alongside them.

Chris Ansin

Chris in Antarctica

Antarctica itself still seems such a surreal place, full of magic and wonder. Stepping into the historic huts flung striking pictures of the struggles of the men no older than myself into my mind. The vivid history of the surroundings envelopes you in emotion, it is impossible not to form a connection. To work on and help preserve the legacy of the heroic explorers that I idolise was such a rare treat and one that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Experiencing the grandest and most dramatic landscapes on the planet, I am now only beginning to realise the effect that Antarctica has had on me. I am truly excited by the possibilities of life, and feel so privileged to have experienced this amazing continent with the crew from AHT. I definitely have the Antarctic bug!

Written by Sir Peter Blake Trust Antarctic Youth Ambassador Chris Ansin

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An Antarctic Ambassador’s Awe – Diana McCormack

March 19, 2018 - Antarctic Blog

Antarctic Heritage Trust - Scott's hutDiana McCormack

Inside Scott’s Hut

Since getting back everyone has been asking me “Well, how was it?” and I keep finding myself short on adjectives.

It’s hard to sum up just how special a place Antarctica really is or the real sense of privilege I found at being able to work in the historic huts. I met lots of interesting and lovely people, went snow-caving, bounced over the sea ice in a Hagglund, camped in sight of Mt Erebus, flew over the Barne glacier in a helicopter and learned so much about the first expeditions to the Ross Sea.

Digging snow outside the hutAntarctic Heritage Trust/Diana McCormack

Digging snow outside the hut

Joining Al and Lizzie and the team for just one season, it really struck me how much work has already gone into the huts and the enormous achievement of everyone in that team over the years. Thinking about all the logistics and planning that have been behind all that fieldwork is pretty humbling. It has given me fresh positivity in tackling my own conservation challenges at home, because the historic ships can be daunting at times. We are constantly battling the elements and trying to preserve very large objects in the outdoor marine environment – but seeing what has been possible in Antarctica and getting a taste of working in those conditions has given me a new perspective.

When I get asked “What’s the most memorable thing you took away from it all?” it still takes a minute to find an answer. But if I close my eyes the first thing that comes back is walking through the door to the Terra Nova hut at Cape Evans, and the amazing smell of blubber, and straw and timber.  That’s going to stay with me for a long time!

Written by Conservation Ambassador Diana McCormack

Diana working on object in labAntarctic Heritage Trust/Lizzie Meek

Diana working on object in lab


Group of donated items from Cape EvansAntarctic Heritage Trust/Diana McCormack

Group of donated items from Cape Evans

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antarcticheritage

#OnThisDay in 1904, Captain Robert Falcon Scott's #OnThisDay in 1904, Captain Robert Falcon Scott's first Antarctic expedition ship 'Discovery' arrived back in Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Scott's National Antarctic 'Discovery' Expedition 1901-04 was sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society, the British Government and a London businessman, Llewellyn Longstaff. There were also donations from officers of the Royal Society and other private individuals. Sir Clements Markham launched the appeal that eventually raised £90,000 for the expedition – sufficient to pay for a new ship, provisions, wages and other costs.

It was the second expedition to winter over on the Antarctic continent, following Carston Borchgrevink's 'Southern Cross' Expedition 1899-1900. The men carried out significant exploration of the continent, including a ‘furthest south’ record of 82º16’S, and comprehensive scientific observations in the fields of meteorology, geology, glaciology, botany, marine biology and cartography.

At the end of the expedition, Scott and his men worked to saw a channel in the ice, freeing 'Discovery' from her berth of two years. On 5 January 1904, the relief ships 'Morning' and 'Terra Nova' were sighted. Efforts were then made to free 'Discovery' with explosives, but this did not achieve the desired effect and Scott made plans to abandon the ship. Then, on 14 February, the sea-ice began to break up and with the aid of a final explosive charge and some assistance from the wind and currents, 'Discovery' was free. After stopping briefly in Robertson Bay at Cape Adare to replace the rudder, the 'Discovery' proceeded to Lyttelton.

You can read more about the history of Scott's first Antarctic expedition here: https://nzaht.org/conserve/explorer-bases/scotts-hut-hut-point/history-of-expedition/

📸 Discovery Hut, the expedition base located at Hut Point, with the ship 'Discovery' in the background. Canterbury Museum.

#OTD #inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica #Scott #RobertFalconScott #discovery
#OnThisDay in 1900, Borchgrevink's British Antarct #OnThisDay in 1900, Borchgrevink's British Antarctic 'Southern Cross' Expedition party returned to New Zealand from Antarctica after two years.

Borchgrevink’s party of 10 men was funded by magazine magnate Sir George Newnes. The aim of the expedition was to collect scientific data and study wildlife, be the first team to intentionally overwinter on the continent and explore the continent’s interior. Borchgrevink also wanted to investigate the commercial possibilities of the region, focusing on whaling, mineral prospecting and the mining of penguin guano for fertiliser.

Many of the expedition’s scientific records were lost but they did achieve some exceptional ‘firsts’, for example, they were the first to erect a building in Antarctica at Cape Adare. This hut still exists today as the only example left of humanity's first building on any continent. Antarctic Heritage Trust is proud to care Borchgrevink's legacy at Cape Adare on behalf of the international community.

They were also the first team to winter over, and use dogs, sledges and skis to travel over land and sea ice. Expedition members Bernacchi and Colbeck also produced a detailed map of the area that was used by later expeditions. Finally, under Bernacchi’s leadership, the first full year of weather readings was recorded. Their data set the baseline for Antarctic climate science.

📸 The Southern Cross expedition members pictured just before spending the first winter on the Antarctic continent, 1899. Canterbury Museum

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica #borchgrevink #capeadare
#OnThisDay in 1912, Captain Robert Falcon Scott ma #OnThisDay in 1912, Captain Robert Falcon Scott made his final diary entry as he, Edward Wilson and Henry Bowers, waited for the inevitable end, trapped in their tent with unseasonably cold temperatures and worsening health preventing them from making the 11-mile journey to their next food and fuel depot.

Scott's diary: "Since the 21st we have had a continuous gale from W.S.W. and S.W. We had fuel to make two cups of tea apiece and bare food for two days on the 20th. Every day we have been ready to start for our depot 11 miles away, but outside the door of the tent it remains a scene of whirling drift. I do not think we can hope for any better things now. We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far.

It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more.

R. SCOTT.

For God’s sake look after our people."

Scott's Polar Party reached the South Pole on 17 January 1912, 34 days after Amundsen and his Norwegian party. During the journey home Edgar Evans suffered a fatal concussion and passed away 17 February. Thereafter, in March, Scott’s diary records the heroic end of Captain Lawrence 'Titus' Oates who, stricken with frostbite, walked out from the camp to his death.

For Scott and his remaining men, a successful march home depended on the decisions made and the depots laid months prior to the expedition. However, the storm that raged and a lack of food and fuel prevented this, and the men died in their sleeping bags within their tent. The journal of Tryggve Gran, part of the 11-man search party, records that the bodies were found on 12 November 1912. He used his own skis to construct a cross above the cairn that he and the rest of the search party erected over the site and wrote of Scott's skis, "I am using the Owner's ski(s) - they must finish the journey - and they will."

📸 Snow Cairn erected over the final resting place of Scott, Wilson and Bowers, Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection.

#OTD #inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica #RobertFalconScott #terranova #southpole
Antarctic Heritage Trust is honoured to be one of Antarctic Heritage Trust is honoured to be one of the ten charities that Matt Rose has chosen to support as part of Matt's Good Walk. Matt is walking the length of the South Island and has raised almost half of his ambitious $250,000 target, some of which will help fund one young person on the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ - South Georgia 2023.

Check out the news story below to read more about how Matt is achieving this.
https://www.scene.co.nz/queenstown-news/local-life/matts-big-fundraising-strides/

To learn more:
https://www.mattsgoodwalk.nz/
https://inspiringexplorers.co.nz/

#mattsgoodwalk #inspiringexplorers2023 #inspire #explore #antarcticheritagetrust
#OnThisDay in 1870, Herbert George Ponting was bor #OnThisDay in 1870, Herbert George Ponting was born. Ponting was a professional photographer and is best known as the expedition photographer and cinematographer for Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s 'Terra Nova' expedition 1910-1913. During his time on the ice, Ponting captured some of the most enduring images of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

Scott’s vision of taking Antarctica to the world was to be fulfilled beyond his wildest expectations. Through his skill, tenacity and adaptation to the Antarctic conditions, Ponting opened everyone’s eyes, providing lessons to members of the expedition so the standard of photographic work on their scientific field parties was second to none. Ponting returned from the 'Terra Nova' expedition after the first year with a catalogue of over 1700 negatives and ca. 25,000 feet worth of film. His work moved beyond the bounds of travelogues or scenic imagery, it became the very forefront of polar wildlife documentary film-making.

Ponting had his very own darkroom in the 'Terra Nova' hut at Cape Evans on Ross Island. To find out more about Ponting and this fascinating space, check out the Trust's podcast Frozen in Time (#3 on the interactive map) on our website https://nzaht.org/frozen-in-time/

📸 Photographer Herbert George Ponting (1870-1935) at work in the dark room of Scott's 'Terra Nova' hut, Antarctica, during the British Antarctic Expedition, 24 March 1911. Alexander Turnbull Library

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica #RobertFalconScott #Scott #Ponting #capeevans
#OnThisDay in 1889, Lionel Greenstreet, First Offi #OnThisDay in 1889, Lionel Greenstreet, First Officer of Shackleton's Imperial Trans Antarctic 'Endurance' Expedition (1914-17) was born. He grew up in East Barnet, Hertfordshire and at around 15 years old, became a cadet on the training ship 'Worcester' where he passed certificates in Navigation and Seamanship.

In August 1914, while on leave from duties with the New Zealand Shipping Company in Scotland, Greenstreet wrote to Frank Worsley, Captain of the 'Endurance' for a position on the expedition. As the First World War was starting, the original chief officer Douglas George Jeffrey, had left for active service. One day before Endurance sailed from Plymouth, Greenstreet received a short message from Worsley directing him to come meet him from whereby he was told to get his affairs in order and be ready to leave the next morning.

Greenstreet played an important role in the expedition team's survival after 'Endurance' was abandoned and crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea. Worsley later gave extensive praise to Greenstreet for his efforts on the journey to Elephant Island, relieving Worsley at the tiller of 'Dudley Docker' and serving as a key rower for the boat. After the expedition, Greenstreet served in both world wars, held numerous positions, married and eventually retired in Brixham, Devon. Greenstreet was the final surviving member of the 'Endurance' expedition, he died in 1979.

📸 Public Domain, Photographed by David Knights-Whittome

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica #Endurance #Shackleton
#OnThisDay in 1912, the remaining three members of #OnThisDay in 1912, the remaining three members of Scott's Polar Party, British Antarctic 'Terra Nova' Expedition 1910-1913, made their final camp on their return from the South Pole. Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Lieutenant Henry Bowers and Dr Edward Wilson were just 11 miles from the next depot of food and fuel which would have saved them.

Scott's diary entry on Monday 19 March, describes a dreadfully heavy sledge and -40-degree temperatures. Trapped by a blizzard, the men shared the little food they had left and waited.

"Every day we have been ready to start for our depot 11 miles away, but outside the door of the tent it remains a scene of whirling drift..." - R. F. Scott, Thursday 29 March. Scott's Last Expedition © The Long Riders' Guild Press.

📸 Scott's Party on Reaching the South Pole 1912 © Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection.

#OTD #inspire #explore #discover #Antarctica
#OnThisDay in 1912, Captain Lawrence Oates made th #OnThisDay in 1912, Captain Lawrence Oates made the ultimate sacrifice, stepping out of his tent into a blizzard never to be seen again. Oates was an integral part of Scott's Polar Party, during the British Antarctic 'Terra Nova' Expedition 1910-1913, and made a brave attempt to preserve enough supplies for Scott, Wilson and Bowers during their return from the South Pole.

Oates was severely frostbitten, weakened and suffering from scurvy. Believing he was slowing the other men down, Oates died so they could have a chance at living. As he left the tent, Oates's famous last words are recorded as "I'm just going outside and may be some time..."

Captain Scott recorded these words in his diary, and some uncertainty lies over whether it was on the 16th or 17th March, which is also the same day that Oates was born 32 years earlier in 1880. Scott also wrote of Oates in his diary, "...it was the act of a brave man and an English gentleman."

Lawrence Oates was born in Putney, Surrey and in 1898, Oates joined a militia regiment, the 3rd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. In 1900, he was given an attachment to the British Army's 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and fought during the Second Boer War in South Africa. During the war Oates suffered a bullet injury to his thigh, leaving him with a limp and one leg shorter than the other. This injury caused him further pain, when the chill of the Antarctic intensified the effect of his injuries.

Oates' body was never found, however near where it is presumed that he died the search party erected a cairn and cross with the inscription;

'Hereabouts died a very gallant gentleman, Captain L. E. G. Oates, of the Inniskilling Dragoons. In March 1912, returning from the Pole, he walked willingly to his death in a blizzard, to try and save his comrades, beset by hardships.'

📸 Lawrence Oates, Alexander Turnbull Library

#OTD #inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica
LAST CHANCE TO APPLY – applications close at mid LAST CHANCE TO APPLY – applications close at midnight NZDT Sunday 19 March 2023.

Are you ready to follow in Shackleton’s footsteps? Challenge yourself? Grow as a person? Connect with fellow explorers? Be inspired by epic tales of polar exploration? Are you willing to share your experience and inspire your community to embrace the spirit of exploration?

Reach into the unknown – apply now for the upcoming Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ South Georgia! Head to inspiringexplorers.co.nz.

Applications close at midnight NZDT Sunday 19 March 2023. Eligibility criteria apply.

���This incredible two-week ship-based expedition is presented by @antarctica_21 and supported by our Inspiring Explorers™ Programme Partners @metservicenz and @royalsocietynz. 

📸 Sir Ernest Shackleton, Public Domain

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #SouthGeorgia #inspiringexplorers #polar #adventure #Shackleton
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