TRAINING FOR ANTARCTIC

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27987, 6 June 1956, Page 12

TRAINING FOR ANTARCTIC

SURVEY BY LEADER • OF PARTY FLIGHT OVER MT. COOK AREA A rsconnaisance flight over the Southern Alps in the Mount Cook region was made by the leader of the : New Zealand Antarctic expedition ‘Sir Edmund Hillary* yesterday. Sir Edmuna Hillary returned to Christchurch last evening after making final arrangements for the expedition’s ; training programme in the area this year, and inspecting the site of the case near the Malte Brun hut on the Tasman Glacier. Flying in a New Zealand Air Force Harvard piloted by Squadron Leader -J. R. Claydon. of Wigram. Sir Edmund Hillary examined the heads; cf the Franz Josef Tasman end Fox f glaciers. where it is hoped to landtj expedition aircraft on skis in August. “We had magnificent flying condi- ■ tions, took a goc-d look round old ’ Ook. and made a grand traverse in; about three-quarters of an hour,” Sir ! Edmund Hillary said last evening. ? Forty-one huskies corralled at the 3 Hermitage were “in, pretty good nick.’’ | Starting on July _22 with Sir Ed- ’ mund Hillary and Mr Bob Miller, second in command of the expedition., members will go to the Hermitage singly, and in twos and threes over a period of two or three weeks for training. In the last 10 d=ys of August the whole party will be together for 5 practice in and will make a short mountain journey during ■ which supplies will be dropped from the air. Fcr a start aircraft—a Beaver and ■ ar. Auster—will work from the Her-; milage field. Later, it is hoped to have i them both flying from a stria near the Malte Brun hut up to altitudes i of 8090 ft in simulated Antarctic conditions. R.A.F. Interest in Flight Squadron Leader Claydon is in charge of the expedition's flight. Both planes will be equipped with both wheels and skis. Tbe Auster will also have floats to enable it to operate from a ship. It will make survey flights when the vessel is approach in 2 . the New Zealand base through pack ice. Squadron Leader Claydon said last evening that the New Zealand flight's experience would be useful not only to the expedition but also to Air Force, which was watching developments closely. “They have practically no experience of flying in sub-zero conditions in high altitudes, and they are very interested in getting information about how we get on. especially with the Arctic clothing which they developed fcr emergency survival gear, but which we will be using as everyday wear.” he s-id. At the conclusion of the winter training programme as many members of the expedition as are able will go to Bumham Military Camo for a short course in first aid. which will be provided by the Army The course was arranged by the Director-Ger.er?! of Medical Services (Brigadier W H B. Bulb, who has been advising the expedition on medical requirements and equipment.