N.Z. Advance Party At Polar Plateau

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28198, 9 February 1957, Page 12

N.Z. Advance Party At Polar Plateau

tßoss Sea Committee Official Correspondent)

SCOTT BASE. February 7. The Polar Plateau has been reached by the New Zealand advance field party, some 260 sledging miles from Scott Base and at a height of 7500 feet. The party has found what appears to be a first-class route up the Skelton glacier after nine days and about 90 miles of sledging. This virtually completes the major task for the New Zealand expedition for this summer—the discovery of a safe and sure route from the plateau to Scott Base down which the trans-Antarctic party can travel next summer at the end of its trip across the continent.

There is. however, much consolidating work still to be done. Five tons of supplies have to be flown in to the Polar depot; the seven-ton base at the foot of the Skelton completed: a small depot established off Minna bluff; and the three field parties brought back to base within the next three weeks.

By then the first of the winter blizzards may be howling down from the plateau. Flight up Glacier

Sir Edmund Hillary and Flying Officer Bill Cranfield reached the field party late this afternoon in the Auster aircraft. They followed the trail from the foot of the Skelton at only a few hundred feet, passing only deserted night camps.

On the plateau a strong wind was whipping loose snow across the surface, and it was bitterly cold. In the aircraft hoar frost formed on the inside of the canopy. The field party appeared to be just settling down for the evening. The two husky teams were curled in furry balls in the drifting snow, and a lone figure was moving between the tents.

At the sound of the Auster’s engine the men—Richard Brooke, Harry Ayres, Murray Ellis, and Murray Douglas—pushed out of the tents to wave in spite of the bitter weather. Sir Edmund Hillary spoke to the party by walkietalkie and learned that the members were all well and enthusiastic about their success. It was impossible to land because of the wind and because the field party reported that the surface was rough and extremely icy. Exploration

The party will spend the next few days exploring the area, searching for an airsti ip and a site for the base.

“They have done extremely well,” said Sir Edmund Hillary.

“We are ahead of schedule, and the route appears eminently suitable to bring down the British pasty with its tractors and snow cats.”

Behind the Auster was the Beaver aircraft, piloted by Squadron Leader John Claydon, and with Paul Emile Victor, the French Arctic explorer, as a passenger. They too circled the party, but were unable to talk to them. Victor was full of praise for the Skelton route.

“Of all the glacier routes I know of—in the Arctic and the Antarctic—l consider the Skelton is the second best yet dis-

covered,’’ he said. “The best is from the American air base at Thule in Greenland. This route of yours is good enough to take heavy tractors up. It is firstclass ”

Climbing Peaks Sir Edmund Hillary and Flying Officer Cranfield flew over unexplored country between the Skelton and Ferrar glaciers on their return flight. They saw some magnificent climbing peaks grouped in a valley, and Sir Edmund Hillary fpund what he believes is a good climbing route up Mount Huggins, a 12.870 ft peak in the Royal Society range.

“It’s a geologist’s paradise in there. ’ he said.

The field party trail-blazing the route from Scott Base to the foot of the Skelton —Bob Miller, the deputy expedition leade*r. and Roy Carlyon—are about half way to their goal. The weather has been generally good for them, and the surface of the barrier appears to present no serious problems. Over the next few days the aircraft will be flying around the clock ferrying stores to the three depots while the flying weather remains good. Given the opportunity. the programme could be completed within a week. At Scott Base the last hut is up. and the interior is being completed. The covered ways between the huts are now being built and the last of the aerials erected. It seems the construction programme will be completed before the Endeavour sails in approximately a fortnight.