3rd December, 2006

Icebergs spotted off New Zealand coast for first time since 1931.

During November 2006 an Armada of icebergs arrived off the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. This had not happened since 1931. This time an armada of 200 icebergs arrived after a long several year journey from their birth in the weddell Sea. Several icebergs, some as big as 1 km long were visible from high pooints around Dunedin but the best views were obtained by the many people who took helicopter flights out to see the icebergs. We have photos and some flown postcards from these flights which can be seen here.

16th January, 2006

R.N.Z.A.F. Orion lands on Pegasus ice runway, McMurdo Sound

For the first time a RNZAF P3-K Orion aircraft landed in antarctica when an Orion from Number 5 Squadron touched down on Pegasus runway next to Ross Island in McMurdo Sound. The aircraft (shown below) was undertaking air surveillance in the Ross Sea checking out fishing and whaling vessels for possible breaches of treaty agreements. In is hoped that in future seasons a Orion aircraft can be based there for short periods to help increase the surveillance capabilities of New Zealand in support of their CCAMLR obligations. It also adds another Antarctic medevac alternative.

15th January, 2006

It has been learned that the Fesco operated icebreaker "Krasin" which has been chartered by the US National Science Foundation to break into McMurdo this season has lost a blade (Paddle) off its propellor and while the vessel carries a spare propeller it can't be fitted unless the vessel returns to New Zealand. This will take at least 2 weeks and leaves McMurdo without a dedicated icebreaker at a critical time. In the interim, the US supply vessel "American Tern" remained in Lyttelton until the 18th of January awaiting developments.

24th December, 2005

JAPANESE WHALERS HARRIED BY PROTEST VESSELS

23rd December, 2005

MCMURDO to SOUTH POLE TRAVERSE TEAM ARRIVE AT POLE

12th December, 2005

The Russian icebreaker "Krasin" made an unannounced call into Lyttelton today to load fuel for McMurdo Sound. The "Krasin" has again been chartered by the United States National Scence Foundation to break into McMurdo Sound and allow the regular tanker and supply ships to replenish McMurdo station.  In the past a US Coast Guard Icebreaker has been used for this task but as both American Polar Class icebreakers are proving unreliable the change has been made to employ the much newer "Krasin"

14th January, 2005

The Tourist Icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov arrived at Lyttelton at 6.30am today at the end of a long voyage from Ushuaia in Argentina. Reports from tourists on board are of a wonderfull cruise with the only dissapointment being that they were not able to go ashore at McMurdo or Scott Bases.

The icebreaker departs Lyttelton for another cruise tomorrow.

12th January, 2005

Finally after a long wait for the weather to improve at McMurdo the Russian Antonov-3T aircraft was able to depart the South Pole yesterday and safely landed at McMurdo. Meanwhile the Ilyushin-76 had departed Christchurch the same morning. Today (12th January) the Ilyushin-76 with the Antonov-3t inside safely flew back to Christchurch arriving shortly before 8.30pm with the expedition leader Dr Artur Chilingarov being interviewed on network television news. 

The Ilyushin-76 and the Antonov-3t on the McMurdo Pegasus Ice runway

The following 2 photos courtesy of Joe Lindsay.

10th January, 2005

- yet another Russian Aerial Antarctic Expedition update-

Bad weather at McMurdo continues to delay the flight of the Antonov-3t from the South Pole to McMurdo. The Ilyushin-76 meanwhile remains in Christchurch.

Medivac underway from Chinese Expedition

This past week a member of the Chinese traverse team came down with a high altitude sickness near Dome Argus in East Antarctica. This has an altitude of over 4000 meters. An American aircraft from South Pole Station was sent to extract the patient but the current bad weather at McMurdo has meant the patient has not yet been   medivaced through McMurdo and onto New Zealand. 

6th January, 2005

4th January, 2005

The Antonov-3T has earlier today undergone a hour and a half  flight test and we expect it to depart South Pole for McMurdo on Wednesday depending on weather conditions at McMurdo.

28th December 2004

We can report the safe arrival of the Ilyushin-76 aircaft at McMurdo yesterday afternoon. The two following pictures show the Ilyushin-76 on the Pegasus runway at McMurdo.

27th DECEMBER 2004

The Italian Antarctic supply vessel "Italica" arrived in Lyttelton Harbour early this morning for a 3 day stay before heading south to Terra Nova Bay in the Antarctic.

27th DECEMBER 2004

RUSSIAN ILYUSHIN UPDATE

The Russian Ilyushin-76 aircraft departed Christchurch at 10am this morning bound for McMurdo (Pegasus Ice runway) with a replacement engine and spares for the Antonov-3T aircraft which was stranded at the South Pole in January 2002.

The Ilyushin-76 is expected to arrive at Pegasus about 3:30 pm and a team of 12 Russians, their tools and aircraft parts will then head on to South Pole by American hercules aircraft. With the use of a 24 hour team roster repairs are hopede to be completed within a week so that a test flight can occurr about the 4th of January. with the Antanov-3 hopefully able to fly to McMurdo the following day. It will then be taken apart and placed inside the Ilyushin-76 which will return to McMurdo from Christchurch on the 6th of January. The Antonov-3T will then be flown McMurdo to Christchurch inside the Ilyushin-76.

During this time a further group of 11 Russians will stay in McMurdo. These people are specialists who may go to the South Pole if required and media staff including a film crew.   The aircraft repair and retrieval has attracted considerable publicity in Russia and this has encouraged the American NSF to accept the project as an official Russian Antarctic Program activity and consequently the Americans are affording the expedition their official support.

FINAL STARLIFTER ANTARCTIC FLIGHT TO BE CELEBRATED

Operation Deep Freeze expect to finally pension off their C141 starlifter aircraft at the end of the current season. These aircraft which were first introduced in 1975 provide freight capacity on the Christchurch to McMurdo route. The starlifters have come to the end of their economical life and have been gradually replaced by the new Globemaster aircraft in recent years. The very last Starlifter Antarctic flight is tenatively scheduled for early February and in a fitting co-incidence it is hoped that the very same aircraft which commenced the service will fly the last flight in 2005.

22ND DECEMBER 2004

RUSSIAN -AMERICAN UPDATE.

The Ilyushin 76 aircraft arrived in Christchurch about mid-night on the 2st of December with a reported 35 people on board including a film crew.

Contrary to previous reports the aircraft did not as expected depart for the Antarctic on Wednesday afternoon but is now expected to remain at Christchurch for several days. Evidently the US Antarctic Programme have decided that the McMurdo runway is not in a fit state to accept the Ilyushin especially as none of the crew on board have Antarctic flight experience.  Latest reports are that the Antonov-3T engine which the Ilyushin has on board will be transferred to a American ski equipped Hercules at Christchurch and then flown with Russian technicians to the South Pole where in can be fitted to the Antonov which will then fly to McMurdo. The Ilyushin is expected to then fly to McMurdo to pick up the Antonov. Exactly what the remaining members of the Russian party will do is no doubt being negotiated with the Americans but it is known that both McMurdo and South Pole bases have no spare bed space on hand. We await developments with interest.

20th DECEMBER, 2004

RUSSIAN AMERICAN ANTARCTIC CO-OPERATION

Back in January 2002 a Russian "Semi Official" expedition arrived at the South Pole on a Antonov-3 aircraft with various Russian dignatories and some tourists on board. Their aircraft was not able to leave the South Pole and the party was eventually "Rescued" by Adventure Network International (for the tourist part of the expedition) and by the Americans of Operation Deep Freeze for the Russian part of the expedition after arrangement with the US state Office. The party came out through Christchurch. You can see pictures and story about at; http://www.newzeal.com/theme/bases/SP/2002/Antonov3.htm

The leader of the expedition was the famed Russian "Hero of the Nation" Artur Chilingarov who was Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma and a person of high standing in Russia.

An Ilyushin 76 is expected to arrive in Christchurch late this coming Tuesday evening (21st December)and it will depart Christchurch for McMurdo at 2pm the following afternoon (Wednesday 22nd). This means it will reach McMurdo about 7pm. After offloading cargo and passengers, the Ilyushin will return to Christchurch where it will wait for the next week or so until the Antonov-3 is ready for picking up from McMurdo. They expect this to happen some time in early January. Artur Chilingarov is apparently going to be in charge of the expedition again . The plan is that the Russians will bring a replacement engine for the Antanov-3 inside the Ilyushin. At McMurdo it will be transferred to a US Air National Guard ski equipped Hercules and then flown along with a Soviet engineering team of 8 to the South Pole. Another group of 12 Russians will do day trips to and from South Pole. When the new engine of the Antonov-3 is fitted it will then fly to McMurdo where it will be taken apart and put inside the Ilyushin 76 for return to Christchurch.

Now of course you might ask why are the Americans helping out the Russians in this manner?   Well it is  in exchange for the loan of an icebreaker to help in the break into McMurdo this season.  This seson the B15A Iceberg and the thick sea ice it has caused in McMurdo Sound are proving difficult. this season the American have their CoastGuard vessel "Polar Star" attempting the break-in to McMurdo. Last season they used both Polar Class icebreakers and it wasn't enough (They are both aging and often break down) and this season the Polar Sea is currently under refit. The Americans have tried to charter an icebreaker elsewhere   The outcome is that the FESCO owned icebreaker "Krasin" will be loaned by the Russians. It is a relatively new and conventionally powered icebreaker which is based in Vladivostok. It has just finished a big job earlier this month and from late next year will undertake a big 10 year contract escorting crude oil tankers through the Tatar Strait for Exxon so it has a window of oportunity to undertake this task.

The two Icebreakers ("Polar Star" and "Krasin" are expected to try to go south of B-15a and squeak between B-15k and C-16 Ice Bergs which will be a new path into McMurdo.

..............................................................................

-Update December 21st 2004

According to a news release 3 hours ago..............

"RUSSIAN ICE-BREAKER KRASIN HEADING FOR ANTARCTIC TO RESCUE U.S. POLAR STATION MCMURDO

The Far-Eastern Marine Shipping Company's icebreaker Krasin leaves Vladivostok on Tuesday for the Antarctic to rescue the US polar station McMurdo. According to the shipping company, the cruise to the Antarctic was ordered by the Russian Government at the request of the US authorities for an ice-breaker to assist in urgently resupplying the US Antarctic mission. McMurdo Station is a major research center in the Antarctic. It is situated on the coast of the Ross Sea. Two US Coast Guard icebreakers - the Polar Sea and the Polar Star usually supply the station with everything its crew needs for sustenance and research. However, the Polar Sea is undergoing overhaul, with the other icebreaker being unable to handle the resupply mission on her own. Therefore, the US authorities turned to the Russian government for help, the Far-Eastern Marine Shipping Company says. The Russian and US icebreakers are slated to rendezvous in the Ross Sea between January 10 and 14, 2005. The link-up is to pave the way through ice for a tanker to get to McMurdo Station. The larger Krasin is to lead the way in making a channel through ice for the tanker to follow, with the leg from the edge of ice to the shore to span 470 nautical miles, the shipping company says. On February 1, the Russian and US icebreakers are to link up with the American Tern supply vessel carrying 10,000 tons of cargo. According to estimates, the Krasin's Antarctic mission will total 5-6 weeks, after which she is to head for home to start leading Arctic convoys through Russian waters in the northern sector of the Pacific in April 2005."

also from Novesti Russian news agency.

On December 17th The State Duma (lower house of the Russian parliament) hosted:

"A press conference was held with State Duma Vice Speaker Artur Chilingarov speaking on "the Air Antarctic Expedition" This was timed at (12.30pm)." No report yet on what he said!

20th DECEMBER, 2003

HELICOPTER CRASH NEAR PATRIOT HILLS

Jennifer Murray's helicopter is reported by ALE to have crashed near Patriot Hills. ALE's twin otter is on site. Both occupants have survived but have sustained injuries. A doctor from ALE is treating the patients who are to be evacuated by ALE to Patriot Hills. AN Ilyushin 76 jet aircraft is expected to depart Punta Arenas in a few hours timefor Patriot Hills to medevac the patients. Weather at Patriot Hills is currently holding.

Photos of the helicopter's earlier arrival at the South Pole can be seen here

21st December update-

Jenny Murray, 63, and Colin Bodill, 53, survived temperatures of minus 40 Celsius and high winds after their Bell 407 helicopter crashed in frozen wastes 120 miles north of Patriot Hills in very bad weather conditions.

Mrs Murray broke her arm, while Mr Bodill suffered chest injuries.  Despite the shock, cold and injuries, they managed to take shelter in the aircraft before venturing out to put up an emergency tent to keep warm while hoping they would be rescued. The signal from the  helicopter’s satellite distress beacon was picked up at RAF Kinloss in Scotland who at first alerted search and rescue on the Falkland Islands.

Mrs Murray and Mr Bodill were stranded at the crash site for several hours before the veteran polar Twin Otter pilot Karl Zberg of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE) flying a Twin Otter plane picked them up and flew them to the base at Patriot Hills. Weather conditions at Patriot Hills were not real flash with a significant cross wind component to contend with. The two injured persons were then flown to Punta Arenas in a  IL-76 aircraft under the command of Captain Rashit Saitov.  Both injured persons are now reported as being in a stable condition.

1st December, 2003

SOUTH POLE PHOTOS FOR 2003-04 SEASON

We have created a page showing photos taken at the South pole this season kindly forwarded to us by Scott F. Smith. These can be seen here

14th November, 2003

US ICEBREAKER DAMAGED

The US Icebreaker/ research ship "Nathaniel B. Palmer" suffered serious damage a week ago in the Ross Sea and was stuck for some time in the ice 400 miles north of McMurdo. She has subsequently freed herself and is now limping on two of her four engines back to Lyttelton for major repairs which reportedly will require the removal of the two damaged engines by cutting holes in her main deck.

JAPANESE PROGRAM FACES MONETARY CONSTRAINTS

From Japan we learn that recently announced plans to replace their Icebreaker "Shirase" with a new vessel in the next few years have been shelved and there are now even doubts over the Japanese being funded to carry out any programmes for the 2004-05 season.

CONCORDIA BASE TO BE OFFICIALLY COMMISSIONED

The joint French/Italian Base "Concordia" will be officially commissioned this season with the completion of the building of the main station complex. Errected on poles, this modern station is located on the Antarctic plateau and is supplied by aircraft from Tera Nova Bay and an annual overland traverse from Dumont D'Urville Base.

ANTARCTIC SOLAR ECLIPSE PROVES POPULAR

A Solar eclipse which is scheduled to happen over East Antarctica on the 23rd of November will be witnessed (hopefully) by a number of parties from various nations. Firstly several of the bases will experience a full or partial eclipse, two aircraft flights are being made (From Chile to the South Pole and by Qantas to AAT) and by the tourist icebreaker "Kapitan Khlebnikov" which has just departed Capetown.

US 2004 SOUTH POLE WINTER OVER CREW TO BE VETTED

After several medevacs in recent years, the US Antarctic program is planning to check more closely the health of intended South Pole over-winterers this season. Unofficially we hear that intending over-winterers will be required to undergo ultra sound testing for possible gall bladder misfunctions. Any sign of gallstones or what is called Gall Bladder Sludge will disqualify candidates for the winter and if any of the currently signed up over-winterers has any of these problems they may be required ultimately to have their gall bladder surgically removed.

SOUTH POLE CREW START CLEARING OUT DOME STATION

With the new South Pole elevated station now in commission, many of the station functions have been transferred to the new building leaving some empty space in old Dome building. Some tidying up in the Dome has now happened with some of the buildings inside now being dismantled prior to reuse elsewhere or removal from the continent.

20th October, 2003

BIG B-15 ICEBERG BREAKS IN HALF

The massive B-15 Iceberg which broke off the Ross Ice shelf and grounded to the East of Ross Island causing a severe change in climate in the Ross Sea is now reported to have broken in half. Satellite photos show it has broken into two main parts approximately 80km and 40 km long. McMurdo shipping experts are keeping a close watch on the parts to see if this development will help or hinder this seasons Icebreaker attempt to break into McMurdo. As a contingency the US Antarctic program has ordered several extra miles of rubber hose. Last season's supply tanker was forced to anchor at the ice edge and transfer its fuel to McMurdo by hose over several km of ice and this season it is possible that an even longer fuel transfer will be necessary.

SOUTH POLE MEDIVAC GOES WELL

KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV TO USE NEW ZEALAND HELICOPTERS

The Russian tourist icebreaker "Kapitan Khlebnikov" which is the most powerful vessel operating tourist voyages in the Antarctic is to carry two New Zealand Helicopters this season. Previously operating old Russian helicopters the vessel is scheduled to take on board two New Zealand registered squirrel helicopters (ZK-HJB and ZK-HDR) when it calls at Capetown. These aircraft left Nelson, New Zealand in crates on the 4th of September bound for Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

HEARD ISLAND EXPEDITION TO HAVE OFFICIAL POSTMARK

28th September, 2003

HOBART ANTARCTIC EXPERIENCE TOURIST ATTRACTION TO CLOSE

The Tasmanian State Government has accepted advice and has decided to pull the plug on their support for the 3 year old "Antarctic Experience" Tourist attraction situated in downtown Hobart at Salamanca Place. The Attraction has failed to attract sufficient tourists to cover costs with the State Government now deciding that the valuable land could be put to better use. A similar attraction in Christchurch continues to prosper mainly because it is situated next door to the International Airport and a continual stream of tourists which the Tasmanian attraction is not able to do.

New Zealand & USA Research seasons to get underway Tuesday 30th September.

The first of the regular 2003-04 season flights to McMurdo commence later this week with both New Zealand and the USA programs having full schedule of events. Meanwhile news comes of a temporary grounding of US Air National Guard Hercules aircraft following a fire on a similar aircraft in Germany. All C-130 have been grounded until test can be done to confirm correct parts and pumps in the Fuel Cells. This may well mean a several day delay in plans to send the ski-equipped LC130 aircraft south and a consequent delay in the first flights to South Pole Station which is dependent on this type of aircraft.

14th September, 2003

AUSTRALIA POST INTRODUCE NEW BASE POSTMARKS

Australia Post have just introduced new pictorial base postmarks to replace their old pictorial ones which have been in use for a number of years. It is also possible that a special postmark will be used this season on Heard Island as there are a large number of events taking place on the island this season.   The new confirmed postmarks and their designs are as follows;

14th September, 2003

MEDIVAC UNDERWAY FOR SOUTH POLE

Currently a complicated series of flights are underway to rescue a sick Raytheon employee from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Because of low temperatures and lack of daylight the American South Pole Station is normally cut off until November but as the patients condition has worsened it has been decided to commence a medivac. On Friday 12th September two twin otter aircraft arrived in Punta Arenas from Canada to instigate the rescue. They will fly from there to the British Rothera Base for refueling before flying onto the South Pole. Provisional plans then call for one of the Twin Otters to fly the patient to McMurdo Base where he will be picked up there by a RNZAF Hercules and brought to Christchurch where he will be hospitalised. It is also possible depending on weather etc that the patient will be evacuated to Punta Arenas.

22nd August, 2003

WINFLY FLIGHT SUCCESSFUL

The first Winfly flight for 2003 was delayed for one day by bad weather at McMurdo but finally took place on Thursday 21st when the C17 Globemaster piloted by Lieutenant Paul Groven of the 62nd Airlift Wing transported 137 New Zealanders and Americans along with 15,000 kg of cargo to McMurdo and safely returned.

19th August, 2003

USAF to start 2003 WINFLY flights on Wednesday 20th August 2003

Depending on weather the first "Winfly" (Winter fly In) flight for the new season will commence this Wednesday when a C17 Globemaster departs Christchurch for the McMurdo ice runway in Antarctica. The Winfly flights (Normally a series of about 5 flights) are used to take scientists south who need to start their research progams before the advent of summer. It also provides a chance to resupply the US Antarctic Base at McMurdo and the nearby New Zealand Scott Base.

AUSTRALIAN'S CHASE PIRATE FISHING VESSEL.

News comes from Australia that the Australian fisheries protection vessel "Southern Supporter" is currently in persuit of  a Uruguayan flagged fishing vessel which is alleged to have been illegally fishing in waters around Heard Island to the far south of Australia. The Uruguayan vessel is reported to have tried to escape by heading towards the Antarctic ice pack with the "Southern Supporter" following.  It is understood that the South African vessel "Agulhas" which is equipped with a helicopter may now be heading towards the same area to assist the "Southern Supporter".

5TH AUGUST 2003

CHINESE NOT TO USE "XUE LONG" FOR CHINARE X1X.

In an unexpected move the Chinese Antarctic Programme have decided that for the 2003-04 season (Chinare 19) they will not emply their vessel "Xue Long" but will instead send their expeditioneers to their stations either by aircraft (for Great Wall Station) and as part of the Australian expedition to the Zhong Shan Station. The Zhong Shan exchange crew will travel along with the Australians most likely on board the "Vasiliy Golovnin".  Neither station will be operating post offices this season as the facillities for these and the Postmaster himself are transported on board the "Xue Long".

For the 2004-05 season however "CHINARE XX" it appears that a special effort is being planned to celebrate the 20th anniversary with China Central Television with China Science Expedition Association help, producing a television programme from Zhong Shan Station which will link various other bases around the Antarctic for a live broadcast back to China.

ADVENTURE NETWORK INTERNATIONAL NOT TO OPERATE IN 2003-04 SEASON

In another even more unexpected move, Anne Kershaw, the departing owner/operator of Adventure Network International announced on July 24th that the company had decided that it would not operate at all in the Antarctic during the 2003-04 season. Their plans for 2004-05 season are still being decided but the lack of ANI aircraft for this next season will severely curtail all private expeditions in antarctica as most of them use ANI either for basic transport or at least as an emergency rescue back-up.

4TH JULY 2003

AUSTRALIANS CHARTER RUSSIAN SHIP FOR SEASON

Vessel "SIR HUBERT WILKINS"  FINALLY SOLD

The Australian tourist expedition vessel "Sir Hubert Wilkins" has finally been sold after being on the market for over a year. Operated by "Ocean Frontiers" and owned by Antarctic veterans Don and Margie McIntyre the vessel made a number of trips to the AAT and the Ross Sea but proved both uneconomical and relatively unstable in the Southern Ocean.

18TH MAY 2003

SCOTT'S BISCUIT IS RETURNED

Well known Australian author Thomas Keneally is returning a biscuit he stole from Scott's Hutt in 1968. Back in those days it was common practice for visitors to the hut to 'souvenir' a biscuit or something similar but in recent years the Huntly & Palmers hardtack biscuit and its theft had been knawing at Keneally's conscience and so he recently decided to return it.

Accordingly Keneally booked a voyage on the ice breaker "Kapitan Khlebnikov" which in February this year was scheduled to call on Scott's Hut on Ross Island to enable himself to return his souvenir. However in a strange quirk of fate when he arrived in Lyttelton to board the vessel he realised that he had forgotten to pack the biscuit. When he eventually arrived at the hut he found that the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust had a restoration team working there and he took courage and admitted to their leader (and the executive director of the Heritage Trust) Nigel Watson about his biscuit theft of many years ago. Rather than arresting Keneally on the spot Nigel Watson calmly arranged for Keaneally to return the biscuit to the trust after he had returned home and now that this has been done Keneally says that he now feels absolved.

In recent years many such items have been returned.

12 May, 2003

The New Zealand Government announced recently that a new field store was to be built at Scott Base next summer. The two storey 1800 square metre building which will be the largest building constructed at Scott Base since 1956 will be heated throughout unlike the current ex aircraft hanger store built in 1960 which was constantly frozen.

Sad news came today with the death anounced of Rev. Father John Coleman.  John who was the Catholic priest at Sumner's "Star of the Sea" church in Christchurch was for many years right up until 2002 the person responsible for organising the rota of 4 ministers who served at the "Chapel of the Snows" Church in McMurdo each season. John himself had served as minister at McMurdo many times over the past 20 years and was a keen member of the New Zealand Antarctic Society and a good Antarctic photographer. He was responsible for many Antarctic calendars.

17 April, 2003

New Christchurch City Art Gallery to feature Antarctic Art.

May 2003 sees the fruition of 60 years planning with the opening of a stunning new Art Gallery in the heart of Christchurch called "Te Puna o Waiwhetu". The gallery will open May 10th and amongst other attractions will be a special Antarctic Gallery sponsored by Tait Electronics. More details can be seen on the Gallery's own web page here

25 January, 2003

The American Antarctic program has finally replaced their  increasingly unreliable supply vessel "Green Wave" with a new vessel. The "American Tern" was built in Germany 1990 to Finnish Ice class 1A specifications and has a 50% greater carrying capacity than "Green Wave". The vessel is operated by American Automar which has a contract with the American Military Sealife Command which provides the cargo capacity for the US Antarctic Program. This contract which extends until 2010 will see the vessel make an annual trip to McMurdo. We have a page showing photos etc of the new vessel here

30th December, 2002.

SOUTH POLE EVENTS

CRUISE LINER DAMAGED

  The "Hanseatic" which was scheduled to berth in Bluff but has instead been diverted to Lyttelton arriving Monday 15th December for urgent repairs. At this stage she is expected to remain in Lyttelton until the 21st of December. Her next scheduled cruise starts from Ushuaia on January 15th 2003 going to the Antarctic Peninsula

ICEBREAKERS MEET IN PORT

The Chinese Antarctic support vessel/Icebreaker "Xue Long" arrived in Lyttelton yesterday for a 4 day stay to load supplies and personnel before departing for China's  Great Wall and Zhong Shan Antarctic Bases. The vessel will not return home to Shanghai until early April next year. While in Lyttelton the chance was taken to exchange greetings and notes with the US Icebreaker/Research vessel "Nathaniel B Palmer" which had recently arrived from South America on her way to the Ross Sea and McMurdo for Antarctic research. The "Nathaniel B Palmer" will be based again at Lyttelton for the most of the next year after several months spent in the Antarctic Peninsula area.

Sir Hubert Wilkins chartered for Antarctic expedition.

The Hobart based  expedition vessel "Sir Hubert Wilkins" will depart Hobart on  December 1st, 2002 for a previously un-announced charter voyage to Cape Adare and the Ross Sea. We understand the vessel has been chartered by Television New Zealand for a upcoming "Wild South" documentary series.  The Dunedin based film makers have an enviable record in producing award winning wildlife documentaries. The expedition is expected to return to Hobart about the 8th of February 2003.

The "Kapitan Khlebnikov"   departed Lyttelton today commencing a long tourist trip circumnavigating the Antarctic continent in a westerly direction returning to Lyttelton in early February 2003. Apart from a ship to ship transfer of passengers with the vessel "Professor Multanovskiy" at Deception Island, the vessel will only call at Antarctic bases over the next 2 months until it returns to Lyttelton.

We understand that Adventure Networks International's Basler DC3 aircraft has been severely damaged if not wrecked in a storm at Patriot hills recently when its tethering came adrift and the aircraft is now left in pieces on the ground.

This unusual turbo-prop DC3 on skis has been the mainstay in recent years for ANI's transport of groups between Patriot Hiills and their two main tourist destinations of the South Pole and and the Vinson Masiff climbing region.

It is likely that the loss of this aircraft (shown above at the South Pole in 2000 will severely affect current ANI plans. Further Basler photos can be seen here.

SCOTT'S HUT SPORES NOT ANTHRAX

Recent reports that tests taken in the stables of Scott's hut on Ross island showed traces of Anthrax have now proved to be false. Final results show various minor viruses attributable to the Manchurian ponies that Scott used but no positives for anthrax. It has now been decided to reopen the huts to visitors. It is also expected that further tests will be done this season at other historic huts in the Antarctic.

SHIPS BESET IN ICE PACK FOR WINTER

News comes from her German owners that the "Magdalena Oldendorf" will now remain stuck in the Antarctic ice for the rest of the season (until November) as attempts to free her by the Argentine icebreaker "Almirante Irizar" appear to have failed. The Argentine Icebreaker evidently will still try to free itself but it seems likely that both vessels will have to remain until summer unless an unseasonal break in the weather happens.

As the 2001-2002 Antarctic season winds down we can report that the Chinese Antarctic Programme are planning an increased spending on Antarctic activities in future, the Australians are planning to fly most of their Antarctic Expeditioneers to the continent by 2005 and the Americans have certified a white-ice runway at McMurdo which in future seasons should allow greater use of wheeled aircraft on the main Christchurch to McMurdo route freeing up their ski-equipped Hercules aircraft for intra-Antarctic flying tasks.

PRINCESS ANNE IN ANTARCTICA

The Princess Royal, Princess Anne completed her visits to the Antarctic and Christchurch on schedule. The following two photos were taken in Christchurch on February 11th. We also offer collectors covers from the two Antarctic bases she visited: Scott Base and the nearby Italian Terra Nova Bay. New Zealand Post did not use a special postmark but mail from both bases had special visit cachets applied by NZ Post as it passed through Christchurch. We also hope to shortly have available  official Antarctic Heritage Trust envelopes for the Historic Huts preservation campaign.

PRINCESS ANNE IN ANTARCTICA

The Princess Royal, Princess Anne flew by RNZAF Hercules aircraft from Christchurch to the Ross Dependency arriving on Thursday 7th February after a "Boomerang" flight the previous day. The Princess who is staying at Scott Base has visited various historic huts in the area as well as the nearby American McMurdo Base and the Italian Base at Terra Nova Bay. She was scheduled to attend a special anniversary meal at Scott Base this evening to celebrate the centenary of the First British Antarctic Expedition of Captain Robert F. Scott arriving in the antarctic as well as a special church service in the Chapel of the Snows before returning to Christchurch on Sunday weather permitting.

In Christchurch she is scheduled to place a wreath on the famous Scott Statue in Worcester Boulevard before attending a Civic function in the Canterbury Museums' Antarctic wing on Monday 11th February.

"KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV" DEPARTS LYTTELTON

The Russian icebreaker "Kapitan Khlebnikov" departed Lyttelton this afternoon for her final Antarctic cruise this season. She is scheduled to visit the Ross Sea including hopefully visits to McMurdo (American), Scott (NZ) and Terra Nova (Italian) Antarctic Bases as well as other historic sites in the area before arriving at Hobart after a call at Macquarie Island on the way north.

JAPANESE  CHARTER FOR N.Z. VESSEL "TANGAROA"

A Japanese Oceanographic expedition will take place next month South of Australia along the 140° E Longitude between Hobart and the Antarctic mainland.  The "Tangaroa" will depart Hobart on the 5th February and return there on the 16th of March. The expedition will be engaged in water sampling.

BAD WEATHER ELSEWHERE STRANDS 3 AIRCRAFT AT SOUTH POLE

Bad weather at McMurdo and on the Antarctic Continent has stranded two US Hercules and a British Antarctic Survey twin Otter aircraft at the South Pole while they wait for the weather to improve. Photos of the stranded aircraft at the South Pole can be seen on our South Pole photos page here

RUSSIAN EXPEDITION EVACUATED TO CHRISTCHURCH

The Russian VIP party stuck at the South Pole on the 8th of January by the breakdown of their aircraft has been evacuated from the Continent. The Russian part of the Antonov-3 compliment has been flown via McMurdo Base to Christchurch by the USAF while the tourist compliment has been flown from the South Pole by a ANI DC-3 aircraft to Patriot Hills and from there they will go to Punta Arenas. More photos of the expedition showing the Antonov-3 being stored for the winter at the South Pole, the arrival of the DC-3 aircraft and the Russian party on arrival in Christchurch can be seen here

AUSTRALIAN SUPPLY SHIP STUCK IN ICE IS EVACUATED

The Australian antarctic supply vessel "Polar bird" which has been stuck in the pack ice near the AAT Mawson Base since before Christmas has had its compliment of scientists and expeditioneers taken off it by helicopter and flown to the Australian icebreaker "Aurora Australis" as there seems little immediate hope of freeing the vessel from the ice. For several days the "Aurora Australis" has tried to rescue the "Polar Bird" but has been prevented doing so by the 10/10th's pack ice. The "Polar Birds" crew has remained on board and it is hoped that a weather change will enable the vessel to be freed when the "Aurora Australis" returns to the area in a few days time.

American Coast Guard vessels open up McMURDO.

The USCG Cutter "Polar Sea" has succeeded in cutting a passage into McMurdo Sound arriving on January 6th. Along with her sister ship the "Polar Star",  the two vessels will escort supply ships, a tanker and several tourist vessels into the McMurdo ice wharf this month. One of the ice breakers first jobs on arriving was the annual McMurdo Sound cruise for McMurdo base staff which is the highlight of the working season for many of the staff at McMurdo.

RUSSIAN ANTONOV 3 AIRCRAFT STRANDED AT SOUTH POLE

A VIP visit to the South Pole has resulted in the stranding of the vice-President of the Russian Duma at the South Pole as the Russian Antonov 3 ski plane has broken down with serious mechanical problems. The 14 persons from the Antonov are being looked after at the south pole by the Americans as plans are being considered for the flying out of the VIP party.  Photos of the aircrafts arrival at the South Pole and the Russian VIP party can be seen here

"SKI THE LAST DEGREE" EXPEDITION REACHES SOUTH POLE

Christmas Day saw the arrival at the South Pole of the 7 person "Ski the Last Degree" expedition. These people skied the last 60 miles to the South Pole after having been dropped off at  89 degree South point by an adventure network aircraft. Photos of this expedition, a recent visit by a Chinese film crew to the South Pole and the annual South Pole "Around the World" race can be seen by clicking here

MCMURDO BASE ENJOYS GOOD XMAS WEATHER

Following a severe storm just over a week ago, the McMurdo area has been enjoying warmer and sunnier weather than usual with temperatures above freezing experienced. Photos of Williams Field (The airfield at McMurdo) after the big snow dump can be seen here

AUSTRALIAN SUPPLY SHIP STUCK IN ICE

The Australian chartered Antarctic Supply vessel "Polar Bird" has now been stuck in the Antarctic ice pack not far from Mawson base for the past 2 weeks. It is surrounded by 10/10 ice coverage and has been conserving fuel by only running its main engines every so often to help relieve pressure on the vessels hull as it awaits for the weather to improve and rescue to be made.   The delay has caused following "Polar Bird" voyages  to be rescheduled.

ARGENTINE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS PREVENT   BASES BEING OPENED

Current economic woes have been reflected in the Argentine decision not to open all their bases this season. A recent visit of the tourist expedition vessel "Polar Star" has confirmed the regular Almirante Brown Base is amongst those affected with the "closed" sign on the door.

ITALIAN SUPPLY SHIP "ITALICA" ARRIVES IN LYTTELTON.

The regular Italian Antarctic supply vessel "Italica" arrived in Lyttelton yesterday (December 18th) as its last port of call before heading for the Italian Antarctic Base at Terra Nova Bay.  She is expected to depart on December 23rd.

AMERICANS HONOUR ANTARCTIC VETERANS.

The American Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names announced on Thanksgiving Day 2001 a further 7 Antarctic Veterans who have had Antarctic places named in their honour. Those announced by Julie Palais the NSF Science representitive South Pole Antarctic Glagiology Program Manager and a member on the Advisory committee were;

MORE SOUTH POLE PHOTOS ADDED.

Yet more 2001-2002 photos have been added to our South Pole pictorial page which can be seen here

FURTHER SOUTH POLE PHOTOS ADDED

We have added more new photos to our South Pole page including photos of the first tourist flight to the Geographic South Pole by Adventure Network International which arrived there earlier today. You can see these photos by clicking  here

"SIR HUBERT WILKINS"  TRIP CANCELLED

News comes from Australia that the planned Japanese television sponsored expedition to Mt Erebus in the Ross Dependency has been cancelled because the ship owners could not attract enough other passengers for the voyage. The thick ice in the Ross Sea may also have influenced this decision as it appears likely that the vessel would have experienced considerable difficulty with the heavy ice in the Ross Sea.

US ANTARCTIC PROGRAM CONFIRMS USE OF TWO ICEBREAKERS

Recently confirmation has come that the US National Science Foundation has requested the second "Polar Class" icebreaker "Polar Sea" joins her sister ship "Polar Star" in the annual ice break-in to McMurdo Sound. Normally only a single icebreaker is needed but this season the ice is a lot more extensive. This is the first time that both "Polar Class" icebreakers have been scheduled to be employed together for this task.

SOUTH POLE WORKERS DISCOVER OLD PARACHUTE IN ICE.

While digging out ice for the new Pole station at the South Pole, workers have discovered an old parachute dating back to the original 1956-57 period when the South Pole station was first established. The well preserved and colourfull cargo parachute has stamped-on manufacture info indicating its origins.   A photo of part of this parachute can be seen on our "Recent South Pole Photos" page here

OLD ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS ACT AS GUIDES FOR TOURISTS

SOUTH AFRICAN SAFAIR HERCULES USED BY ITALIAN PROGRAMME

As reported last month, the Italian Antarctic Programme have this season not used the Italian Air Force for its logistic air support but have instead chartered the private South African Company SAFAIR to provide flights from Christchurch to both Terra Nova Bay (where the main Italian Base is located ) and to McMurdo Sound.

GERMAN ICEBREAKER 'POLARSTERN' NEWS

German sources advise that in a Joint European Move the German icebreaker "Polarstern" is now to be based in Capetown to concentrate on Antarctic work while a new European Community vessel will be built to cover the Arctic duties previously undertaken by 'Polarstern'.  Intentions are that 'Polarstern' will now also operate in Southern Ocean Antarctic areas south of New Zealand and Australia. The two yearly German Ganovex programs based in Victoria land in the Ross Dependency look a likely focus of these operations. 'Polarstern' will in future only retun to Germany about once every 5 years for major overhauls. It is also expected that the Post Office currently operating on board the vessel will be dis-established in 2002.

LYTTELTON PORT COMPANY TO CELEBRATE ANTARCTIC LINKS

The Lyttelton Port company will celebrate their long involvement with Antarctic shipping with the use next month of a pictorial meter celebrating the "Centenary of the First British Antarctic Expedition" which saw Captain R.F. Scotts' vessel "Discovery" depart Lyttelton on the 21st December, 1901.

Lyttelton continues to host Antarctic bound vessels with several departures scheduled this season.

NEW SEASON PICTURES FROM SOUTH POLE STATION

We have added a new page for photos received from the South Pole this season. the first of these showing the arrival of the first hercules aircraft in many months are now available here.

MCMURDO QUILTERS RAISE  FUNDS  FOR  HISTORIC  OBSERVATORY

A donation of about NZ $2,500 is to be made to the Magnetic Observatory Museum which is being established in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The museum is being established in an old worshop building which was part of the Magnetic Observatory established for the 1901-04 British Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott.  The team of 200 Americans overwintering at McMurdo Station in Antarctica chose the project for a charity cause. The money was raised by the raffle at $5 a ticket of a large quilt made for the 2001 Art Show at McMurdo Station according to a organiser Caprice Stevenson in a report today in a local Christchurch Newspaper.

YACHT  LEAVES  FOR   ANTARCTIC

SEA ICE MUCH THICKER THAN NORMAL.

Recent reports from McMurdo Base (see "The Antarctic Sun") indicate that this season the ice in both the Ross Ice Shelf area and in the area around the Antarctic Peninsula is far thicker than in previous seasons.  the sea ice this year is reported to be 40% thicker than last year with the sea ice at McMurdo measuring 3 meters thick. Normally when the annual icebreaker visit happens in December the vessel needs to cut a channel of around  15 to 20 miles to reach McMurdo from the open sea but it looks like this year the icebreaker may have to cut its way through 70 miles of ice.

At McMurdo speculation is that the nearby presence of a grounded giant iceberg may be affecting the local climate and causing the much colder than normal ocean temperatures. The extremely large iceberg B-15 extends down into the sea some 1,000 feet and is effectively blocking the circulation of water through McMurdo Sound.

Currently contingency plans are being made in case more than a single icebreaker is needed to open up McMurdo Base for its annual important tanker and supply ship visits scheduled for January. It is possible that the "Polar Sea" which is scheduled to be in the Weddell Sea area assisting a private film company searching for Shackletons' sunken "Endurance" may be diverted to assist her sister ship "Polar Star" and it is also possible that the newer and more powerfull icebreaker "Healey" could be employed in the Antarctic for the first time.  The "Polar star" is currently scheduled to start breaking Antarctic sea ice on December 28th.

H.M.A.S. "MELVILLE" FORCED HOME BY WEATHER

Weather has also played its part in the Australian Antarctic Support schedule with the new Australian Royal Navy hydrological vessel "Melville" having to abandon its scheduled voyage to MacQuarie island and to return to Hobart because of extremely bad weather according to the vessel's commander J.W. Maschke. This voyage was the first of ANARE's annual supply trips.

SOUTH POLE FLIGHTS GET THROUGH!

We have heard from the South Pole that the Amundsen-Scott Station has suddenly experienced a rapid population growth as the first two Hercules LC130 aircraft arrived yesterday. The third scheduled flight for the day was postphoned as weather conditions deteriorated but the over-winterers are having to adjust to a few strange faces around the place now.

AMERICAN ICEBREAKER FREES ITSELF.

The US Icebreaker "Nathaniel B Palmer" is reported by Antarctic sources to have now freed itself from its icy predicament and aided by a good SE wind it made a successful dash for the ice edge. It is making for Punta Arenas which it will now arrive at only a few days later than originally scheduled.

SOUTH POLE FLIGHTS STILL DELAYED.

The first flights from McMurdo to Amundsen-Scott South Pole station were scheduled for Monday 22nd of October. However bad weather en-route have delayed the flights with several days delay now still holding up the opening of the South Pole season where South Polies are still looking forward to their first fresh food, mail and other supplies in several months.

RECENT FRENCH ANTARCTIC THEME POSTMARKS

Over the past few months the French Post Office has used at least 4 different postmarks with an Antarctic theme. We show three on them below. The fourth is a pictorial postmark used at Paris on the 20th October to commemorate the 20th anniversary of CCAMLR, featuring a Antarctic Toothfish and the logo of the CCAMLR. For collectors wishing to obtain examples of these four postmarks Shades Stamp Shop Ltd  can supply them at US$3 each or US$10 for all four.

SOUTH POLE FLIGHTS BEGIN.

Yesterday the first of the new seasons flights was scheduled to fly from McMurdo to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to bring to an end several months of isolation. Three ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules aircraft of the New York Air National Guard were to fly as a group to provide support to each other in case of an emergency.

"Nathaniel B Palmer" still stuck in ice.

We have learnt that the US icebreaker "Nathaniel B Palmer" is still stuck in the ice between Adelaide and Alexander Islands but is in no immediate danger. The vessel has extensive supplies on board and is designed to spend months at a time icebound and so the event is more annoying than dangerous.

American APO's in ANTARCTICA WATCH MAIL

In the wake of the Terrorist bombings and anthrax letter threats, the United States Antarctic Program's mail service is taking a much harder look at mail passing through its hands. A new  requirement is that all mail (including philatelic mail) must have a senders return address on the top left of the envelope or else it  will be treated as suspicious and it will not be forwarded to Antarctica. All mail posted in the Antarctic must similarly have a return address although it is not clear if this should be the Antarctic senders address or the original senders return address.

Antarctic Explorer  to participate in adventure race in New Zealand.

British Polar Explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes is to tackle the "Southern Traverse" adventure race in New Zealand this November.  Sir Ranulph suffered a badly frostbitten hand during a solo walk to the North Pole last year and this race represents his first outing since then.   He and  3 other British members in Team Alstrom will start the Southern Traverse event on November 12th near Queenstown. The event will take competitors through the alpine terrain of the Southern Lakes region of the South Island.

AMERICAN ICEBREAKER STUCK IN ICE

News comes today that the American research icebreaker "Nathaniel B Palmer" is stuck fast in the ice near the Antarctic Peninsula. The ship is about 60 miles from the ice edge and wedged between Adelaide and Alexander Islands with rafts of sea ice 65 feet deep around it.

CHINA'S EXPEDITION SHIP TO VISIT LYTTELTON

The 18th Chinese National Antarctic expedition will see the expedition vessel "Xue Long"  depart Shanghai on 15th November and arrive in Lyttelton (Christchurch) on 3rd December. After a short stay "Xue Long" will sail for the Antarctic Peninsula and is expected at the Great Wall Station on 20th December and then at Zhong Shan Station on 15th January arriving back in Shanghai on 25th February after making a call into Perth on its way home having circumnavigated the Antarctic continent.

US ANTARCTIC PROGRAM AIRCRAFT DIVERTED TO MIDDLE EAST CRISIS.

The US Antarctic Program will be short of a series of C-17 Globemaster flights from Christchurch to McMurdo Sound this season with the cargo capacity being required for military purposes in the Middle East. A single C-17 flight will carry more cargo than 4 C-141 Starlifter flights so the lack of C-17 flights will be a serious handicap to the season which is in its critical period when the ice runway can be used.

PRINCESS ROYAL TO VISIT ROSS DEPENDENCY

After previous failed attempts to arrange visits to Antarctica by members of the British Royal family comes news that Princess Anne will be visiting Scott Base and McMurdo Station in January 2002 in her capacity of Patron of the United Kingdom based Antarctic Heritage Trust. The visit is timed to coincide with commemorations for the centenary of Captain Robert Scott's Discovery Expedition of 1901-1904 and will include visits by the royal party to historic huts in the area.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRCRAFT TO BE USED BY ITALIANS

The Italian Antarctic Program has decided this season to charter a South African based Hercules aircraft for their Christchurch to Terra Nova Bay and Christchurch to McMurdo Sound flights rather than use an aircraft of the Italian Air Force. In the past the reasonably new Italian Air Force Hercules aircraft have proved rather unreliable operating over this route which requires specialist skills which the Italian antarctic Program believes the South African company can provide. The first South African flights are scheduled for later this month.

ANTARCTIC LITERATURE PAGE ADDED TO SITE

We have today added a page offering recent Antarctic publications . This includes two Philatelic books and a new book about Antarctic Aviation. The web page can be seen by clicking here

PENGUIN STAMPS TO BE ISSUED IN NOVEMBER

The above set of 6 penguin stamps which will be issued by New Zealand Post in early November feature views of 6 different penguin species found around the New Zealand coastline. New Zealand is home to more different penguin species than any other country with many rookeries found around the South Island and off-shore islands to the South. An interesting aspect of the above set is that the design of the 80 cent stamp supposedly showing a little blue penguin in error actually shows the closely related (but differently marked) white flippered penguin.   We can offer customers sets of this stamp set either mint or used or on first day cover as well as a similar set of 6 penguin stamps (Showing species found in the Antarctic) being issued by Ross Dependency on the same day. To see illustrations of the Ross Dependency designs click here

SPECIAL POSTMARK FOR ROBERT FALCON SCOTT.

New Zealand Post will use the above pictorial postmark on the 21st of December, 2001  to mark the departure of Scott's vessel "Discovery"from Lyttelton bound for the Antarctic on his first Antarctic Expedition. 

Collectors wishing to obtain this postmark on their mail for that day can write either to New Zealand Post, Cathedral Square, Christchurch or if you wish to have the cancellation applied to one of the above penguin stamps on a special "Discovery" postcard then place an order with us by email (click here) Price US$2 each.

NEW   CHRISTCHURCH  ANTARCTIC  WEB SITE LAUNCHED

This week a new Christchurch based Antarctic links website has gone on line. It is called "Canterbury Antarctic Link" and is supported by the Christchurch City Council, Banks Peninsula District Council, Christchurch and Canterbury Marketing, and the Canterbury Development Corporation. The site provides a link to a myriad of Christchurch based Antarctic related businesses, tourist attractions and other Antarctic resources including links to web based Antarctic sites.

The site can be found at http://www.antarctic-link.org.nz

CHRISTCHURCH ANTARCTIC PIONEER HONOURED

It was announced today that well known Christchurch Scientist Dr Margaret Bradshaw has been honoured by having the International Antarctic Centre's new (second) all-terrain tourist Haaglund named after her. The $5000,000 Hagglund will join the previous Hagglund, named for Sir Edmund Hilliary, carrying tourists around the Antarctic Centre. Dr Bradshaw has led many Antarctic expeditions including a well publicised one to retrieve Antarctic meteorites. She is the current president of the New Zealand Antarctic Society and has also recently acted as a lecturer on Antarctic cruise vessels.

ANTARCTIC SECRETARIAT LOCATION DECIDED.

At the current meeting of the Antarctic Treaty members in St. Petersburg, Russia a long awaited breakthrough was made with the decision to establish the first permanent secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty System at Buenos Aires in Argentina.  This will lead to the establishment of a permanent headquarters there for the treaty members which will see most future meetings of the organisation being held there.

CAMPBELL ISLAND RAT ERADICATION PROGRAMME COMPLETED.

News came yesterday that the New Zealand Department of Conservation have completed their ambitious campaign to rid   sub-Antarctic Campbell Island of its Norwegian rat population. The campaign intended to take 3 months has been completed in less than one month owing to suitable helicopter flying weather and the efforts of the Southland based team. Follow ups will be done for the next two years to make sure the island is predator free before attempts are made to re-introduce previously endemic endangered wildlife species.

TOURIST HAGGLUND PROVES POPULAR

The Christchurch Antarctic Centre yesterday announced that its Hagglund ride using a gwenuine Antarctic Hagglund has proved so popular in its first year that a second Hagglund vehicle was being added and the adventure course part of the tour was being extended including the addition of a mock crevasse for the vehicles to traverse. In the past year more than 40,000 people have taken a Hagglund ride which apart from the adventure course includes visits to several Antarctic facilities.

To see photos of the Hagglund and covers carried on its very first trip click here

ANTARCTIC MEDEVAC UPDATES

The RNZAF C-130 Hercules yesterday completed its medevac by bringing back to Christchurch 11 US personnel from McMurdo station. Four of these were for medical reasons and the other 7 for personal reasons. The flight had been delayed for 1 day due to weather conditions at McMurdo.

Meanwhile the South Pole medevac by twin otter aircraft has gone ahead with one of the aircraft currently at the South Pole due to return to Rothera Base after a 12 hour wait for refueling and rest for the flight crew. We have dramatic photos of the Twin Otter aircraft at the South Pole here

ANTARCTIC MEDEVAC UPDATES

It was announced that the planned South Pole Medevac for Doctor Shemenski has now been put on hold as the medical condition of Dr Shemeniski has improved. Earlier plans for a medevac from the South Pole through Christchurch using USAF ski equipped Hercules were changed as temperatures dropped to a 2 plane Twin Otter medevac from Punta Arenas via Rothera Base. Bad weather in Punta Atrenas and on the flight path had held up these plans and with the improvements to Dr Shemenski these plans have now been put on hold.

Meanwhile it has been announced in Christchurch that the RNZAF will attempt a Medevac from McMurdo on Monday 23rd April of 5 American personnel needing medical treatment in Christchurch. A RNZAF Hercules will leave Christchurch before dawn and arrive at McMurdo at 1pm during the short 1 hour of daylight gtime before returning immediately to Christchurch with the 5 American personnel.

ANOTHER SICK SOUTH POLE DOCTOR

It was announced today that the US National Science Foundation have requested that the USAF Air National Guard make plans for a possible medevac of the current South Pole Station doctor who is suffering from Pancreatitis.  Dr Ronald Shemenski (59) will be evacuated by LC130 aircraft if possible in the next few days as soon as the aircraft have arrived from their base in Scotia, New York.

EIRIK SONNELAND AND ROLF BAE ARRIVE IN NEW ZEALAND

Yesterday the two man Norwegian South Pole team arrived in Bluff, New Zealand  at the end of their controversial trans-Antarctic expedition. Originally only authorised to trek from the Norwegian Troll station to the South Pole and return, Sonneland and Bae surprised everyone by continuing on to Ross Island to cross the entire Antarctic continent unaided. We have added more photos of the expedition to our web page here and expect to shortly add more photos showing their arrival in Bluff on board the "Akademik Shokalksiy".  Bae and Sonneland were collected from Bluff by Klaus Arne Pedersen of the Antarctic Protection Society who is hosting the two Norwegians during their Christchurch stay. They are expected to leave Christchurch on 28th February and arrive home in Stavanger on March Ist to a welcome from friends and family.

Yesterday was also the scheduled last day for flights between McMurdo and Christchurch by Operation Deep Freeze.

BANCROFT AND ARNESEN REACH SHIP

In an announcement on their "Your Expedition" website we learn that Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen were picked up at 10am local time today by the "Sir Hubert Wilkin's" helicopter and flown the short distance to the ship. 
The "Sir Hubert Wilkins" will arrive in Hobart early next week.

Meanwhile, the "Akademik Shokalskiy" will arrive in Bluff at the southern end of the South Island of New Zealand on Saturday 24th February with the two Norwegian trans-Antarctic trekkers Rolf Bae and Eirik Sonneland on board.  This pair
had arrived at Scott Base 2 weeks earlier than Bancroft and Arnesen having completed their trek all the way from Troll Station unaided.  Hastily made arrangements saw the "Akademik Shokalskiy" use its new ATV (all terrain vehicle) to travel some 80 km over the ice from the vessel to pick up the guys near Scott Base and then return 80km with them to the vessel. After spending a few days in Christchurch the 2 Norwegians will fly home to a welcome in Stavanger on the 28th of February.