Monday 4 February 1974
Today we made a big, but not successful effort, to complete the seal kill. Bill Whitley, Mike Wing, Ian Clements and two of Event 1 were hard at it until 1830 hours but we still have to take a few more to complete our quota.
A helicopter finally got in to Vanda today with starter gears for the Petter and false teeth for Tony Smith. Well, they are on their own now!
I spent most of the day sifting and dictating monthly reports.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind Southerly 2 knots` Temperature -6.5°C
Ration strength 26
Tuesday 5 February 1974
The seal kill finished today and the carcasses are laid out on the snow in the pressure ridges ready to be moved to the new wannigan site near the winter dog lines. Bill Whitley and Mike Wing are now back at work on the wannigan. Late in the day Bill Johnson got a trip to Vostok. Otherwise normal maintenance and laboratory routines.
The killed seals are cut up and used as dog food during the winter
Conditions at 0900 hours Calm Temperature -4.4°C
Ration strength 26
Wednesday 6 February 1974
Waitangi Day but normal work in the Antarctic. The last of our field people emplaned. These were Peter Anderton, Graham Boddy, Graham Horrel, John Rothery and Ian Clement. Mike Wing was due to get an X-Ray but the technician has gone. He seems to be recovered. Incidentally, there are already signs that my winter-over group is having difficulty in accepting Mike.
Kikwa has a deep slash on his rump so we invited the doctor to stitch it up and stay for dinner. I selected a new place to get ice today and although it was a great success at first (three sledges filled in just on the hour) as I was trying to tow the last sledge away the tractor (the International 500) broke through an ice crust. Two hours later, with the aid of the D4, we got it out again. A sledge full of ice had to be temporarily left amongst the ridges.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 19 knots Temperature -8.4°C
Ration strength 21
Thursday 7 February 1974
Normal maintenance and laboratory routines. Paul Luckman’s 21st birthday was celebrated with wine, cake and hymn.
Conditions at 0900 hours wind North-East 10 knots Temperature -9.5°C
Ration strength 21
Friday 8 February 1974
Apart from Base routine the event of the day was a close of the season party for the US Navy and USARP friends. It took the form of a traverse through various checkpoints in the Base. Stimulants and guides were provided at all points but one or two staff and guests stumbled into slots or for some other reason failed to complete the course.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind Northerly 5 knots Temperature -4.0°C
Ration strength 19
Saturday 9 February 1974
Last nights party must have been more than ordinarily tiring because at my 0800 hours check I was able to identify five volunteers for Sunday mouse. The sledge full of ice which we had to abandon temporarily on Wednesday was successfully recovered. It is becoming a major exercise to position sledges at the kitchen and laboratory ice melters. The D4 tracks are so worn that they will not grip the scoria and the sledges have to be pushed into position with the blade.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind South 8 knots Temperature -4.2°C
Ration strength 19
Sunday 10 February 1974
Nothing to report
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 12 knots Temperature -6.8°C
Ration strength 19
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